Searching for X5 to replace my "ex five"

[andrewwynn]

That's a beauty.


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[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

About 07-8 is newest my budget will handle. Quite surprised to have found an 08 that may be possible to work into the program.

I've driven the 35i but only after buying the 50i. (wife's car). The one I'm looking at tomorrow is 3.0si which is enough for me I'm used to my 3.0i and this will be 20% bump in HP that'll be enough to notice but still get the blast of fun difference when I drive wife's 50i.

The key to picking the car I'm looking at is adaptive drive which is nearly impossible to find on a used X5.

Have you driven a 3.0si?

It's technically more powerful, but doesn't have the sloppy torque converter that they used to make the 3.0i feel a lot more powerful than it really was. You may be disappointed.

[andrewwynn]

That's an interesting bit of feedback. I have not driven 3.0si yet but I will tomorrow.

The acceleration numbers are higher and with the extra cog in the gearbox I'm hoping for better 60-80 performance more than butt dynamometer performance.

I'm a bigger fan of more evenly applied torque than peak acceleration. Driving the 50i, I usual start at ¹/₃ throttle until it shifts into second before I drop the throttle to ¹/₂ and push off at a solid ¹/₃ g for as long as I feel like it.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

That's an interesting bit of feedback. I have not driven 3.0si yet but I will tomorrow.

The acceleration numbers are higher and with the extra cog in the gearbox I'm hoping for better 60-80 performance more than butt dynamometer performance.

I'm a bigger fan of more evenly applied torque than peak acceleration. Driving the 50i, I usual start at ¹/₃ throttle until it shifts into second before I drop the throttle to ¹/₂ and push off at a solid ¹/₃ g for as long as I feel like it.

It'll definitely be better at highway speeds, where you really feel the M54's (lack) of power.

It's off the line and low speeds where the high stall speed on the torque converter really livens things up.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

It'll definitely be better at highway speeds, where you really feel the M54's (lack) of power.

It's off the line and low speeds where the high stall speed on the torque converter really livens things up.

I will be very interested to see the difference and the only real time I feel wanting for power on the m54 was passing or top speed. I will be ok with less off the line vs. passing power. I will also know right away.

[andrewwynn]

That was helpful feedback about the 30si.

I test drove the '08 and that almost could not have gone worse. Three engine sounded bad like bad bearing on alternator. Ran ok but as suggested it felt very sluggish compared to my '01.

Worse: transfer case internal fault! 4x4 abs/brake/DSC lights! Are you kidding me!??

So that was a total bust.

However:



2011 35i.

Test drove. Smoothest quietest engine on a used car I've ever tested. Clean like new inside ran like a top. More miles than I hoped but TEN YEARS Newer than my '01 it will replace! There needed to be a trade off (miles) to get remotely close to my budget. (had to borrow an extra $2k to cover the $2700 difference in price)

The power boost is much appreciated. Not insane like wife's 50i but definitely enough to toss the car around and get where you want in typical traffic. Partly due to the 8 speed transmission.

Money no object I'd look a little harder and get a 35d. Good chance that will be the next update for wife or me.

61,000 mile rewind on the odometer is about five years for me.

Pick it up on the 12th.

[Crowz]

That 8 speed transmission is awesome isnt it


Always the perfect gear all the time.


I did tunes on mine and it flat out flies. All the power I want all the time.

[Crowz]

I was surprised how many of the options that would of required coding in the e53 you can set in the idrive on the fly. Door locking etc can be set inside there without having to code anything. The angel eyes are very bright too since it uses what would of been the high beam lights to drive the angel eyes.


Does it have the steering wheel heater? I use that one all the time too.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

That was helpful feedback about the 30si.

I test drove the '08 and that almost could not have gone worse. Three engine sounded bad like bad bearing on alternator. Ran ok but as suggested it felt very sluggish compared to my '01.

Worse: transfer case internal fault! 4x4 abs/brake/DSC lights! Are you kidding me!??

So that was a total bust.

However:



2011 35i.

Test drove. Smoothest quietest engine on a used car I've ever tested. Clean like new inside ran like a top. More miles than I hoped but TEN YEARS Newer than my '01 it will replace! There needed to be a trade off (miles) to get remotely close to my budget. (had to borrow an extra $2k to cover the $2700 difference in price)

The power boost is much appreciated. Not insane like wife's 50i but definitely enough to toss the car around and get where you want in typical traffic. Partly due to the 8 speed transmission.

Money no object I'd look a little harder and get a 35d. Good chance that will be the next update for wife or me.

61,000 mile rewind on the odometer is about five years for me.

Pick it up on the 12th.

Yeah. The 3.0si looks good on paper, but it just doesn't have it.

Glad you found a solid option. We all know that mileage is less important than condition on these.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Crowz

That 8 speed transmission is awesome isnt it


Always the perfect gear all the time.


I did tunes on mine and it flat out flies. All the power I want all the time.

I will be following up with you on tuning once I have it.


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