Re: source = someone high up at *NA (m) (archive)

However this info was passed onto the sales manager at Open Road BMW who I was talking to yesterday. He assured me his info was accurate. Even so I don't believe it. I'm of the opinion that it will be built.
Alpina22
00=oo=00

Like Alpina22 (who has very informative posts),I also spoke with Open road BMW sales staff several months ago, hoping to put a deposit on 4.6is and was told that their mgr just got back from dealer meeting and 4.6is will NOT be produced. Instead, BMWNA will sell an X5 4.5i using the 333hp engine from the new 745i.This X5 4.5i will also replace the 4.4i for 2002! The logic seems to be an economies of scale issue that BMW or BMWNA did not want to produce or support four different V8s (4.4i-282hp,4.5i-333hp,4.6iAlpina 347hp,M5-400hp).When I pressed them if this also meant the 2002 540i would also be a "545i" by the same logic, they did not know.Also, the new 745i is not due until Jan 2002.Does that mean the 2002 x5 and 5 series V8 will have the new 4.5i before the new 7 series does ? Doubtful in my opinion.Is bmw going to hold X5 & 5 series V8 production until Jan 2002?No IMHO. Doesn't bmw want the new 7 series to have the 4.5i exclusively for the 2002 model year?
At the same time, I was able to put down my deposit on a 4.6is at another large well respected NJ dealership and am high on the list.My humble advice is if you really want an x5 4.6is, then put down a deposit at a dealership likely to get a large allocation of limited desired models. If it gets produced, great. If not ,you will get your deposit back. Don't lose any sleep! JG

Follow Ups:

very interesting. a bicylce - alpina22 10:32 8/20/2001 (2)
- ignore that bicylce thing :-( alpina22 10:52 8/20/2001 (1)
  - I figured that was like your bicylce tyre! Digi 11:23 8/20/2001 (0)

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