Used x5 4.6is or new 4.4is?

[dimit3]

Hello all,
i am new to automotive forums and browsing through some ads i must say that i am mazed by the knowledge and addiction of some people into cars.I must add that i am a big fan of cars as well...
Anway, my questions is, I am planning on buying an X5.I live in London and my budget is a max of 70.000 euros.So i can either import a used X5 4.6 from Germany with probably less than 20k kms fully loaded or a brand new 4.4 with the facelift.
I simply LOVE the 4.6 and i find it's power amazing..i will keep the car for 2-3 years and then sell it so another reason for not wanting a new 4.4 is the depreciation.What are ur thoughts guys?
Any good websites i can look for used X5 in Europe?

Thanks in Advance

[zyajzarc]

I don't know the economy for X5s in Europe, but in this case I would get the used 4.6is. The drive of this automobile is INCREDIBLE and the 4.4i doesn't compare at all. Plus, with the new 4.4i you would still have to add many optional equipment to equal the standard equipment in the 4.6is. It would be best if you can find a 4.6is that is relatively unused (under 20k miles or so), as those would be quite reliable and still have a "new" feeling. Or if you want, you can wait until the 4.8is is released in Europe, then the prices of the 4.6is will drop (i would think), and then you can get a 4.6is at a very good price.

[hsk73]

Of course 4.6is if it has all the options you wanted.

[BMW_4.4i]

The 4.4 is a rocket - especially the 2004s. It has 315hp and really really moves. I never drove a 4.6is and realize that it is faster then the 4.4, but not by much.

Zyajzarc - I wouldn't say that the 4.4 "doesn't compare at all" - especially with more hp and the 6 speed automatic. In "sport" mode, the car would come close behind the 4.6.

[zyajzarc]

BMW_4.4i you do bring up a good point. I wasn't thinking about the 2004 4.4i's when i was posting. I would assume now that they have 315 horsepower (and some more torque... the number evades me right now) the difference between the '03 4.6is and the '04 4.4i would be smaller. So, disregard me saying that the 4.4i "doesn't compare at all", if you're talking about a 2004 model.

But the 4.6is is much more sporty. It's normal transmission mode is set to the sport mode of the 4.4i, while its sport mode is an even more aggresive sport mode not available on any other X5 model. It is lacking 1 gear though when compared to the '04 4.4i. Plus, the 4.6is comes fully loaded (no navi though, that's an extra $2000), while the 4.4i can almost reach the price of a 4.6is when stockin up on those options. It pretty much comes down preference, and since dimit3 is thinking of selling the car in 2-3 years, depreciation would also come into play. I don't know which has a lower depreciation value though, but i'll just guess the 4.6is.