2007 X5(E70)...Is 3.0i Too Weak?
 

Hi~

I'm dying to be a BMW owner...but can't decide my mind...

I'm willing to invent around $45,000~$50,000 including tax and title..Drive out...

The new X5 looks stunning but with my budget...I can only afford a 3.0i...

Is the new in-line 260hp enough for the heavy X5?

Or should I go for a pretty loaded X3 which also has the new V6 260hp engine?


Thanks...

Good question.

I am sure HP is enough. If you have never driven a BMW, you should test drive one and decide for yourself. BMW's are drivers car.

Wait 6 months past X5 official production release and buy a 4.8i.

Well, there's a lot of current models with 3.0i engine on the roads and I quess they are satisfied. It's a matter of how much performance you want. New model is heavier, but it has a lot better engine having more torque especially in low rpm and also a lot more HP than current model and when you hook that to better transmission I think E70 will be better. I'm also considering of bying the 3.0si instead of trading my 4.6is to 4.8i, that would be a family car with more space and softer suspension ;)

I think the X5 3.0si will be adaquate. It's not going to be blisteringly fast or as fast as a lighter X3 3.0si, but keep in mind you are driving an SAV, not a 3-series. The engines have good low end torque and a 6-speed auto to keep it in the powerband. By the way if you don't know, the 2007 X3 and X5 3.0si use the same engine, a 3 liter inline-6 (not a V6).

I always thought the X5 3.0i was fine, I have had two of them and friends who had the 4.4i, I have owned a High performance suv (SC RR) and found it not that much better, I don't floor it from red lights or anything or use it to race but for freeway and city driving its just for me, it really comes down to indivigual driving style.

i have the 3.0 2003 X5 and i also had a Porsche CaymanS.
0-60 times for are 8.3 and 5.5 respectively. Porsche obviously feels quicker off the line.
Top speed is 125mph and 177mph. Never broke 120mph in either.

X5 is not a sports car. The simple fact that you ride so much higher than a Porsche gives you the feeling that you are moving slower. The lower down to the ground you are, the faster you feel.

I would have to check my speedo on the exact same highways to make sure that I was going 80mph in the X5 (which I was but felt way slower) while in my Porsche I felt dangerously fast at the same 80mph.

3.0 is enough for me, but I guess if I wanted more performance/less mpg then the 4.8 would be a good single car that encompasses speed and comfort and room and safety for roughly $7000 more

not an apples to apples comparison though. 650i maybe;)