E70 X5 2008-2009 modeal, 3.0D or 3.0SD, is it a no brainer?
Discussion
(Cant edit title, but meant to say Model)
So, currently looking to pass my S3 sportback to my wife as she is currently struggling to get to grips with the size of the CRV she recently bought.
Whilst I like the CRV, I can't really see me wanting to run that full time, so am looking to move that on and go for a more premium interior with a little more oomph. (we need a reasonable size car to tow a recently purchased caravan).
Looking at 2008/2008 model X5's of the E70 variant, it would seem the 2 engines available as diesel are either around 230bhp or 286bhp, both have decent torque.
To ensure the vehicle has the best performance, am I right in discounting the 230bhp model and just stick to looking for the SD variant?
Looking at spec, I think I'll be needing an M sport for the better visual appearance, but ideally with 19" wheels as opposed to 20"
Or are the SE worth considering if with the correct spec? (I quite like the option of 7 seats, albeit they are small)
Other than that, my basic research would tend to suggest they have reasonable build quality and are a pretty decent all rounder?
Be good to get the opinions of anybody who has had one, or currently runs one.
Cheers
Matt
So, currently looking to pass my S3 sportback to my wife as she is currently struggling to get to grips with the size of the CRV she recently bought.
Whilst I like the CRV, I can't really see me wanting to run that full time, so am looking to move that on and go for a more premium interior with a little more oomph. (we need a reasonable size car to tow a recently purchased caravan).
Looking at 2008/2008 model X5's of the E70 variant, it would seem the 2 engines available as diesel are either around 230bhp or 286bhp, both have decent torque.
To ensure the vehicle has the best performance, am I right in discounting the 230bhp model and just stick to looking for the SD variant?
Looking at spec, I think I'll be needing an M sport for the better visual appearance, but ideally with 19" wheels as opposed to 20"
Or are the SE worth considering if with the correct spec? (I quite like the option of 7 seats, albeit they are small)
Other than that, my basic research would tend to suggest they have reasonable build quality and are a pretty decent all rounder?
Be good to get the opinions of anybody who has had one, or currently runs one.
Cheers
Matt
I bought a new X5 3.0D SE in late 07, dynamic pack, 20s, 7 seats, reversing cam, factory fitted retractable tow bar, etc.
I was happy enough with the 20s on it and the dynamic pack. I didnt find the ride too firm and thought it was worth it for the asthetic look i wanted.
I added a tuning box to mine, so it was around 270BHP-280BHP. Certainly felt it too. It could get out of town.
I wouldnt rule either a 3.0D or an SE out with the right spec, particularly given you should be able to get one considerably cheaper than a full on 3.0SD M Sport.
Really loved mine
I was happy enough with the 20s on it and the dynamic pack. I didnt find the ride too firm and thought it was worth it for the asthetic look i wanted.
I added a tuning box to mine, so it was around 270BHP-280BHP. Certainly felt it too. It could get out of town.
I wouldnt rule either a 3.0D or an SE out with the right spec, particularly given you should be able to get one considerably cheaper than a full on 3.0SD M Sport.
Really loved mine
Edited by daemon on Thursday 6th November 21:51
I recently bought a 35d. My previous experience was with an E53 3.0d sport which had 218 hp. One of my few gripes about that car was the lack of grunt which decided me to look for a 35 rather than a 30. I haven't driven the 230 hp version, but can say that the 286hp version is great. Will plod around but if you give it a big bootful it takes off like a scalded cat!
Plus of course, it can be mapped to 340-350hp!
I'm really glad Zi held out for a 35. (SD)
Plus of course, it can be mapped to 340-350hp!
I'm really glad Zi held out for a 35. (SD)
MattS3 said:
Thanks for the replies.
Any issues whilst in ownership,other than regular maintenance and servicing?
I'm still leaning toward the SD 35 engine, especially as the road fund licence is the same for both at £285
I guess its down to budget. If you can stretch to a 35d M Sport, great, but i wouldnt go for a high miles 35d over a lower miles 30d at the same price. Any issues whilst in ownership,other than regular maintenance and servicing?
I'm still leaning toward the SD 35 engine, especially as the road fund licence is the same for both at £285
Maintenance is two fortunes and they're sore on fuel i guess is the down side of them.
A set of 20 inch tyres will be £1000+ or maybe more, and you might go through a set per year.
Fuel consumption - budget for 28mpg. Thats what made me get rid of mine. I changed job roles and was pumping £500 fuel into mine every month.
When you do have a fault with them, it will be £,£££s rather than £££s.
MPG wise, 28 is just over what I'm seeing with the S3 currently, so no shakes.
Mile per annum is no more than 8-10k, so would hope to get a little more than a year from tyres?
Cost of tyres is what is steering me to look at 19" rims, happy to pay £800 for a set.
Bills, I appreciate there is potential for bigger bills, having run a V8 S4 previous and now this S3, (which this year, being only 3 and half years old) has seen just under £900 in haldex pump and wheel bearing, any vehicles which cost £40k+ per year always have potential for bigger bills.
Budget is around £20k, so potential for a 70k miles SD model?
Mile per annum is no more than 8-10k, so would hope to get a little more than a year from tyres?
Cost of tyres is what is steering me to look at 19" rims, happy to pay £800 for a set.
Bills, I appreciate there is potential for bigger bills, having run a V8 S4 previous and now this S3, (which this year, being only 3 and half years old) has seen just under £900 in haldex pump and wheel bearing, any vehicles which cost £40k+ per year always have potential for bigger bills.
Budget is around £20k, so potential for a 70k miles SD model?
Spoke to a couple of friends over the weekend, 1 owns a disco 4, the other a RR sport and both of them told me the X5 is unreliable based on people they know who run them.
I find that rather ironic based on what they drive themselves.
Has got me thinking a little, I'm not really sold on the cumbersome looks of the Disco 4 compared to the E70.
I find that rather ironic based on what they drive themselves.
Has got me thinking a little, I'm not really sold on the cumbersome looks of the Disco 4 compared to the E70.
I had a 3.0 sd msport and absolutely hated it. It rattled like mad and the ride was appalling.
I have a very good relationship with a BMW service guy and he pretty much admitted they're not very well built and have various issues which cost big money.
Just my opinion and mine could have been a lemon but I got rid in a month!
My dad has a range rover and it's a far,far more comfortable place to be. Brother has a Cayenne and it's even better.
I have a very good relationship with a BMW service guy and he pretty much admitted they're not very well built and have various issues which cost big money.
Just my opinion and mine could have been a lemon but I got rid in a month!
My dad has a range rover and it's a far,far more comfortable place to be. Brother has a Cayenne and it's even better.
I have an E70 40d and have driven the pre-LCI 35d along with a few x30d and I definitely think that the twin-turbo is worthwhile if buying a 2007-2009 car...
However, with a £20k budget, I would personally suggest looking out for an early LCI (mid 2010 onwards?) 30d as they are not far from this price point... the LCI 30d is a much better engine than its predecessor, is both more powerful and economical, and also the 8-speed auto on the LCI models is night and day better than the older 6-speed.
However, with a £20k budget, I would personally suggest looking out for an early LCI (mid 2010 onwards?) 30d as they are not far from this price point... the LCI 30d is a much better engine than its predecessor, is both more powerful and economical, and also the 8-speed auto on the LCI models is night and day better than the older 6-speed.
MattS3 said:
MPG wise, 28 is just over what I'm seeing with the S3 currently, so no shakes.
Mile per annum is no more than 8-10k, so would hope to get a little more than a year from tyres?
Cost of tyres is what is steering me to look at 19" rims, happy to pay £800 for a set.
Bills, I appreciate there is potential for bigger bills, having run a V8 S4 previous and now this S3, (which this year, being only 3 and half years old) has seen just under £900 in haldex pump and wheel bearing, any vehicles which cost £40k+ per year always have potential for bigger bills.
Budget is around £20k, so potential for a 70k miles SD model?
I've owned my 3.0SD from new in 2007.....it's only done 35k miles but it's been totally reliable (fingers crossed). Had almost nothing go wrong with it at all. Mile per annum is no more than 8-10k, so would hope to get a little more than a year from tyres?
Cost of tyres is what is steering me to look at 19" rims, happy to pay £800 for a set.
Bills, I appreciate there is potential for bigger bills, having run a V8 S4 previous and now this S3, (which this year, being only 3 and half years old) has seen just under £900 in haldex pump and wheel bearing, any vehicles which cost £40k+ per year always have potential for bigger bills.
Budget is around £20k, so potential for a 70k miles SD model?
With regards tyres if you want 20" wheels and you go non RFT you can get a set of Vredstein's which are decent tyres for about £850. If you are going RFT's you can pay nearly that just for a set of rears....they are farking expensive.
When I first bought mine I though the ride on the RFT's was poor and put the Vred's on. Due to Mrs Cheib putting a hole in the sidewall one Friday afternoon at 3pm with us going on holiday at 9am the next day I had to buy a two tyres at no notice so now have RFT's back on (and a huge bill)...they are miles better now than when I first had them on the car.
I've been a habitual car changer but have kept the X5 as it's been a fantastic family car and there's been nothing that I have wanted to change it for. It's now probably only worth £15k to £20k so simply not worth selling....I prefer the look to the new X5.
I went from an E53 3.0d to an E70 3.0d. The E53 I had remapped so it nipper than it would have been, the E70 was adequate standard.
The ride on the E70 wasn't great - mine was an SE with the Dynamic package. But what really bugged me was the MPG - average was low 20s. My understanding is that the facelight car is better as it has an 8 speed gearbox - if budget allows, I'd go for a facelift car over pre-facelift (you also get the later, better sat nav system).
The ride on the E70 wasn't great - mine was an SE with the Dynamic package. But what really bugged me was the MPG - average was low 20s. My understanding is that the facelight car is better as it has an 8 speed gearbox - if budget allows, I'd go for a facelift car over pre-facelift (you also get the later, better sat nav system).
My first X5 was a pre-LCI (07) 3.0D SE. I remapped it with a Ecotune map (using an iFlash box) and it transformed the car - smoother, much better low-down torque and about 8% better fuel economy overall. I've now got a 40D M Sport with the 306hp engine and I'd say that the remapped 3.0d was better on low-end pickup. I'm now going to have the 40D remapped likewise and see what happens. I put 50k miles on the remapped 3.0D and never a problem. Insurance hit wasn't too bad either.
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