up grading to a 2012 -2013 E70

[magnum1]

Hello
Am thinking about upgrading from a 2004 E53 to a newer ( 2012- 2013)E70
What is the general feeling about looking for a 3.5 engine Vs a 5.0 Engine?
Maintenance, reliability Etc?


Thank you
jim

[tconrad]

This has been discussed ad nauseam. Search through the forums and you will find the reasoning behind the six cylinder engines being preferential for reliability over the eight cylinder. The diesel has a weak link with the emissions system. There are many comparisons between the two generations on here as well.


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[ard]

If you are a BMW master mechanic, that's 5.0 V8 will be perfect.

If not, then not so much....

[Vonbimmer]

I’ve been reading to learn about the same topic as I prepare for the move to the same year range e70 and like others mentioned the 3.5 with the 6cyl looks to be the best bet for fewer maintenance woes. It also looks like that year range is idea for the 8spd trans etc

[FourPointEight-is]

I went through this just recently.

There's no such thing as a 5.0 Engine. There is a 4.4 Petrol, X5M sporting the twin turbo V8. There's also the X5 m50i which is 1 step down from the X5M or m50d. The m50i is a twin turbo 4.4 V8 that is plagued with all the problems that the E53 has. Don't know about the m50D, that is a diesel.

Long story short - the V8 ones have the same issues as the E53 does. Water pipe, brittle gaskets causing oil and coolant leaks, radiators exploding, oil filter bracket, brake booster failure from oil ingress due to failed check valve.

The 3L is not worth having imo. The 4.4/4.8 are kinda porky as it is, forget about something even slower (unless it is the newer one which has some higher power output I6 turbo petrol engines, but I doubt the E70s got the new power units - the F series definitely did).

I wouldn't bother upgrading unless it is a VERY Good price, or the E70 is considerably newer with less miles.

Bear in mind that it seems as though age (total heating/cooling cycles) is the cause of most of these failures, not total miles driven.

Edit: There is also not such a thing as a "3.5" engine - the model is called a xDrive 35i or 35d (petrol and diesel respectively).

The branding for the X5 from late 2008 onwards follows the new BMW nomenclature scheme, for example the X5 3.0si is now called the X5 xDrive30i, and the X5 4.8i is called the X5 xDrive48i. In 2010 BMW added the new CIC hard drive iDrive system, replacing the DVD based CCC system.

Via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X5...6%E2%80%932013)

[Crowz]

The E70 in the xdrive e35i clothing rocks.

I have a 2013 E70, plus an E53 now and just bought a 2nd E53. So I have a fair experience with them.


The E70 with 6 cylinder turbo is a dream to drive. The 8 speed transmission shifts perfect and its wild seeing the rpms staying down around 1100 to 1200 rpm cruising around. It reminds me of a big block v8 the way it feels. Stomp it and it comes alive.

Great power, good gas mileage and super dependable.

EXCEPT for the water pump. That's it weakness being an electric water pump. I haven't had any issues with the one on mine but I do have a new $400 water pump sitting in the back waiting to be installed as a preventative measure since it has about 75,000 miles on it now.

Not going to do a which is better thing aka e53 vs e70 since they are quite different but if you do decide to go with an E70 I highly recommend the newer 2012-2013 in the 6 cylinder turbo setup.

[Vonbimmer]

Great info thanks Crowz, I often see you on the e53 side of the forum so that is great info and perspective. My 01’ 4.4 has been good I almost feel guilty but it’s time for the 3rd row for occasional use and a little more refinement.