E70 X5. V8 or Diesel. Opinions

[Riaan335]

Hi Fanatics.

My wife wants a Gti 6, but I'm slowly convincing her to rather get an X5.

I will hopefully buy towards January, but I'm doing homework so long.

Looking at cars with just under 100 000km on the odo.

Are all the E70 V8's NA or are the later models turbo?
Anyone drive a 35d?
Would you buy the 35d out of plan?
Do the 35d's have any issues?
Should I rather go for the 3.0d instead?

My heart says go for the V8. Have to do the sums on about 15 000km's per annum.

What consumption figures do the V8's get? 16l/100km plus I assume...

Any thoughts and opinions are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[zaleonardz]

Most of the V8's come standard with air suspension, you want to avoid that.

On the diesel, my dad had the 3.5d, on 130k now and going strong, no issues what so ever.

Bang for buck here, 3.0d or if you can find a nice 3.5d go for it.

 

[Riaan335]

Thanks Leonard. I didn't even think about air suspension. Damn, that's a very good reason not to buy a V8, unfortunately..

 

[Blue Shirt]

As far I know, all 4.8i and 50x-drive V8's are normally-aspirated. The X5M is a bi-turbo 4.4l V8.

The long-term average fuel consumption of my E70 4.8i (measured over 182000km) is 15.5 l/100km.

I have had nothing but good service from it, in fact I still drive it daily. Tyres last about 60000km per set, I have used Bridgestone, Michelin and Conti runflats (no spare on the 7-seater) and I prefer the Conti's for comfort and lack of road noise.

The only major mechanical issues that I had with the car was a failed aircon compressor which was replaced under MP, and both rear air suspension bellows which developed slow leaks at around 160000km. BMW also replaced the brake booster vacuum lines for free under a general recall, although I did not experience any failure or mechanical symptoms from it. I had the gearbox oil & filter replaced at ZF at around 173000km which improved the gear-shifting significantly. I also replaced the battery at around 170000 km.

At current mileage (182000km), the V8 uses oil at a rate of 1 liter every 5000km which is perfectly acceptable. It was worse for a while, but then I replaced both crankcase ventilation valves (about R200 each and a very simple DIY on the N62 V8) which reduced the oil consumption to current levels.

---

The E70 V8 only have air suspension on the rear, and they are super comfortable. The air bellows on mine developed slow leaks at around 160000km, but they were an easy DIY to replace, cost about R4k each.

 

[Riaan335]

Wow, Blue Shirt, thanks. Valuable info.

I just realised the 4.8i's are NA. Think the 50i is the turbo.

My heart is screaming V8. Hopefully I'll get one to test drive today...

 

[Hugo_za]

Bud, nothing beats driving a big, naturally aspirated V8. It's addictive.

Speaking from experience here: if you end up buying a car with air suspension then do yourself a favor and put some cash away or make sure you have funds available on your credit card. Air suspension is awesome when it works, but it will fail and costs $$$ to repair. Its a matter of when...not if.

 

[zaleonardz]

Hugo,

Except a BIG, forced induction V8

 

[DieselFan]

Ad a daily the diesel. Hands down. 4.0d if you can afford it.

 

[Riaan335]

4.0d above my budget.

I think in the end I'll try to get a 3.5d, but I'll be happy with a 3.0d also.

but still 2 to 3 month before buying, so theres time

---

50i's Little above budget. Maybe I should save a while longer and get the Turbo V8....

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...ndcommercialpricerangeszar/400-000-to-499-999

 

[stiaan]

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bak...rts-pack-steptronic/1001212741240910341765909

Buy this I saw this this morning, couldn't help drooling .
Don't know what these go for, but sound like a decent price.
Sent from my BlackBerry 9320 using Tapatalk

 

[Hugo_za]

X6 holds value really well but the rear comfort is compromised as is visibility out that slither of a rear window.

 

[zaleonardz]

If your going to save up, the 550i GT's, which is actually based on the 7 series F01, with the 7 chassis and electronics, is really going for decent prices.

 

[Ratslaaf]

^^^ They not real pretty though...

 

[Hugo_za]

Depending on budget and year model range the GT would give you more bang for your buck. Being based on the 7 has plenty of advantages, and I have not yet seen a GT in "poverty" spec. This is to say without Navigation and all the nice toys. The X5 can be a mixed bag of trick since there are plenty of them that come in the aforementioned spec.

What you plan to do with the car should also be a consideration. That being said, the E70 X5 fares woefully when compared to proper SUV's (after all, BMW brands it as an SAV rather than an SUV).

Looks aside, the GT is a car you drive if you want luxury and refinement without driving a 7-series, while offering more space and practicality than a regular 5-er.