XSeries-forum

Hi new here, looking at getting an X5 in the near future and was wondering if there is much difference between the 2.9litre and the 3.0 litre diesels. After reading the buyers guide FAQ the 2.9's have a 5 speed autobox and the 3.0's a 6 speed autobox. Any help would be good. I do about 18-20 miles and day driving to and from work leaving at 6am and returning about 2-2:30pm so not really stuck in traffic. Thanks in advance.

Both are known as 30D.  The 2.9D as you call it is 186bhp and the 3.0D is 218bhp with a useful 'uplift' in terms of torque making them the same as the 4.8V8.  Facelifted versions - made after 2003 - are those have the 6-speed box and higher torque as well as better economy, but watch for the VED banding as the late (2006) models fall into a higher band because of the way the Govt re-banded emissions.

You should expect high 20's in terms of mpg depending upon road type and speed.  Low 30's on motorways.

If you can, go for as late as you can afford, and definitely a Facelifted version.  On that kind of mileage you may even want to look at the petrol V8 versions too (4.4/4.8 ). Ignore the 3.0i as (IMHO) it is underwhelming compared to the late 3.0D and all the V8s.

Richard

Cheers is there an easy way to see the differances between the pre and post face lifs models. I have found a 2003 53 plate and was wondering if the was a face lift or not. Its a 2.9 so guessing its the pre facelift

Easiest way is to look side by side at a pic's of say a 2002 car & say a a 2005 car...this way you avoid any cars delayed in registration.

Facelift car has wider trim apertures surrounding fog lights, larger grill nostrils, different shape headlamps, (look at variance in contours on underside where they meet bumper) & slightly different arrangement to bumper below grill. Rear lights are also very slightly different though you will need to be a bit of an E53 anorak to tell the difference.

On the sport models the wheels on the prefacelifts are different to the later cars but some prefacelift owners have upgraded and some early facelift cars could be optioned with pre-facelift wheels. 3 spoke sports steering wheel is different and more modern looking on the facelift.

Easiest way i find is to look at the front indicators first as, unless they've been changed, they're orange pre facelift and white after.
I found this handy when looking on Autotrader etc as it was easiest to see on the small pics.

Hi and welcome.

It's also worth thawing a read of the buyers guide for the E53 it's very comprehensive, and tells you about the differences between models and also issues with cars.

When I was looking the diesel were more to buy but again they hold their value better than the petrol ones. You may find that a lot of petrol ones have more options fitted than the diesels.

There are a lot of cars to choose from and it's worth driving both Diesel size engine cars and you will know which one you want, I would plump for the later one it your budget allows