Discussion
A re-mapped 3.0d Sport. Your budget will get you a nice 04/54 or early 05 car with a full spec.
I've run a 4.6is, the face lifted E53 3.0d with a 575nm DMS re-map and now have the new E70 3.0d (soon to be re-mapped - 620nm/torque) and have to say IMHO you're daft to go petrol with these cars. The re-mapped diesels are as quick as the petrol variants and return 32+mpg. They are also the more desirable car come re-sale.
A good friend of mine also shares the same opinion having had both 4.8, 3.0d and 3.0sd X5's.However, I appreciate that different people want different things from their cars and so I am sure there'll be others out there who would only consider the petrol variant. Horses for courses and happy hunting...there's lots of choice out there at the moment BUT be sure to look at the following with anything over 70k miles.
condition of turbo - whistle/wine under light load
Wheel bearings - constant whine above 30mph from bulkhead or boot
Steering rack - excessive play in steering when stationary, understeer when pressing on
Ball joints - as above
loose ARB and fixings - vague steering feel
Above 125k - pay attention to transmission - check for jerkyness and hesitation on change down at junctions followed by heavy thunk as gear engages.
I've run a 4.6is, the face lifted E53 3.0d with a 575nm DMS re-map and now have the new E70 3.0d (soon to be re-mapped - 620nm/torque) and have to say IMHO you're daft to go petrol with these cars. The re-mapped diesels are as quick as the petrol variants and return 32+mpg. They are also the more desirable car come re-sale.
A good friend of mine also shares the same opinion having had both 4.8, 3.0d and 3.0sd X5's.However, I appreciate that different people want different things from their cars and so I am sure there'll be others out there who would only consider the petrol variant. Horses for courses and happy hunting...there's lots of choice out there at the moment BUT be sure to look at the following with anything over 70k miles.
condition of turbo - whistle/wine under light load
Wheel bearings - constant whine above 30mph from bulkhead or boot
Steering rack - excessive play in steering when stationary, understeer when pressing on
Ball joints - as above
loose ARB and fixings - vague steering feel
Above 125k - pay attention to transmission - check for jerkyness and hesitation on change down at junctions followed by heavy thunk as gear engages.
taylor8 said:
Right whats the bst model X5 to buy,
Unashamed plug:MINE
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1314785.htm
I test drove the diesel & 4.4 back in 2002, bought an M3 instead, but in 2005 changed that for the 4.8is. All great cars & whichever you decide I'm sure you'll be happy. Having had the big V8 I can now put a sensible hat on & say buy the diesel. (still miss the sound of the 4.8 though)
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