E39 & E61 tourings vs X5 boot space
Discussion
Replacing my ageing (ok, ancient) e36 touring is on the horizon and I'd like to scratch the V8 itch. Ideally I wanted something a few years younger than the newest e39 but there doesn't seem to be a huge choice in e61 545i tourings. This made me wonder whether an X5 is comparable for rear interior space to either the e61 or e39 tourings? I quit like the look of the 4.8iS X5 although a normal V8 X5 in SE-spec with (relatively) small wheels in dark green or dark blue might also be nice!
I never had any problems but I only owned my 550i for a few months. It was a lovely car and I was getting mid 20s MPG quite easily. 30+ on a run at legal speeds.
I have read the the valley pipe issue hasn't reared its head on the 50i motors yet because they arent old enough, and I understand that deteriorating pipes are more of an age related issue than mileage related.
That said, I think there is a kit you can buy which bypasses it so you dont have to take half the engine apart to replace the original.
This looks ok http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-BMW-550i-M-Sport...
I have read the the valley pipe issue hasn't reared its head on the 50i motors yet because they arent old enough, and I understand that deteriorating pipes are more of an age related issue than mileage related.
That said, I think there is a kit you can buy which bypasses it so you dont have to take half the engine apart to replace the original.
This looks ok http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-BMW-550i-M-Sport...
I have owned a x5 4.8is and E61 520d touring and there isn't that much in it in terms of space although the 5 series does have more and the V8 in the x5 is a gorgeous motor and the x5 has a really nice feel good factor about it but to drive apart from the crappy 4 pot diesel I preferred the 5 series it just steered nicely and you don't feel the weight as much under braking/cornering like you do in the x5.
I do recommend the 4.8 x5 though and if I won the lottery I would buy another as I haven't owned anything else since that feels quite a special as that did...they are very thirsty though obviously.
I do recommend the 4.8 x5 though and if I won the lottery I would buy another as I haven't owned anything else since that feels quite a special as that did...they are very thirsty though obviously.
cerb4.5lee said:
I have owned a x5 4.8is and E61 520d touring and there isn't that much in it in terms of space although the 5 series does have more and the V8 in the x5 is a gorgeous motor and the x5 has a really nice feel good factor about it but to drive apart from the crappy 4 pot diesel I preferred the 5 series it just steered nicely and you don't feel the weight as much under braking/cornering like you do in the x5.
Eh? That's one hell of a sentence.
Mrs Gruber has an e61, although just the lowly 523i. It's a great old bus, but (in base SE spec at least) doesn't feel all that "premium", especially compared to my e39. However, it is remarkably easy to drive (PAS is probably too light, to be honest). It doesn't feel that big on the road, despite having oodles or rear leg room and a great big boot.
I haven't owned an X5, but I have driven one briefly and it felt like a much bigger vehicle - perhaps that's obvious... They handle superbly, considering their size, but it did feel big. Great if you like that sort of thing, but for slotting through width-restriction bollards in SW London, I felt much more confident about the 5er.
All that said, the 4.8 X5 is a very appealing prospect.
Incidentally, BMW essentially borrowed the engine from the e39 Alpina B10 V8S for the X5. It's a great motor!
I haven't owned an X5, but I have driven one briefly and it felt like a much bigger vehicle - perhaps that's obvious... They handle superbly, considering their size, but it did feel big. Great if you like that sort of thing, but for slotting through width-restriction bollards in SW London, I felt much more confident about the 5er.
All that said, the 4.8 X5 is a very appealing prospect.
Incidentally, BMW essentially borrowed the engine from the e39 Alpina B10 V8S for the X5. It's a great motor!
Gruber said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I have owned a x5 4.8is and E61 520d touring and there isn't that much in it in terms of space although the 5 series does have more and the V8 in the x5 is a gorgeous motor and the x5 has a really nice feel good factor about it but to drive apart from the crappy 4 pot diesel I preferred the 5 series it just steered nicely and you don't feel the weight as much under braking/cornering like you do in the x5.
Eh? That's one hell of a sentence.
I briefly considered an X5 before going with a 550i Touring. The boot on the X5 is ever so slightly smaller, albeit higher load platform obviously. Running costs were much higher than the E61 due to massive tyres and much worse fuel consumption, presumably a combination of the tyres, 4x4 drivetrain and additional weight. The X5 also felt massive on the road.
The E61 in contrast was far more nimble, nicer to drive and had lower potential running costs. Having a higher view driving or dedicated 4 wheel drive were not must haves for me so the 5 series was a no brainer.
The E61 in contrast was far more nimble, nicer to drive and had lower potential running costs. Having a higher view driving or dedicated 4 wheel drive were not must haves for me so the 5 series was a no brainer.
texasjohn said:
This looks ok http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-BMW-550i-M-Sport...
That looks more than ok - I'm tempted and I already own one. It may hang around for a while, but it is the only one for sale in the UK on autotrader, this site or ebay. So if you want one, look at this, love it, negotiate new MOT, reduce price by cost of 12 months tax, um and ah because it doesn't have HUD, LOGIC 7 etc so haggle some more and then buy it before someone else does!texasjohn said:
This looks ok http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-BMW-550i-M-Sport...
Suspiciously cheap and being sold by a breakers yard with the description 'runs and drives'. Maybe that's why it's been for sale since Noah lined up the animals. We've owned a 2005 X5 3.0d Sport and currently have a 2005 520d. The X5 was brilliant, boot space, performance and looks were all great. Running cost got to us in the end after 4-years of ownership. The X-tax on parts can add up. And, at £850 for a set of tyres and £480 road tax it's going to cost £1000 a year to run before you've put any fuel in it. That said, still our favourite car to date.
The 520d is very good also. The drive and steering is effortless with so much feel. I get 45mpg on a run and 30+ everywhere else. A bit under powered for me, but very practicle, huge boot and it has aged well.
I'd go for an E60 530i or 550i.
The 520d is very good also. The drive and steering is effortless with so much feel. I get 45mpg on a run and 30+ everywhere else. A bit under powered for me, but very practicle, huge boot and it has aged well.
I'd go for an E60 530i or 550i.
Edited by AudiSport on Thursday 18th September 07:37
hornetrider said:
Suspiciously cheap and being sold by a breakers yard with the description 'runs and drives'. Maybe that's why it's been for sale since Noah lined up the animals.
Ha, yes I did notice that - "runs and drives" does not exactly inspire confidence does it... mind you that's more than can often be said for my Alfa...hornetrider said:
Suspiciously cheap and being sold by a breakers yard with the description 'runs and drives'. Maybe that's why it's been for sale since Noah lined up the animals.
In my experience, when it seems to good to be true - it usually is. I'm sure it's had a few viewings....
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