XSeries-forum

[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.

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.

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="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 

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

[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.

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

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