2008 BMW X5 3.0sd

By George Skentzos | December 04th, 2007

BMW has released its most powerful diesel model to date into the Australian market in the guise of the new BMW X5 3.0sd.

Featuring a 200kW 3.0-litre straight six, all-aluminium twin-turbo engine with a seemingly endless 565Nm, the X5 3.0sd is a born performer.

These figures see the X5 3.0sd capable of covering the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 7.3 seconds, with an astonishing average fuel consumption of 8.8 litres per 100km.

“We are certain the superb performance, class leading fuel efficiency and unsurpassed agility in a luxury Sports Activity Vehicle will ensure the X5 3.0sd is regarded as the benchmark in this market segment,”

Much of its performance may also be credited to its intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive and reduced weight which transforms the horses into forward momentum.

The X5 3.0sd will be specified in line with the X5 3.0d Executive, which means it will come with 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a rear view camera for when Reverse is engaged, electrically adjustable driver’s seat and steering column with memory function, BMW Navigation system Professional with 8.8-inch full colour monitor and analogue and digital Television receiver, Voice Recognition system and BMW Assist.

Standard across the entire X5 range are also front, side and head airbags, anti-lock brakes with Dynamic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, rain sensing wipers, automatic driving lights, multifunction steering wheel controls, iDrive with eight favourite buttons, cruise control with braking function, engine start/stop button, six-stacker CD player, and leather upholstery.

The Sport package adds Sport suspension settings, Sport leather steering wheel, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, front Sport seats, BMW Individual high-gloss Satin Chrome trim, and anthracite BMW Individual roof lining.

The BMW X5 3.0sd is priced from $102,800 while the X5 3.0sd with optional Sport package will be priced from $107,300 with the first deliveries scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2008.

Frugal One

****PRIMO!****

Wonderfull engine and all

Pity its made in USA [Yes Virgina, they are not all that well screwed together, BUT better than a ML Benz].

The real tragic is that you get covered in filth every time you have to fill her with that greasy oily dirty fuel

Rather the 4.8V8 on LPG, with the new rectangle Aussie made tank…BRILLIANT!

Cheers

F-0
Kanga1788

Frugal One, do you have an X5 on LPG? I was told that the engine management system makes them too dificult to convert. I agree that LPG is the fuel to power cars on Australian roads.

Thanks.
fred

They’re built in spartanburg, south carolina

I’ve used diesel pumps for years and have never been covered in filth – the worst that’s happened is I’ve gotten a small amount of diesel on my fingers or palm of my hand if I carelessly grab the handle without checking if it’s messy from the last person
http://moneyretail brandon

dat crisss
George

Bought new X5sd in August. Simply brilliant! But wonder if other buyers have experienced similar rear-wheel alignment problems.
Vehicle has rear air suspension and has covered only 7000klm, no off-road, no potholes, no gutters etc. Rear tyre scrubbing inside edge. Tyre guy and wheel alignment guy both say tyre is stuffed. Alignment guy says all X5s should have wheel alignment at time of new delivery as they are all out of alignment as shipped ex factory. I originally doubted this statement until he aligned all 4 wheels. Alignment guy works for an independent alignment centre appointed by the local BMW dealer to carry out alignments, as the local dealer is too small to have own alignment gear.
He produced a printout showing before and after alignment specifications and the difference was considerable, especially for the rear left wheel. Knowing the gentle kilometres the vehicle has covered, and considering I check the tyre pressures every 2 weeks (only once needing adjustment), tyres should not suffer undue wear of inner edge.
Dealer says the geometry of the rear suspension results in both rear tyres scrubbing out inner edge when towing. This is a known problem. But in my case I am not towing and only one rear tyre is affected. Dealer is suggesting the problem is mine… not warranty.
Has anybody else experienced similar problems?
Cheers,
George.
Craig

George same issue with my 2007 X5 3.0d with 20 inch tyres scrubbing out the inside rears. Got about 18,000km on the 1st set and looks like the 2nd set will only last 15,000km (1st set were Dunlops and current set are Bridgestones).
At $800 a piece I would expect better given the middle and outer areas of the tyre are almost unworn.
I have had wheel alignments done at 5000km and when the new tyres were fitted. I inflate tyres towards the high side of BMW’s recommended pressures so its not under inflation.
Pretty sure after the last wheet alignment we tried to reduce the negative camber as much as possible and I’ve still got excessive wear.
Have put a call into BMW to discuss.
Regards Craig
John

Hi Craig

Did you perhaps get a response from BMW on the problem you are having?

I am having the same problem – mine is a 2006 X5 4.8is. I have also had the tyres replaced as well as wheel aligment done.

I know that BMW recommends against wheel rotation, have you tried this? Just checked my tyres this morning & the inners are wearing – gonna need replacing again!

Cheers
Allan

Wow I can’t believe it. Hello from London. Same problem. Rough roads and sleeping policemen, endemic to here. No offroad, daily motorway and the left rear is worn just as you guys are describing. I came across this site tonight after a google to see if anyone else has the problem and yours was the first hit. I will be replacing the tyre this weekend and doing an alignment however it seems based on what you are saying this will not cure it. I got a 2005 X5 d. Rear outside has about 5 mm tread and inside is bald and showing canvas….
Allan

Wow I can\’t believe it. Hello from London. Same problem. Rough roads and sleeping policemen, endemic to here. No offroad, daily motorway and the left rear is worn just as you guys are describing. I came across this site tonight after a google to see if anyone else has the problem and yours was the first hit. I will be replacing the tyre this weekend and doing an alignment however it seems based on what you are saying this will not cure it. I got a 2005 X5 d. Rear outside has about 5 mm tread and inside is bald and showing canvas….
http://Mozilla john loveday

Hi,folks,
well i have been thinking of buying a bmw x5d sport 2006, a friend of mine has one ,as happy as a pig in …. .Since reading all the comments in the various forums i see now why there are a lot of said model in the 2nd hand yards.One would think that BMW would address the tyre wearing problem, considering the prices of these motors, it seems to me that there is a rear end tracking issue. Thanks for all the comments ,it makes a novice like me a little more wary.

regards John

ps what do they tow like ,ie caravan 2500kg.
craig

Update 12 months one…….No change since March 09 and best I can still get is 15,000 – 20,000km from a set of Dunlops or Bridgestones (have tried them both) on the 2007 E70 X5 3.0d. BMW deny there is any problem. No towing just normal driving and a regular check of wheel alignments and still no better then 20,000km. One thing you can do with the Dunlops only (as the are directional tyres but dont have outside only on one side of the tyre) is to swap rear tyres so they are removed from each rim and placed back on the opposite rim still running in the same direction. ie the rear left tyre with wear on the inside is moved to become the right tyre with all the wear now on the outside. This prolongs tyre life as the inside of the tyre on the left is now almost new as this was the outside right etc etc.

However another issue just discovered at 50,000km are cracked 20 inch rear rims. I\’ve never hit any potholes and the rim have no visible damage other then about 3 large cracks on the inside edge of the rims about 3cm long. This is in the area that obviously gets all the tyre wear becuase the car sits on teh inside edge rather then over the whole tyre surface so am sure this and very hard sidewall run flats have something to do with it. Only discovered when I was having the tyres rotated today. Put a call into BMW as this is not acceptable. Will see what they do.
craig

Update ……No change since March 09 and best I can still get is 15,000 – 20,000km from a set of Dunlops or Bridgestones (have tried them both) on the 2007 E70 X5 3.0d. No towing just normal driving and a regular check of wheel alignments and still no better then 20,000km. One thing you can do with the Dunlops only (as the are directional tyres but dont have outside only on one side of the tyre) is to swap rear tyres so they are removed from each rim and placed back on the opposite rim still running in the same direction. ie the rear left tyre with wear on the inside is moved to become the right tyre with all the wear now on the outside. This prolongs tyre life as the inside of the tyre on the left is now almost new as this was the outside right etc etc.

However another issue just discovered at 50,000km are cracked 20 inch rear rims. I’ve never hit any potholes and the rim have no visible damage other then about 3 large cracks on the inside edge of the rims about 3cm long. This is in the area that obviously gets all the tyre wear becuase the car sits on teh inside edge rather then over the whole tyre surface so am sure this and very hard sidewall run flats have something to do with it. Only discovered when I was having the tyres rotated today. Put a call into BMW as this is not acceptable. Will see what they do.

craig

BMW replaced rims under warranty………suspect there was a problem with the rims on early E70 X5′s with the 20inch rims (mine mas built March 2007). The replacement rim are manufactured differently so hence this is why I suspect the originals may have been prone to cracking.

No resolution to the excessive rear tyre wear…. will only get 15,000km out of the rears again. However managed to get 30,000km out of the fronts:)

David

Guys,
Have a x5 4.8 September 2009 model,it has the exact same issues re tyres, incredible, its obviously been in the x5 for a few years now without being fixed.
I am being blamed for not checking pressure.Not happy.

rob potter

same on my 2007 X5 only 26,000 gentle miles. Raera scrubbing inside rear back tire.

Vaughan

Yep,
2006 X5 and about to replace a rear tyre again due to the inner edge going bald, while the rest of the tyre is fine at 3-5mm. Only replaced both rear tyres about 12k ago. Standard driving, no off road, very careful on the tyre pressure – check it all the time. Last year BMW blamed some other part on the rear suspension, then before that they said I wasn’t inflating them correctly. This time they say I must have hit a pothole and knocked it out of alignment. But there is no damage to the rim. What am I supposed to do, take it in for an alignment every 6 months? Not happy. Also front doors lock frozen, but this is a known X5 issue. Last Merc 4wd I had the tyres lasted about 50K, so the X5 is a dog in this aspect.
Roy

2005 X5
Bridgstone Turanzas
About 20000km 95% freeway driving in South Afria. Back left inner edge worn FAR more than right tyre. X5 standard problem it seems!
Victor Raymond

I’ve owned 4 new X5′s. 2001 3.0i got 60,000km on original tyres. 2005 3.0d got the same. Wifes 2008 3.0i has done 15,000km and has 5mm left. I have 2008 3.0d. It was fitted with run flats and got only 28,000km before needing new set so I opted for conventional, to see if better wear. Now done 59,000 and fronts need replacing soon and rears not far behind. Has Continentals Seems the early models were better on tyres. Has anyone tried Coopers tyres as they guarantee a longer life…………but how is road holding etc?