X5 3.0i or 3.0d?

[saf_b21]

Thanks again AW8 - some really interesting points, thanks also to CondorX5 and Jalf

You've really given me food for thought and the positive noises of the V8 have really got me thinking (thought I'd made my mind up!). I try and talk to the missus about these things but I think she is truly sick of me going on about all this.

I'm really tempted by the 4.4i facelift, having owned diesels for the last 7 years and being somewhat obsessed with the MPG returns (despite my recent minimal annual mileage - obsessive MPG returns are probably a symptom of diesel ownership) the only anxiety I have is the potential high running costs of the 4.4i compared to the diesel - I guess I ought to "man up" as they say and make the move to the V8. As you put it AW8, this is probably more of an underlying guilt/anxiety issue rather than cost of ownership

CondorX5 - 30mpg on the 4.8is is unbelievable but impressive!

Once again thanks to all who have contributed to this - you've been a big help

[AW8]

No problem.....glad we have all been of some help

I must emphasise I am not trying to sway you in any particular way. My V8 buying logic was based on your same projected break even point. I reasoned that money saved on not buying a 3.0d could be used to put petrol into the 4.4i for a given time &/or mileage.......... Nearly 5 years & 40k miles later I still have the same 4.4i on my drive ! I adore my V8 but sometimes wish I was paying to fill up a 3.0d. (btw facelift 4.4i is more economical than mine & with extra urban of 27.7 mpg). In all honesty if I had a few spare thousand in my back pocket for car spending now then a 3.0d facelift would be tempting, (in an ideal workld perhaps one with a new turbo). Then again I could probably easily convince myself to buy a 4.4i facelift or 4.8is

...........You are not being indecisive but rather trying to spend yopur family money wisely & sensibly - tough choices here.

It can be difficult to strike a balance of consulting partner without causing annoyance...Ideally try to aim to source a decent car without one or both of you hating it before it arrives


If later hunting & deciding to share adverts here do consider that a lurker just might act on findings & buy before you do. Fwiw it is impossible for others to trully evaluate a used car by seeing advert pics & text online albeit folk should be able to advise if anything obviously wrong. Be prepared travel & maybe drive a few with different engines if undecided, (for least hassle maybe seek closest weel maintained trade cars to demo how they drive - even if spec/colour not to your liking).

I think its best I leave you, (& yours), to get some head space for now, (no need for you to give a detailed reply)...Good Luck

[rbell11]

My 3.0i will do around 19 on normal commute,mix of driving. I know diesel is not great around town but picks up on a good run over petrol. Only other comment would be on insurance and anythiing over 4.0 needed a tracker wherever I looked so I bought the 3.0 as the costs of tracker really add up.
Good luck

[jango-fett]

Hi, just for info, i have a 2002 4.4 sport. It averages 14 Mpg when town driving / short journeys and 23 mpg for longer trips. It cost me £104 to put 80 litres in yesterday
My insurance is £516 per year with Aviva, parked on the road in Oxford (39, male, clean licence). I had a tracker retreive fitted for £180 and pay £7.50 per month subscription.
Since buying the car i have done about 2k miles (6 months). It was due to the low mileage usage that i went for the awesome sounding V8.
Everytime i fill up it still annoys me regarding the cost though, fuel prices have risen quite a bit in the last 6 months.....

[Lee4.8is]

Must admit its a difficult one,i also get sick of throwing petrol into mine & they are not really great performance beasts which ever model you have.

I love the v8 noise but i really feel that the 3.0d makes the best sense,its a heavy car so fuel costs are going to be painful on any model.

The 3.0d is the best seller & i think there has to be a good reason for this...& i love v8s also got a v8 tvr cerbera 4.5,but really think the diesel is the best choice.

If i had a choice again i would buy a 3.0d over the 4.8is,you live & learn.

Nothing against the 4.8is at all its just performance & weight dont mix,its a lovely looking machine & really comfy but diesel all the way for me & this is what i would recommend if asked which model to go for.

I have seen just over 30mpg in the x but this is on a long run sat at about 60mph,which defeats the object!

Good luck with your search.

[saf_b21]

Thanks everyone once again - each with different yet valid views

I think I'm going to keep my options open and stick to either the 4.4i or 3.0d facelift in my search, whichever comes along first at the right price with the right spec.

Glad I came here and posed the question, this issue was bugging me for a while and all your views have been helpful

Now, back on to autotrader...

Saf

[andym3]

If your looking for a car that has amazing mpg, dont but a X5
If it is a X5 your after and mpg isn't that much of a problem, V8 all the way!
I have a pre-facelift 4.4 V8 X5 and love it! Mine does about 18mpg around town and can do 23mpg on motorway
If you want a X5, you cant beat the sound & power of the V8 engine!

[AW8]

Good Luck hunting- Don't forget Ebay, Exchange & Mart, Pistonheads as well as your AT searching. Go careful if looking at Gum Tree & Friday Ad.