X5M Fuel range and comparison with Cayenne

[Ash777]

Hi there,

I am new to the forum and am quite stuck deciding between two cars. I was wondering what kind of advice and guidance I could get as regards my dilemma.

First I wanted to ask owners who have a few thousand miles on their X5M/X6M's, how many miles they get from one tank (85 litres) and what is the MPG?

I know fuel consumption is onerous with this car but if it's "reasonable" then it is something I can live with. I'll be coming from a diesel SUV (Prado) so regardless of how much I spend, fuel is something I have to be comfortable with mentally.

I am currently comparing this to the Cayenne S diesel (yes quite different, but it is only $5k cheaper than X5M where I am). No longer like the GTS because it sounds horrible compared to the older V8, no matter how much better it drives/fast. Find the M50D to be very boring to drive and lazy gearbox- no *real* sound compared to the Cayenne S.

Issues with the S are:

Not as loud, nevertheless it has a very nice V8 rumble- despite being a diesel.

Nowhere near the technology in the X5M.

Options standard in the X5M, I have to pay for in the Cayenne. Paying big bucks for some basic options (its a Porsche after all).

Not as much discount given as X5M.

Not as fast!!

Pros with the S:

Peace of mind with fuel economy, can punt it as much as I want and still get amazing mileage. Diesel is cheap in my country (NZ).

Better steering and brake feel

Interior feels more luxurious, more well put together.


So what would you guys do in my situation?

Any input positive/negative will be very much appreciated!

Thanks!
Ash

[JB-A]

Hi Ash,

to compare a diesel to the X5/X6M is ... remarkably...

I never liked the design of the Cayenne - but everybody has a different taste...
And for me the only reason to buy a diesel is fuel economy (that's why I had a X6 M50d before) - but hey - you want to spend a LOT of money for a car - is fuel economy then really the crucial factor?
My X6M is now on ~15000 km (9300 miles) - depending on my mood and traffic it's between 14 l/100km (20mpg) up to 15,5 l/100km (18 MPG) driven 95% on highways (with max 180 km/h = 111mph)
And the engine of this car is a monster

So km/miles with 1 tank: 530-610km / 330-380miles

[Ash777]

Originally Posted by JB-A

Hi Ash,

to compare a diesel to the X5/X6M is ... remarkably...

I never liked the design of the Cayenne - but everybody has a different taste...
And for me the only reason to buy a diesel is fuel economy (that's why I had a X6 M50d before) - but hey - you want to spend a LOT of money for a car - is fuel economy then really the crucial factor?
My X6M is now on ~15000 km (9300 miles) - depending on my mood and traffic it's between 14 l/100km (20mpg) up to 15,5 l/100km (18 MPG) driven 95% on highways (with max 180 km/h = 111mph)
And the engine of this car is a monster

So km/miles with 1 tank: 530-610km / 330-380miles

Hi JB-A,

Thanks a lot for your input! Yes I realise my comparison is quite odd but of the many SUV's I have driven I have ended up considering these two.

The numbers you have posted are a lot better than what I was expecting. I just don't want to end up with a car that ends up doing stuff north of 18 l/100km with mixed driving.

Yes the car is a real powerhouse, have had a few goes in the X5M now and the torque rush has got me .


Thank you very much!
Ash

[JB-A]

Hi Ash,

today driving home, some traffic, made some phone calls... - 150 km with 12,7 liters...

My recommendation: BMW X5M

[WVUDrJay]

I'm serious and not judgemental when I say this. If you are spending 100k on a car then why worry about the cost of gas?

Plus cost wise x5m is similar to cayenne but performance wise is equivalent to cayenne turbo. Seems like an easy decision.

[Ash777]

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for the responses! This has really helped deciding which car to choose!

And JB-A, didn't expect it to ever go below 13L!

Fair to say I am leaning towards the X5M much much more right now.

Thanks again for the input!!
Ash

[crooked I]

Originally Posted by Ash777

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for the responses! This has really helped deciding which car to choose!

And JB-A, didn't expect it to ever go below 13L!

Fair to say I am leaning towards the X5M much much more right now.

Thanks again for the input!!
Ash

i think the cayenne has a 100 liter tank, the X5 M has only 85 liters. doesn't make sense to me because the E53 had a 93 liters tank!

[Ash777]

Originally Posted by crooked I

i think the cayenne has a 100 liter tank, the X5 M has only 85 liters. doesn't make sense to me because the E53 had a 93 liters tank!

The tank does seem a bit small to the competitors.

Thanks!
Ash

[JNoSol]

Why are you comparing? In the U.S., if there's only $5k difference between a Cayenne S Diesel and an X5M, it would be a no brainer... X5M. X5M costs $40-50k USD more than a Cayenne Diesel here. We don't get the Cayenne Diesel S.

I get about 15mpg average.

My friend bought a Cayenne GTS. He keeps trying to make it look more masculine by adding wheels/exhaust. He gave up and just let his wife drives it now. Cayenne looks way too girly... a chick car for sure. I would take a Panamera over a Cayenne.

[Vassilis1971]

Originally Posted by Ash777

I just don't want to end up with a car that ends up doing stuff north of 18 l/100km with mixed driving

You should be under 18L/100km. I'm nearing 5K, my cut off point for my tracking fuel consumption.

Here's what im seeing with mixed driving and no track time.
100/(KMs since previous fill/litres)

[QuickOne]

Life is too short to worry about mpg in a vehicle of this caliber. Buy the one that makes you smile when you get in it, when you see it sitting in the garage, when you fire it up and when you're out cruising around. It will be the one that makes you happiest, even if it costs a few more dollars every year.

There is a price to happiness. And if you get it wrong the first time, the cost to change is very high. I speak from experience.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by QuickOne

Life is too short to worry about mpg in a vehicle of this caliber. Buy the one that makes you smile when you get in it, when you see it sitting in the garage, when you fire it up and when you're out cruising around. It will be the one that makes you happiest, even if it costs a few more dollars every year.

There is a price to happiness. And if you get it wrong the first time, the cost to change is very high. I speak from experience.

^ What he said

[Ash777]

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for the response! Vassilis, your chart is very in depth and I did not expect such detail! Thank you! Wise words Quickone! I shall heed your wisdom

We have made our mind up and will be putting down the deposit for the X5M soon!

What colours do you guys prefer on the car out of donington grey and black sapphire?

Jnosol, what do you think of the B&O upgrade? Worth the price over the standard 16 speaker H&K? Btw, B&O is a $9k upgrade for us in NZ. That's about $6k USD.


Thanks again for all of the input!
Ash

[LWR]

Just came out of an M5 Touring (E61)... my X5M tank feels like luxury compared to the 60 litre (or thereabouts) M5 tank

[northern2020]

No word of a lie - strictly highway 95% 5% city

First 2 tanks average on the highway I got 725kms and 768kms on a full tank on the X5 ///M

[dr.waxman]

I'm getting 15.0 in Auckland mixed traffic at just over 4000kms on clock.

[JB-A]

23000 km (14300 miles) here - 14,7 liter (16mpg) till now (95% highway...)

[AlexLou1222]

1100 miles here, averaging 13.8mpg, 60% highway...

[NERVOUS]

Hmm, I'm a two-time X5 M owner (E70 and F85). To be honest, I couldn't tell you the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) of either one, but my Smiles Per Mile (SPM) are ridiculous high!

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by NERVOUS

Hmm, I'm a two-time X5 M owner (E70 and F85). To be honest, I couldn't tell you the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) of either one, but my Smiles Per Mile (SPM) are ridiculous high!

[Ash777]

Originally Posted by dr.waxman

I'm getting 15.0 in Auckland mixed traffic at just over 4000kms on clock.

Oh wow, a fellow Aucklander!

That's bearable, is yours a white X5M by any chance? I have seen a white one around a few times. Haven't come across any others as they are very rare.

[SNAGuy]

Originally Posted by QuickOne

Life is too short to worry about mpg in a vehicle of this caliber. Buy the one that makes you smile when you get in it, when you see it sitting in the garage, when you fire it up and when you're out cruising around. It will be the one that makes you happiest, even if it costs a few more dollars every year.

There is a price to happiness. And if you get it wrong the first time, the cost to change is very high. I speak from experience.

My sentiments exactly!!!!!!

Also remember your MPG is also dependent on what "modes" you are driving in.

I always am driving in Sport Plus and D3. I find the handling the best and the power is nothing short of AMAZING.

Originally Posted by NERVOUS

Hmm, I'm a two-time X5 M owner (E70 and F85). To be honest, I couldn't tell you the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) of either one, but my Smiles Per Mile (SPM) are ridiculous high!