New buyer E53.

[shadrack]

just to put my thought in, be VERY careful with the x5 purchase as any money you have between selling the 335d and buying the x5 could soon be spent if you buy a lemon!

[dubwud]

[quote="Greydog"]
It should have a Digital receiver be aware that they need regular re-tuning particularly if you live in a weak or average signal area. I like all the toys to work but this is one that after the first flush of ownership I can say I haven't used.
[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. I’m the same, I like everything to work on a car. I tried to rescan when I was viewing the car yesterday but it still didn’t work. I’m hoping that if I take the car on a bit of a drive I can rescan in a new area and with any luck it’ll work. He said he’s had it working in the past. If not, I might just see if I can knock the price of a new module off the car.

[AW8]

Could be costly to fix/sort. Will need proper diagnosis from someone clued up. Unfortunately and allegedly some dealers and indy specialists can sometimes scratch heads & not sort such issues quickly and cost effectively.

If seller regards it a non issue ask him to simply get it fixed prior to sale

[dubwud]

[quote="shadrack"]
just to put my thought in, be VERY careful with the x5 purchase as any money you have between selling the 335d and buying the x5 could soon be spent if you buy a lemon!
[/quote]

I’ve worked out that the X5 running costs (fuel, servicing, tyres etc) will be similar to my 335d. I just hope the X5 doesn’t let me down, like you say - but the same can be said about any car I guess.

[quote="AW8"]
Could be costly to fix/sort. Will need proper diagnosis from someone clued up. Unfortunately and allegedly some dealers and indy specialists can sometimes scratch heads & not sort such issues quickly and cost effectively.

If seller regards it a non issue ask him to simply get it fixed prior to sale
[/quote]

I went to see the car again this afternoon and we managed to get the TV working. I rescanned all and BBC news came up. I didn’t check any other channels, but I think it was just poor reception which was causing the issue. Thanks for the advice.

[X5Sport]

[quote="dubwud"]
I forgot to mention, the car is a 2005 model. So am I right in thinking it should have the digital receiver?
[/quote]

See your other thread.  Depends upon build week/year.

[dubwud]

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="dubwud"]
I forgot to mention, the car is a 2005 model. So am I right in thinking it should have the digital receiver?
[/quote]

See your other thread.  Depends upon build week/year.
[/quote]

Yep. Thanks for the reply mate.

[dubwud]

So, I picked up my E53 X5 last night. 3.0d sport, black with black leather and graphite trim. It has the communications pack with navigation, TV, assist and Bluetooth, along with the standard sport spec, 19” wheels, electric seats with memory, xenons etc. The car has a few minor issues, the wheels could do with a refurb, there’s the odd mark here and there, the passenger side door speaker doesn’t work and the headlights have gone a little opaque. But overall I’m really pleased with it.

Thanks all for your help and advice. Progress thread to follow

[brewer]

Sounds great!  I have had an E53 3.0D Sport since 2008.  Car is Dec 2005, so was 2.5 years old when I picked it up and still under warranty.  I had some great fixes covered by BMW including a new amp (speaker problem!), new steering wheel facia, complete reupholster of the drivers seat (bolster worn), even new front spoiler grills (previous were cracked).

The car is now approaching 10 years old and 7.5 years under my ownership.  Had 28,000 miles when purchased and now has 134,000.  No major bills (touch wood) other than the usual of bushes, an injector, a starter motor, an exhaust manifold, and the usual wear and tear / consumables.  I get dead on 30 mpg weekly (always have) and the current diesel prices of ~£1.06 help (close to 600 miles on a tank).

I still love it to this day.  I often consider my future vehicle, and get tempted thinking E70 40D, F15 40D, RR Sport.  Then I think for such an outlay, what value-add do I REALLY get?  I already have sat nav, tv, heated seats front and rear, auxiliary heating with remote, folding mirrors, adaptive xenons, rear screens with PS3 and DVD.  Sure, a new car would update and refresh much of that, but would mean shelling out between £20-£40k.  No problem, I have the cash, but I can make much better use of that money, especially given this car now basically owes me next to nothing and still drives beautifully and everything works.

It's comfortable, fits my family and lifestyle (2 adults, 2 kids), has sufficient toys, can zip me around nicely on my commutes to the office and airport and equally carry the family to St Ives with all our luggage in tow, does a sterling job in the mud and snow that English winters throw at us (much more capable than many might realise) and bring our (15 foot) Xmas tree home on the roof (an annual fun run)!

I even still love how it looks - call me nostalgic (!!) - but the retro "2000" looks and E39 tech still give me a warm fuzzy feeling (or maybe that's the heated seats)!  )  Plus, I still adore my colour combo of Estoril Blue with Cream nappa leather!

Sorry to ramble!  Below a few pics of my "baby" (taken on a phone, so quality is low).

Incidentally, I should say this forum has been absolutely invaluable during my ownership experience.  I did make one meet back in 2008/2009 and know a few folks personally.  Keep up the super work mods and members!

ENJOY dubwud!
Brewer

[dubwud]

[quote="brewer"]
Sounds great!  I have had an E53 3.0D Sport since 2008.  Car is Dec 2005, so was 2.5 years old when I picked it up and still under warranty.  I had some great fixes covered by BMW including a new amp (speaker problem!), new steering wheel facia, complete reupholster of the drivers seat (bolster worn), even new front spoiler grills (previous were cracked).

The car is now approaching 10 years old and 7.5 years under my ownership.  Had 28,000 miles when purchased and now has 134,000.  No major bills (touch wood) other than the usual of bushes, an injector, a starter motor, an exhaust manifold, and the usual wear and tear / consumables.  I get dead on 30 mpg weekly (always have) and the current diesel prices of ~£1.06 help (close to 600 miles on a tank).

I still love it to this day.  I often consider my future vehicle, and get tempted thinking E70 40D, F15 40D, RR Sport.  Then I think for such an outlay, what value-add do I REALLY get?  I already have sat nav, tv, heated seats front and rear, auxiliary heating with remote, folding mirrors, adaptive xenons, rear screens with PS3 and DVD.  Sure, a new car would update and refresh much of that, but would mean shelling out between £20-£40k.  No problem, I have the cash, but I can make much better use of that money, especially given this car now basically owes me next to nothing and still drives beautifully and everything works.

it's comfortable, fits my family and lifestyle (2 adults, 2 kids), has sufficient toys, can zip me around nicely on my commutes to the office and airport and equally carry the family to St Ives with all our luggage in tow, does a sterling job in the mud and snow that English winters throw at us (much more capable than many might realise) and bring our (15 foot) Xmas tree home on the roof (an annual fun run)!

I even still love how it looks - call me nostalgic (!!) - but the retro "2000" looks and E39 tech still give me a warm fuzzy feeling (or maybe that's the heated seats)!  )  Plus, I still adore my colour combo of Estoril Blue with Cream nappa leather!

Sorry to ramble!  Below a few pics of my "baby" (taken on a phone, so quality is low).

Incidentally, I should say this forum has been absolutely invaluable during my ownership experience.  I did make one meet back in 2008/2009 and know a few folks personally.  Keep up the super work mods and members!

ENJOY dubwud!
Brewer[/quote]

Thanks. I’m a big fan of Estorial blue. So far I’ve done a few short runs in mine and it has been fantastic. The engine is surprisingly enthusiastic for such a big and heavy car.

I understand this question has probably been asked a hundred times, are your headrest TVs standard? The only desirable options I didn’t get were rear TVs and heated seats. I’m not too fussed about heated seats and I rarely used them in my old 335d however TVs would come in handy with the little one.

[brewer]

Seats mounted in the headrest are not standard-  Aftermarket only.  Mine were in when I purchased, but it's a pretty easy and cheap retrofit.  I think there are several examples on here via a search.

You can either buy the headrests with screens already integrated (eBay) and wire it up - that way you keep your originals or purchase screens separately and get them fitted.

Brewer
PS: Heated seats require a whole new set of seats and switches - not necessarily expensive (via breakers.ebay), but requires swap out of the existing seats.

[Sanj]

Nice to have you back Brewer 

Dubwud: Rear screens can be retro-fitted for a snip, don't make that your show stopper when buying the right spec'd car. Oh and TV is rubbish if you want to entertain the little ones, you'll have to have a caddy on the PS2 or DVD to be seamless an not lose reception. There is a thread on this.

[brewer]

Cheers Sanj.  Another meet one day would be good for nostalgia!  I think it's been 6+ years now!

PS: dubwud has now purchased his E53 ( see above)!

[dubwud]

[quote="brewer"]
Seats mounted in the headrest are not standard-  Aftermarket only.  Mine were in when I purchased, but it's a pretty easy and cheap retrofit.  I think there are several examples on here via a search.

You can either buy the headrests with screens already integrated (eBay) and wire it up - that way you keep your originals or purchase screens separately and get them fitted.

Brewer
PS: Heated seats require a whole new set of seats and switches - not necessarily expensive (via breakers.ebay), but requires swap out of the existing seats.
[/quote]

I’ve seen so many with rear TVs I assumed it was an optional extra. I have a button for TV and an AUX (I think) in on the rear centre console which I thought was also for the rear entertainment. Thanks for your advice.


[quote="Sanj"]
Dubwud: Rear screens can be retro-fitted for a snip, don't make that your show stopper when buying the right spec'd car. Oh and TV is rubbish if you want to entertain the little ones, you'll have to have a caddy on the PS2 or DVD to be seamless an not lose reception. There is a thread on this.
[/quote]

I’ve looked at a few kits but I’ll read the thread before I commit. I think a DVD player would be the best idea.


[quote="brewer"]
PS: dubwud has now purchased his E53 ( see above)!
[/quote]

Yep. I’ve been meaning to get some pictures of it for the thread.

[dubwud]

[quote="dubwud"]
Yep. I’ve been meaning to get some pictures of it for the thread.
[/quote]

Link to X5 thread:
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12511.msg126798.html#msg126798

Thanks again for all the comments / advice.

[chelsea]

[quote="iff26"]
to get top end equipment, forget fuel economy lol or most of the diesels, six gear gearbox is not too bad and yes definitely gearbox oil and filter needs to be changed! Some say pref before 90000 miles! My local BMW main dealer couldn't get me fully synt oil so offered semi,told them p off and got exact coded oil from land rover dealer
You can buy my shortly,upgrading for E70 model 
[/quote]
The gearbox oil can be brought for as little as £30 for 7 litres if you don't mind a non name brand.....just make sure it meets or exceeds the bmw specification and is api listed standard.....there is loads of bumf around about how important it is to use dexron/zf etc etc tranny oil for the box, don't necessarily get sucked in by this as all oil is now made to a certain standard for application and it has to at least meet the specification/application.