E39er buying a X5 - which one? need your opinions

[X fünf]

Hi Everyone, Yes I am new here (Bimmerforums) and am looking to spend a little more time here because I am about to buy an X5.

My knowledge, cars has always been with 3ers, 5ers - and my current daily driver - 99 ACS 540i needs to part and replaced with a X5 (damn kids :-) )

The X5 I want is the E53 4.8is - Im in love with it....but wanted you guys to answer some questions on the SAV:

* Off Road - define off road - are they capable to go into Jeep territory, or just simple terrain - dirt, grass, mud etc?

* Which is best - 4.4 or 4.6 or 4.8? (E53 only, not intersted in E70). I want comfort, pickup/torque, options, reliability ( I know the M62TU was replaced in 2004 with a new 4.4 V8 which is best?)

* Best MPG (not interested in 3.0 / 3.0d)

* Quiet cabin

Appreciate your feedback, Im looking forward to buying one of these!!

[Gary92]

Originally Posted by X fünf

* Off Road - define off road - are they capable to go into Jeep territory, or just simple terrain - dirt, grass, mud etc?

* Which is best - 4.4 or 4.6 or 4.8? (E53 only, not intersted in E70). I want comfort, pickup/torque, options, reliability ( I know the M62TU was replaced in 2004 with a new 4.4 V8 which is best?)

* Best MPG (not interested in 3.0 / 3.0d)

* Quiet cabin

Appreciate your feedback, Im looking forward to buying one of these!!

im not sure if X5's can go into jeep territory, but with some snow tires, i had no problems in 15 cm of snow.

if you have the $, 4.8is is the way to go.

4.8 gets around the same mileage as the 4.4 and 4.6

[N S]

4.8 > 4.4 > 3.0

Do not buy an X5 for Jeep like activities. Snow covered roads, dirt roads, sand, no problem. Mountain trails, no good.

[X fünf]

Definately not going into "Jeep" territory - only on beach for the boat, dirt roads with a few bumps , hills etc.

So the 4.8 is quiet inside? like the usual X5?, the M / Alpina tuned engine is as reliable as the common 4.4?

[Daka]

I cannot understand the reasoning for the V8's.
I have owned 20 BMW's over the last 40 years 4's and 6's. I have driven almost all of the models that have been made. The BMW 3.0 engine is one that they have been making for a LONG time..pretty much bullet proof with proper maintenance..just don't overheat it
Now with my 06 X5 3.0 (sold a 99 528iT) I find that it has plenty of power also
Unless you are towing a huge trailer (unlikely) why the more trouble prone V8
Suggestion...drive a comparable 3.0 before you decide.

[jst2878]

go with the 4.8 a 2006 will do the best. you'll have no regrets. no jeep capabilities though

[Dking05]

From my mountain experience: a bit of snow is ok, but chains+snow tires never hurt. Its was very easy to loose control on a corner with only 1 inch and just tires.
Offroading: It can handle a rock or two, but nothing in Jeep territory. My advice, only do some *average* mountain roading if you can live with a strip of scrapes on the bottom of the front spoiler.

IMO:

They both have fat tires;
They both have fender flares;

4.8is:
Pros: Adjustable ride height (+) for Offroad/Snow, post- LCI
Cons: a bit more expensive

4.6is:
Pro: Cheaper (a good amount in the low 20's)
Cons: Pre-LCI, no adjustable ride height

It just depends on your budget.

From Wikipedia.
the 2000-2003 4.4i v8 was rated @ 282HP
the 2004-2006 4.4i v8 was rated @ 315HP
also in 04', if im right, the xdrive system was updated.

The 4.4i can be tortured more than the 4.6/8is (cosmetically)

[sethro]

Originally Posted by Daka

I cannot understand the reasoning for the V8's.
I have owned 20 BMW's over the last 40 years 4's and 6's. I have driven almost all of the models that have been made. The BMW 3.0 engine is one that they have been making for a LONG time..pretty much bullet proof with proper maintenance..just don't overheat it
Now with my 06 X5 3.0 (sold a 99 528iT) I find that it has plenty of power also
Unless you are towing a huge trailer (unlikely) why the more trouble prone V8
Suggestion...drive a comparable 3.0 before you decide.

[sprocket1200]

I agree with the 3.0 engine advice. super easy to work on too, oil changes and spark plugs are a breeze.

now, you mentioned kids (plural). we got our e53 just before having kids and instantly found there was not enough room. our Jeep Grand Cherokee has way more room. I would not advise on an e53. maybe the e70, but i have no experience with it.

were we to do it again we would have to get a Toyota Sequoia or other best just to get by... (wife says no minivan, though all these things are minivans!).

[m5james]

Hey there X funf. I'm all over the BF.c as well for 540/740 stuff, but the X forums over there are definately slow. You're going to have the same potential engine and trans problems as you would w/ your 540 since its all a pretty similar block. It generally seems that the newer N62 motor and 6spd trannies have more transmission issues in general. The M62 and 5spd trannies seem to have recently failing trannies as well, but I think it ties more into lack of maintenance. OSV/CCV valves seem to be a bigger problem in the X's vs 5/7. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. You'll be getting more power w/ the 4.8, but you won't be getting anymore legroom. The preface lift X5's (00-04 I think) only have two row seating, while the facelifted ones can come w/ three row seating.