X5 Manual or Auto?

I'm planning on buying a E53 X5 and I'm debating between a manual transmission 3.0i or an auto 4.4i, I would much rather it be a manual but do you think I will regret not getting the extra power of the V8? It's not like I'm going to be taking to the track or anything I'm just worried about it feeling underpowered on the road, what do you think? Oh yeah, also I've heard that the V8's are less reliable, is this true?

Get the is model or nothing

I had an E53 3.0i, honestly it has more than sufficient power for driving around town (thanks to the gearing), but once you're on the highway trying to pass someone at 80/90 you wish you had more power there. My advice is to definitely get the Sport Package model in either the 3.0/4.4i, and you'll be a happy camper.

Oh, and get the 4.6is kit, and aluminum running boards...they totally change the way the X5 looks!

My old whip..

Originally Posted by m3on20z

I had an E53 3.0i, honestly it has more than sufficient power for driving around town (thanks to the gearing), but once you're on the highway trying to pass someone at 80/90 you wish you had more power there. My advice is to definitely get the Sport Package model in either the 3.0/4.4i, and you'll be a happy camper.

Oh, and get the 4.6is kit, and aluminum running boards...they totally change the way the X5 looks!

My old whip..

Oh man, that X5 is I will definitely be getting the 4.6is kit.

just get the 4.4 auto. imo, an auto fits the driving style of the x5 better than a manual.

Originally Posted by edawg

just get the 4.4 auto. Imo, an auto fits the driving style of the x5 better than a manual.

+1

Originally Posted by EDawg

just get the 4.4 auto. imo, an auto fits the driving style of the x5 better than a manual.

Yeah thats what I was thinking to, have any of you heard anything bad about the transmissions? I assume their not as bad as the e46 auto because there is no "noreverse.org" for X5's lol, but how do you think it would stand up to offroading and towing and such?