Introduction and request for advice

[ndj]

I have just joined the forum as a potential X5 buyer. Long term BMW owner, mainly with M saloons and currently have an E90 M3 and E82 1 Series diesel.

Due to too many cars in the drive I'm considering letting the M3 go, along with a Honda CRV, and replacing them with a PETROL V8 E70. Also looking to put some money in the bank as I'm trading down in price terms. I only ever by AUC.

I do very few miles per annum, less than 5K. Moving from the M3 to a diesel X5 is probably a step too far. I figure with the miles I'm doing a V8 E70 would be a reasonable choice. I'm also assuming that most buyers will run a mile from an 07/08 petrol version and pricing with reflect that.

I have seen a 57 plate M Sport with around 50K miles "coming soon" on the BMW approved site for a shade under £20K and an 07 SE with a massive spec and 40K miles at Sytner for just under £24K.

What are the thoughts of the experienced on this? Do those prices sound right for AUC and more importantly do my man-maths add up and make sense for a petrol rather than diesel?

Cheers in anticipation.

[X5Sport]

Welcome aboard.

I can't see any issues with you 'man Maths' and if you are only doing low mileages then the cost benefit in terms of fuel cost/mpg will be marginal at best.

I think if I was in the market again then given I have done 11,000 miles in 3 years I might have gone petrol too, but I expected to have done 3-4 times that distance.

Not having owned a petrol BMW I can't comment, but there are those that rave about tbe V8 soundtrack, whereas us 'oil burners' go on about the effortless torque....

Richard

[535dboy]

I have a friend selling one soon but it won't be AUC of course

Mega spec

Have you driven one?

[leosayer]

Might be of interest.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... +petrol+X5

[ndj]

Thanks for the welcome and initial feedback guys, much appreciated.

I haven't had an opportunity to drive one yet. However my large SUV history includes "gems" like the Nissan Murano and Shogun GDi, both of which were loyal and enjoyable servants, so I'm guessing an E70 will fit the bill nicely.

I am a bit shaky about buying private / non-AUC. My 1 series, despite being a low mileage (13K) cracking car in superb condition had the thick end of £3K warranty work (AUC) in my first year of ownership. 

[535dboy]

I meant more the engine

I'm not sure thenV8 is worth it, the twin turbo is just as nice to drive with more poke.

Client had a fleet of them mixed between V8 and twin turbo.

The overall verdict was the TT was nicer

You don't hear much of the V8 in it.

[ndj]

Ah, understood  I should set up a back-to-back test.

[535dboy]

Difficult after a V8 m3 I know!

[Lee4.8is]

Welcome ndj  I recognised your username from cutters straight away!

I had the older E53 model with the V8 4.8 in it & I loved the engine very old school American sound to it & it was lovely & smooth & I liked the character of it but as 535dboy has mentioned it's very muted in the cabin...but that's the same as the M3!

The twin turbo diesels are a great piece of kit too with plenty of shove but with better mpg, my M3 is positively frugal in comparision to my old V8 X5 the weight & drag of the 4WD take their toll on the economy big time.

Good luck in your search & you do get a special feeling from X5 ownership I really loved mine. 

[ndj]

Cheers Lee..... small world!

Your X5 vs. M3 fuel consumption comment doesn't bode well. My M3 is the first car I've owned where I can actually see the fuel gauge moving as I watch it.  )

Saying that I spotted an AUC X5M today at sub £35K which seems spectacular value but I guess that'll require permanent connection to an oil refinery and blows my trading down (price wise) plan. 

[Lee4.8is]

[quote="ndj"]
Cheers Lee..... small world!

Your X5 vs. M3 fuel consumption comment doesn't bode well. My M3 is the first car I've owned where I can actually see the fuel gauge moving as I watch it.  )

Saying that I spotted an AUC X5M today at sub £35K which seems spectacular value but I guess that'll require permanent connection to an oil refinery and blows my trading down (price wise) plan. 
[/quote]
I have a serious soft spot for the X5M & I didn't realise they had dropped to that price & I reckon with the little miles you do you could dip your toe into one 

I did find my X5 very thirsty when I used it to commute & using the throttle with vigour it consistently returned 12 mpg, on a run the M3 can return almost acceptable economy but my X5 just refused!

In all fairness with the mileage you do the fuel in the X5 shouldn't be a problem I was doing a 44 mile daily trip in mine so I felt the costs.

[IanP]

[quote="ndj"]
Cheers Lee..... small world!

Your X5 vs. M3 fuel consumption comment doesn't bode well. My M3 is the first car I've owned where I can actually see the fuel gauge moving as I watch it.  )

Saying that I spotted an AUC X5M today at sub £35K which seems spectacular value but I guess that'll require permanent connection to an oil refinery and blows my trading down (price wise) plan. 
[/quote]

If you look on the American X forums they seem to have had a lot of problems with X5Ms, or maybe the disgruntled owners just post more. Saying that when the 4.6 gives up I am seriously looking for one, but not as a daily driver.

[Benstan]

I think there's an issue with driving low miles in a diesel isn't there?  Someone told me that the engines need a few miles to warm up and burn the particulates - if they don't burn off, they clog up which is an expensive fix.

Someone will probably understand the point and either clarify/endorse or correct me!  My commute car only covers 15 miles a day to and from the station and I was advised to stay petrol for that reason.

B

[X5Sport]

That's a common issue, but then petrol cars produce waste products that damage the cat if that doesn't warm up fully.  Short journeys are bad for the electrics too as these cars use a lot of electrical power even when not much is switched on meaning the alternator has to do more to keep up.

Richard

[Nat]

Hi ,

Couple of things. I have E70 40D.........I have come from a 4.8iS E53. I also have  an E39 M5 as my main car. I too wanted a E70 V8 Petrol. They are very few and far in between and you will get hammered when you come to sell. That in itself may not be an issue for you .Any petrol X5 you see, take 30% off and start the haggle from there is my advice.  Nobody wants them and they depreciate like your purse being thrown off beachy head. In the end because I couldn't find one with the spec I was after I went the diesel way. Trust me , Its plenty quick enough for you coming from an M3 and the diesel is very well suited to a big 4x4.  Honestly they drive better than the petrol too ( and thats a big admission from me ) Still not fast enough, then you can chip it from the std 306 Bhp to around 360-380...........if youy really feel the need. Whatever the issue, being slow wont be one of them, especially if you get one with the 8 speed box.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Nat