Talk me out of buying an X5 4.8is

Talk me out of buying an X5 4.8is

Author
Discussion

torx_whisperer

Original Poster:

113 posts

194 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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One came up for sale nearby and I am suddenly obsessed with getting one. It's like I have ignored them all my life and now that I have actually gotten to know them I have to have one. My wife has a 2 year old X3 which while good on fuel and has a cracking sound system, is very underwhelming in terms of fun factor and internal load capacity. Actually quite small inside - but she wants different things from cars.

Never shopped by fuel consumption, nor can I be convinced that it matters for a car for occasional use - so that argument is a non-starter.

It would be a holiday wagon, a van to run to the tip with, a donkey to tow other sheds and barges I don't need. A dog to bark at my neighbours Alsatian.

A 6 second 0-60mph with space for a family of 4, 4 bags, a pushchair, a high chair, and 4 bikes on the roof. What is not to like?

Of course any arguments against will be treated with contempt - but please, indulge me.


DaveTheRave87

2,091 posts

90 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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Sounds borkish.

torx_whisperer

Original Poster:

113 posts

194 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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Nonsense. BMW V8's are brilliant engines.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

187 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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If it's the old shape, people will blockade the entrance to their local playing field if you drive through their village.

Sko77y

361 posts

130 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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Sounds like the mist has already descended and there is no talking you out of it wobble

torx_whisperer

Original Poster:

113 posts

194 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
If it's the old shape, people will blockade the entrance to their local playing field if you drive through their village.
Another vote for then! rofl

chrismarr

273 posts

98 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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I wish I had never sold my X5.

Show some photos when you collect it please smokin

james_TW

16,287 posts

198 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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torx_whisperer said:
Nonsense. BMW V8's are brilliant engines.
Yep. It's the rest of the car that's borkish. Is it in full drug dealer spec?

But brilliant - Buy it smile

cerb4.5lee

30,711 posts

181 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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I had one back in 2010(paid £20k with 37k miles on it). I had it for 17 months and 15k miles and I absolutely loved it and like you at the time I just had to have one.

Pros are the noise and the silky smooth engine(although mine did leak oil a bit), decent ride and the addictive sound. High driving position was great too.

Cons are the weight and under braking and cornering you really feel it. The thirst is epic and I used to get about 12mpg out of mine on my commute! The air suspension can be problematic and the panoramic roof can give problems.

I'm glad I had one for sure. smile Although with hindsight I think that the 3.0d will be the better all round car possibly.

torx_whisperer

Original Poster:

113 posts

194 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
I had one back in 2010(paid £20k with 37k miles on it). I had it for 17 months and 15k miles and I absolutely loved it and like you at the time I just had to have one.

Pros are the noise and the silky smooth engine(although mine did leak oil a bit), decent ride and the addictive sound. High driving position was great too.

Cons are the weight and under braking and cornering you really feel it. The thirst is epic and I used to get about 12mpg out of mine on my commute! The air suspension can be problematic and the panoramic roof can give problems.

I'm glad I had one for sure. smile Although with hindsight I think that the 3.0d will be the better all round car possibly.
This is great.

Have twitched and changed the search to the diesel a couple times but have never really been a diesel guy. Thirst doesnt put me off nor does braking as my style is wafting - with occasional blips on the peddle when an opportunity arises on a strait. The theatre of a V8 and how it grumbles at low speeds is atmospheric in a way that a diesel can never be.

Think every BMW older than 5 years I've ever owned, and I've owned about 40 now, has had an oil leak and it's usually the rocker gaskets. Having been running the M62 V8 usually in 7's and 5's for 20 years so know it well - but looks like access to it in this beast is a little more limited than the saloons.

nitrodave

1,262 posts

139 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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Never owned one, but really see the appeal and even considered one recently, but I ended up with a e91 330i.

My bro has a 40d and it's great. Only thing he's had go is an air shock, but that wasn't too bad to fix.

The one thing that puts me of the v8 is the £500+ annual tax

anonymous-user

55 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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I have recently relocated and parked up on the street is a P38 Range Roger and one of these.

I've become a bit obsessed and contemplating buying an old X5.

Get one bought.


XJSJohn

15,966 posts

220 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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I have a 2005 3.0is petrol X5 has a holiday car out in Indonesia



i really fancied the V8, but the road tax out there as soon as you get over 3 litres is a bit brutal, and there are still quite a few 3.0 petrols out there to scavenge parts from.

Still regret not getting the V8 though

Having said that the 3.0 is a lovely place, is still pretty quick (relative to local traffic) and very practical in all but fuel economy (its apparently worse than teh V8, i havent got north of 14mpg)

go for it!

Spitfires

75 posts

81 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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I do too many miles to be able to consider one of these, so have tried (and failed) a few times to convince my wife she wants one.

Get it bought and get a thread up so I can live vicariously!

bigmowley

1,896 posts

177 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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My next door neighbors got one he absolutely loves it. Sounds ace as he burbles up and down the lane in it. It's immaculate and lowish mileage. I thought they were horrid when they first came out but they have aged quite well and it's actually a nice truck. I have a V8 ML420 as my tow wagon and they make a nice couple of V8 bangers. smile

GH421

44 posts

162 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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The 4.8 is a masterpiece, just needs more noise.

Don't be a little girl....buy it

D4MJT

1,253 posts

159 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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I came for photo's.

I was disappointed.

Why have you not bought it yet OP?

ZX10R NIN

27,635 posts

126 months

Wednesday 31st July 2019
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There's a readers thread on this very car I can't seem to find the link, buy it.

SiT

1,163 posts

202 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
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Here you go, this should seal the deal for you - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I think they are epic cars and despite going through a patch when they looked old, I think time has now been kind to them. The 4.8is is a marvel and represents great value for money I think.

Do it!

Si

eliot

11,437 posts

255 months

Thursday 1st August 2019
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The 4.8Is uses the N62 engine, which means valve stem oil seals - which is a common but fixable problem.
After a drive, leave it idling for a few minutes - when you rev it and it gives a big cloud of smoke - they are knackered.
3-4 mins idling and smoke on rev means they are on there way out but will last another 10k or so
less than a minute of idling and they need changing.


https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...