Hi,
I want to buy a 2007 BMW X5, what would you recommend 4.8 or 3.0?
Thanks
The 4.8i is very thirsty. Unless you need the extra power for whatever your needs are the 3.0i will do the job for you.
i wouldn't have a 3.0i
i like my 4.8
"Sell the damn thing quickly, Leedham, before somebody mistakes you for a commoner."
I say go with the V8, it's so much more fun to drive, you'll be able to keep up with the luxury sedans. It is thirsty, I get 14 on very short drives, 17-20 on long highway drives, my average is usually around 15.6-16.4mpg, just depends how I drive that week.
Also, BMW made some pretty good improvements to the 2008, I think that the suspension is a little tighter without affecting ride quality, it just feels flatter around corners. Also, they added the power tailgate, auto H which puts the car in park when you let off the brake and in drive when you press the gas, it's pretty convenient if you're in traffic a lot. The iDrive control is a little different. And Lastly of the differences I can think of, the dash screen plays DVDs, this is just an assumption, I have never actually tried it, but it lists DVD under the mode selection. I regretted buying the 07 when my sister got an 08 and I saw the differences that they had already made in 1 year.
Our 2008 4.8i Sport has been impressive. It has required no repairs in 40k miles. MPG is about the same as reported above -- a low of 14 to a high of 20. If you drive with a light foot on the highway at 65-70 and clear the computer so you see only pure highway cruising, you might maintain 21.
If you are not into power, the 3.0 is adequate. I drove one and found it was not entertaining. We are probably getting rid of it soon, but only because my wife is bored. She wants to try a smaller car like a 535xi wagon. It weighs 1000 lbs less, but I am not sure it is smaller.
The new X5 with the turbo gas or diesel six cylinder get better mpg. I would consider one of them instead of the turbo gas V8 were I buying today. I think the power would be better than the old 3.0 and the MPG would be better. However, it would take a long time to pay for the extra cost of the new vehicle with improved fuel economy. I would say 2-3 years old is the way to buy these cars. We wanted the new body style and there were no used ones when we looked.
I agree with the above- We bought an '07 4.8i a few months ago...... After driving a 3.0 vs 4.8 there was no question we wanted the V-8. The 6 only gets 2 or so mpg better- not worth missing out on the fun factor for just 2 mpg. With the adaptive drive/sport suspension it handles way better than the Merc. S430 we got rid of- maybe a little harsher ride, but thats a trade off for handling. We also tried the Merc. SUV, and the Lexus SUV--- We liked the X5 much better. Much, much better.
Keep seeing this only 2 mpg difference which is BS. To get 20mpg on a 4.8i on highway it better be flat as a pancake and you keep it at or under 70. In those conditions a 3.0Si will get 25mpg. I routinely get 23+mpg all winter at 75mpg in New England. My daily commute floats from 200-1000ft so it is quite hilly and i still get 16-18mpg around town. I know for a fact that a friend in same area with a 4.8i gets ~14 mpg under similar conditions and has yet to break 20mpg on highway.
In 2 years, I have yet to not be able to complete a pass in my 3.0Si! Yes the thirsty V8 is fun for the 1-2% of the time you actually use that increased power available beyond WOT on the 3.0. The V8 also weighs ~400lbs more so no handling advantage in any way. For the other 98% of the time, you have a much more sensible vehicle with ample power unless you tow. Someone wants to out accelerate me in a straight line is easy enough to deal with, just run them down like a wounded dog in the first corner even if they are luxury sedans! And yes, even in base suspension an X5 will out handle many the luxury sedan as well as any other SUV out there including a Range Rover Sport. AMG ML63 is dead meat against an X5M! I will get Sport supension on next model just to be able to use comfort mode on highway and sport mode on my twisty back roads as I now know its the Runflats and not the suspension that kills the ride quality in an X5!
Last edited by ddsski; 11-08-2010 at 10:38 AM.
2004 Graduate Skip Barber 3 day Race School Competition Certified
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I agree with Chucktown, I received similar mpg's on my 2007 X5 4.8. I just got a 2011 turbo twin scroll, 6 cyl., love it. It is almost as powerful as the 4.8.Next time I am going for the 5 litre,exhaust notes are better.
i recently had the pleasure of driving a 335d, can't speak for the X5d but if it is half as quick as the 335d i must say ddsski, you can try to sell that nose heavy arguement somewhere else my brother. i will eat your lunch in an X5d.
squirt and shoot, with grunt to spare.
"Sell the damn thing quickly, Leedham, before somebody mistakes you for a commoner."
pathak, go with the 4.8, they are a dime a dozen down in the states!
I routinely spend a LOT on gas but I'm in an area where I can get on and off the expressway right around the corner. If you drive like I do...and you're TRYING to get good gas mileage...you're not driving like a crazy person. You want good gas mileage, it comes at a cost: safe driving and a little bit slower. Just sayin!!
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