Post Facelift E53: A Better Buy?

as400 · Post by **as400** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:36 pm

Umming about a possible purchase.....I prefer the subtle styling changes to be found on the facelift model, but are they more reliable from a mechanical/electrical point of view or were the only changes cosmetic?

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:56 pm

Certainly not cosmetic.

The facelift has a 6 speed gearbox instead of the 5 speed one. If you go for a diesel, it also has the higher power from the engine.

Electrically, I am only aware of the more fragile hedgehog of the pre-facelift.

as400 · Post by **as400** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:12 pm

Thanks pvr.....was looking to take advantage of the high fuel prices and bag a V8 on the cheap, there are a few post facelift 1 owner and full BMWSH ones on Autotrader at just under Â£10K....its a big old lump but are you aware of anything in particular to look out for on this particular model?....I'm guessing/hoping that with a full BMWSH it should be sorted?

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:35 pm

Have a look at the buyers guide here - got a lot of good info:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25

Dan1502 · Post by **Dan1502** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:35 pm

Just be very careful about what you buy if you get one without the BMW warranty. I've had mine about a month now and reckon it's needed not far off Â£4,000 of work already (thankfully all covered by warranty) and mine's a very low mileage, one owner, full BMW service history car. I'm told the main problem I had is very rare and I doubt I could really have noticed it before buying but just be very careful and if feasible, get one with a warranty.

gobiman · Post by **gobiman** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:37 pm

Good idea. A couple of years ago I traded my 2004 3.0d (48k) for an absolutely immaculate 2004 4.8iS (27K) at a BMW dealer. The sticker price was Â£18k and I ended up paying less than Â£2k to change with the benefit of a full BMW AUC warranty. That car had cost over Â£70k new. I've been delighted.
In my view, everyone gets obsessed with mpg and forgets about depreciation which in most cases is the biggest cost of car ownership. I've also found the 4.8iS quite efficient and my like-for-like mpg is around 20 versus 26 for the diesel so not too bad. It is worth checking on the difference in like-for-like second hand prices and doing the maths to see what mileage you need to do at the higher mpg to close the gap - it can often be surprisingly high.
As you say, there are also a number of single owner, well specced and well-looked after V8s with no turbo to blow. In theory, with plenty of power, they should do high miles with no major problem. However do check history carefully - I personally wouldn't touch one without full BMWSH.

StumpyPete · Post by **StumpyPete** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:49 pm

I had both a pre and post facelift E53, and I felt that the facelifted ones were a lot better screwed together. Fewer rattles, and never had anything break on it.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:00 pm

26 mpg on the diesel, that is low ... I just got back from a trip to NL at 90 mph through France etc, and still got 37 mpg.

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:08 pm

I think most of the points have been made. I looked for the facelift diesel as id had the 184bhp in a 330d and felt it would lack a bit of power. I think the later 6 speed zf autos were stronger too.

Pvr....is yours remapped? Ive never managed 37mpg. Most was about 35. Did average 29.9 on a drive back from benidorm with the cruise set at about 99mph though

gobiman · Post by **gobiman** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:41 pm

On the 26 mpg, I used it to drive 5 miles to the City every day - all stop/start with a cold engine which was just getting warm as I finished. That was combined with blasts down the motorway at, er , quite high speed.

petert · Post by **petert** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:14 pm

On the gearbox front remember that the 3.0i facelift had the 5 speed box at least to start with.

Peter T

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:25 pm

Some reports of issues with valvetronic levers on faceilft cars. This more reported in markets where folk have to endure cooler temps.

Also there is potential for cooling pipe seal issues & expensive labour repair.

Panoramic sunroofs on facelift cars can have problems and can be expensive to fix.

Mindful I have perefacelift & keen not to be seen to rubbish the later facelift cars.

Facelift V8's are more fuel efficient, have more HP & 6 speed boxes plus a fresher look albeit I prefer smaller grill nostrils on the prefacelift cars. Some reports of transmission lurch on the 6 speeed box but it allows lower engine revs in & when cruising in 6th.

I was considering adding more facelift info to buyers guide albeit I need to research a little more before adding same.

Anyway some discussion re levers below

clicky 1

clicky 2

No first hand experience of owning a facelift myself & keen not to be seen as rubbishing the newer V8's so I will perhaps leave others with 1st hand experience to comment further. Also consider diesel owners very much in the majority in the UK as the 3.0d is a popular choice for many due to fuel costs.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:06 am

[quote=""squeaky2""]I think most of the points have been made. I looked for the facelift diesel as id had the 184bhp in a 330d and felt it would lack a bit of power. I think the later 6 speed zf autos were stronger too.

Pvr....is yours remapped? Ive never managed 37mpg. Most was about 35. Did average 29.9 on a drive back from benidorm with the cruise set at about 99mph though

[/quote]

Not remapped (yet), just straight out of the box.

StumpyPete · Post by **StumpyPete** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:10 am

[quote=""petert""]On the gearbox front remember that the 3.0i facelift had the 5 speed box at least to start with.

Peter T[/quote]

assuming you mean the auto box, as the facelifted manuals were all six speeders.

petert · Post by **petert** » Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:31 pm

Yes - I did mean that - thanks

Peter T

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