Sub £4k, better tow car/all rounder than an E53 X5 3.0D?

[TroubledSoul]

Is there anything that I am missing? Will be towing about 1600/1700kgs. Looking at the facelift E53 Sport. I've looked at the usual suspects like A6s, Legacies etc. but not sure anything appeals as much as the X5, which would be my first big 4x4.

Interested to know how time has judged these and any common faults? Had an E46 330cd and an E60 535D so it should all feel very familiar.

[TroubledSoul]

Topic moved and look, no replies in here. What surprise!

Me being me, I'm now wondering if I should be getting a V8.... since it'll only do max 5k per year whilst I'm spending the majority of my year working away in Afghanistan. Don't really want to run over budget though and it would have to be a facelift 4.8is.

Stick with the diesel?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the W211 E320/280cdi is the best all rounder & the drivetrain is bulletproof & I think they can tow more:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[TroubledSoul]

Sorry, should have made it clear it needs to be 4WD as you have to park on grass in all weathers where I compete with my race car.

[Shiv_P]

How about a Touareg?

[rfn]

A friend of mine has just bought a 4.4V8 E53, 2005 in black. Seems pretty nice.
I wouldn't buy the diesel one, as much as it's a great engine, due to ULEZ (but appreciate that doesn't affect everyone).

[V8RX7]

Speaking from experience - hideously unreliable

Everything from the cooling system, air suspension, electric seats... can and does go wrong - I'd suggest they are as unreliable as a Range Rover

I'll admit they drive well

I'd buy a Jeep 3.0d - not as refined but better off road, more reliable and cheaper to fix.

[TroubledSoul]

It will spend the majority of its time on the road. How do the Jeep and Touareg compare to drive? I've had 7 BMWs of various flavour so do have a certain affection for them but I have had a little look into a newer Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD for a similar budget.

[V8RX7]

Toureg is similar ethos to the X5 and similarly expensive to maintain.

Both may be good choices at £30k but a lottery at this level.

[ZX10R NIN]

If it has to be a 4x4 then I'd recommend the Grand Cherokee:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Glasgowrob]

just saw this on autotrader.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... .


wheels are god awful imo but 2 grand under budget which leaves you a maintenance kitty and something towards an lpg conversion or your fuel bill

[Glasgowrob]

or pre converted


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[TroubledSoul]

Not really looking at the pre facelift X5s. I hated the 5spd auto in my E46 330i, but the black one does loo very good for the money. Grand Cherokee does look decent. Will take a look at some Touaregs but always thought VAG stuff was bit crap in the past. How do they drive?

[TroubledSoul]

What's a V8 Cayenne like if you can get past the looks? I imagine they're horrendously difficult to sell on once you're done with them?

[V8RX7]

TroubledSoul said:

What's a V8 Cayenne like if you can get past the looks? I imagine they're horrendously difficult to sell on once you're done with them?

Frying pan --- Fire

[TroubledSoul]

V8RX7 said:

Frying pan --- Fire

Understood! Consider the Cayenne scratched then.

[ZX10R NIN]

if it has to be the X5 then it has to be 4.6is

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-X5-4-6-IS-V8-3...f:1

[TroubledSoul]

ZX10R NIN said:

if it has to be the X5 then it has to be 4.6is

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-X5-4-6-IS-V8-3...f:1

That's pre-facelift so not under consideration. Also, the 4.6 seems to have been stuck with the 5 speed box even after facelift from what I can make out. Seems the 4.4 is slightly better on MPG than the 4.8 but a little bit slower. I think I've convinced myself to get a 4.4 or 4.8 if it is an X5 now