3.0l vs 4.4l

[Rev Z-Man]

Hi All, I am new to the X5World forums since I am currently looking for an X5. I test drove a 2001 X5 4.4L and coming from a 94 530i, I was very impressed. It handles great, has tons of power and feels tight & sporty. I went home and asked around and I even see that Consumer Reports sort of rated it the "best of the worst" -- as I have been calling it. However, the I6 has been given an average if not better review.

Are the components that much different? Why is the 6 so much "better" than the 8? I hear the manual is hard to come by, but I'm willing to wait for the right car. I saw a red and a puke green one on eBay ... mmmmm, yummy.

[cmyX6go]

First of all, :welcome: to The World, neighbor. I work about 10 minutes from you.

I'm on my second 4.4. I love it. I have had few problems and highly recommend it. 3.0 or 4.4 depends on what you're looking for. I LOVE the power off the line. The 3.0 does have top end power but in my opinion, gotta have an 8 cylinder. Good luck with what ever you decide.

[Don Coffey]

If it's the choice between to 3.0 or 4.4, it has to be the 4.4. Great sounding engine with good pull.

Don

[Rev Z-Man]

Oh, stop man, don't remind me of how sweet that 4.4L sounded. And that's even before the Dinan S1 treatment.

HAHA -- yes, I do shop for upgrades before I get a car.

[The Cleaner]

4.4 is much more powerful, but more difficult to work on than the 3.0. Mileage is about 4 MPG less on the V8. I have the 3.0 and have never needed more power than I had, even with 5 people + gear going to Tahoe I have had plenty of power.

[motordavid]

RevZMan,
First, welcome to the Board!

What they all said, though I espc. agree with TheCleaner, above:
if you tow, haul bricks or jes'want the V8, go for it, though a manual
trans is not available. But, I've never felt our 3.0 IL6 lacked power
in any situ., and I love power.

Our's is the old 5 spd manual; find a 6 speed if you can and bargain hard:
the manuals are rare but generally unwanted by the masses.
GL, mD

[AzNMpower32]

First of all, CR is absolute garbage when it comes to auto reviews.

The V8 4.4i has more grunt off the line (duh), but the 3.0 has enough for most drivers who don't need the extra power. However, if both are automatics, I think the 4.4i would be a better bet. Manual X5s are hard to come by and supposedly the clutch + ultra-short 1st gear don't make it the best of BMW manual gearboxes.

[Rev Z-Man]

Thanks for all the great input. See, I can get the V8 NOW! and I have to wait for the right 5-spd to come along. I love the grunt of the V8 so maybe I need to drive V6 -- even an auto -- just to get a feel for the motor.

What other differences are there from the V6 and the V8?

Any reality to the rear diff problems I've heard of?

[noncom23]

4.4

[Quicksilver]

V6. Didn't know BMW had a V6

Originally Posted by Rev Z-Man

What other differences are there from the V6 and the V8?