X5 - petrol or diesel?

[SAGPACK]

Am tempted to change my D3 Disco for an X5 and have seen some comments about the reliability of BMW diesel engines being an issue and what with the price of unleaded and the end of the world as we know being nigh, thought I might aswell try and find a full fat 4.8 X5; any comments or experiences to help me out with the decision?

Thanks

[Denis O]

Don't even think about. Do it.

I just bought a 4.6 and it is stunning.

Porsche like performance from a 2 1/2 ton 4 x 4. You won't get that from an oil burner no matter how many turbo's you bolt on.

[pgilc1]

Denis O said:

Don't even think about. Do it.

I just bought a 4.6 and it is stunning.

Porsche like performance from a 2 1/2 ton 4 x 4. You won't get that from an oil burner no matter how many turbo's you bolt on.

The twin turbo diesel x5 does 0-60 in 6.7s. The 4.6i 6.2 seconds. The diesel will be much torqier.

A simple remap of the diesel one will match the 4.6 easily.

[MonkeyBusiness]

pgilc1 said:

Denis O said:

Don't even think about. Do it.
A simple remap of the diesel one will match the 4.6 easily.

My Brother In Law recently remapped his 3.0D. Performace and MPG are excellent.

[theboss]

pgilc1 said:

Denis O said:

Don't even think about. Do it.

I just bought a 4.6 and it is stunning.

Porsche like performance from a 2 1/2 ton 4 x 4. You won't get that from an oil burner no matter how many turbo's you bolt on.

The twin turbo diesel x5 does 0-60 in 6.7s. The 4.6i 6.2 seconds. The diesel will be much torqier.

A simple remap of the diesel one will match the 4.6 easily.

But aren't you comparing a ~£45k new model (3.0sd) with the old shape 4.6is which can be had for £12-15k? I presume thats what the 4.6 mentioned is as the new petrols only come in 4.8 or 3.0

[SAGPACK]

Thanks for replies so far; anyone got any additional views on the diesel reliability question? I noticed in another current thread about 730d v 745i that a few felt the diesel's were prone to faults or even failure?

Thanks again.

[SAGPACK]

Oh, and I am thinking about the current 2007 onwards model X5 with the 4.8 petrol and two diesels; the single turbo and the TT.

[mjk1]

I did exactly this over Christmas, traded my 3 year old Discovery 3 for a 9 month old X5 3.0sd. The best diesel engine the world has ever seen. Just compare the figures with 3 litre diesel offerings from the likes of Audi/VW/Porsche and Jaguar/LR. I haven't heard of any inherent reliability issues either and I did a fair amount of research prior to purchase. Also don't believe the nonsense that there's a huge gulf in performance with the X5 4.8i either. 0-62mph 7.0s against 6.5s and top speed 146mph against 149. Fuel consumption is where the difference lies, 34.4mpg against 23.5.

[wilftwo]

Echo the last poster's comments. The SD is also Band F for car tax.

Am chuffed to bits with my SD so far and thats coming from an M3. The diesel is creamy smooth on anything above idle.

[crazymonk]

Go for the v8 and if your worried about fuel consumption just fit an lpg kit. Nothing beats the v8's, I've got a range rover and they are always banging on about how good the new twin turbo diesel v8 is, but it still doesn't beat the v8, the v8 gives you an instant smooth power delivery, not turbo lag or a mountain of torque that only last for a 1000rpm.

[eliot]

It all depends on how many miles PA you do. If its less than 10k then it might be worthwhile, Try my little calculator:
http://www.mez.co.uk/derv.html

I've driven two derv X5's - and I found them pretty flat and boring TBH. I dont think they were the twin turbo ones though.

[wilftwo]

Try both for yourself.

Have to say I personally much prefer the TDV8 RR sport to the petrol car but lets not get onto Landies.

Edited by wilftwo on Thursday 8th January 16:00

[pgilc1]

theboss said:

pgilc1 said:

Denis O said:

Don't even think about. Do it.

I just bought a 4.6 and it is stunning.

Porsche like performance from a 2 1/2 ton 4 x 4. You won't get that from an oil burner no matter how many turbo's you bolt on.

The twin turbo diesel x5 does 0-60 in 6.7s. The 4.6i 6.2 seconds. The diesel will be much torqier.

A simple remap of the diesel one will match the 4.6 easily.

But aren't you comparing a ~£45k new model (3.0sd) with the old shape 4.6is which can be had for £12-15k? I presume thats what the 4.6 mentioned is as the new petrols only come in 4.8 or 3.0

It was a reference to the original comment that 'you want get that from an oil burner no matter how many turbos you bolt on', when in actual fact you can

[Bernie-the-bolt]

I owned an 05 3.0d X5 from new and a 55 4.8iS from 6 months old (ex BMW management car) and can offer the following advice even though they are old models.

The 3.0d in standard form is sluggish but enough to get you around - I always found overtaking needs some thought if on a single road. Average mpg was 30+ over 30k miles, with around mid 20's in town. Best journey I ever did was just under 1000 miles in one day from Monaco back home with 1 stop for fuel and a pee break. Not a single problem or back ache! I did chip my car fairly early on and the car was then transformed. There was no noticeable drop or increase in mpg and I was always driving like I stole it. Great car, loved it and swapped it for the 4.8iS.

The 4.8iS has an engine note to die for (the best part of the car I think). The interior is pretty much identical to the 3.0d sport, aside from the adjustable suspension which I never used as it's only really for loading or X-Country so a complete waste of time imo. I drove 35000 miles in the year I owned it, went through 1 set of front tyres, 2 sets of rears, a couple of services and about £10k in petrol .....It averaged 18.something mpg and the best I ever got was a return trip to Brussels one day. I averaged around mid 20's from memory but that was a JC test with everything off and driving like a girl. Performance was not as fast as you might think. Quick, but no Porsche (I have also owned a Boxster S and 996 C2 cab so can compare). It was also difficult to drive fast for long as it is bloody hard work. in my opinion it's just not designed to be driven like a sports car, it's simply too big. It does go and will handle really well, but it's just too bloody big! I drove to Le Mans in it within a week of buying it and although I clocked an indicated 150mph in France, I gave up keeping up with my friends because I was knackered - and I do a lot of driving for a living!

My opinion (for what it's worth), if you get a diesel and have it chipped you'll have as much fun as you would in a 4.8iS, but you will save money and it will hold more of its value. That said, if you can afford the 4.8iS and buy the diesel you'll always feel you're the poor relation when you see another on the road.

I then swapped the 4.8iS for a new 535d.......

But that's another story

[SAGPACK]

(I then swapped the 4.8iS for a new 535d.......

But that's another story
[/quote])

And......?? I know it's like apples and pears but I've had quite a few 4x4s over the last 5 years and just fancy something 'quicker' that's a better 'drivers' car and can carry me, Mrs Sagpack and the 3 little sagpacks and all the assoc'd clobber that goes with ankle biters.....I'm pretty sure there's a 535d Touring? Would you recommend the 535d over the X5; be it derv or petrol?

Cheers, and thanks for all the comments and advise so far chaps.

[pgilc1]

SAGPACK said:

(I then swapped the 4.8iS for a new 535d.......

But that's another story

)

And......?? I know it's like apples and pears but I've had quite a few 4x4s over the last 5 years and just fancy something 'quicker' that's a better 'drivers' car and can carry me, Mrs Sagpack and the 3 little sagpacks and all the assoc'd clobber that goes with ankle biters.....I'm pretty sure there's a 535d Touring? Would you recommend the 535d over the X5; be it derv or petrol?

Cheers, and thanks for all the comments and advise so far chaps.

i went from a 535d to an x5 and then back to a 535d

I couldnt warm to the looks of a 535d touring hence i bought the x5 when i needed the space.

They are quite different beasts. i'd say take extended drives in both and see which suits you

[Bernie-the-bolt]

SAGPACK said:

(I then swapped the 4.8iS for a new 535d.......

But that's another story

)

And......?? I know it's like apples and pears but I've had quite a few 4x4s over the last 5 years and just fancy something 'quicker' that's a better 'drivers' car and can carry me, Mrs Sagpack and the 3 little sagpacks and all the assoc'd clobber that goes with ankle biters.....I'm pretty sure there's a 535d Touring? Would you recommend the 535d over the X5; be it derv or petrol?

Cheers, and thanks for all the comments and advise so far chaps.

I simply didn't want to change the subject and move onto another car.

As you ask though, the 535 is a fantastic bit of kit. Fast enough for me to enjoy the drive and frugal enough that my visits to the petrol station are reasonable far apart. You can't really compare the 5 and X as they are different beasts but I have no desire to go back to a 4 x 4 currently. The boot in the saloon is more than adequate, but nowhere near as big as the X5. The touring obviously gives you much more room probably on a par with the X.

As suggested, try and organise an extended drive in both as they are quite different, but you wouldn't be disappointed with either type I'm sure.

[wilftwo]

Old X5 3.0D is a world away from the new X35D. New X5 is an all round improvement on what was a good car for starters.

Coming from an M3 I couldnt cope with anything that felt remotely sluggish - ruled out all range rovers, the 3.0D new X5 and any Porker other than the Cayenne S or Turbo.

Edited by wilftwo on Friday 9th January 08:25