X5 2006 4.4 or 2007 3.0 ???
 

Hey folks, I've been looking at getting an X5 and am stuck between a 2006 4.4 or a 2007 3.0...from my perspective, here are the pros & cons:

e53 4.4 PROS:
- price: $10-15k cheaper than e70 3.0
- size: smaller that e70 3.0 (I don't care for the extra space)
- power: 4.4L 315hp V8 (55 HP + 100 torque more than e70 3.0)
- seems more robust
- weight: 60 lbs less than e70 3.0

e70 3.0 PROS:
- fuel economy: according to specs, 1 gal more than e53 4.4
- Newer technology (iDrive)
- Better interior finish
- nicer tails

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with both vehicles and be able to provide some feedback regarding handling, engine, brakes, suspension, dashboard layout & controls, parts (which are more expensive)

The 2007 seems to be a newer, more sophisticated vehicle, but I think the biggest drawback for me is the huge price difference...so, final question is:

Does the $10-15k price difference justify me tightening the belt and getting the e70 3.0 instead of e53 4.4 (will need a lot of convincing to the wife) ...?

Thx for any feedback !

I rather drive a 3 liter e70 than an old e53 anyday.

after having both e53 and currently e70.. go for the e70..just try getting a better price.. the e53 is nice but now just looks old.. 4 more years and it will be 2 generations old

OK, agreed...but what are your reasons to justify the $10-15k price difference? Thx

i would get the e70 if it was the 4.8otherwise save your money and get the e53 v8. Just my .02

I would get the 4.4. More power. The X5 even two generations old will still look timeless.

The E70 is the best looking SUV period. If you buy the old model you will regret it for life trust me.

looks yes, but performance in the 3.0 is not impressive. Depends what your looking for performance or looks or both?

The X5 is about looks, space and comfort, performance is good but not the most important thing in a SAV.

If you want a SAV, dont mind looks and crave for power go for a Grand Cherokee SRT8. The e53 is just too old.

Thx 4 all your feedback, but without driving an e70, the only 2 advantages that I see with the e70 are the tail lights & iDrive (although the joystick seems a bit odd)...that's why I'm looking for any other improvements over the e53 4.4 (engine, handling, braking, finish, materials, etc.), to help me justify the additional weight & $15k (for a 4.8 engine the gap moves to $20k) Thx

[QUOTE=rockblock;692449]Hey folks, I've been looking at getting an X5 and am stuck between a 2006 4.4 or a 2007 3.0...from my perspective, here are the pros & cons:

e53 4.4 PROS:
- price: $10-15k cheaper than e70 3.0
- size: smaller that e70 3.0 (I don't care for the extra space)
- power: 4.4L 315hp V8 (55 HP + 100 torque more than e70 3.0)
- seems more robust
- weight: 60 lbs less than e70 3.0

e70 3.0 PROS:
- fuel economy: according to specs, 1 gal more than e53 4.4
- Newer technology (iDrive)
- Better interior finish
- nicer tails

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with both vehicles and be able to provide some feedback regarding handling, engine, brakes, suspension, dashboard layout & controls, parts (which are more expensive)

The 2007 seems to be a newer, more sophisticated vehicle, but I think the biggest drawback for me is the huge price difference...so, final question is:

Does the $10-15k price difference justify me tightening the belt and getting the e70 3.0 instead of e53 4.4 (will need a lot of convincing to the wife) ...?

Thx for any feedback !
My daily driver is '06 e53 4.4 and i love the quick response vs. the e70 3.0. i've also driven the e70 4.8 too and it feels slower at start than the e53 4.4.

2c
 

I had a 06 4.4 and I traded it 2 weeks later for a 07 4.8. If you have the option of the 4.8 I'd put it on the table. There is nothing in the 06 that I would have preferred having over the options in the 4.8. I had both vehicles loaded, and here is a small list of the things I prefer.

- Shifter (more fun to use, and is prettier)
- Heads Up Display (more useful than you'd think)
- More power (sounds more powerful too)
- Comfort seats (wayyyy better than the 06)
- Comfort access (no key, push button start, still remembers prefs)
- Nav screen is no longer aimed up towards the roof w/ huge glare issues
- Idrive (easy to use once you get used to it)
- Sound system, I have logic7 now (300% better than the 06)
- No more 6 disc changer
- ipod jack in center console
- Rear seat DVD
- Ventilated seats
- 3rd row
- Better angel eyes (thats just my pref of course)
- Back up camera works great

Those are the more major things that I prefer, there is all sorts of others, cooler opening glove box being one of them. If you can afford it, I would totally recommend it. Need anything else, lemme know.

I would go for 4.4 !!! After 4.4, E70 3.0 will feel very slow for you. Yes, E70 looks better, but the power will not be there for you to enjoy !

Ok, thx for the details...2 more questions:

1. how does the e70 handling feel vs the e53?
2. how much was the upgrade price tag?

thx

really?...the 4.8 feels slower than the 4.4?...interesting

E70 4.8i may seem more powerful on paper, over the E53 4.4i but reality is they're basically the same entry level V8's for the X5. Only true difference is the upgrades in E70. Shoot for a back to back test drive if possible.

If you can swing it, i suggest the E53 4.8iS.

I did try the e53 4.8is and although I fell in love with the handling & cornering, I found it very sensitive to anything that's not perfectly flat, probably due to its very stiff suspension ...also, the E53 4.8iS is ~ $12k more expensive than the 4.4i, so I'm wondering if the extra 40HP is worth it...now, price-wise, the 2006 e53 4.8is and the 2007 e70 3.0 are at par

I think I would problbly go for the E53.

My reasons are:

• 12K Less
• V8 - More power for about the same fuel
• More sorted out (last year of the e53 vs. first year of the e70)

Well the 06 was 54,100, and the 07 was 69,900. 06 had less than 30k on it, and the 07 had 48'ish.

Handling feels about the same to me, though I didn't drive the 06 for too long. I do find that with the same winter tires on, I find the 07's back end comes out a bit more on ice. Probably has to do with torque distribution, but it's hardly an issue unless you're powering through 90 degree corners. I find that the 07 is alot more comfortable (that door handle on the drivers door no longer jabs into my knee, making it difficult to change mirrors on the fly). And on the road it just feels smoother.

$54,100 for an 06? Isn't that high?

The air-ride in the E53 4.8iS is as refined as you'll find in any premium SUV. The E53 4.8iS and E70 3.0i may be at par price-wise but a different story when it comes to re-sale...4.8iS is rare and will command higher re-sale. I've seen several 2007 4.8i at the same price as 2006 4.8iS.

Happy hunting...

Not for Canada...

Was about the same price as all the others. This one didn't have any marks on it, and had less than 28k when I picked it up. Though I'm looking around on autotrader right now, and theres alot of 07's w/ the same options & less KM's that are selling right now for less than 60, so I'm going to talk to my salesman tomorrow about that.

Good point !

Yeah, no kiddin'...if I had the cash, I'd probably get one from NY for at least $10k less...but that's a different story, back to the 2 choices...

yes the e53 4.8is are indeed quite rare...I'm wondering if it would make the ride smoother if I'd replace the low profile tires with regular ones...but that would mean downgrading from 20" wheels to 19"...or would I be able to fit 265 wide regular tires on 20" rims....hmm, need to do some research

[QUOTE=rockblock;692644]really?...the 4.8 feels slower than the 4.4?...interesting

its heavier than e53,,, and since your looking for 4.4 vs 3.0 comparison, i have been driving a '09 3.0 since mine's been at dealer for 2 wks now and i'm impressed with the ride quality than my e53. A lot less bounce and after driving around d.c. during this weekends blizzard, i find it very controllable in those situation better than old one. This is 2nd time i had a e70 loaner the 1st time with a 4.8 and having a 4.4 with mine, i craved for the power of the v8. 3.0 just don't cut it.

another + for the e70 is the space.

good info here, been researching on this, im buying one soon...

4.4 all the way. I had an 04 and still miss it.

Not saying I'm not crazy about my 09 4.8...

which did you find to be easier to handle and more fun to drive?

Tough question... I honestly can't say 1 or the other was easier to handle or more fun to drive.

I attached a pic of my 04.