E70 X5 3.0d or 4.8i

[msm]

Possibly looking at an 07/08 E70 X5 soon. Head tells me to go for the 3.0d but heart says look at the 4.8i.

Will probably be doing 10k to 15k a year, so I reckon any consumption saving on the diesel is going to be nullified by service costs, so lets say it's much over muchness in terms of overall running costs, unless something breaks. I'm aware that the 4.8 will be heavier on fuel, but (as an example) just cleaning/replacing a few injectors in a 3.0d will immediately nullify the fuel gain for a year.

3.0d engine is more common, so parts should be readily available. However 4.8i was the last of the N/A V8 engines, so BMW should have been building them properly/reliably by the last iteration of them. Apparently engine is almost identical to the previous E53 4.8is, which is what makes this so attractive.

So let's hear some advise on which one to consider, specifically with regards to engine maintenance. Let's say I stick to guys like Tunetech for servicing/repairs and avoid the dealers.

 

[v1p3r]

I just experienced the torque and power of an E70 an the way home from work tonight when a silver one with M-Sport kit on showed me its heels...sounds glorious. Wanted one immediately, and thought "If the V8 sounds like this, how can I consider a diesel?". How that 2 ton thing moved away from my car exiting a bend onto the straight was impressive

 

[msm]

I just experienced the torque and power of an E70 an the way home from work tonight when a silver one with M-Sport kit on showed me its heels...sounds glorious. Wanted one immediately, and thought "If the V8 sounds like this, how can I consider a diesel?". How that 2 ton thing moved away from my car exiting a bend onto the straight was impressive

At the coast, I think I would take the 4.8i, but up here in Gauteng, the altitude affects the performance a bit more. I've got my eye on a particular 4.8i that I will test drive this week, so I'm curious to see how it compares to the 3.0d in terms of overall response.

 

[Mike1]

What you really want is to fit the G-Power Sporty Kit and get those horses working.

The top performance kit has more power than an X5M.

So hey, don't dismiss that glorious 4.8 litre motor just yet.

 

[Fordkoppie]

I don’t even think I have to say what I would prefer. MSM knows.
Oh yes - you already have a 3.0l D, so there should be something else to keep the equilibrium

 

[Bemused]

I have a E53 4,4 X5 with 130K on the clock. It's fantastic. You will love the 4,8. And if I drive carefully, I get 14,2 l/100km. It's also perfect for overtaking. I have had the cats removed and the sound is wonderful. So, I'm biased and can therefore only recommend the 4,8. They are perfect.

 

[BMEX5]

I had a 2002 E 53 X5 4.4. I got it at 127000 km and after 3 year and at 208000 km I replaced it with a 2007 E70 4.8i. The 4.8 is not as economical as the 4.4 was but on a trip from Lydenburg to Johannesburg I got 9 km/l at 120km/h. With the 4.4 I got up to 10km/l at 120km/h

 

[Andrew]

I had a 2004 e53 4.4 Valvetronic .... Lovely car, horrific fuel consumption as I have a heavy foot, however, what's the point of having a V8 if u are not going to use the power. I was seeing 21 l/100 km around town and about 16 l/100 km on the open road. I now have an '05 3.0d, same driving style sees city and highway at 13 l/100 and 8.5 l/100 respectively.

I recently towed a double axel car trailer loaded with my new toy, a Porsche 928S4, down from JHB to Queenstown and travelling at 120kph I got 11.3 l/100 ..... Not to mention that it towed like a dream.

I recently replaced the turbo and had the injectors serviced. I stripped everything myself and sent the turbo off to turbo direct, the Garrett agents and the injectors were ultrasonically cleaned and tested. The car has around 195k on the clock and now runs like a watch. Interestingly, although its auto, it was never fitted with swirl flaps and the EGR valve was clean and free of gunk.

I miss the sound of the V8 but the diesel is much easier to live with and has won my affection and respect