msm
Well-known member
There seems to be various older and related threads discussing this, but just reviving as there's obviously been more owners/workshops that have experience as time goes on.
For context, I'm still debating performance car vs SUV and if I go the SUV route, my options are the F15/F16 X5/X6 (2015 to 2018 or so). Not considering a M50d, as that seems to be quite different and carries some "M tax" goodies and associated costs over the more "pedestrian" 30d/40d models... Or am I completely wrong about the M50d???
Some points that I have been debating and want to open this up to those that have some experience. Please feel free to add you input/comments/remarks:
1) X5 vs X6 (F15/F16 only): Personal preference but I don't need the extra space and actually like the X6 more. Also, for similar prices (around R500k or so - give or take), the X6 seems to have more options thrown in (generally speaking). However, the issue is that the F16 X6 does not come in the 30d in SA - only 40d and up. All other service related items from brakes, engine, tyre sizes, etc seem identical between the X5 and X6 - obviously, body parts are different. Lastly, lots more X5's for sale, than X6's - hence, not fixated on the X6, if a decent well-spec'ed X5 comes by. But X6 is preference.
2) 30d vs 40d: Here's where this conflicts with the first point. I'm actually indifferent to the engines and it seems pretty clear that the 30d is the sensible option over the 40d, especially for older cars out of motorplan. But, the X6 only comes in 40d. BTW, whatever car I choose will go for preventative tuning/mods - e.g. decat, egr delete in s/w, swirl flap delete in s/w, gearbox oil service, etc to ensure that all the potential problematic areas are addressed. So I guess, it's X5 30d or X6 40d - and the question is, how much more expensive will the 40d be up to 200k and possibly beyond. Again, obviously, it boils down to a specific car as well - a badly abused car will give more issues. Should I stick with the 30d. How are older/higher mileage 40d's doing and anyone replaced turbos yet, as that is the fundamental difference. And yes, I'm aware that there seem to be other minor technical differences between these motors, but the major stuff seems to be mostly similar (unlike the M50d)
3) Mileage: So not unique to the N57, but there's massive price differences between cars around or just under 100k KM and those over (say 130k - 140k KM) - over R100k in some instances for the same year models. As an example, a R450k car will have 130xxx and a R600k car will have 90xxx - is the R150k "premium" worth it or just get the higher mileage and save the rest for a rainy day (assuming cars are similar otherwise). If buy and keep it for a few years and maybe drive about 50k - 100k more, I'm not sure if the initial 100k+ is worth it - open to comments on this point. Both would require the same initial preventative stuff and the potential up-front cost saved goes into a bigger kitty fund for things that break. I've also seen a few way beyond 200k KM (not that I would buy them), but they still seem to be going strong - on face value at least. Hence, is a slightly higher mileage/clean/well maintained car worth it in terms of saving, if I'm going to do all the preventative stuff either way. One of the main reasons for going diesel is that theoretically they can handle higher mileages if well maintained. Yes, there's the curveball that a higher mileage car driven mainly on the open road is better than a car used for short school runs/town trips - but when buying 2nd hand, you don't always have this info, so the mileage question becomes more generic.
Anyone been in a similar boat? Or have more experience on this topic. Please feel free to share your inputs, advise or thoughts.
For context, I'm still debating performance car vs SUV and if I go the SUV route, my options are the F15/F16 X5/X6 (2015 to 2018 or so). Not considering a M50d, as that seems to be quite different and carries some "M tax" goodies and associated costs over the more "pedestrian" 30d/40d models... Or am I completely wrong about the M50d???
Some points that I have been debating and want to open this up to those that have some experience. Please feel free to add you input/comments/remarks:
1) X5 vs X6 (F15/F16 only): Personal preference but I don't need the extra space and actually like the X6 more. Also, for similar prices (around R500k or so - give or take), the X6 seems to have more options thrown in (generally speaking). However, the issue is that the F16 X6 does not come in the 30d in SA - only 40d and up. All other service related items from brakes, engine, tyre sizes, etc seem identical between the X5 and X6 - obviously, body parts are different. Lastly, lots more X5's for sale, than X6's - hence, not fixated on the X6, if a decent well-spec'ed X5 comes by. But X6 is preference.
2) 30d vs 40d: Here's where this conflicts with the first point. I'm actually indifferent to the engines and it seems pretty clear that the 30d is the sensible option over the 40d, especially for older cars out of motorplan. But, the X6 only comes in 40d. BTW, whatever car I choose will go for preventative tuning/mods - e.g. decat, egr delete in s/w, swirl flap delete in s/w, gearbox oil service, etc to ensure that all the potential problematic areas are addressed. So I guess, it's X5 30d or X6 40d - and the question is, how much more expensive will the 40d be up to 200k and possibly beyond. Again, obviously, it boils down to a specific car as well - a badly abused car will give more issues. Should I stick with the 30d. How are older/higher mileage 40d's doing and anyone replaced turbos yet, as that is the fundamental difference. And yes, I'm aware that there seem to be other minor technical differences between these motors, but the major stuff seems to be mostly similar (unlike the M50d)
3) Mileage: So not unique to the N57, but there's massive price differences between cars around or just under 100k KM and those over (say 130k - 140k KM) - over R100k in some instances for the same year models. As an example, a R450k car will have 130xxx and a R600k car will have 90xxx - is the R150k "premium" worth it or just get the higher mileage and save the rest for a rainy day (assuming cars are similar otherwise). If buy and keep it for a few years and maybe drive about 50k - 100k more, I'm not sure if the initial 100k+ is worth it - open to comments on this point. Both would require the same initial preventative stuff and the potential up-front cost saved goes into a bigger kitty fund for things that break. I've also seen a few way beyond 200k KM (not that I would buy them), but they still seem to be going strong - on face value at least. Hence, is a slightly higher mileage/clean/well maintained car worth it in terms of saving, if I'm going to do all the preventative stuff either way. One of the main reasons for going diesel is that theoretically they can handle higher mileages if well maintained. Yes, there's the curveball that a higher mileage car driven mainly on the open road is better than a car used for short school runs/town trips - but when buying 2nd hand, you don't always have this info, so the mileage question becomes more generic.
Anyone been in a similar boat? Or have more experience on this topic. Please feel free to share your inputs, advise or thoughts.
