£20,000 budget which X5 to look for?

[The Guvnor]

Hi guys,

I am seeking some advice for my brother who is looking to buy a 4x4. Now thankfully I have convinced him that a 3-5 year old x5 represents better value than spending all his budget on a brand new Nissan Quashquoi.

He lives in Ireland and his budget is €45,000 roughly £30,000. However to import the car (Vehicle Registration Tax) will cost 30% of what the government deem the value of the car to be, this equates to rougly £10k on a 2003/2004 model give or take.

He does no mileage at all - I reckon 10,000 a year max and possibly 7-8,000. On this basis I told him to forget diesels and opt for petrol.

So this is where we are at -

1. Looking for a good X5 2002 onwards
2. Petrol
3. Sub 60,000 on the clock
4. Comms, Memory seats, high spec essential
5. Colours only three - Black, Silver, Blue (estoril?)
6. 19/20in wheels no bigger but also no smaller
7. Preference for a lighter colour leather interior - looks better imo

The question is which model is he best suited to?
3.0 v 4.4 v 4.6 v 4.8

I personally feel he is best going for a 4.6is as with his limited mileage the petrol costs will not be hugely different and he has imo a better chance of getting a higher spec 4.6 than he has with a 3.0. The MPG would not be that different would it? I base this on the 4.6 being worked less with his right foot. :-)

I also read that the 3.0 is or can feel a little sluggish and therefore the 4.6 is a better drive?

Thanks for any help/advice!

Edited by The Guvnor on Saturday 25th August 13:01

[SJobson]

Is there any difference in road tax on the 4.6 vs the 4.4 in Eire? I suspect not, in which case, 4.6iS all the way. Loads more spec, but not any more expensive it seems than a 4.4 Sport.

[The Guvnor]

Hi Mate,

Road tax is horrendous in Ireland. £900 for anything over 3000cc!

You reckon petrol all the way given his mileage?

Thanks

[SJobson]

I haven't been over to Ireland for a few years, but assuming petrol prices are similar to the UK, 9000 miles a year would be £2,200-ish at 18mpg or £1,300-ish at 30mpg. I'd pay the extra to drive the 4.6iS over a 3.0D personally.

[The Guvnor]

Thankfully fuel is less.

£0.77 petrol
£0.70 diesel

Cost £800 a year extra tops in fuel but he will have a better specced, lower mileage car which is IMO worth the £800 a year!

[Cliffv8]

"£20,000 budget which X5 to look for?" the Range Rover one

Edited by Cliffv8 on Tuesday 28th August 18:54

[Dino D]

Do you guys have LPG over there? If so you should give it some consideration. The cars that already have it fitted and being sold on the trader don't get a premium price (some may even say that they go for less as the market for an LPG converted X5 is smaller).

If you know paying premium price for the conversion you get the benefits of the dual fuel and reduced bills without having to worry about wether you will rack up enough miles to mak ethe conversion pay for itself.

BTW I did the conversion on my 330i it was brilliant. It's even better suited to something like an X5 because of thirst and space for the gas tank.