Newbie X5 40d Owner- what to look out for when collecting the car...

[Mefster]

Hi all.  Firstly thanks for providing a great resource.  I've been lurking on the forum for a few weeks whilst deciding on our next car.

Finally decided on a 2011 X5 40d M Sport.  I've found the car and now am just awaiting collection.

Due to our distance from the car I've taken the plunge and bought it without actually seeing it in person yet.  It's from a respected dealership and I've been assured it's been accurately represented in the advertisement.

Having not owned an X5 before I'd be grateful to use your collective experience and get any tips in what to look out for: and common faults or problems which I should check before I accept the car.

Looking forward to getting the car. It's replacing a Range Rover TDV8 which was a real anticlimax.  The 40d engine sounds like a great combination of power and economy and mated to the 8 speed gearbox and a more dynamic chassis should be a much less boat-like driving experience!

[Barney]

Not so sure about economy mate, mine barely gets over 21mpg around town, having said that I floor it a lot, they are obscene for a 4x4   

[Mefster]

[quote="Barney"]
Not so sure about economy mate, mine barely gets over 21mpg around town, having said that I floor it a lot, they are obscene for a 4x4 
[/quote]

Compared to previous cars (Range Rover TDV8 and Cayenne Turbo) that's economy for us!

[Wakey]

Dont commit to a car you haven't see or driven.  I nearly did this and I'm so glad i didn't.

I drove an absolute pig of a 40d in my search from i can only describe as the worst bmw dealership I've ever come across.  Bmw sunningdale.

I actually went for a 30d as in the real world couldn't really see / justify the extra mildly noticeable performance difference.

If there's no turning back, look for the following as well as the usual complaints.

333m alloys lacker issues.
Avoid sun roofs.  If not open and shut multiple times.
Check you can live with rattles if the car has 3rd row seats.
Always get comfort seats if you can.
Make sure all the tools are in the boot tool kit.
Check body work for damage repairs.

Small niggle.  The sat nav screen scratches easily and cannot be repaired.

Apart from that, for me, a year into ownership I'm still totally smitten by my x5.  Its a great car and drives really well on the smaller 19 inch wheels.  This is a hard one, as its style over comfort.

Either way, test drive, test drive and test drive.  I traveled the country to track one down and they do drive differently dependant on how well they been looked after!

Good luck

[ex540d]

Had my 2010 X5 40d M Sport a month now and it is brilliant !
Things to watch out for:
Corrosion (round the centre caps) of the diamond cut 333m 20" wheels
Rear arches for stone chips
Heavy tyre wear on the inside and outside shoulders of the tyres.

[Mefster]

Thanks for the advice. Although I've paid a deposit it is on the understanding that if the car is not in exactly the condition it has been described I can get my money back and walk away.

the car is 180 miles away but I'm thinking that it's worth trekking over to collect than getting it delivered. I'm guessing it will be easier to thoroughly check the car in the showroom rather than after it has been driven for 3 hours.

I'm planning on drawing up a big check list to go through on inspection.  I'm happy checking bodywork but it's the other common model faults it's useful to find out about.

The tips are really useful.

[squeaky2]

I bought my 35d 3 years ago now.  I found it through the BMW Approved website at Sytner in Cardiff.  I am in London.  I spoke to the the dealer and they emailed me up some photos.  I actually paid in full then took the train down from London to pick it up.

I went through the usual checks when i arrived such as checking all the panels for fit etc, checking the boot floor for creases, different pain job, evidence of a shunt.  The car turned out to be very clean and straight and actually had other bits on it that i wasnt expecting, i.e the leather dash trim that i wasnt aware off.

Drove it home and was extremely happy. I did notice when i got home that the rear bumper wasnt sitting right so took it into BMW parklane and they replaced the bumper under the warranty.

3 years and 30'000miles on ive had no problems other than a rear air spring go that was again replaced under warranty.

Ultimately what im tying to say is that its the same as buying any car where there are a few dogs out there but there are also good cars.  Buying through the BMW approved used still gives you some protection and i think you still have a period of time where you can reject the car no questions ask.

We had test driven a few X'5 so had an idea what to expect.

As has been mentioned check the alloys for corrosion, lots of people have had these replaced under warranty.
Ive got the sunroof and if looked after it works fine
Check the SATNAV has been updated as this is expensive to update through BMW
Rear Arches for stone chips as has been mentioned.  BMW did start fitting protection to this.

Get the dealer to email over the build sheet so you can see the exact spec.

Otherwise take the trip out to pick it up and enjoy it.

Sorry for the ramble 

[X5Sport]

Ask about recalls for the front Propshaft and 'security update'.  Both should have been done, and the latter is important if you have Comfort Access fitted with the former meaning a new propshaft is needed - at BMWs expense.

If 20" wheels are fitted then as above, look for lacquer issues (peeling) and stone chips on the rear doors.  BMW supplied a fix using special film for the rear doors.

If it's an M Sport trim, find one closer to home and test drive it.  The suspension is harder than standard and many don't like it.  The cars could be ordered with the suspension deleted and are apparently a better drive.  Run flat tyres exacerbate the firmness of the ride.

As is always with a BMW, check everything works and remember most Sales people don't actually know much about the options and how they work!

If you can get the last 7 characters of the VIN then you can look up the full build spec and options fitted.

Have fun......

Richard

[Mefster]

Thanks for all the details guys- really useful stuff.

I'd be intrigued to see the build specification of the car but have been looking through the paperwork I have up to now and don't seem to have the VIN.  Is there any way of pulling the VIN off the internet from a registration?  I've tried doing it prom the BMW warranty site with no success...

[X5Sport]

No is the short answer.  The Dealer should tell you though.

[Mefster]

Well, finally collected the car yesterday, followed by a 3 hour drive home to get to grips with it and check for any issues.

First impressions are very positive: car has obviously been well looked after.  Bodywork and interior are in great condition for a 3 year old car.  Unfortunately the 20" M Sport wheels have some flaking lacquer in the centres.  Didn't really feel that there was any further scope for negotiation with the dealer (non-BMW franchise). I know this is a well documented problem, but I'm guessing that after 3 years BMW won't want to hear anything about it despite stories of other warranty replacements.

Was blown away by the handling of the car and the engine.  The ride on 20" wheels, run flats and M Sport suspension is a little skittish over poor road surfaces, but no worse than our Mini Cooper S. Steering is quite light but overall the car feels nimble and 'flickable' on twisty roads. Feels agile and more car like than the Range Rover it replaced.

The engine is incredible for a 3 litre: masses of pulling power and a great exhaust note. Much less agricultural than I was expecting for a diesel.  Seamless gear change as well.  Overall the car feels much closer to our old Cayenne Turbo which was without a doubt the best all-round car we've owned.  Hopefully we'll beat the 15mpg we used to average!

I'm sure the Range Rover would be better at rescuing a winter ram from the middle of a muddy field, but that isn't a common problem for us! For our needs the X5 seems to fit the bill perfectly.  The 315 width rear tyres look purposeful but I'm guessing winter wheels will be the order of the day: although I'll need to choose the size carefully, as most normal tyres will look lost in those rear arches!

[X5Sport]

Glad it's a good 'un 

I have a set of 19" staggered rims shod with Pirelli winter tyres.  They are pretty much a default wheel set but with winter rubber - and yes I know mine is an X6!

Richard

[Mefster]

[quote="X5Sport"]

I have a set of 19" staggered rims shod with Pirelli winter tyres.  They are pretty much a default wheel set but with winter rubber - and yes I know mine is an X6!

Richard

[/quote]

Your car looks great with the staggered 19" winters. When we had the Cayenne I ran 20" wheels in the summer and 19" winters with Pirelli Scorpions in the colder weather. I always thought the slightly deeper profile and more aggressive tread made it look more purposeful.

I'm aiming to avoid spending £2K on wheels by buying new: was intending to look at buying second hand- either with winters fitted already or wheels only so I can source tyres separately.  Although staggered tyres would look by far the best, I'm guessing choice may be limited and I may end up with 9J's and 255 50 19's front and rear.  They'll look a little skinny at the back but should do the job.

Out of interest, are your tyres run flats or standard?

[X5Sport]

RFTs. Same Pirelli's you mentioned.  The standard non-staggered 19" do look lost at the rear as you say, but these are fine and I got them off another X6 new and unused for £500.

Richard