BMW E70 X5 vs L322 Range Rover

[g3org3y]

I'm thinking of giving a 4x4 a go as a work car. As GP working in the countryside, taking the 6 Series down farm tracks is not ideal.

The options are either an E70 X5 (because fan boy) or an L322 Range Rover (look classic + genuinely luxurious). Budget 10k.

Re the X5:
- Petrol N52s are rare. The V8 petrols are problematic (valve seals etc). Looks like it's probably going to have to be a diesel. Which is considered the best option?
- Looks are ok.
- I hear the ride is 'firm'.
- I think the RR looks better/classier.
- What's reliability like?
- Any 'must have' features?

Re the RR:
- Appears the later 3.6TDV8 (or 4.4TDV8) are the better engines.
- Reliability dodgy? I don't mind 'niggles' but I don't want to be stranded.
- Just looks great. Would consider grey, green or blue. Black looks too much like drug dealer spec.

What do you guys reckon?

[Joe5y]

Had both for 1 year each.

FFRR (I did a thread on) cost £3600 in repairs alone and was a terrible drive.

X5 e70 ann10 model. Cost me nothing to run and made money when I sold it.

Edited by Joe5y on Wednesday 29th July 16:58

[crispian22]

Had both,l322 in 4.4bmw and 4.2 supercharged,the supercharged was utterly amazing and very reliable, both extremely comfortable, bmw engined ate its gearbox.
The 4.4tdv8 is a lot more reliable than the 3.6tdv8.

Currently running a 13 plate E70 40d Msport which I've had since the start of the year,complete contrast to a range rover,the ride is very firm,engine and gearbox are superb,very good on a long drive.
Things I wish it had to make it perfect are comfort seats and adaptive air suspension,the SE model is a bit softer on the suspension i hear.

[g3org3y]

Joe5y said:

Had both for 1 year each.

FFRR (I did a thread on) cost £3600 in repairs alone and was a terrible drive.

X5 e70 ann10 model. Cost me nothing to run and made money when I sold it.

Which engine on the X5 out of interest?

What made the FFRR bad to drive? I've heard it's a magic carpet compared to the X5.

crispian22 said:

Had both,l322 in 4.4bmw and 4.2 supercharged,the supercharged was utterly amazing and very reliable, both extremely comfortable, bmw engined ate its gearbox.
The 4.4tdv8 is a lot more reliable than the 3.6tdv8.

Currently running a 13 plate E70 40d Msport which I've had since the start of the year,complete contrast to a range rover,the ride is very firm,engine and gearbox are superb,very good on a long drive.
Things I wish it had to make it perfect are comfort seats and adaptive air suspension,the SE model is a bit softer on the suspension i hear.

Which of the two did you prefer overall? I'm not a fan of really firm rides. I want a 4x4 to soak up bumps. If I want fillings loosened I'll drive my Z4.

Is adaptive air suspension an option? Yes, heard SE is more compliant than M Sport.

[JohnBRG]

I've had two E70s, a 30d and a 40d. Both great cars, the 40d is obviously preferable. Ride is quite wheel-dependent - my 40d was full gangsta spec when I bought is secondhand at 3 years old, the original owner ticked every box on the options list including 20inch wheels. I've swapped them for 18" non-RFTs, not very PH but it massively improves the ride.

Must-have options in my opinion - surround view parking, head up display.

[crispian22]

g3org3y said:

Which of the two did you prefer overall? I'm not a fan of really firm rides. I want a 4x4 to soak up bumps. If I want fillings loosened I'll drive my Z4.

Is adaptive air suspension an option? Yes, heard SE is more compliant than M Sport.

The supercharged was a much better car all round from 07 onwards they had a facelift which also included Ford/Jaguar systems which are much improved over the earlier BMW systems.

If your willing to settle for late teens mpg,maybe mid 20's on a run,they are probably the most reliable of the bunch.

And once you drive one,you do become addicted to the ride,nothing drives like a range rover.

[Aluminati]

Put 160k on my 2011 4.0d George, never missed a beat. Had the front prop recall done. Was on 20’s and comfort seats. Ride was fine. Used to put winters on it in October and it just did all I asked. Would not hesitate getting another.

[Joe5y]

g3org3y said:

Joe5y said:

Had both for 1 year each.

FFRR (I did a thread on) cost £3600 in repairs alone and was a terrible drive.

X5 e70 ann10 model. Cost me nothing to run and made money when I sold it.

Which engine on the X5 out of interest?

What made the FFRR bad to drive? I've heard it's a magic carpet compared to the X5.

It was the 35d. Bit agricultural in the sound but went very well.

The FFRR, the ride was great but didn't handle that well; fairly obvious really. Difficult to have both.
What I didn't like was the disconnect; the steering was numb, there was driveline shunt which happened in all 4 I drove and the brakes were woeful. This meant the drive was overall poor.

Added to this over a short period of time this low owner, low mileage example had 2x rear bags replaced, 2x HK speakers replaced, 1x brake pipe, rain sensors failed (e53 BMW part), auto wipers stopped working (BMW park) and the manifold was leaking. It had done 62k...

Edited by Joe5y on Saturday 1st August 09:17

[g3org3y]

Thanks for the replies chaps, appreciate it.