2004 3.0 or 4.4. Which should I buy? Has anyone driven both?

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by GPSnV1

I always like knowing that I can get out of the pack when they bunch up on a long trip.

Lucky. Doing one-lane passing requires me to plan 3 months ahead of time before executing the pass.

[rubin110]

ive driven both and agree with the majority here. go with the 4.4!

[seafarer]

Originally Posted by Vonbimmer

I had a 3.0 as a loaner when my 4.4 was getting prepped for delivery. The 3.0 was functional, but I was surprised, as other posters to this thread were that the 3.0 netted roughly the same mileage. That said I am really pleased with my 4.4 and I'd choose it again in a heartbeat. The ability to accelerate like a giant sports car never ceases to put a grin on my face.

Hiya All!

Im still smiling everyday!

Gotta love the V8

seafarer

[X5Flyboy]

Go with the 4.4 - mileage wise, there is very little difference - the 4.4 actually should get slightly BETTER mileage - the last thing you want to do is say, "I could have had a V8"

[Dylandog]

Why are there so many 3.0's on the road. I see three times as many 3.0's as 4.4's here in MD. My wifes X3 3.0 drives fine but next to my 4.4 night and day difference.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Dylandog

Why are there so many 3.0's on the road. I see three times as many 3.0's as 4.4's here in MD. My wifes X3 3.0 drives fine but next to my 4.4 night and day difference.

Cuz there are many many many people who use the X5 as merely an appliance that gets them from point A to point B, with low (lease) payments and high prestige. It's the same reason there's a zillion 325i's.

[X5Jay]

I think the real reason is because the 3.0 is $10K less than the 4.4...

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

I think the real reason is because the 3.0 is $10K less than the 4.4...

Yes, thats why I said lower payments, both finance and lease.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Cuz there are many many many people who use the X5 as merely an appliance that gets them from point A to point B, with low (lease) payments and high prestige. It's the same reason there's a zillion 325i's.

That is just a little insulting. I bought an X5 3.0 because I prefer the inline 6 cylinder, it is smoother than the V8. The V8 isn't balanced. I couldn't see the point of getting a larger engine in an X5, because if I wanted to go fast I wouldn't start with an X5. It would be much easier to take weight out than to add hp, and then it would handle better as well. I never saw my X5 as an appliance, and yes, I do know the difference. I don't know about a zillion 325s, but our E46 325xi had plenty of power, with the manual transmission. For more performance, we had a Z4 3.0, faster than any X5 and infinitely better handling.

No disrespect to those who like the V8, but price wasn't at all a factor for me, the 3.0 just made a lot more sense. That puts me in the majority, as the 3.0 outsold the V8s by two or three to one most years.

Carry on.

[X5Flyboy]

Facts are facts, there are more 3.0s out there - they also out number the V8s for resale by an enormous ratio - the 3.0 is a great engine, but comes up alittle short when trying to muscle around 5000+lbs - as I said earlier, the 4.4 gets the best mileage of all the engines for the X5 - the 3.0 in the new X3 works great - my pick for the future(here in the USA) is the 3.0 turbo diesel - that's what I'm looking forward to