Aside from the power differences, has any gotten any feedback on this engine compared to the 2.8? Would be intereted to know about smoothness, drivability (with a manual), sound, etc.

until you drive one installed in five, /I do not think you can compare, the three series exhaust was modified to be louder, who knows about the five, There have allready been stalling glitches in the three & x-5 with the new engine,but a software fix was supposed to correct that, but in those early cars ECU had to be sent back to reprogram, hopefully new fives will have software already updated, STay tuned to this channel/