Good morning all!

[Silverback mike]

Hello folks. New on here but pretty well known on pistonheads. I'm about to buy an e53 as I've always fancied one. I'm currently doing the man maths to justify a V8 what with running costs etc....

I shall throw myself into the buyers guide!!

[gavp84]

Hi and welcome,

I have a 4.6is which I love couldn't be happier with it.

Go for it

[AW8]

Read my buyers guide in E53 general section.

Good cars but dont expect a lack of wallet use in ownership to keep it good.

Pre facelift cars have plastic timing chain guides that fail around 150k. Facelift cars can have valley pan coolant pipe &/or valve stem seal issues. Cars with twin axle adjustable suspension can be problematic. Maybe avoid pan roof unless itnhas been properly repaired as that can cost huge amounts to fix.

Lots of rubbish around now so be careful

[Silverback mike]

Thanks for the welcome chaps. I'll be potentially looking for a 4.4 2005 model I think...

[X5Sport]

Hello and to the Forum 

[lezmtaylor]

Get one with lpg, or have it fitted, will increase your mpg to 30-35 .(lpg is approx  58-60p per litre  allow for 10% decrease in efficiency, you do the maths.)

I have had one fitted for 10 years, well pleased

Lez

[ianst0028]

ill second the LPG idea
my 3.0 is on it and honestly i wouldnt be able to run it if it didnt have it
good luck in your hunt ..... but tread carefully if it's not been serviced or looked after it'll get expensive very quickly

[graemeX5]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Yes the buyers guide is very helpful, and could save you from some of the pitfalls, the facelift cars in auto have the 6 speed auto, which I think is more robust that the earlier pre facelift 5 speed, and when checking the car make sure all the electrics work as they can be costly to fix.

Some prefer the diesel as they are doing more mileage other like the petrol cars especially the V8. Best to look for a car with good history of maintenance whether service history or more likely receipts for work done or parts replaced, as well maintained car is good, but a bad one can be expensive to fix.

Graeme