Discussion
The Stiglet said:
I kind of stumbled upon the idea of one of these. I'm not really serious but they do seem pretty good value. Throw the bikes in the back, a set of golf clubs, some bags and off we go.
Any thoughts?
Very capable motors and obviously all the running costs with a car of this pedigree. Not sure you'll get that lot in the boot though! Not as big as you may think....Any thoughts?
Thanks for the prompt response guys 
So far so good then. But I just saw this on Wikipedia:
"However, despite selling well, these vehicles have acquired a reputation for chronic unreliability, especially with their electronics which are complex and prone to expensive failure. Customer satisfaction surveys in Europe place them well down the list."
Is that a fair report?
As for running costs, would these be comparable to my E39 540i or worse?
So far so good then. But I just saw this on Wikipedia:
"However, despite selling well, these vehicles have acquired a reputation for chronic unreliability, especially with their electronics which are complex and prone to expensive failure. Customer satisfaction surveys in Europe place them well down the list."
Is that a fair report?
As for running costs, would these be comparable to my E39 540i or worse?
Had mine almost a year in september with no issues(touch wood!)
They are lousy on fuel & i have used my cerb three times this week for work as its cheaper on fuel!
I think your better off with a big engined estate, if i had my chance again this is what i would do.
The 4.8is is comfy & makes a nice noise & looks well in le mans blue like mine but that where the qualities end...poor brakes,serious weight to lug around & feels slow most of the time,avoid.
They are lousy on fuel & i have used my cerb three times this week for work as its cheaper on fuel!
I think your better off with a big engined estate, if i had my chance again this is what i would do.
The 4.8is is comfy & makes a nice noise & looks well in le mans blue like mine but that where the qualities end...poor brakes,serious weight to lug around & feels slow most of the time,avoid.
The Stiglet said:
Thanks for the prompt response guys
So far so good then. But I just saw this on Wikipedia:
"However, despite selling well, these vehicles have acquired a reputation for chronic unreliability, especially with their electronics which are complex and prone to expensive failure. Customer satisfaction surveys in Europe place them well down the list."
Is that a fair report?
As for running costs, would these be comparable to my E39 540i or worse?
Fundamentally it is an E39 540i - the electrical system is largely the same, the engine is, although bigger, not a world away from that in your E39. Reliability wise sure it's not the worlds most reliable car but neither is your 540i.So far so good then. But I just saw this on Wikipedia:
"However, despite selling well, these vehicles have acquired a reputation for chronic unreliability, especially with their electronics which are complex and prone to expensive failure. Customer satisfaction surveys in Europe place them well down the list."
Is that a fair report?
As for running costs, would these be comparable to my E39 540i or worse?
I always think of the E53 as being a jacked up heavy duty E39 Touring with 4wd.
I assume you're talking about the previous 4.8iS?
I had for a year some time ago. Did 35,000 miles and it returned 18.6mpg average. Good car, loads of noise but not as fast as you might think. Cost me in excess of £10000 in fuel that year!
If I were looking again, I'd consider a Le
Mans 3.0d. Similar spec and in everyday driving just as enjoyable (and probably as good whe chipped - as I did to the 3.0d Sport before the V8)
If you want the noise V8, I you want a good load lugger, the 3.0d chipped.
I had for a year some time ago. Did 35,000 miles and it returned 18.6mpg average. Good car, loads of noise but not as fast as you might think. Cost me in excess of £10000 in fuel that year!
If I were looking again, I'd consider a Le
Mans 3.0d. Similar spec and in everyday driving just as enjoyable (and probably as good whe chipped - as I did to the 3.0d Sport before the V8)
If you want the noise V8, I you want a good load lugger, the 3.0d chipped.
Interesting. So it wouldn't be faster/as fast as my 540i? I thought the 0-60 time (ridiculous for a 4x4 anyway!) was 6.1 seconds. I've read quite a few remarks about it not feeling that quick, not as fast as expected etc...
Could you get 28 mpg on the motorway sitting at 70 mph?
I think I could imagine this in my life > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQ8gpAu_DI
And yes, I'm referring to the older model, the E53.
Could you get 28 mpg on the motorway sitting at 70 mph?
I think I could imagine this in my life > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQ8gpAu_DI
And yes, I'm referring to the older model, the E53.
Never remembered mine being that quick!
Best mpg I ever achieved was to Brussels and back in a day, 24.5mpg. Driven slowly (65mph average) and with no air con etc.
In town, 12 at best - if you want a 4.8iS forget mpg!
Great sound, but that's it really.
Get a D and have just as much fun. My 3.0D (on an 05) used to return nearly 30mpg and I had a chip which made it a very comfortable, quite quick large barge. I came back once from the south of France with children and all sorts of s
t in the back. 30mpg at 80mph and it was a joy.
Just a thought
Best mpg I ever achieved was to Brussels and back in a day, 24.5mpg. Driven slowly (65mph average) and with no air con etc.
In town, 12 at best - if you want a 4.8iS forget mpg!
Great sound, but that's it really.
Get a D and have just as much fun. My 3.0D (on an 05) used to return nearly 30mpg and I had a chip which made it a very comfortable, quite quick large barge. I came back once from the south of France with children and all sorts of s
t in the back. 30mpg at 80mph and it was a joy.Just a thought
HoHoHo said:
Get a D and have just as much fun. My 3.0D (on an 05) used to return nearly 30mpg and I had a chip which made it a very comfortable, quite quick large barge. I came back once from the south of France with children and all sorts of st in the back. 30mpg at 80mph and it was a joy.
Just a thought
No, you're probably quite right but if I was going for a diesel then I'd probably be more interested in a Touareg V10 t in the back. 30mpg at 80mph and it was a joy.Just a thought
The Stiglet said:
Interesting. So it wouldn't be faster/as fast as my 540i? I thought the 0-60 time (ridiculous for a 4x4 anyway!) was 6.1 seconds. I've read quite a few remarks about it not feeling that quick, not as fast as expected etc...
Could you get 28 mpg on the motorway sitting at 70 mph?
I think I could imagine this in my life > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQ8gpAu_DI
And yes, I'm referring to the older model, the E53.
I have had 30mpg in mine sitting at about 60mph to 70mpg on a long motorway run,but it kind of defeats the object!Could you get 28 mpg on the motorway sitting at 70 mph?
I think I could imagine this in my life > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQ8gpAu_DI
And yes, I'm referring to the older model, the E53.
They do feel quite quick off the line with the 4wd & your right bmw do quote 6.1 to 60 but in all honesty the autobox robs the sensation of speed & yes it is quite a giggle revving it on the drive it does sound good!
HoHoHo said:
The Stiglet said:
No, you're probably quite right but if I was going for a diesel then I'd probably be more interested in a Touareg V10
I know nothing about those, might be worth a look?Beardy10 said:
HoHoHo said:
The Stiglet said:
No, you're probably quite right but if I was going for a diesel then I'd probably be more interested in a Touareg V10
I know nothing about those, might be worth a look?Too heavy, shocking ride and handling.
I have to say i must have a freak of a car after reading the above posts!, i have had my 4.8is for about 6 months and cant praise it enough, 04 done 55k air suspension, solo doing 60-70mph i am getting average 30mpg, work and back 18mpg (5 miles from work) average running around 24mpg, 0-60 timed on 3 different gps systems 6.6 secs, the brakes are out of this world, stand on them with no belts and you are going through the screen, all in all i am more than happy with it, i also have a 540 e34 which uses more fuel and not as comfartable to drive, maybe me but i love it
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