I6 or V8

[faz]

OP, you really need to drive them both and decide for yourself and your driving conditions which one is better for you.

On any forum that you go to, (X5 forum or 3 series forum or 5 series forum or ...), those with the bigger engine will tell you that they won't be caught dead driving a smaller engine, etc.

For my purposes, which is no towing, and involves a lot of daily driving of my family to/from work/school/etc., during rush hours, the I6 is *plenty* fast. I mean, the only things that keep my speed lower are fear of cops, and the traffic. This SUV with the I6 is a lot faster off the line than your normal sedan vehicles especially those driven by an average drivers in your town.

I have made a trip to L.A. and back with a full vehicle, and even in that trip I didn't notice any shortcoming from this engine going over the mountains close to L.A.... the I6 provides more than adequate power for this vehicle, in my opinion.

But when OP says 'money was not a hindrance' ... well, 4.8is it is then.... really, I mean who wouldn't want more power????

(Although, a 2006 3.0i with 30k miles on it costs more than a 2003 4.4i with 75k miles on it... so really don't know how price would play a role in deciding between the two.)

[FSETH]

Well, let's recap;

The only positives for the 6 cylinder I have heard so far (if money is no issue) is that the 6 weighs about 200 pounds less (roughly 5% lighter overall weight) and has a very balanced/smooth engine.

Positives for the 8 cylinder include about 65-90 more horsepower and over 110 lb. ft. of torque. It is faster, gets roughly the same gas mileage and can tow more easily. It also had more standard features over the 6 cylinder models. I also think the V8 sounds much meaner, but that can be a personal preference. Seems like many arguements for 6 simply state that it is adequate and the V8 is overkill.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by JCL

You can't tell the difference in smoothness between an I6 or V12, and a V8, when driving them?

Let's forget V12s for the minute. Theoretical argument only. As E53 V8s, either the pre or post update 4.4, or the 4.6is, or the 4.8is, I have never stepped out of one of them (I've driven them all) and thought I wouldn't buy them as the engine is too rough. However, after driving the six, especially with the auto box, I've always felt let down. Pushing something as big and as heavy as the X5, the six lacks urgency at low and middle revs. As I said, it's better with a manual, especially the six-speeder...
Don't get we wrong, the six is a sublime engine. Brilliant in a 3 Series and great in a 5 Series, but underdone in the X5 especially for give and take highway driving where you need good passing power. Now, if you add a couple of small turbos, that's a very different story.
And to answer your original question, yes the IL6 feels a tad smoother than the V8 but what tiny difference there is fades into insignificant when looking at the big picture.

[4MoJoe]

FWIW - I've had both. First the I6 and then the 4.4 V8. I chose the I6 at first because of cost of getting into the car. I loved it tho. Around town it was plenty fast and quite smooth (and I'd dare say I've always felt the I6 was much more so than the 8). I loaded it up with 4 adults a roof box and took a week long trip to the Oregon coast is the I6 and it was fine on the freeway but no oomph when you needed it. Even with just me in the I6 and on the freeway if you needed a burst of speed it just wasn't there; it just took longer to do what the V8 does explosively.

I also tow a ski boat which the I6 did just fine. The V8 is awesome. With 4 adults, the boat loaded up I can easily sail up to the boat launch with out the V8 breaking a sweat.

I agree with Fraser about the I6 - it needs a bit more oomph for my tastes. However for others it may be perfectly fine and you know, you deserve to be happy with the car you have so if it works (the 3.0 I6) then go for it. Everyone will have distinct tastes and preferences in their ride.

You are going to get a zillion different opinions here and one thing I truly value about this site is the variety of feedback plus all the great tips and tricks and advice.

I would never have bough the V8 without a warranty and I've used my extended warranty A LOT.

[mrbmwx5]

Bla bla bla.... The owners of I6 (like me) have no respective around here..

V8 owners got to love the vally pan and tranny issue

[GoVols!]

Wait a year and get the best of both worlds. I-6 turbo diesel.

[4MoJoe]

Didn't hear me say I didn't like my I6. And I wouldn't say I wouldn't own a I6 again either. With towing a boat it didn't work well enough (for me). However, I really liked my I6 X5 and I still do. I know the people that bought it and they are thrilled with it (they had pursued me for a year before to sell it to them). To each his own, but I meant no disrespect to I6 owners.

[4MoJoe]

Originally Posted by GoVols!

Wait a year and get the best of both worlds. I-6 turbo diesel.

GoVols! - you got an awesome X35D too...

[GoVols!]

Originally Posted by 4MoJoe

GoVols! - you got an awesome X35D too...

Thanks. I would not have ordered the Mineral Green if the dealer had not had an X6 of that color in for service when we bought. It looks horrible(like seaweed) online and in brochures. In person, different story. I've yet to see another like it.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by 4MoJoe

Didn't hear me say I didn't like my I6. And I wouldn't say I wouldn't own a I6 again either. With towing a boat it didn't work well enough (for me). However, I really liked my I6 X5 and I still do. I know the people that bought it and they are thrilled with it (they had pursued me for a year before to sell it to them). To each his own, but I meant no disrespect to I6 owners.

I never said I disliked them either. In fact, I said they are good vehicles in earlier posts. I just prefer the power of the 8.