Discussion
I'm on the verge of changing the M3, I fancy a change and something a bit more comfy, roomy and a bit more economical would do nicely, I also might need to tow so thinking X5 35d or X6 35d, i know it's going to be a bit of a culture shock coming from an M3 but my driving has changed over the years and now I mostly only really do motorway miles......so in terms of comfort, ownership, practicality etc how do these 2 cars stack up, i'd like a new 4.0d but it's all about the deal, I'm going to get it remapped anyway but i'm just concerned that i'm going to get bored really quickly and be stuck with a lump for 2 years if i plump for an X.
Any helpful inisghts?
Any helpful inisghts?
I've got an X5 SD, previously had a 535d and before that an E46 M3. Anything in particular you want to know ?
It's the most comfortable car I've ever had without a doubt. It's not a quick car but is plenty quick enough for what it does. If you are looking for one try and find one with the Comfort Seats...they are brilliant and I would never be without them ever again. They offer all the support of sports seats and more. One thing I would say is that it is not as economical as BMW would have you believe high 20's MPG at motorway speeds. You'll only get over 30 mpg if you drive at a steady 50-60 mph on an A road. I ticked plenty of options when I bought the car so have an opinion on most of them!
Can't really help you with the X6/X5 comparison except the obvious that the former is a four seater and has a less practical boot
It's the most comfortable car I've ever had without a doubt. It's not a quick car but is plenty quick enough for what it does. If you are looking for one try and find one with the Comfort Seats...they are brilliant and I would never be without them ever again. They offer all the support of sports seats and more. One thing I would say is that it is not as economical as BMW would have you believe high 20's MPG at motorway speeds. You'll only get over 30 mpg if you drive at a steady 50-60 mph on an A road. I ticked plenty of options when I bought the car so have an opinion on most of them!
Can't really help you with the X6/X5 comparison except the obvious that the former is a four seater and has a less practical boot
Guys, the '40d' isn't a 4.0d it's simply the latest incarnation of the 3.0l I6 sequential twin turbo diesel we are all familiar with in the x35d, X5 and X6 3.0SD (or xDrive35d as they renamed it). I don't know much about it other than the power is up from 286bhp to just over 300 and I imagine torque increased similarly, whilst emmissions and fuel consumption have improved. Perhaps its based on the newer lighter block in the 245bhp '30d' engine, can anyone enlighten?
In any case I've driven an X5 35d and 635d, and also have an X3 35d in the garage and in every form including in the 'X' series it is superb. I'm sure the newer version is blindingly good.
In any case I've driven an X5 35d and 635d, and also have an X3 35d in the garage and in every form including in the 'X' series it is superb. I'm sure the newer version is blindingly good.
The new engine has 302 bhp and 442 lb ft, niot sure if the block is lighter. I think a lot of the improvement in emissions and economy is down to the new eight speed gearbox. I've always felt my SD which has the six speed gearbox could do with a higher gear to help consumption on motorways, that's what the torque is there for!
I've got an M6 (and previously owned a E46 M3) and the Mrs drives a X5 35d. I do like the X5. It's quick enough, making progress and overtaking are no bother. However it's not a performance car and is much much slower than M3/M6. Ours has the dynamic package and it's ability to go round corners is suprising for a car of it's size. The ride is however quite harsh. I think the X5 looks great and it's very practical. MPG on ours is never better than early 20s. It's no M-car but great at what it does.
Well I've enjoyed my 05 plate X5 diesel for three years and have averaged 29 mpg over that time.
Mostly short trips and no long tours. The ride is joggly on poor roads but smooth and quiet on big roads. It's very easy to drive with excellent visability and passengers love it because they can see lots. I had an oil sevice at 22000 miles and inspection 1 at 45000. Touch wood hardly anything has gone wrong so all in all very satisfied with my sensible car. I do however need regular blasts
in my Noble GTO 3 to put the fun back.
Mostly short trips and no long tours. The ride is joggly on poor roads but smooth and quiet on big roads. It's very easy to drive with excellent visability and passengers love it because they can see lots. I had an oil sevice at 22000 miles and inspection 1 at 45000. Touch wood hardly anything has gone wrong so all in all very satisfied with my sensible car. I do however need regular blasts
in my Noble GTO 3 to put the fun back.
Edited by mr.man on Saturday 19th June 17:43
taffyracer said:
early 20's is not what I want to hear, i thougjht they were late 20's when pootling and mid 30's on a run, anyone else care to share general consumption info?
I run a X6 35d and the consumption is around 23mpg (incl a lot of London commuting) and never over 30mpg on a run. This compares to my previous 530d which was 26mpg on the general running and 38mpg on a run.I have had my X6 for 18 months and like it very much. I use it alongside a Nissan GT-R for general day to day use.
I'd agree with those consumption observations....BMW's numbers are hopelessly optimistic. How manufacturers get away with it is beyond me.
In our X5 SD if doing 70mph I'd probably get 27/28 mpg....25mpg at 80 mph I would think. I do have roof bars and bike racks on the car all the time so that may add a tiny amount to the mpg. You definitely wont see better than low 20's if you do a lot of driving in built up areas.
In our X5 SD if doing 70mph I'd probably get 27/28 mpg....25mpg at 80 mph I would think. I do have roof bars and bike racks on the car all the time so that may add a tiny amount to the mpg. You definitely wont see better than low 20's if you do a lot of driving in built up areas.
Picked up my X5 yesterday and I got 24mpg at roughly 80mph driving it the 250miles home. Mines the 4.8 petrol !!
I think the wheel/tyre combination BMW put on with the Dynamic pack doesn't do the mpg any favours. Mines got 20" wheels which look great but 315 width at the back is stupid. I'll be looking for a set of 9J/19s soon.
I think the wheel/tyre combination BMW put on with the Dynamic pack doesn't do the mpg any favours. Mines got 20" wheels which look great but 315 width at the back is stupid. I'll be looking for a set of 9J/19s soon.
The only reason to go for an X5 over a 5 Series Touring is if you absolutely need four wheel drive or you need the seven seat version. There is no reason to go for an X6 other than just wanting one.
It looks as if I am going to have to go for an X5 with the third row of seats. I want a 50i though.
It looks as if I am going to have to go for an X5 with the third row of seats. I want a 50i though.
AndrewO said:
Picked up my X5 yesterday and I got 24mpg at roughly 80mph driving it the 250miles home. Mines the 4.8 petrol !!
I think the wheel/tyre combination BMW put on with the Dynamic pack doesn't do the mpg any favours. Mines got 20" wheels which look great but 315 width at the back is stupid. I'll be looking for a set of 9J/19s soon.
I was just wondering with all these reports of mid-20's MPG from SD owners, how does the V8 fare? I suppose if it is similarly 'way out' on the manufacturer's claims you would have to get used to sub-20mpg average rather than just 'marginally less' than the diesels.I think the wheel/tyre combination BMW put on with the Dynamic pack doesn't do the mpg any favours. Mines got 20" wheels which look great but 315 width at the back is stupid. I'll be looking for a set of 9J/19s soon.
For comparison our X3 SD is doing about 27-28mpg on average, based on a mixture of short school and shopping runs by the wife (barely warming it up) and longer family runs on the weekend (frequently several hundred miles at a time). I don't keep a measure of consumption mid-week but its hard to get it above 30mpg on a run, the best I've seen is 33mpg.
It doesn't seem to vary too dramatically, i.e. driving like granny down the motorway doesn't yield a massive saving over simply sticking to 'brisk' motorward speeds. Similarly I did 2000 miles around Spain in it last year with a roof box on and it did around 30 overwall.
I'm guessing its approx 0.5 ton lighter than the X5/X6 but otherwise same drivetrain, this is the pre-ED model as well. So not totally disrespectful consumption but it still costs £405 to tax the f
ker!Edited by theboss on Monday 21st June 08:24
theboss said:
For comparison our X3 SD is doing about 27-28mpg on average, based on a mixture of short school and shopping runs by the wife (barely warming it up) and longer family runs on the weekend (frequently several hundred miles at a time). I don't keep a measure of consumption mid-week but its hard to get it above 30mpg on a run, the best I've seen is 33mpg.
I think the type of journeys is the difference between those doing late 20s and those doing early. Ours is used mainly for short local journeys by the Mrs and does early 20s. It rarely sees a motorway. taffyracer said:
ok last question, given these are not cheap cars and are clearlyt not that economical, does the X5 or X6 have enough +'s to warrant plumping for one over something like a 3/5 series diesel estate?
Tricky. On a logical, practical basis the answer is probably 'no'. However we bought one since the Mrs liked it and wasn't interested in a 5 series estate since it was in her word 'dull'. Heart v head? yeah this is where coming from, I think the 5 estate is a bit dull, I do 90% motorway miles and about 20-25k pa, practicality says I should go for a diesel and I'm thinking if I have to swap back to a diesel then it might as well be something comfy, roomy and that I can use to tow, so it ticks the boxes but i'm just concerned i'm going to change and get royally bored and end up changing it for another M3 within a matter of months
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