Hi all

[RickUK]

[quote="B088IN"]
So, the things have changed and my second car is looking like I'm going to have to go for early model X5. Looking into it I should be looking for a 2004 onwards 1st gen model. As it will be a second runaround and won't be used a lot, I take it the better option would be a 4.4 petrol over the 3.0d. I've read the buying guide sticky, which is excellent by the way, and it compares the petrol vs diesel recovery to be around 5 yrs, this obviously isn't the case now as diesel and petrol are similar costs. So what would people go for now, the diesel or the petrol?
I'm also looking at a budget of around £3.5k, do you think I'll get a nice example without space ship miles of wither the diesel or petrol versions for this?
Thanks
[/quote]

I went for the diesel version on a 56 plate,absolutely mint condition and full service history as well,only down side i will admit is that mine falls into the £500 road tax bracket and that is my only gripe as such,but certainly would not have bought a less condition one for a lower road tax bracket for sure.

Notice that you live in Hertfordshire i am based more near Hitchin and surrounding area as well,must admit the X5 was a wise buy as i was looking at a Disco but read that they do have major reliability problems,have always liked Japanese cars and 4x4 as they are often very reliable,had a Isuzu Trooper for many years and never had any problems with it,this is my 1st german car and thus far very impressed with it.

[CondorX5]

You would need to get really lucky, I think, to get a decent spec and condition facelift E53 for £3.5k, especially if you expect low mileage as well........as it happens, an average mileage of 8-10 000 miles a year is a better option than a 13 year old car with 20k miles on the clock which has been used for the school and supermarket short runs.........    I would expect many, if not most, cars of around 2004 vintage or older are near or over 100k miles by now, many have racked up a lot more. My 2005 4.8is is on 135K miles and counting. these engines do need decent long runs to warm up properly, not nipping out a mile or two up the road - that is more of an engine killer than any high mileage. 

I would expect a decent example of a facelift E53 with good spec in good condition and proper service history to sell for about £5-6k.    Sometimes they pop up on for sale ads on here.

[B088IN]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am near Hitchin in Letchworth 
So what we are saying is I need to save a few more pennies and get to the £5k mark. I am guessing I would then be looking at the facelift 3.0d with the higher bhp for that price and not the 4.8petrol

[RickUK]

[quote="B088IN"]
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am near Hitchin in Letchworth 
So what we are saying is I need to save a few more pennies and get to the £5k mark. I am guessing I would then be looking at the facelift 3.0d with the higher bhp for that price and not the 4.8petrol
[/quote]

Near Letchworth infact Stotfold 

[B088IN]

[emoji106] did you consider the petrol before getting the diesel?

[RickUK]

[quote="B088IN"]
[emoji106] did you consider the petrol before getting the diesel?
[/quote]

Never gave it a thought really,i had a Isuzu Trooper 4 pot diesel for 17 years,then a V6 petrol Vitara so had both over the years,i always thought diesel would never be as smooth as a petrol engine,but this straight 6 diesel is not only ultra smooth but also very quick.

You would be more than welcome too have a look around mine and give it a short test drive if you like.

[B088IN]

That is kind of you thanks. I'll save a bit more first so I have enough to go looking for one

[X5Sport]

The BMW IL6 engines have won international engine awards again and again over the years, in petrol and oil burner guise