I have a question about the intakes on the E60 V8 engines.

The 4.4 liter engine in the 545i had variable stage intake system, the 4.8 liter in the 550i has a two stage intake.

Both engines are valvetronic, so it's probably not due to that. The N52 3.0 liter engine has a three stage intake. From a layman's point of view, the variable stage intake is the superior one as it adapts to all engine speeds seamlessly.

Does anybody who knows how these things work, have an explanation for this? Is this just a case of BMW saving a few Euro's?