Upgrading to newer X5....maybe
 

Hi all,

My wife and i have been have some discussions regarding our motor vehicles and what we should do with both our cars. We've got a 2001 3.0ltr X5 and a E46 323i. The 323i is used simply to commute to and from work occasionaly but i usually cycle to work given its not far from home. The 323i is lucky to see 40kms of driving per week which makes me wonder if we actually need it. I have a buyer lined up for it and the plan was to replace it with something a bit bigger that could tow the boat and be used to take the dogs to the park and beach etc instead of using the X5... we were thinking a Volvo xc70 or similar. We'd also keep our current X5. Last night we talked about possibly getting rid of the 323i and using the money to upgrade to a later model X5, probably an 05 or 06 model.

Im after some oppinions and what you guys think? Also, which of the later model E53's are the best in terms or engine package etc..? We've currently got the 3.0ltr 6 but i wouldnt mind upgrading to the diesel or the 4.4ltr. Which would be better for towing a 2 Ton boat also? The 3.0ltr tows it ok but it would be nice to have a little more grunt.

thanks guys,

Mike

Hey mate,

I have a 2005 3.0D with 132,000kms on it and LOVE it. I ride my bike to work, so the X spends most of the time parked.

I have a car trailer and rally car which with tools+spare tyres etc weighs around 2200kg: the x5 3.0d pulls it without breaking a sweat. I'm really happy I got the diesel because of the towing power, but more importantly, the fuel economy. I can get 13litres/100km TOWING THE RALLY CAR! Just amazing. I get about 8litres/100km driving Melbourne<->Adelaide without the trailer.

The 3.0d's low down torque is great (can beat some cars off the lights, even while towing!). I can also drive Melbourne to Sydney towing the car, and never have to drop below 110kmh.

Advantage of petrol is that it's a fair bit quieter, but the 3.0d diesel noise is one of the lowest on the market.. If the relative loudness of the diesel compared to the petrol bothers you, then go for the 4.4.

I'm not sure if it's an urban legend, but I think diesel engines last longer than petrol: not sure about that.

I haven't driven an E70 so can't comment on them..

My car is 5 years old now, and I've had it for a year now, but it still feels and drives like a new car; every time I get in it, I say ahhhhh, and grin. Only car that ever did that for me before was a Porsche, and that was more a moan, than a relaxed ahhhh...

I recommend you go get a 2005 3.0d!

Cheers,
Scott.

I'd wait a bit, save up and buy the new body style.

I would wait too and get a newer X. Nothing beats a newer car!

I'd love an e70 but the prices in Australia are still very high. I'd need over 70k to get into a 2007 e70 and since I refuse to get a loan for a car that's too much to spend.
I think I agree that the diesel is the way to go for towing but the performance of the 4.4 is also appealing.do the 4.4's have any common problems in the 2005 models ?

I haven't driven the diesel x5 yet but from all reports it's a great motor. Plenty of get up n go.

If the 3.0 is performing the task, and not giving you too much of a maintenance problem, keep it. Run the thing into the ground. I don't see much benefit from the trade up you're considering.