Used 2005 X3 3.0i vs 2007 X3 3.0si. Which is better pound for pound?

[mbtahoe]

I have a line at two X3s at the same BMW dealer. One is a 2005 X3 3.0i and one is a 2007 X3 3.0si. Both have essentially the same winter/sport packages (and are nicely loaded up), and both are priced mostly correctly for age and mileage.

Question is: which is going to be the better bet? Researching this (on the surface), the 2005 should have the N54 engine and the 2007 the N52 if wikipedia is to be believed. Any particular scary issues about these two engines I should worry about (mileage in the 100-130K range in both cases).

Do both have the GM transmission?

Any other gotchas you can think of?

I'm so sorry I finally dropped my Bimmer mag subscription, because they did such nice used Buyer's Guides...

Thanks

Mark

[BMRSEB]

Well, assuming you are in the US, a few corrections.. :) The pre-07 came with the M54 engines (225HP), not N54 which is the twin turbo 6 (300HP). The '07+ came with the N52 (255HP).

I would say if equally maintained get the later one. I have heard there were a few issues with the tranny's on the '07+, but I cannot confirm, I have an '06 MSport, that I bought with 102K miles. It checked out fine (had a PPI done) it only needed plugs and oil/cabin/air filter changed.. :)

Do some reading on the '07+ models on this site and similar.. Good Luck!!