Am I crazy? 3.0i X5

[scz4]

Guys,

Been looking on and off over the last 6 months for a mint 3.0D, but seen a local(ish) X5 with just 54k miles, all the options you would ever need, Xenons, sunroof, front\rear heated seats, cooler in centre console etc etc.

I was briefly really excited until I noticed it was petrol   I'm worried 20mpg will get tiring and reduce my enjoyment. I'm used to 45+ mpg on my 8 mile A-road commute. Could almost stomach 25mpg at 12k+ miles a year.

On the other hand, far less to go wrong, so doing my man maths, it may well be cheaper in the long run as from what I've read less goes wrong compared the the 3.0d and V8's. Also, compared to a 3.0D with the same mileage, it's probably £3k or £4k cheaper to buy.

Any 3.0i specific issues I should be aware of? I've had the same engine in a Z4 and it really was a peach with no issues.

It's funny, head says petrol and heart definitely says petrol but for some reason I'm a little hesitant. Is the 3.0i enough to pull around a heavy beast? My commute is really a 50mph cruise, no overtaking etc, but nice to have some power when stuck behind something slow.

[X5-D-Sport]

Ive had 3.0i & now got  3.0 D-Sport...

the petrol was under powered & very thirsty...
My 218 D sport has been pepped up to nearly 300hp, still rrgularly delivers 560 miles per tank or about 35 a gallon..
all options & fully loaded.
i typically do 1200 miles most weeks & its never let me down.

personally speaking... I'd stick with diesel... Id miss the power & the instant overtaking ability & getting twice the mpg if you have your foot down.

as far as failure issues against diesel or petrol... they are pretty similar as in both injected... and both computerised to the hilt.

if you go diesel route.... Get the D-Sport 218 hp... NOT THE 198 hp... it makes quite a difference.

[Steamyrotter]

Only real advantage is you could LPG the petrol one..

But all in, probably better to go for Diesel.

Jason can re-map to give better response or MPG..

[themoog]

V8 all day. Windows down, radio off. Sod the mpg... 

[AW8]

If performance and mpg are likely genuinely acceptable  for duration of ownership then a decent spec tidy 3.0i will be fine. I suggest some fairly back to back engine comparison test drives accelerating hard at motorway speeds as this for me is where the 3.0i is weakest rather than off the traffic lights.

The mpg Maths can be easily enough done but roughly expect to pay 50% more in fuel in ownership over the diesel.

For me there has to be a real time benefit to offset the fuel cost difference. If purchase price genuinely significant then that is one benefit but a 3.0i offers little benefit mpg wise over a 4.4i or 4.8is once the v8's are warm and the 3.0i offers little or no real performance advantage over engines - probably least problematic engine in the E53 though.

It is when accelerating hard above 50-60 mph that the 3.0i engine shows it's lesser ability to deal with the cars weight and aerodynamics.

Should you have occasion to look at a pre-facelift 3.0d then don't expect rocket ship acceleration from 184hp non re-mapped lump (which I accept is adequate for many).

0-60 for the 3.0i manual (better than auto) isn't that bad fwiw.

[CondorX5]

I found the 3.0i very underpowered and my 4.8is actually gets BETTER fuel consumption figures than my 3.0i did.......

[X5Sport]

I had one on test back in 2004 and the engine needed to be worked hard to get the best from the car.  Fuel economy suffered as a result. 

They all suffer gearbox issues in terms of models, but not all built will have any troubles.  Plenty are fine as long as the lessons learned by owners over the years are kept in mind. Look after the box, oil & filters.  It is not the 'sealed for life' device BMW would have you believe.

You may find that few 3.0i models are reported simply because there are less of them than either the 3.0d or any of the V8s.  When I was looking, the 3.0i was the 'poverty spec model' for the X5.

[Raj]

If genuinely not too fussed about acceleration and it is just for cruising then it would be fine and the cost difference is a big plus. However as others have said it is underpowered for the size/weight of the X5. I would seriously consider an LPG'd 4.8is. Apart from the suspension issues which tbh they all suffer with then the engine is actually very solid and the power and sound are to die for. I LPG'd mine and it's been superb in all conditions and fuel economy is excellent as you effectively get 32-35mpg due to fuel price difference. I've run mine up at Pod in both petrol and LPG and it's no difference.

Just a worth while consideration PLUS the 4.8's tend to be superbly well specced.

[warsi]

When considering E53, My vote goes for 4.8 or at least a v8 for the reasons discussed above. If v8 isn't a possibly for whatever reason then go for 3.0D. 3.0i (petrol) shouldn't even be in running.

[Slick]

[quote="themoog"]
V8 all day. Windows down, radio off. Sod the mpg... 
[/quote]

Absolutely.........no one buys an X5 for economy O:-)

[gatster]

I've had a 3.0i for three years. I drove all the different E53 engines before I bought it, and I would have gone for a 4.8 but couldn't find one here (Ireland) at the time. Saying that, I mostly don't try to drive it like a sports car, but although MPG suffers when you're booting it, generally it's fine for overtaking and has the grunt to do so (sounds a little raucous though). It also sufficiently responsive for a bit of fun on the country roads around where I live (certainly in sport mode).

When pottering about and commuting I get about 22mpg. On a run down the country 25-27mpg, but that drops down to the 22 pretty swiftly when I come off the motorway.

For me the price jump to buy the diesel, the possibility of more to go wrong, and the fact most of the 3.0d's I saw were dog rough or much higher miles than I wanted wasn't worth it for the supposed performance improvement. Hope that helps.