Living with an E70 X5

[Nath911t]

I've giving up chasing the dream of owning a decent 6 series after the 2 I've owned this year decided the oil is better out of the engine than in it in one way or another with both been expensive fixes.

I'm now looking at the X5 3.0d as well as a few other marques like the ML but they all seem heavy with the £500+ tax which to me is dead money but at the same time, they do look nice. I quite like the E93 330i convertibles as well.

My main concern is, are they a car that doesn't mind been sat on the driveway as I only use a car 3 sometimes 4 times a week for runs out between 20 and 50 miles each time. I prefer the facelift version and getting away from the early 2007's that are a higher tax leading me to the 2008 onwards that are cheaper? Is it crazy to consider owning a derv with this kind of low mileage?

I've read to look out for electrical things not working, suspension airbags, uneven tyre wear. Am I right that the 2010 MY had issues with the prop/transfer box? I've seen a 2008/58 Sport done 85k local to me that looks good.

I'm unsure what to get at the moment but I need to get a hurry on as using a motorbike when it's cold isn't fun!

[Luke.]

Forget the dervs.

I bought a 2007 4.8i and love it.

The engine sounds great, got nice bit of oomph and you can get 25mpg on the motorway quite easily.

[Nath911t]

I thought the 4.8 was on par or close to the 4.4 with oil leaks and the water pipe going through the block going?

[Luke.]

Nath911t said:

I thought the 4.8 was on par or close to the 4.4 with oil leaks and the water pipe going through the block going?

I've got a small oil leak, but it's nothing to write home about. In 20,000 miles, only problem I've really had is with the airbags. But those arent the end of the world either.

[thegreatdogwood]

85k on a 2008 is probably close to a new DPF that BMW will ask £2k for.

With that mileage I'd look at the 4.8

I ran a 2008 E70 from a 2 year old with 26 k miles until I sold it a month ago with 156k miles.

Prior to that I owned a 650 cab - and loved every second of the 40k miles I put on it

[Fox-]

Nath911t said:

I've giving up chasing the dream of owning a decent 6 series after the 2 I've owned this year decided the oil is better out of the engine than in it in one way or another with both been expensive fixes.

I'm now looking at the X5 3.0d

I cannot imagine there is going to be much difference in ownership experience between a 6 Series and an X5 of similar age. If you want a different and more trouble-free ownership experience than an older 6 Series then a similarly complex and aged X5 isnt it.

[Eddieslofart]

2012 4.0d here.

Currently on 158k, and a parking sensor has failed. Thats it. Meticulously maintained by me as BMW couldn’t maintain a bubblegum machine.

[Nath911t]

Thanks for the feedback, the one I mentioned earlier has now sold so the car hunting continues ...