Towing 3.0 vs 4.8
 

Hello everyone.I am ready to purchase an X5 ,but I need some real world advice on the six vs the v8 in regards to towing.I did a search,but didn't really find what I was looking for.I have been driving a 1 ton turbo diesel 4x4 truck pulling loads up to 15,000 lbs. for the last 10 years. Long story short,I am down sizing and will only be pulling right at the tow capacity of 6k.The problem is the mfg lists both motors at the same tow capacity,so I am looking for real world experiences on the six vs the V8 pulling 6000 lbs.Thanks

As one of my Canadian friends says .. theres no replacement for displacement :thumbup:

We need much more information.

You already realize that the X5 is not anything like your pickup. But how much will you be towing? Frequency? Distance? Hills?

The 3.0 is perfectly capable of towing 6000 lbs. However, if you are towing in the mountains, towing with a significant frontal area at highway speeds, or if the X5 is going to be towing most of the time you are driving it, then the 4.8 makes more sense. If it is occasional towing, short distances, on flat ground, then the 3.0 is perfectly acceptable, and you are going to have to find another justification if you simply want the 4.8. ;)

IMO, the 6000 lb limit is due to the hitch attachment to the unibody, the chassis limits, and so on, more so than the engine power. Do a search on a poster named withidl, to see what 8400 lbs of Airstream looks like on a 4.4 (with good preparation, and attention to the necessary details of towing significant loads).

Thanks for the reply.I've been driving Ford and Dodge 1 ton turbo diesels and like I said I am down sizing.I'll be pulling mostly a 4000lb boat on flat ground in Fl. I also have a 20x8 car hauler (6000lbs max load) that I rarely pull again on flat ground.I guess I would like to hear some opinions from those that tow with the 3.0 Thanks

My 2003 E53 was rated 5000 lbs (due to the transmission). I towed close to 5000 lbs with it, no problems. Brakes are essential, it is rated for 1600 lbs maximum for unbraked trailers. I used surge brakes, no controller.

It was very stable, but that applies to both models.

I was not towing in the BC mountains, they were local trips. If I had been planning on long trips in the mountains, I am sure I would have appreciated the 4.4. I towed infrequently, and so would have been hard pressed to justify a 4.4 for occasional towing duty given that the vehicle had sufficient power for day to day use.

Hope that helps.

Jeff

Are you guys using BMW hitches or aftermarket? I just got my X5 and there's no hitch on it.

What's the BMW price?

Thanks,
KP

Suggest you use the search feature. In this forum alone (E70) there are 13 threads with almost 300 posts, just with a search on 'OEM Hitch'

Yes, people generally use the OEM hitch. It is not because of the hitch, as much as because of the mounting of the hitch to the unibody.

It tends to be expensive, but so was the vehicle. Whatever you decide for the hitch, if you use the BMW OEM wiring harness for the trailer you gain trailer stability control, and features related to the PDC. The hitch and harness are cheaper if you purchase them together (at least they were for the E53).

Good luck.