'My' budget X5

[X5Sport]

The M50D is a triple turbo, with the V8 being the quad, but I get your point about potential issues down the road. I did try one at a BMW car launch event at Duxford a few years ago and found that it did accelerate somewhat brutally. My preference remains the 35d/40d versions as they provide a smoother power curve. They feel just that bit more sophisticated and balanced than the M50d.

This from someone who now uses an electric missile most of the time.

[Leslie]

There was both a tripple and later a quad turbo inline 6 M50d X5sport ,maybe the 4 turbo one had a smoother power delivery ? neither would catch your electric rocket though that's progress for you

[X5Sport]

I consider myself educated.

How on earth did they fit 4 turbos to that engine. More to the point is why? It’s quick enough with three hairdryers, adding a fourth just seems, well, greedy. I guess it was “because they could” and “why not”….

All in the spirit of chasing horsepower whilst keeping the engine emissions down. Clever bit of engineering to get it to all work, and work well though.

[sapphireblack]

A tale of woe having asked copious questions about an early 2009 sd in lovely carbon black, i ventured by train to Kings Lynn from mid Kent yesterday.

Nice polite Mr & Mrs turned up at the station to meet me. First negative, despite all my questions, there was only one key, I'd overlooked that specific question Seller then advised there was a nail in one tyre but 'it's ok it hasnt deflated'. The walk-around didn't disappoint, so i started to feel optimistic despite the scruffy alloys. Inside and lifting any of the close covering rubber mats revealed filthy beige flooring, that wasn't good. On to the start up and OBC investigations. The car was running maybe two minutes while i was scrolling in the computer and ping, a suspension warning appeared. explained by the seller that it hadn't been recoded after coversion from air to springs. Pretty much simultaneously, i reached its service status display. It was overdue a brake fluid change, an oil service and rear brake pads. What possessed me to take for a test drive i dont know, wild ambitious optimism that i could salvage a deal probably. I didnt!

Ultimately i travelled for eleven hours yesterday, wasted £120 on train fares, got robbed at London Kings Cross for a coffee and croissant, £7.20!! And got home very tired and pissed off. I may abandon my plans for a budget X5

[Leslie]

They are old now Chances of getting s good one are getting slimmer by the week , and it's possibly had an oil service and brake pads but the computer hasn't been reset ?

[sapphireblack]

The car hadn't any recent attention by the guys own admission, hence the nail in the tyre also. This, despite being told it was in good shape I am always optimistic in such scenarios, i like to beleive in and trust my fellow man. Its only with hindsight that i remind myself i should be more circumspect.

But this afternoon i have bought privately a 2009 30d from very locally that will be delivered on Monday. It is in definite need of some TLC and has some compromises. It has basic halogen headlights and manual folding door mirrors, despite the car has auto on lights and wipers. I find that odd, but I'll live with it. If i ever get myself back to Greece with this car, it will be all i would need there regardless.

More to follow for anyone who may be interested.

[X5Sport]

Glad that after your efforts you have at least found something.

[sapphireblack]

It has certainly been an uphill effort to find one i actually wanted to buy, and i have made compromises to do so. It's a bit of a double-edged sword really. If I can enhance it, as these pictures do not fully represent it accurately right now, it can be a bit of a project for the fun of it. If it grows on me like my old Touareg did, well, who knows what the future will deliver,

[marti]

Just a question, why did you want a budget X5 when you have a lovely X6?

[sapphireblack]

Adjusting my life now i'm basically single again. And when i eventually sell my home here, I'll probably just relocate to Greece where the X5 and its condition will be better suited. If i took the X6, it would break my heart to see a near perfect car be scraped and bumped whenever parked in town. A less precious car is what's needed there. The X5 i now own will be a more logical replacement of the Touareg that i was obliged to leave in Greece last year.