X5 Virgin in need of help!

[marcoos_1]

Hi to everyone on here. I'm based in Ayrshire, just outside Glasgow and seriously considering an X5 purchase after some disastrous and expensive Range Rover ownership....

Looking to find out more about these cars from you owners and hopefully benefit from your experience before I take the plunge.

Regards,

Mark.

[Colin]

Hi Mark and welcome to XDrivers  ,  i have some friends who regret RR ownership ,  BUT i own a 2005 E53 30d
full service history is the key , anyway    what year  model and engine have you in mind .. Colin ..

[graemeX5]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

As Colin's said what year are you considering buying ? If an E53 approx 1999-2006,  or the E70 approx 2007 to 2013, or posseven the latest F15 approx 2013 on, or Petrol or Diesel versions, it really depends on your needs and preferences.

I would suggest reading the buyers guide in the relevant section as they all have their individual things to check, which some cars can be costly if you buy one that has not been maintained.

On the E53 cars some have had probs with gearboxes and the earlier prefaclift cars up to 2003 most had a 5 speed auto which is consider to be not as strong as the later 6speed unit, but some member have had probs with both.  Again there can be issues with such things  panaramic sunroof can fail and is costly to replace, water ingress in rear footwells etc.

With the later E70 cars there are some early diesels have higher emissions so higher road tax. Some are having probs with Dpf filters but that could be how it's driven. Rear light units can have water ingress, or the parking brake button not working about £700 form BMW and so on. Again maintenance is key with the cars.

The latest F15 is probably a bit newer and less issues have been mentioned.

There always seem to be a lot of people looking to buy them as we head into winter and the prices go up. Cars  from BMW dealers will be the newer E70 or F15 models and generally they have the better spec'd cars with bmw service history, but they usually ask more for them but have a better warranty. Other non franchise dealers also have good cars some with a good spec, but prices are a bit lower, and then private is likely to be lower and some ad can be good cars, but no warranty. But with all cars you will need to do checks to make sure no real issues.

Re warranties, Some people bought their X5 E53 from BMW with a warranty and it has more than paid for itself, where as others have a warranty and not used them, it's worth considering given the cost or parts and repairs,  but the choice is yours.

However, whichever car or model you go for there were a lot of them produced, and take your time, as a good car is great, and a bad one is very costly to repair.

Graeme

[marcoos_1]

Thanks guys for the welcome and the advice.  I'm definitely in E53/E70 territory, not the newer one.  At the moment I am somewhat all over the place with regards to budget and which one to go for.  Having 2 RR's in bits at the moment I want something reliable.  My heart would love a V8 petrol, my wallet would like that with an LPG kit (one of my best ever cars was a RR P38 4.6l with LPG....never missed a beat a cheap to run), and my head says buy a diesel.  I like the idea of a big petrol engine with no turbos and other emissions things to go wrong like so many of the diesels (my wifes TDV8 RR has eaten one of it's own EGR valves...despite a full LR service history etc).  I was discounting the 3.0i as I was thinking if I'm going petrol then you might as well go big (but maybe that's a mistake and it's a good car?)Whatever it is I am wanting a good spec'd car.

I was looking at a 4.8IS with LPG on ebay....122,000miles though, but not a dear car at £4k with LPG kit already fitted on an 04 plate. I like the later interior of the E70 as it's a bit more modern....so been looking at them also.  Lot's with high miles now too....

Hence the reason I'm keen to see owners views on here.  You are so right about "a good one is great" and a bad one being a nightmare.  Doing my homework on here is essential.

I will start by reading those buyers guides you mentioned.  Cheers.

[lezmtaylor]

My 2002 4.4 had lpg fitted when I bought her in 2006, (I used to have a transport co. and we ran Ford Transits with the lpg conversion).
Get equiv of 35 mpg so well pleased.
Lez

[marcoos_1]

Well,  that's it.  I'm in.....got myself an X5 last night.  Saw it on the net and drove up north of Dundee and did the deal. It's a silver 4.8is with Prins LPG kit, 2 owners from new and a full service history (last one Indy). It's got a good spec (heated seats, remote pre-heater, panoramic roof etc), 76k miles and I picked it up for £5.5k, which I thought was pretty good.  The thing is immaculate...not a dent or scratch anywhere (apart from a tiny bumper corner scuff which I'm getting painted today).  It even had a new set of Michelins on.

To say it drove well on the way down the road is an understatement.  Much more sure footed than any of my Range Rovers and it sounded awesome. I sat at 75mph on the cruise control all the way and it was only just over 2000rpm. Hardly even used much LPG.  It will be interesting to see what it does to a tank.

Now...time to start searching the forum for some options on Sat nav/bluetooth etc. It all works OK but looks a bit dated (I got my phone paired but it didn't really seem to work that well....maybe just need to try again). Can't wait to start enjoying the car.

[Colin]

Well done congratulations  you didn't hang about  and seem to have got a good one  , the remote heater is my fav toy  i use it every day ,  service history- LPG - 4.8- low miles -2 owner  enjoy and keep us updated

[marcoos_1]

Cheers Colin, will do. The internet is a dangerous thing....been browsing around the forum and other places....ordered a set of LED bulbs for the front lights - I wasn't too keen on the yellowish look.  I'm amazed how good the car looks for a 2004.  It came with a private plate too and it makes it really difficult to tell the age.  Nice white front lights will help that look.

Was looking at some of the aftermarket head units/sat nav units and reviews.  They look good, but that seems to be about it.  I've got a few weird pixel lines on mine, so I'll do a bit of digging on that.