Which X5? :driving:
Discussion
I currently drive a 996 C2 cab and a Golf 150 GTi. I intend in June 2005 to get rid of both and buy one car. I have a new M5 on order currently but would be kidding myself if I thought it was a sports car (it's not - it's the world's fastest saloon and no one will convince me otherwise) so I intend to use my deposit towards a new X5. Do I buy a new 4.4 sport or the new diesel?
The waiting time for either is about a year so I need to make decision quite quickly.
Any thoughts?
The waiting time for either is about a year so I need to make decision quite quickly.
Any thoughts?
I currently average about 35k per annum that will give me a gas bill of about £9k per year on the 4.4 or £6k using the diesel.
The cost of petrol isn't a major problem, the performance of the car and living with them everyday is my main question and are they as good as everyone says?
My local dealer have 4.4 sport auto I can test but not a new 3.2 Diesel. I have heard the new diesel is fantastic - is it that much better than the previous?
Whilst I think about it, what ever happened to the long test drive.....I used to be able to have a loan car over the weekend (even Porsche are happy to lend me any car of my choice providing they have it) but now you have to make a decision over a cup of crap coffee and in the case of the new diesel, Vines at Gatwick can't get hold of one at all "most people don't need to test drive them sir"
F
k me, are most people stupid or what?
If I am going to spend around 55k on a car I want to know if my balls are going to ache after an hour or two and can the kids break it!
The cost of petrol isn't a major problem, the performance of the car and living with them everyday is my main question and are they as good as everyone says?
My local dealer have 4.4 sport auto I can test but not a new 3.2 Diesel. I have heard the new diesel is fantastic - is it that much better than the previous?
Whilst I think about it, what ever happened to the long test drive.....I used to be able to have a loan car over the weekend (even Porsche are happy to lend me any car of my choice providing they have it) but now you have to make a decision over a cup of crap coffee and in the case of the new diesel, Vines at Gatwick can't get hold of one at all "most people don't need to test drive them sir"
F
k me, are most people stupid or what? If I am going to spend around 55k on a car I want to know if my balls are going to ache after an hour or two and can the kids break it!
mogul, I'm not entirey clear on your question (there's always one!). You said you were replacing your 996 C2 and Golf with a new M5, but are you now saying you're considering an X5 instead of the M5?
I've got a 4.6is X5, which if you're used to driving the Porsche you would find more special than either a 4.4 or 3.0d. I owned a 3.0i Sport before the 4.6 and the reason that I changed is that I wanted something that would put on a grin on my face and stand out a little from the other X5s out there.
The new 3.0d is good but slightly characterless next to the 4.4 V8. The diesel produces more peak torque than the 4.4 but I found it to be 'peaky' in comparison to the V8 and therefore you drive it in a different way. The 4.6 is another step up from the 4.4 in terms of the V8 roar and driving feel and has similar peak torque to the 3.0d (but a lot more power).
Torque is important on an X5 when driving around town and joining roads, but so too is power when accelerating to join motorways and autoroutes. The X5 because of its blunt shape and gearing can slow down a bit around 80-90mph and it needs more than 300bhp to pull it through.
The 3.0d is a very competent car but you buy it more as a family car, whereas the V8 models are an indulgence and feel all the more special for being so.
I'm not sure if that helps or not. I've owned plenty of 996s as well so I know where you're coming from, but think that if buying an X5 you need to aim for the ones that will be the most fun to drive.
I've got a 4.6is X5, which if you're used to driving the Porsche you would find more special than either a 4.4 or 3.0d. I owned a 3.0i Sport before the 4.6 and the reason that I changed is that I wanted something that would put on a grin on my face and stand out a little from the other X5s out there.
The new 3.0d is good but slightly characterless next to the 4.4 V8. The diesel produces more peak torque than the 4.4 but I found it to be 'peaky' in comparison to the V8 and therefore you drive it in a different way. The 4.6 is another step up from the 4.4 in terms of the V8 roar and driving feel and has similar peak torque to the 3.0d (but a lot more power).
Torque is important on an X5 when driving around town and joining roads, but so too is power when accelerating to join motorways and autoroutes. The X5 because of its blunt shape and gearing can slow down a bit around 80-90mph and it needs more than 300bhp to pull it through.
The 3.0d is a very competent car but you buy it more as a family car, whereas the V8 models are an indulgence and feel all the more special for being so.
I'm not sure if that helps or not. I've owned plenty of 996s as well so I know where you're coming from, but think that if buying an X5 you need to aim for the ones that will be the most fun to drive.
I currently have a deposit on the new M5, but have changed my mind and will look to buy an X5 instead and hence moved that deposit onto the X5.
Not sure about the 4.6is because the fuel consumption will be lower than a small dogs balls. You have to be seriously rich or own your own garage to run a car returning around 10 - 12mpg driving 35k per year. (that's assuming I would have a heavy right foot)
I have done the 996 thing and although it may sound weird I am bored with it.
Yes it's got the looks power and handling etc. but it is only a car at the end of the day. I actually enjoy driving the diesel GTi golf as it is more comfortable on long runs than the Porsche, although it could do with more grunt!
I have looked at the Cayenne but I think the BMW is probably a better buy.
Any other thoughts?
>> Edited by mogul on Monday 19th April 21:47
Not sure about the 4.6is because the fuel consumption will be lower than a small dogs balls. You have to be seriously rich or own your own garage to run a car returning around 10 - 12mpg driving 35k per year. (that's assuming I would have a heavy right foot)
I have done the 996 thing and although it may sound weird I am bored with it.
Yes it's got the looks power and handling etc. but it is only a car at the end of the day. I actually enjoy driving the diesel GTi golf as it is more comfortable on long runs than the Porsche, although it could do with more grunt!
I have looked at the Cayenne but I think the BMW is probably a better buy.
Any other thoughts?
>> Edited by mogul on Monday 19th April 21:47
mogul said:
Oh, the 4.6is is also being changed to a 4.8 shortly which should make it even faster/thirstier.
The 4.6is returns an average of 17/18 mpg, compared to 19mpg that I used to get in the 3.0i sport. Even when driven to the max I can't get lower than 15mpg average in my 4.6is. When I travel down the A1 to Surrey on business I have managed just over 21mpg on many occasions provided I use no more than 3/4 throttle. Really, it's not bad once you get used to just under 20mpg average. I couldn't cope with anything near 10mpg and would sell it straightaway if that was the case..
I've got a 4.8is on order and that is fitted with the new valvetronic engine which will return just over 20mpg (BMW's official figure is 20.9mpg compared with the 19mpg official figure of the 4.6is - so 2mpg better).
The X5 is a LOT more economical than the Cayenne. When I drove both the TT and the S I averaged just over 15mpg in the Cayenne S and couldn't better 12mpg in the Cayenne TT.
The 4.6is is pretty much the same as the 4.4 in terms of economy and I tend to get between 350-400 miles from a 93 litre tank.
Interesting that you get 20mpg - I thought they really drank the fuel.
When I had the Cayenne S for a week, I managed to drive 400 miles and it cost near as damn it £200 in fuel - talk about thirsty and it used so much of the stuff that the fuel card company rang our offices asking if my card had been stolen!
What will the 4.4 return?
Is there a huge difference in performance against the 4.6?
>> Edited by mogul on Monday 19th April 21:46
When I had the Cayenne S for a week, I managed to drive 400 miles and it cost near as damn it £200 in fuel - talk about thirsty and it used so much of the stuff that the fuel card company rang our offices asking if my card had been stolen!
What will the 4.4 return?
Is there a huge difference in performance against the 4.6?
>> Edited by mogul on Monday 19th April 21:46
My 4.4i does about 17.8 commuting and a bit better on motorways. There is, I believe, virtually no difference between the 3 litre petro and the 4.4 but clearly the 4.4 is more responsive.
Personally I don't think that I'll ever buy brand new again and haven't for a few years. I'll let somebody else take the first depreciation hit and find a good used newish low mileage one.
Either way I'm very impressed with the X5.
Personally I don't think that I'll ever buy brand new again and haven't for a few years. I'll let somebody else take the first depreciation hit and find a good used newish low mileage one.
Either way I'm very impressed with the X5.
There is a performance difference between 4.4 and 4.6, mainly at the top end and from mid-range. The 4.6 surges under accleration at around 4000rpm which is missing from the 4.4i although the 4.4i feels plenty quick too. The 4.6is is the equivalent of an //M version of the X5, so it's a little bit like comparing an M3 with a 330i. The 4.6is has //M instruments, more sporty suspension, doesn't understeer as much, and sounds louder.
The car is going to be a company one so the hit on being new is neither here nor there. The problem is even if I buy a second hand one I will still be taxed as if it is brand new so bugger it, I'll have new one!
I'm test driving a new diesel and a 4.4 sport in the coming weeks so I'll report back.
I'm test driving a new diesel and a 4.4 sport in the coming weeks so I'll report back.
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