3.0l vs 4.4l
 

Hi All, I am new to the X5World forums since I am currently looking for an X5. I test drove a 2001 X5 4.4L and coming from a 94 530i, I was very impressed. It handles great, has tons of power and feels tight & sporty. I went home and asked around and I even see that Consumer Reports sort of rated it the "best of the worst" -- as I have been calling it. However, the I6 has been given an average if not better review.

Are the components that much different? Why is the 6 so much "better" than the 8? I hear the manual is hard to come by, but I'm willing to wait for the right car. I saw a red and a puke green one on eBay ... mmmmm, yummy.

First of all, :welcome: to The World, neighbor. I work about 10 minutes from you.

I'm on my second 4.4. I love it. I have had few problems and highly recommend it. 3.0 or 4.4 depends on what you're looking for. I LOVE the power off the line. The 3.0 does have top end power but in my opinion, gotta have an 8 cylinder. Good luck with what ever you decide.

If it's the choice between to 3.0 or 4.4, it has to be the 4.4. Great sounding engine with good pull.

Don

Oh, stop man, don't remind me of how sweet that 4.4L sounded. And that's even before the Dinan S1 treatment. :D

HAHA -- yes, I do shop for upgrades before I get a car. ;)

4.4 is much more powerful, but more difficult to work on than the 3.0. Mileage is about 4 MPG less on the V8. I have the 3.0 and have never needed more power than I had, even with 5 people + gear going to Tahoe I have had plenty of power.

RevZMan,
First, welcome to the Board!

What they all said, though I espc. agree with TheCleaner, above:
if you tow, haul bricks or jes'want the V8, go for it, though a manual
trans is not available. But, I've never felt our 3.0 IL6 lacked power
in any situ., and I love power.

Our's is the old 5 spd manual; find a 6 speed if you can and bargain hard:
the manuals are rare but generally unwanted by the masses.
GL, mD

First of all, CR is absolute garbage when it comes to auto reviews.

The V8 4.4i has more grunt off the line (duh), but the 3.0 has enough for most drivers who don't need the extra power. However, if both are automatics, I think the 4.4i would be a better bet. Manual X5s are hard to come by and supposedly the clutch + ultra-short 1st gear don't make it the best of BMW manual gearboxes.

Thanks for all the great input. See, I can get the V8 NOW! and I have to wait for the right 5-spd to come along. I love the grunt of the V8 so maybe I need to drive V6 -- even an auto -- just to get a feel for the motor.

What other differences are there from the V6 and the V8?

Any reality to the rear diff problems I've heard of?

4.4:thumbup:

V6. :dunno: Didn't know BMW had a V6

Come on, you know I mean the I6. Typo, sorry. :)

How much more fuel, does the 4.4 consume, i guess it's a bit more when driving in the city, but on the hughway, there's noe a big difference or?
:dunno:

Get the 4.8is:thumbup:

As much as I would like to go that route, it's a bit out of budget. I was thinking 2001, maybe an 02. There are many more mods for the 4.4L and that is scary for me too. Dinan wants $16k for the S3 Package. :eek:

At least the S Package for the 3.0L is only $3200. :D

Versus my last two 3.0 the 4.4 is a lot better on the highway fuel wise (at least 10%) but definitly worse around town (about -15%).

I would go with the 4.4 either way. BTW the pre 2004 models had a different engine technology and as such were a lot worse on gas than the 2004 on models FYI.

I've had both. The 3.0 is a more docile and civilized vehicle... kinda lady-like; my wife loved it and drove it all the time. The 4.4 is a beast in all respects, fun, fast and ferocious. My wife won't drive it. Your call depending on your state of manliness. :stickpoke

Why you son-of-a ... I just want a stick! :D It's not like the AutoManual is an SMG or anything special.

I must admit that the 4.4L was a damn beast -- I won't miss it much though since my e34 530 has just about the same amount of bhp as the 3.0L has rwhp! :) Then the Dinan kit ... :cool:

Bastid. :nanana:

go LPG man and get 35mpg witha 4.4.
I do

Liquid Propane Gas?

I forgot to mention that I do really miss the heated steering wheel from the 3.0. Especially now that is -17c today!

Does the sport package w/ cold package come with a heated steering wheel? I really dig the heated wheel and won't settle for anything less. :D

I believe that with the Sport Package one loses the heated wheel in lieu of the sport wheel. Never made any sense to me but I noticed the '07's have the heated wheel with the SP finally.

I see on the X5World Project page that there is a retrofit. Hmmm ...

32-3-067-688-33

or the 4.6is :D

If you are gonna buy a 3.0 and spend $3600 in dinan parts, its a waste of money in my opinion. Even with all that stuff it will vever be as fast as a 4.4. Just put the money you are setting aside for the dinan upgrdes and put it towards a 4.4.

I drove the 3.0 then the 4.4 before I bought mine. I liked the 3.0and thought it was enough but as soon as i got into the 4.4 I didnt want to get out anymore. I love it. Its an animal. I was gonna go for the 4.8 but couldnt justify almost 10k more money for 40hp. Plus I have a few other sports cars for when I really want to get crazy. So all in all the 4.4 was my perfect fit. If money is the issue get the 3.0 its still a great ride. But if you are gonna go and blow 4k to try to make it faster dont waste your time and go for the 4.4.
Unless you supercharge the 3.0 it will never touch a stcok 4.4

Nah, money isn't the issue. I think I really just want the manual transmission. It's been a while since I didn't have one in my e34 and I'm ready for one again. Hopefully I can drive the 3.0L one day this w/e or next week, it'll be an auto, but I can get an idea of the power anyway. The mods for a 4.4L are much much greater than for the 3.0L and I'd be tempted even WORSE! Surperchargers and intakes and everything! :D

it can get evil in the mod department, so it's good the 3.0L is limited a bit. :cool: :)

Your right there. We are all puppets of the never ending mods race.

And then I went and found out that ESS Tuning has a Supercharger for only $6235! :D hahaha ... so evil.

I think starting in '05 they made the two compatable. For questions like these, I always go on eBay motors and check out the pics to see if the heated steering wheel button is there.

What pisses me off is why BMW can't put a heated sport steering wheel on the X3 even though its clearly within their capabilities. And BMW fails to make heated steering wheel available on the 3-series. :throw:

I have an 05 4.8is and it has the sport wheel w/heater.

My 06 sport has heated wheel with sport pkg. I think they started that in all bimmers finally in 05

Liquified petroleum Gas

Ehh, You get more than just HP. You get every single option Standard.

A fully optioned 4.4 would come out priced really close to a 4.8is which comes with all those options standard.

I love my 4.4 and it come with most every option you need.

If it was me take all the money you are about to spend on Mods and buy or lease the 2007X5.

The 2007 v8 looks really nice.

The cheapest lease I can get for a 07 4.8L is almost $1000/month ... somehow I think buying a used 3.0L is just fine. Considering my payment will be around $300 or less, I'm not too worried about splurging on some upgrades later on.

They sure do look damn nice ... must, close, Build-a-Bimmer!

I have every option you can get on a 2006 4.4 except the 19 inch wheels because I was going to 20s for summer and needed 18s for winter anyway. My sticker was just under 66k. I Got 6k off the sticker and ended up paying 60k for it. A similar optioned 4.8 was about 73k and they would not take a penny off. Then you add in the 4.8 front and rear bumpers and I still saved over 10k. For a daily driver it just wasnt worth it. Especially since i have a few Mcars. But If it was my only car i probably would have gone to a 4.8is

I think for the money the best buy is the 4.4. If you want a manual, then you have to go with the 3.0 and you'll save enough to do some of your mods. You can't go wrong either way, the 4.4 certainly has more muscle, but the 3.0 manual can be a lot of fun too.

It's interesting to see how many justify their options, year, and engine choices. I too, think that my X5 with my options is the best possible way to go. Bottom line, any X5 you choose will be an excellent ride. Owning BMW's has proved to be highly additive. The X5 you choose may only be the first, the next one you own will be a result of you appreciation of this one. Enjoy!

Either way you'll be happy. I've had a 3.0 for 3 years and still love it. I've borrowed my friend's 4.4 on many occasions, often days at a time and while there is a noticeable difference in power, the 3.0 will never leave you wanting.

Let me be the first to stand up and say :rant: I will not order the SP again; the ride is like a tanks...too stiff and choppy. I almost look forward to winter so I can get the higher profile rubber on and enjoy a smoother ride. I'm due for a new SAV in about 6 months and as much as I have enjoyed my back to back X5 's; I'll have to give the Porsche Turbo a serious look. 500 HP is worth a test ride at least:wow:

Ok I guess an X3 is out of the question for you. It rides stiffer in any trim than any X5.

Wierdly enough, in terms of absurd bragging rights SUVs, I'd pick the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 over the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Man that thing looks WICKED! (If I gave a damn about driving dynamics, it'd be less power and more handling, like an X5)

Yeah, well, no X3 here at any rate. I don't dig the size ... and that's not the first "overly choppy" complaint I've heard about the sports package in the X5.

I know all too well about the BMW addiction ... I started with the motorcycles (Beemers) and then came over to the darker side: the cars! :D

I like 20th, get and the I6 in manual six speed, I had to wait to get mine and i didn't get teh sport wish i did tho but even still this car is a blast to drive, i will never go back to automatic anymore, *caution* you will have to get used to the CDV in the beginning after your use to it though i know u'll love it.

Isn't there a mod to get rid of it? A lot of E46 owners dump that thing the moment the warranty expires ;)

CDV you say? Pray tell.

Ah, I see ... http://www.zeckhausen.com/CDV.htm is this a reputable method of removing the BS?

First of all, I have 2001 X5 3.0 with 5 speed and enjoy it very much. Coming from 440 hp S4 6 spd and 540i6, I can attest that CDV on X5 probably would not do much difference. On X5 clutch feels very strong and grabby (unlike 540) strait from the factory. Also, X5 is not ment to be driven like 540 or S4.
Regarding power: My basic package, no sunroof, K&N equipped 3.0 drives almost as fast as old 282hp 4.4. Low gearing in manual realy surprised me. Good luck

Thanks for the good thoughts on the 3.0L manual. I'm sure I'll love the one I get ... just gotta get the right one for me. :D I still need to run a deposit over to my car guy, it just has to wait since I'm still moving into my new place. (Now THAT is rough stuff! :) )

Well, it's official. The search by my car buyer is on -- already got a call this morning about an 03 3.0L I6, 5-spd, Silver w/ Black interior, 75k miles ... I don't think I like the black interior though, the grey looks the best IMNSHO, then tan (which doesn't even look all that great, in pics anyway, not bad in person), black runs last if necessary. *sigh* Tough choices all around ...

Is there an article that compares the xDrive system to the pre-03 system? I know the technical difference, just wondering if anyone has driven them back-to-back to be able to perform a direct comparison.