Help Please! Need some advice re: 3.0 or 4.4
 

This topic has probably been beaten to death many times but I'm going to ask again. I'm planning on purchasing an '04 X5 for the wife but am somewhat in a quandry as to which motor to look for. The 3.0 will probably be fine for everyday driving from here to there but we have a jet ski we will have to tow a few times a year. Not far, about 10 miles with no grades to go up or down. I'm thinking the 4.4 may be a little overkill. I know, you can never have too much power, but in terms of being practical, the 3.0 makes sense in terms of initial cost, maintainance, and repairs. I've really thought 4.4 from the beginning but would like any input anyone would like to share. I've even thrown an awd wagon into the mix :wow: but couldn't picture me driving a wagon. Thanks.

I have a 3.0i for me it has alot of power and enough torque, but the 4.8is and 4.4 are a lot more powerful. Just test drive them both and see which one suits you more

i love the 4.4... definitely a noticeable difference in power. Gas mileage isnt even that much worse...

i dont know what your price range is, but go for like an 05-06 CPOd 4.4.

The 3.0i will be plenty enough to tow more than your jet skis. But it all depends on what you want to drive/how you like to drive as there is about a 50-60 hp difference from the I6 to the V8... The I6 is practical, the V8 is more enthusiest/performance driven.

3.0
gets worse gas milage
has less power
consumes oil like no other

a 4.8is would be the way to go early 2004 with regular sunroof.

Sometimes I really wish I'd gone with a V8 especially as the fuel consumption seems rather dissappointing and similar to what one would get with a V8. We drive it both casually and with a bit of gusto.
Not too sure about the excessive oil consumption, dip stick indicates normal usage (last couple of times I checked) :dunno:
If I was going to tow a jet ski, boat, bike etc I'd probably get a 4.4 or bigger, just so I'd have confidence in towing with some horses in reserve.

I'm sure I'll be looking for an 4.6 in about 12 months (something like weasels).

i'd go 4.4i. my old neighbor had a 3.0i and gas mileage was on par with mine... that's because he always drove in the 3-5k rpm range, where as i'd only have to go 2-3k.

go with the 4.4. As others have said, that design 3.0 is oil thirsty.

I've driven both the 6 and the 8 and I think the 6 is more than good enough for towing and to itch that high speed run itch you might have. It is more practical as a daily driver. It does consume a bit of oil but we're talking $10 (max per quart) every 6 months. This really shouldn't be a factor if you're in the BMW world already.

Also you mention you'll be towing and naturally you'd think the V8 would be better however from being on this board, I've seen numerous posts regarding transmission issues and most have been with the V8s including the infamous "holy crap it feels like someone just ran into me from behind" and turns out its a transmission prob.

Afterthought: As for fuel consumption, I've been getting 21.9 combined over a period of 2000 miles with about 60% suburban driving and 40 highway.

I have both the E53 3.0 and an E70 with the 4.8. Gas milage is way better in the 3.0. (23 hwy vs 18 hwy) and I have had no issue with the oil except when it was new it needed to be topped off once in a while, but not since then. Plenty of power in the 3.0 as well. Unless you're really into performance and want to blast away from the traffic light, I think the 3.0 will be fine. Come to think of it, the 3.0 will blast away from a traffic light nicely too!