2003 3.0 or 4.4?

[JCL]

I respect all of the posters who say get the 4.4 or 4.6, and who don't think the 3.0 has sufficient power. However, in a previous life, many years ago, I had an Explorer (with 140 hp) and the vehicle weights and use patterns are similar, so the 225 hp 3.0 seems fine to me. If I wanted a fast vehicle, I wouldn't start with an X5, I would start with something much lighter. This board is full of enthusiasts who are fans of the V8, and that is great. However, the E53 3.0 outsold the 4.4 two to one, and yes, it is more reliable and cheaper to fix. Just one man's opinion. Now, if you need that extra second on your way to 60 mph, go buy the 4.4 and be happy everafter.

[mdrobc13]

JCL....I respectfully beg to differ to your observations. As a previous owner of a 3.0 and now a 4.4. BOTH 2003 vehicles they are night and day in terms of day to day driveability but then again that all is based on how you drive too! If you drive in sparse traffic and isolated city/town driving and for short distances then the 3.0 probably won't bother you that much. However in my 6-8 mos of 3.0 use and 4 mos so far of 4.4 X5 use I've found that the 3.0 does not do that well if you you live in cities with lots of traffic/highway use where merging and acceleration into traffic, passing, etc are common OR if want spirited driving from your SUV then the 3.0 is NOT for you. Almost everyday I'd have at least one experience where I'd have to haul off like a bat out of hell to accelerate the 3.0 into traffic or get out of the way of someone bearing down on me and almost in my cargo area. An I am not a slow driver mind you either. My daily driver prior to the 3.0 was a 2002 e46 M3 and on the weekends a 1999 Carrera coupe. Yes they may have spoiled me as far as power and torque goes but with the weight of the X5 and 225hp (what you'd see in what a comparable 3 series) it is just too little for daily use IMHO. Kinda like the V6 Cayenne vs the Cayenne S. The base Cayenne might have outsold the Cayenne S (most reviews admit the lower HP SUV is NOT prefered unless you just can't afford the higher HP one OR really have NO preference) as the 3.0 has the 4.4 as you mention but that may be a function of economics and cost of the V8 rather than choice/preference of buyers (i.e. not wanting to pay the extra cost of the 4.4).

So get the 4.4 if you can...you may spend another grand or two but you will appreciate it the 1st time you look to the engine for HP; speed and torque in the 3.0 and find it lacking. Bimmer magazine last year did a review on the e53 and basically said the same...if you can afford the V8 then there's really no reason other than cost to go with the 3.0.