Need help!! it's urgent!! 4.8i or 3.5 xdrive??

[Andrey]

Hi everybody!
I am on the market for an X5, i love x5 and i have already test-drove the 2008 4.8i black on black, fully loaded, i have not driven 3.0 or 3.5.
I am having a trouble choosing between the 2006 4.8is, 2007- 20011 4.8i, 3.0i, 3.5is. I like the power of 4.8i, i do need a towing package (i know i would have to install it ) i will put mountain bikes, i may even need to hook up a trailer to haul 4 wheeler etc. but i would want it to get decent gas millage. It has to have black interior. i cannot afford new one, so i will have to buy used certified pre-owned with extended warranty .
Please help me decide!! thank you!!!

[wsybert]

My 4.8 is getting around 13.5-14 around town. Best I've seen is 19.
If gas mileage is important, then the 3.0 or 3.5 is the better bet. A 4 wheeler on a trailer is an easy tow for both.

[BabyBlack]

is 35d not within your consideration? I would go with 35d on what you need.

[Moofoo]

Hi there,

my X5d is 5 days old and has 350 miles on it and is averaging 25mpg with a tight ass engine,
this morning diesel was $3.89 gallon and premium $4.19,

A no brainer, more miles less money.

[D.B.S]

I'd avoid the 3.0i...
I have the 3.5i and I have towed a Ford Expedition behind mine (I wouldn't recommend doing that on a regular basis though) without issue. That being said the 35i is rated better in gas mileage and acceleration compared to the 4.8 so I'd avoid the 4.8. I'd say your choice should really be between the 35i and 35d... or the 50i if you want serious power...

[serge1]

Originally Posted by Moofoo

Hi there,

my X5d is 5 days old and has 350 miles on it and is averaging 25mpg with a tight ass engine,
this morning diesel was $3.89 gallon and premium $4.19,

A no brainer, more miles less money.

You are lucky to live in a state where diesel is cheaper than premium.
Most states (i am in WA) have it the other way. Premium is 25c cheaper than diesel. Still worth it.

[serge1]

You can find a used CPO 35d for roughly the same price as used CPO 4.8i.
I did a quick search on Autotrader and saw these models are in the same range.

IMHO you would be better off with 35d.

[Andrey]

Thank you everyone for your advises, I really do appreciate it!
I like the power of the 4.8i, and it looks much better, wider track, bigger wheels etc.
Diesel is more expensive in GA then premium but even that is not my issue, i am not buying a prius to get the best gas milleage, X5 is a big heavy comfy luxury SUV and its main job is not to save gas.
Here is my other question to all of you X5 owners: Do things go wrong in it? do you have any reliability issues with them? Do you have problems with transmissions, differentials, engine. I will be buying one with warranty for about 2 years or so, but what happens next? does anyone have a high millage X5?
Thanks again!!!

[chiplee]

Originally Posted by Andrey

Thank you everyone for your advises, I really do appreciate it!
I like the power of the 4.8i, and it looks much better, wider track, bigger wheels etc.
Diesel is more expensive in GA then premium but even that is not my issue, i am not buying a prius to get the best gas milleage, X5 is a big heavy comfy luxury SUV and its main job is not to save gas.
Here is my other question to all of you X5 owners: Do things go wrong in it? do you have any reliability issues with them? Do you have problems with transmissions, differentials, engine. I will be buying one with warranty for about 2 years or so, but what happens next? does anyone have a high millage X5?
Thanks again!!!

The 35i is the obvious choice for me. Who would choose the 4.8i when it's a slower vehicle that gets worse gas mileage? And you can get the wider stance and more aggressive look for very little money.

[mrmomo313]

i used to own the 4.8i and it was great. got around 15 mpg. however, i'd also recommend finding a 35i because you get better mpg and its faster than the 4.8. it also has a few more updates like new idrive. you wont go wrong either way but you should look into the 35i

[serge1]

Originally Posted by Andrey

Thank you everyone for your advises, I really do appreciate it!
I like the power of the 4.8i, and it looks much better, wider track, bigger wheels etc.
Diesel is more expensive in GA then premium but even that is not my issue, i am not buying a prius to get the best gas milleage, X5 is a big heavy comfy luxury SUV and its main job is not to save gas.
Here is my other question to all of you X5 owners: Do things go wrong in it? do you have any reliability issues with them? Do you have problems with transmissions, differentials, engine. I will be buying one with warranty for about 2 years or so, but what happens next? does anyone have a high millage X5?
Thanks again!!!

Bigger track and wider stance are matters of package, not engine size.
You should go and test drive the 4.8, 35i and 35d, so you can see what works for you.

[D.B.S]

Seems like a no-brainer:

48i 350hp @ 6300rpm
35i 300hp @ 5800rpm
48i 350lb @ 3400rpm
35i 300lb @ 1200-5000rpm

The 3.5i can tow as much as the 48i (6000 lbs). Both will do 0-60 in 6.0 secs, but the 35i does the 1/4 mile .10 sec faster than the 48i, 35i weighs less (300 lbs less). Has an 8 speed transmission vs. 6 Speed on the 48i, and gets 16/23 mpg's (City/Highway) vs. 14/19 (city/highway)

2008 Certified 48i costs 36-40k (warranty is about to run out in 2 years)
2011 Certified 35i costs 50-55k (warranty will expire in 5 years)
2010 - 2012 35d cost 55-65k (warranty will expire in 4-6 years)

I love my 35i (although I did end up modding it, but that's besides the point). If warranty isn't an issue for you, go for a 48i, but if warranty is an issue, your better off going with a 35i/35d because the 48i's are going to expire soon and you'll be stuck footing the bill for any and all warranty type repairs.. It might be worth the extra 15k to buy a certified 35i...

[Andrey]

How are these X5 in terms of reliability?
There is a rumor that V8 has some problems, but i know that turbo in 3.5i may have an issue too, because from what i understand is that it uses the same engine as 335i, 535i etc. Did any one of you guys get near 100k ? any issues??? Or is it the kind of a car that you should own as long as you have the warranty?

[D.B.S]

Issues on my 35i to date due to stock setup: None (I stopped being stock after 1500 miles)

Issues on my 35i to date due to modifications: Charge Pipe Blow off (after setting JB3 to +6 psi). Charge Pipe Blow off after adding larger FMIC (almost 3 times larger FMIC than stock) when set to +5 psi with JB3.
HPFP type issues on start-up... Although the N55 has suffered overall from the same type of HPFP issues that the N54 had, they are not as widespread, reported or numerous. It's rather a none issue with the N55's.

So if you don't plan to modify, then you don't have any worries, at least from my stand point..

Currently have done only 14k miles in the last year and half...

[Andrey]

Does anyone of you guys change your own oil? how much oil does 4.8i engine take?
I heard that it does not have the dipstick,
I always change oil on my own cars myself, because i don't trust shops around me and dealerships charge $120 for an oil change in GA at least.
If you change your own oil, do you have to keep record of somekind to maintain the warranty?? I am conservative on oil changes so i change it every 5000 miles.