help with buying an e53 x5

[maliciousm]

Hello

I have read many written reviews about buying an X5 but none seam personal enough to give me the answers im looking for.
in your owner ship opinions wiuld you say go for a petrol or a diesel and why you chose that option

i look forward to peoples info and helping me select tge right x5

[X5Sport]

Hello and welcome.

In my case the annual mileage I was doing at the time meant diesel was the only choice for me.  The 3.0i was too underpowered and (in 2004) I wasn't paying an extra £10k for the V8 especially when the 3.0d had the same torque as the 4.8is - albeit without the soundtrack.

For me it's been Diesel all the way - and every car I have bought since 1998 has been diesel, including 3 BMWs.  We had a 325i Convertible and that had to be worked very hard to make it go.  The replacement is a 330Cd and that is much more fun and doesn't need thrashing to 'make progress'.  Even today with the concerns about pollution control I still think current diesels (EU6) still offer more than an exquivalent petrol engine.  The gap is closing though.

[Horizon]

Have to agree with X5Sport, I had the 3.0 D Sport (55 plate ) brilliant motor, as mentioned the torque is brilliant, not to be compared with other 4x4's, miles better than the competition. I averaged 25 mpg, 31/32 on a run
I've got a 330i now that's averaging 18 mpg

[coleybmwx5]

Hello,

I've had a 3.0D for 18 months then went to 4.6is, I don't do a lot of miles & the drive to work isn't far, 10 miles,That's why I changed to a petrol engine, The diesel engine was slightly better on fuel & would be a lot more on long runs, If you do high mileage go for the diesel, But petrol dont go for nothing less than a 4.4 on a preface lift, Over 2 ton of car, Also Diesel you can have remapped, Giving you as much as 40 more bhp & 50(lb/ft) torque. The gap between petrol & diesels are getting closer & closer but depends on your needs really.

[henrym3]

perhaps you could narrow down your needs a little, are you wanting to spend £5k on an old E53 because your mechanically competent and you enjoy a challenge or you have £20k that would get something a tad newer. but it would seem not guaranteed to be any more reliable.  As to petrol or diesel there are probably some strong opinions on here for both sides, personally you couldn't pay me to get a diesel.
Just reread that and it sounds very negative, so on the plus side I have a 4.6l 02 vintage and it,s brilliant, been far more reliable than I expected given what I read before buying. Had it 2 years done just over 20k. Now on 128k Have put lots of bits on it upgraded things but not because the others failed, because it's my hobby and I enjoy doing stuff as opposed to day time tv.
My preference is petrol and V8. As a DIY'er in the long run I find them cheaper to maintain and easier, I know the diesel obviously does more mpg but as a rule all of that is wiped out if you need a pump/injectors/turbo, but most important it's not a V8.
What ever you buy I would highly(in hindsight) recommend before going to buy anything buy yourself a good scanner and take it with you and ask if you can scan the vehicle. I can virtually guarantee something will show up no matter how trivial at least it's a bargaining point. If buying an older X it's a false economy not to have one.
The best move you've made so far is to join this forum, there are some seriously clued up geeks on here who know their stuff so you will always be pointed in the right direction.
Good luck with your choice even if you do go diesel.