I think the 4.4 actually gets better gas mileage than the 3.0, my friend's 3.0 gets worse mileage than my 4.8 because you are forced to drive it harder

yeah because it hauling 5000 bounds metal on it engine:rofl:

I thought about that too, but she's lighter on the pedal than I am.....i don't think I've gotten over 18mpg since my motorswap. I've been lookin at mods already for the X, first one being is to paint all that woodtrim to the brushed aluminum look that I have now http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ght=paint+trim , then some bigger wheels, angel eyes, HID's.....oh another money pit in the garage :)

Having had both a 3.0 and the 4.4 I've had my likes and dislikes about both. Having said that I find that the 3.0 with automatic was a very smooth runner compared to the 4.4. And I got 17 in town and 22 on the highway with it which compares to the mileage of the 4.4 (driving judiciously that is). In the 2 years I owned the 2001 3.0 it I had to replace the CV boots and final stage resister; otherwise just oil changes. I actually preferred the 3.0 just for how the engine & transmission were so smooth. I like the power of the 4.4 and the sound it makes but it gets spendy when you stomp the gas pedal (well yea, it's fun) and tiring with it's cold weather jerkiness and crappy mileage in cold weather. Each to their own, I'm sure there aren't many 4.4 owners that'd go back to a 3.0 but I wouldn't rule it out if I had to buy another; just a 2004+ model. I do like the update to the body style in 2004 and the squeaks and rattles of my 2001's hatch drove me crazy. In any decision you make just have the car checked out and use the info you find on this board about known issues. It's a great car and I've had so many compliments from people that ride/drive in it. Your GF will be spoiled!

I agree with Zac, although I do regret getting the 3.0i, I still love it. Most people think the 3.0i is slow, and for the most part it is, but I got around town and the highway just fine (I also have a lead foot). I kind of gave up on the performance side of things with my X, next thing will probably be exhaust and I'm done.

If anything, you can always make your X look even more beastly by adding the 4.6is Kit/rims (the pics below aren't the 4.6is rims, you'd be surprised how many people think they are though. :banghead:)

Here's my 3.0i..(before tinted windows and HID fogs)
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3917/drivercc0.jpg
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8988/dirrtbr8.jpg

Oh, and if you ever have any question son mods for the 3.0i be sure to let me know. I'll gladly help you with any questions. :thumbup:

We still have yet to purchase the car, but i'm gonna try to get her to lean towards the 3.0. It's definately gonna be something where I wanna do some visual mods...wheels, clear corners, etc to make it more updated and nicer looking. Performance mods, price wise of course, will come when i'm not dumping money into the 7 ;) What kind of performance mods do you suggest? My intake is pretty much a home made using a CF tube, silicon adapter and a K&N intake. The exhaust is done w/ dual Magnaflow 14816's, and it sounds amazing! I think the 3.0 would drone w/ those mufflers, but the 4.4 would probably sound just as good as my car...so who knows.

Hey neighbor, we just noticed you live in ID also. I went to Peterson BMW today and drove a 4.4 and 3.0, in that order. Of course the 4.4 was hands down way faster, especially when it hit the kiddown switch under the gaspedal. I definately liked how, regardless of engine size, they both had the same cool features inside. It was kinda funny showing another "BMW person" things about bimmers that they didn't even know, and they sell them! The cool things i'd like to find in the vehicle we find would be the panaroma sunroof at LEAST....clear corners, rims, exhaust/tips can all be added down the road on my own dime.

I think the panorama sunroof was an 04+ thing. The clear corners come with the sport package, but you are right you can easily add that, rims and the exhaust/tips at a later date. It sounds like you are into performance, so you may want to find one with the sport package. Some people think the ride is a little harsh, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mileage = ?

Seperator/ valve cover gasket - has it been replaced? know for sure
Water pump - know it's history
CV boots/joints - likewise
final stage resistor - probably needs a new one
automatic transmission - earlier models seem to have more than their fare share of issues

'lifetime fill fluid' - yeah right
6th gear for manuals - came in later...get that one

That' all I have. The rest is going to be things you will already be familiar with as a 740il owner.

Hey D, my GF really like what you've done to you X....any chance you can list off all the mods you've done, interior and exterior? She's particular to the sidesteps, so i'm gonna have to hunt around for those soon after the purchase.