First (apparently) V8 Sold In USA at LR Austin

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Dec 10, 2021 | 06:03 PM

#11

patpatriot6

Mudding

Joined: Jan 2021

Posts: 130

Likes: 64

From: New England

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulLR

We need to add another vehicle to the family motor pool once the kids come back from college in May. (We sold my wife's LR4 and she's now driving their Passport while they are away) I've been trying to justify buying an X5 M50i for $90K instead of a regular X5 4.0 for $75K. Looking at the Defender V8 prices above, suddenly that 523 HP X5 M50i with the V8 looks like a bargain. Funny part is that same BMW V8 engine will eventually be in the Defender now that JLR is switching to BMW V8 engines. New Range Rover is already available with the BMW V8.

have you owned an M before? I haven’t but have owned an AMG (relevant simply because they are the BMW and Mercedes equivalents)… and the ride quality really does suffer as a daily driver when you go the performance route. Just make sure to drive one to know whether you can live with it as a daily.

Dec 10, 2021 | 08:21 PM

#12

inater

Thread Starter

Rock Crawling

Joined: Jul 2021

Posts: 384

Likes: 431

From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_RRS2013

As it was a V8 with blue calipers, was this the 007 Edition by chance?

I am not sure about the 007 honestly....I just walked in and was stunned to see it as I have been reading about all the issues getting them on the forums here. It was completely blacked out with suede steering wheel etc. A sales person then came up and said it was the first one sold in the US (again everyone says that) and then I looked at the sticker and was blown away to see it sold for over 190k.

Dec 10, 2021 | 08:33 PM

#13

MNDefender

Three Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 77

Likes: 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by patpatriot6

We have an X5 M50i, it’s a blast to drive and the ride is great. We have the optional air suspension though. Only negative is that my wife tends to have a heavy foot and fills up at least weekly.

Dec 11, 2021 | 06:50 AM

#14

NoGaBiker

Pro Wrench

Joined: Feb 2021

Posts: 1,338

Likes: 1,440

From: Atlanta, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by inater

A sales person then came up and said it was the first one sold in the US (again everyone says that) and then I looked at the sticker and was blown away to see it sold for over 190k.

He meant it was the first one sold in the US for over $190k.

Dec 11, 2021 | 07:59 AM

#15

PaulLR

Recovery Vehicle

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 1,135

Likes: 824

From: Boston, MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNDefender

We have an X5 M50i, it’s a blast to drive and the ride is great. We have the optional air suspension though. Only negative is that my wife tends to have a heavy foot and fills up at least weekly.

Exactly. My wife and I test drove an M50i after a 4.0 and couldn't stop smiling the entire time. No interest in the X5M which has the stiffer suspension. We also test drove a RRS Supercharged on 22's. The ride was harsh and you felt every road imperfection through the steering wheel, yet somehow the handling felt clumsy compared to the X5. I think our Defender on 20's has a better combination of smooth ride and handling than the RRS.

Dec 11, 2021 | 03:33 PM

#16

mcurtis137

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2021

Posts: 31

Likes: 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by patpatriot6

I’ve had a 2017 GLE63s (coupe) and 2019E63S wagon as daily drivers. Loved both. The wagon was maybe a bit too much of a race car for every day driving but the GLE was perfect. Loved that car.