E70 X5 - x30d vs. x40d vs. x50d

[hygt2]

We are looking to buy a 7-seat version of the E70 X5 with a diesel engine.

Amongst the 3 engines (x30d, x40d and x50d), given they are all 3-litre diesel
1) which is the most reliable?
2) what are the servicing and repair costs for each of them?
3) what are the weak points of each engine?

I see the performance between the x30d and the x40d is quite similar, and then there is a big jump to the x50d. Given they are all 3-litre, I worry about the extra stresses on the internals (injectors, turbos, DMF, emission controllers, etc.)

We are looking at 4-6 year old cars at 40k-60k miles. We look to add another 120k miles on to it in 6 years, and see it as the end of life for the car. Is that reasonable?

Thanks in advance.

[Fox-]

The 50d started in 2012 and the cheapest are an eyewatering £40,000 (Which I can't see as being worth the money surely) so you are probably looking at the 30d and 40d.

[hygt2]

Fox- said:

The 50d started in 2012 and the cheapest are an eyewatering £40,000 (Which I can't see as being worth the money surely) so you are probably looking at the 30d and 40d.

True ... we saw an x50d at car giant which is advertised at £39,500. However, a 3L diesel pumping out 386 bhp seems a lot to me. My idea of a lower stress engine would be like my 996T, which is 3.6L giving 420 bhp, where at over 106k miles is still very healthy and reliable (compression tested at every plugs change, original turbos, etc.).

[Cheib]

Whichever you buy make sure it's an LCI car with the 8 speed box as it is much more economical. I have the SD which is basically an early 4.0d before they renamed it. Been utterly reliable in the seven years I have owned it.

[VerySideways]

Yep, 40d is the 8 speed, same engine with the earlier box is the 35d.

40d is the best compromise I reckon - 30d has a lot of metal to move in the X5 and that single turbo with variable vanes still doesn't have the pull across the rev range that the twin turbo set up has.

50d sounds like a car you only want to own with a warranty...

[Wills2]

Even the 50d only has 168hp/tonne so not that powerful compared to its 2.3tonne curb weight, better off getting the 40d or even 30d and appreciate the space and comfort etc.....

[hygt2]

Wills2 said:

Even the 50d only has 168hp/tonne so not that powerful compared to its 2.3tonne curb weight, better off getting the 40d or even 30d and appreciate the space and comfort etc.....

Thanks all for replying. Sounds like the x40d 7-seater is the sensible choice to go for.

Anything specific I should look for if I buy at 40-60k miles and then adding 120k to it over the next 6 or so years, therefore reaching 160k-180k miles? What are the consumables like (price and longevity) beyond the standard servicing menus items? For example, air pump for suspension, all rubber bushes / control arms, ball joints, alternator, turbos, torque converter, autobox, shock absorbers, etc., etc.

Cost beyond the menu service price is a factor as I like all mechanical bits to be in tip top condition. On my 2003 170k W220 S320L CDi, my expectation is every time it goes into a specialist the invoice will be 4-figure as there is always something which is a bit worn.

[roofer]

As previously, I have a 7 seat 4.0d and will put 100k on it. I service it myself with BMW parts as I like things done correctly. Tyres will be the biggest consumable, the shoulders will go on the fronts. You also need to keep tread wear balanced, a difference in rolling radius caused by wear will make the transmission groan. Bushes are available and not difficult to change, I changed a turbo on a similar 335d, easy to do and £450 exchange. Lots of electronics, I've been lucky in nearly 1/2 million miles in similar BMW TD setups, no great dramas, and I drive my cars hard. Get an AUC one and keep the warranty up for peace of mind is probably the best advice.

[Cheib]

Deffo go for AUC and elect for extending the warranty before 60,000 miles. If you elect to pay by direct debit the pricing stays the same and they'll keep you covered...once mileage is over 60,000 miles they won't cover you I believe or it becomes very expensive.

[hygt2]

Thanks roofer and Cheib for your input. I am thinking not to have extended warranty on a BMW as I would be servicing it at a specialist, just like my S-Class and 996T now.

I ran my 996T with extended warranty up to 10 years old and the S-Class without warranty. Obviously on the 996T all the service and repair has to be done by OPC and all parts has to be genuine Porsche. For example, fitting a Bosch S5 battery instead of a Porsche branded one void the warranty, ditto (Pagid) brakes and (TRW) suspensions parts. Whereas on the Merc I use specialist and OEM parts. Tyres I always use N- / MO- rated on these cars.

Comparing the very long-term average annual costs, both costed about the same at c. £2,500 per year.

Would you kindly explain why AUC / extended BMW warranty at this stage please? Is there something I don't know about the F70 diesel's reliability?

(For example, I would never ran a M96/M97-engined 996/997 without an OPC warranty because of the probability of bore scoring, resulting in repair costs in excess of £8,000 + VAT)

[Cheib]

I don't think there's anything major to be worried about certainly mechanically....I've never read about any major/known problems. It's just that if something does happen expect a big bill but clearly you're used to running expensive cars so clearly not an issue for you and you can effectively "self insure" a lot of people that buy £20k cars can't necessarilly contemplate a £5k bill should a major issue come up.

[Fox-]

hygt2 said:

Would you kindly explain why AUC / extended BMW warranty at this stage please?

It depends on your attitude to risk and your tolerance for finding a specialist you can trust, etc etc.

Frankly I'm thoroughly bored with wondering who I can trust not to overcharge me or throw parts at my broken car at my expense until they luck into fixing it so I've decided on the 'always in warranty approach'. I have no doubt I will spend more money as a result but the peace of mind is worth it for me.

Every time something went wrong on my 530i it was an ordeal. It once had a coolant leak and only the THIRD place it went to (the first two happily charged me of course) finally got the bottom of the problem.