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-   -   Going from an E53 to an E70, please weigh in (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e70-forum/83447-going-e53-e70-please-weigh.html)

OlyS4 09-13-2011 04:38 PM

Going from an E53 to an E70, please weigh in
 
In the near future, we'll be replacing my wifes '02 3.0 with an '08 3.0 and I'm wondering if anyone else has made a similar swap, and if so what is the most noticable difference (improvement or something you miss) between your older and newer models?

1) Is there any improved performance from the engine or tranny?

2) How do you like the panoramic roof vs. the moonroof on the E53?

3) Anyone with a 3rd row seat and actually using it, as it seems suited for only small children?

4) Anything else you can think of?

Seems like a no-brainer but thought I'd throw it out there and get some real world experience.

Thanks!

chiefneil 09-13-2011 04:47 PM

We went from an '02 3.0 to a '12 3.5i (this is my wife's daily driver). For the most part it's a huge upgrade in terms of quality and materials.

The fit and finish is nicer, the materials are nicer, the interior is much quieter, and there's more backseat room. The 3.5i is a significant upgrade in terms of power, but you're getting the 3.0 engine which isn't much stronger than the one in your '02. Combined with the weight gain of the E70, I don't think you'll see any difference in acceleration. Cruising range seems to be down by about 50-75 miles for us, ymmv with the different engine.

We're not really sunroof users, so as far as i'm concerned it's just extra dead weight to haul around. The only negative things I have to say are that the steering isn't quite as nice as the E53. It's not as communicative and doesn't seem to load up as much when cornering at decent speed. The 8sp transmission is different. Super smooth, but I'm not entirely sure the programming is as good as it could be.

Hope that helps.

OlyS4 09-13-2011 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefneil (Post 843241)
We went from an '02 3.0 to a '12 3.5i (this is my wife's daily driver). For the most part it's a huge upgrade in terms of quality and materials.

The 3.5i is a significant upgrade in terms of power, but you're getting the 3.0 engine which isn't much stronger than the one in your '02. Combined with the weight gain of the E70, I don't think you'll see any difference in acceleration.
Hope that helps.

Is the 3.5i new for 2012?

JCL 09-13-2011 05:29 PM

I don't own an E70, but have driven them.

The 35i (turbo 3.0 litre) came out as a 2011 model.
The 30i has more power than your 3.0, but as the E70 weighs more, I agree with chiefneil, you won't feel it.

It is nice to have the openness of the panoramic roof. Downside is it fails more often, probably due to the more complex mechanism.

3rd row seat is OK for small kids. If you really need a usefull 3rd row, get a minivan, the access is much better. I wouldn't order the 3rd row myself.

There are lots of new electronic aids and toys. While those can be nice, they are also things to fail, and can cost $$ to fix. Consider if you need them before looking for a vehicle that has all of them.

My driving comparison is that the E53 handled nicely, and suited my needs. It was as large a vehicle as I wanted. The E70 got larger, heavier, and less nimble. I would rather have had a new E53 than an E70. We therefore decided to go the other direction, and bought a new 2007 X3. It has the higher power engine of the E70, but weighs much less, so performance and mileage is much improved. It also handles much better. The flip side is that it doesn't have as much room or as many options, or tow as much. Since I don't tow more than the 3500 lbs it is rated for, and there are often only two of us in the vehicle, it works for us better than the E70.

rh71 09-13-2011 08:29 PM

I'll weigh in on the moonroof... been dealing with various malfunctions with it for 4 years, and each time they addressed it, but it's still a hassle. On top of that, it's never put to good use. In the summer, it's too hot to have the blind open, plus the 2 little ones sitting in the back get too much sun [burn] from it. In the winter, it's just too damn cold and an extra window for air to get out. Besides, it's too gloomy for it to be open anyway. In short, there's really only 1 good season out of the year for it... not really worth it if you have the option.

AtomiX 09-13-2011 11:00 PM

Can't speak for the engine, since i went from a 4.4 to a 3.5d.
Power is comparable, but i'd say the 4.4 is more responsive from go.
I like the Pano roof, because my son is still rear facing, and it gives him something to look at, when it's more than just sky. If he's not riding, i normally keep it + the panel close.
Got 3rd row seat, and haven't used it yet. Haven't even tried setting it up, and it's been almost 3 months. It's more one of those "it'll come in handy if we need it" decision.
Handling on the e53 was better imo. but I think it's attributed to my e53 having sports package, and i opted not to get it on the e70. There's some regret.
Otherwise, I like the new gadgets + electronics. no iDrive on my e53. In the 08, you'll have the older version i think. Auto climate, auto lights, programmable/touch sensitve buttons, and they work pretty well too.

My biggest gripe is the storage area. glove box, center console, the way you open them, just didn't seem well thought out. used to have a sunglass holder in the e53 by the rear view. no more on the e70.

OlyS4 09-16-2011 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL (Post 843258)
I don't own an E70, but have driven them.

The 35i (turbo 3.0 litre) came out as a 2011 model.
The 30i has more power than your 3.0, but as the E70 weighs more, I agree with chiefneil, you won't feel it.

What is the HP difference (if any) between the 3.0i and the 3.0si? I have noticed both notations on the '08's I'm seeing for sale. The 09's and newer seem to have the 30i as the V6. Like I mentioned, I am very familiar with the 3.0 in our '02, I assumed the 3.0 and 3.0i are the same engine. Sorry if these differences are listed somewhere obvious and I missed them, if so let me know and I'll check it out.

Thanks!

JCL 09-16-2011 12:41 AM

For the X5, leaving apart other BMW models:

The 3.0 used from 2000 until 2006 was the M54 engine. 225 hp.

The 3.0 used from 2007 onwards was the N52 engine. 265 hp. It gained Valvetronic (variable valve timing). The cars were labelled with various badges, either i, si, or 30 depending on year and which model it was. All the same engine and power rating.

The 3.0 used from 2011 onwards is the N55 engine. 300 hp, due to the addition of a single twin-scroll turbocharger. This is badged as a 35. It is not a 3.5 litre, the stretch is due to BMW wanting to position it above the other (naturally aspirated) 3.0 engines, which are called 30.

None of them are V6 engines, they are all inline 6 engines.

barbja 09-16-2011 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL (Post 843258)
My driving comparison is that the E53 handled nicely, and suited my needs. It was as large a vehicle as I wanted. The E70 got larger, heavier, and less nimble. I would rather have had a new E53 than an E70. We therefore decided to go the other direction, and bought a new 2007 X3. It has the higher power engine of the E70, but weighs much less, so performance and mileage is much improved. It also handles much better.

I wholeheartedly agree! I went from a '03 e53 that I loved to a '11 e70. It was heavier and less nimble and I didn't like driving it. I missed my e53 every day. Almost exactly a year later, I chose the 'other' other direction and went for a '12 X6. Oh man, I don't miss either car ever when driving my X6. Ever.

I seem to be able to get more cargo in it than my e53 (that space under the cargo floor is a life-saver), but I do miss being able to haul furniture like I could in the e70. That's what friends with trucks are for though, so I'm cool with it. Interestingly, the kids prefer the back seat (3-seater) of the X6 to either of the other cars. Go figure.

4MoJoe 09-16-2011 12:00 PM

I went from 2004 E53 with 4.4i to the 2011 X35d. If I had the two in front of me today I'd probably go back to the E53 despite some the mechanical headaches. Mostly because it was a blast to drive. This fact hit me this week as I came across some old pics of my E53.

I like the power of the diesel, but as said before, it's heavier and doesn't feel nearly as nimble as my E53. I attribute part of that to the stupid 18" standard wheels. I had staggered 19's on my E53 and though it didn't have sport package it was much more fun in the twisties.

Don't get me wrong, my E70 is a NICE ride but def not on the sporty side.

In my decision process to buy new I drove my neighbors 2009 E70 with the 3.0si engine and I was happy with it, it led me towards the X35d but the 2009 had sport package and 19's and I think that's a good combo...just regretting not getting that sport package on my X35d...but had a hard time finding the price/options combo of an in stock car so compromised.


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