A US driver's first impression of the X5 3.0sd

[rh71]

^ you will save some $ with the diesel for sure but with the 4.8i you win at everything else. You're getting it soon and once you do, you won't think twice about the diesel as you'll be on top of the world from the word GO. I test drove that 4.8i to feel the differences... it was a true beast. Good luck with it.

[mtech8]

Thanxs RH71. I'm just very indecisive up to the point of signing the paperwork and giving them the check. I mean, I still have options. But once the car is mine. I'll just be happy with it. I mean what's the point of looking at what could have been at that point. Focus on the present and the future. This wait is really killer.

[X5audi]

I don't really understand people who won't buy the X5SD if it isn't as quiet as Brand X Diesel Y. Realistically, there will be a very small--if not unnoticeable--difference in the noise level of two competing diesel luxury vehicles. It's not a reason to pass up a car as good as the X5 is.

As for the other posts today... I love the 4.8i but am starting to regret not waiting for the diesel because of the mileage. It's truly horrendous.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by mtech8

Highway
4.8i (19mpg) = $3702.63/year
x35d (25mpg) = $3114.00/year
Savings of $758.13/year

The interesting thing is that a lot of people are posting that they don't get what the epa estimates for the 4.8i. And that often it's lower.

Really makes me want a diesel instead.

Am I missing something here?

$3702.63 - $3,114.00 = $588.63

Where's the $758.13 come from?

[np2004]

I have to say the diesel does sound appealing but my 4.8i engine has exceeded all of my expectations it is a true animal when you want it to get moving quick. Above 4k rpm the engine just keeps going and by the time you know it your at 80mph with a loud grunt saying push me harder. The handling is second to none it feels like my 330ci when I take corners and really put the X5 through its paces. Yeah it sucks to pay more for premium gas and get less mpg's compared to diesel but overall I would be hard pressed to give up my X5 although the jerky transmission is unacceptable and should be fixed by BMWNA without excuses. I just dont see how BMW couldnt get more hp and torque out of this engine when the Cayenne S and GTS can with a similar V8 thats NA. I would love to see the 4.8i engine making 400hp and around 400 lbs/torque or even the same current specs of the 4.8i engine with better gas mileage especially in the city.

[mtech8]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Am I missing something here?

$3702.63 - $3,114.00 = $588.63

Where's the $758.13 come from?

Thanks! Good catch! Sorry about that. Copied my numbers over too fast from Excel (didn't use copy and paste due to formatting issues). The $758.13 was the average of the highway and city assuming 50/50 driving of each.

City
4.8i (14mpg)= $5,025.00/year
x35d (19mpg) = $4097.37/ year
Savings of $927.63/year

Highway
4.8i (19mpg) = $3702.63/year
x35d (25mpg) = $3114.00/year
Savings of $588.13/year

Combined (50/50) = (588.13 + 927.63)/2 = $758.13