V8 X5

[jamesson]

Hello all,

Thinking of getting an X5 and am leaning towards a V8. Which of the 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8 is the best overall package? Are any of them particularly prone to anything in particular?

I'm aware that a lot of X5s seem to have gearbox trouble but am led to believe this is only the diesel. Is that correct?

Am I mad going for a V8? Would the 3.0 be fine or would I regret it? Or does the V8 really add a lot to the package?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

[paoloh]

jamesson said:

Hello all,

Thinking of getting an X5 and am leaning towards a V8. Which of the 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8 is the best overall package? Are any of them particularly prone to anything in particular?

I'm aware that a lot of X5s seem to have gearbox trouble but am led to believe this is only the diesel. Is that correct?

Am I mad going for a V8? Would the 3.0 be fine or would I regret it? Or does the V8 really add a lot to the package?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

When nailing one of the big V8's on a motorway, you can watch the gauge grow closer to the red as you drive!!
3.0 petrol is dreadful.
3.0 Diesel with maybe a DMS style upgrade would be the way I'd go.

[jamesson]

Paoloh - thanks for that, but I just don't like diesels. I know they're very good these days, but they're just not my cup of tea.

Which of the V8s is the best all round would you say?

[paoloh]

The 4.8is is a true stormer!
In fact they are all serious bits of kit, I would suggest if you find one in a colour and spec you like, don't let the engine size sway your decision.
Just make sure you buy a sport model with comms pack.
Good luck

[MK4 Slowride]

The Le Mans edition (Estoril blue) is very nice. 3.0d is best all rounder but the 4.8i is mental, bit fast tank.

[jamesson]

Slowride - in your experience, since you work for them, which of the V8s is the best all round package, taking into account general purchase price, servicing costs, performance etc.?

Is the 4.8 significantly more expensive to run than the 4.4? Is the 4.6 worth it compared to the 4.8? Is the ride too harsh on the 4.8's 20 inch alloys? Things like that.

Thanks.

[MK4 Slowride]

jamesson said:

Slowride - in your experience, since you work for them, which of the V8s is the best all round package, taking into account general purchase price, servicing costs, performance etc.?

Is the 4.8 significantly more expensive to run than the 4.4? Is the 4.6 worth it compared to the 4.8? Is the ride too harsh on the 4.8's 20 inch alloys? Things like that.

Thanks.

There isn't much difference to be honest 15-20mpg (real world) on either the V8's 4.4i or 4.8i depending on how you drive. BMW don't recommend a convertion to LPG but there are people who will do that for you. If it were my money then this is an avenue I'd certainly consider to make it a bit more useable on a daily/higher mileage basis.

Servicing will be a bit more as it's got more displacement & cylinders so comes with the territory I'm sad to say.

The best all round is the 3.0d end of really, you just don't get the decent soundtrack. I personally like the Le Mans edition it's a good looking motor.

[Hobo]

Just replied to your email.

In short just buy the 4.8 (should still have remainder of BMW warranty & you can then renew for around £750 I think)

[tobybmw535i]

go for a 4.6is or 4.8 both really good and very quick with it and usallywith good specs only thing to whatch out on is the road tax and consumption but otherwise definaitly go for the big engine ones

[EdR]

jamesson said:

Is the 4.6 worth it compared to the 4.8? Is the ride too harsh on the 4.8's 20 inch alloys? Thanks.

I would actually say that the ride on the 4.8 is better than that on the 4.4, despite it having 20's - guess this is due to it having the all round air suspension which the 4.4 did not (unless you happen to find a 4.4 with that option, which would be rare). I also personally found the feel of the 4.8 much nicer than both the 4.4. and 4.6 - generally just goes better, sounds nicer, handles better, was more comfortable, and fely a bit more 'substantial' than the pre-facelift cars, like the 4.6. When I bought my first 4.8 - i'm on my 2nd one now - I could have had a 4.6 for ~£15k less, and I still thought the 4.8 was worth the difference.

They don't eat as much petrol as people would have you believe - best I've had on mine on a 100 mile trip was 27.1mpg average (this was with a VERY light right foot). I used to drive from Milton Keynes to Reading every day, and with a sensible driving style got around 23-24mpg average. It does drop just a tad if you start nailing it in town (which you will, just for the noise) - I get low teens round town, and about 5mpg on the track!!

Nice cars though - real bargain these days, and with petrol being cheaper than diesel, not necessarily completely stupid in running costs.

[bean455]

Having sold all models of X5 i would go for 4.8,Awesome performance and I was getting 19.8 mpg around town!The diesel will only do 22 around town.No comparison for me.

[jamesson]

Thank you all for the advice, it is greatly appreciated.

4.8 it is then!

I'll be looking to get one in a few weeks' time when I've sorted out some finance stuff, so I'll let you know what I get and what I think of it. Looking forward to that soundtrack...

[forsure]

jamesson said:

Thank you all for the advice, it is greatly appreciated.

4.8 it is then!

I'll be looking to get one in a few weeks' time when I've sorted out some finance stuff, so I'll let you know what I get and what I think of it. Looking forward to that soundtrack...

Tunnel, windows open, kick-down.....

[EdR]

forsure said:

jamesson said:

Thank you all for the advice, it is greatly appreciated.

4.8 it is then!

I'll be looking to get one in a few weeks' time when I've sorted out some finance stuff, so I'll let you know what I get and what I think of it. Looking forward to that soundtrack...

Tunnel, windows open, kick-down.....

And panoramic sunroof all the way back for the full Nascar effect - feel the noise

[organicchris]

Just out of interest, I've got the 4.8is E53. Gassed it, love it. That V8 rumble.......growl takes some lickin'. Played with a Sapphire Cosworth up the A49 the other week, probably upset him.
LPG sub 50p at non franchised (BP, Shell etc). 14-15 mpg on gas pushing on and towing trailers.
This is the third conversion I've had done (Land Cruiser, X5 4.4, now this) why be a sheep? Having said that a chipped diesel should be a stormer. They are however like ****holes, everybody has one!

[jamesson]

Test drove a very nice 4.8 today. Fully loaded, nice straight car. Going to look at it again tomorrow with my wife (who couldn't make it today) and will hopefully put down a deposit.

[mogul]

I've had a 3.0d sport and a 4.8iS and they both have their advantages and disadvantages.

No doubt the 3.0d is a fine car and probably the better buy, but the growl and power of the 4.8 is the dogs nuts. I had my 4.8 just under a year and put 34,000 miles on the clock averaging 18.6 mpg. The best I managed was 25mpg on a run to Brussels and back the same day but taking it very easy!

My old car is here for sale and has been for a few weeks now, I think their value is going to plummet based on the new road tax and the current cost of fuel so there may be a bit of negotiating on this one.

Link to my old car here

Nice spec and if it's still as I left it it's in really good condition

[jamesson]

mogul - beautiful car, but out of my price range I'm afraid!

[mogul]

jamesson said:

mogul - beautiful car, but out of my price range I'm afraid!

I sold it a year ago for £32500 and think the seller is being a bit optimistic with his current asking price to be honest.

I think early 4.8's were introduced a year or so before mine and should be very low twenties by now (especially with the current trend against 4x4's and big engines).

How much were you looking at spending?

[jamesson]

The one I'm looking at is £21k. Ideally I wouldn't go over £20k but realise that's a little low for the 4.8, even in the current market.