Thinking of upgrading from E53 to E70 advice please.

[MSPORTBMW]

Hi there.....I purchased a 2004 E53 a couple of years ago which has now got 90k on the clock, and in my 2 yrs of owning it has not been problematic at all.....so very pleased with that.
However, ive always liked the E70 x5 shape more but couldnt afford one 2 yrs ago. Now the prices are getting lower i am thinking of getting one. My choice will prob be limited to a 2007 one. Either a high spec'd 3.0d SE,
or a 3.0d msport.
Firstly.....do the E70 diesels come fitted with the aux heater as standard as they did on the E53?
Also im a little confused with the road tax.....I see some are £235 a year(like my E53 is) but some are Over £400 a year!! Is it certain 2007 models? IE...the early 2007 ones that are cheaper tax?

Any help would be appreciated

[X5Sport]

Aux heater is not a standard fit after the E53.  It became a £1200 option as the new engine design did not need the coolant warming up quickly.

Early E70's are more expensive to tax, as are late E53s.  BMW improved the emissions in late 2007 I think and that brought the tax down again.  Owners from that time period will confirm.  Aim for a car registered from December '07 or early '08 onwards as the change happened in late summer/autumn of 2007.

Richard

[Sanj]

To add, check the V5 log to see what tax bracket the car falls in when you go to see one (or the tax disc itself).

[celica]

if you're getting a 3.0d early version then check individual ones on road tax
all 07 will be higher, some 57 lates will be a mix of high or lower rate

however all 3.0sd the twin turbo are all lower tax i believe

[MSPORTBMW]

Thanks for all the advice guys....much appreciated.

[E53Steve]

I read in a mag somewhere that when the e70 came out within 6 months they revised the engine which brought the emissions down hence the cheaper tax, i was in same boat, had 55 plate x5 with approx 77k and within the past 4-5 month bought an 08 plate e70, had been looking for a while but instead of sport model I previously had, some of the E70s didnt have the running boards etc, I found some se models that had the running boards and 20" Y spoke wheels had a nice stance/look on the road, this was the dynamic pack, and got one with media pack too which has sat nav and CD changer. just keep an eye out for water in the rear lights that are attached to the boot, quite common i believe. bumpers/arches not painted but doesn't bother me as i heard/seen some sport models with bad chips on painted arches. Oh and my road tax is in lower bracket 

[Graeme]

Cars made up to about October 2007 fall into the higher tax bracket - the date of manufacture is on the left side bulkhead looking into the engine bay.  The V5 will give the tax payable, or a phone call to BMW customer services with the Reg No will get the answer.

My 3.0d was made in August 2007 but not registered until April 2008 so it's on an 08 plate and, yes, the tax is the higher figure!

[X5Sport]

[quote="Graeme"]
My 3.0d was made in August 2007 but not registered until April 2008 so it's on an 08 plate and, yes, the tax is the higher figure!
[/quote]

That one was hanging around for a while then, even if you take the 6 weeks delivery time out.

Richard

[Graeme]

Yes, don't know why!  I bought it as a dealer management car in November 2008.  7 seats, adaptive drive, communications and dynamic packs are the main extras. I put a BMW (Wesphalia) tow bar on and its now done 104000 with few faults (touch wood) - other than service items (including1 set of brake discs and pads), a new battery under warranty as the original was the wrong size (too small) and kept discharging weeks after I got it, then 3 months ago a new relay for the radiator fan (also controls air conditioning) and a parking control sensor.  I reset the journey computer at each service and it shows it returns 30mpg overall, which includes about 2000miles towing each year. All in all its a good car, says he tempting fate!  Graeme