Engine code question

[dazmul1]

Hi I have been looking for my first X5 and have read loads of posts on this site (cheers), I have seen a nice 58 plate msport with full history, car looks really clean its on 111000 miles and has been serviced every 10000 miles, I thought the engine changed from M57 to N57 prefix in 2010 but according to the engine code it is N57, the plate number is EJ58RUC can anybody shed some light on this or if the previous owner is on here can he give any info on the car.

[neil50]

Hi I have been looking for my first X5 and have read loads of posts on this site (cheers), I have seen a nice 58 plate msport with full history, car looks really clean its on 111000 miles and has been serviced every 10000 miles, I thought the engine changed from M57 to N57 prefix in 2010 but according to the engine code it is N57, the plate number is EJ58RUC can anybody shed some light on this or if the previous owner is on here can he give any info on the car.

Hi Daz, if you put the vin number into a decoder it will give you all the options for your car (if you have access to it of course).

I have just looked at wiki (I know not the best source of inf0)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BMW_engines

The car is currently sorn with MOT expiring 14 May

[StuBeeDoo]

A check on the DVLA website shows that reg. as being manufactured in 2008. So I would say that it's an M57.

[X5Sport]

It should be an M57N2. The N57 series came with the LCI in 2010 (very late 2009 build).

[dazmul1]

Thanks guys, I asked the dealer to email me the VIN code and have used this to get the correct info, it is the M57 engine and looking at the options it looks a good spec model, I'm going to wait until next week when we can hopefully visit car showrooms and get a test drive.

[Leslie]

Could be one of the big tax models near 600 a year mine is 2009 and 325 for the year quite a difference something to beware off and explain why its on a sorn at the minute!

[marti]

Could be one of the big tax models near 600 a year mine is 2009 and 325 for the year quite a difference something to beware off and explain why its on a sorn at the minute!

Its a a dealer so wont be taxed.

[Leslie]

True Marti but dealers don't need to sorn either, checked now the reg is available and looks like 330 quid a year so not the big scary tax lol

[dazmul1]

So I missed out on that one I was looking at as I insisted on a test drive before buying and the dealer has sold it via internet, I had another in mind and was wanting opinion on a slight issue I had at the time, it's a 2009 X5 35dse reg number HV09AXN vin number L291216, its done 116000 miles with a fully stamped book but when I was doing checks I seen it was advertised a year ago for almost £12000 and now its up for £7999.

I'm wondering what has made the bloke who bought it last year move it on so quick and at such a loss, the garage its in now took it from a bmw main dealer as the dealer doesnt do "old stuff"

Any thoughts?

[marti]

So I missed out on that one I was looking at as I insisted on a test drive before buying and the dealer has sold it via internet, I had another in mind and was wanting opinion on a slight issue I had at the time, it's a 2009 X5 35dse reg number HV09AXN vin number L291216, its done 116000 miles with a fully stamped book but when I was doing checks I seen it was advertised a year ago for almost £12000 and now its up for £7999.

I'm wondering what has made the bloke who bought it last year move it on so quick and at such a loss, the garage its in now took it from a bmw main dealer as the dealer doesnt do "old stuff"

Any thoughts?

It can be 101 reasons......some are repossession, chap liked the model and moved up to newer one or it had/ has issues, chap didnt like it.....but if your buying from a dealer you get by law 3 month warranty.....one car I purchased yrs ago the person only had it for 4 mths because unfortunately he'd passed away....the list goes on and on....

[StuBeeDoo]

As I understand it, dealers don't like cars on their pitch that don't fall into BMWs Approved Used criteria. They send them straight to auction.

[dazmul1]

As I understand it, dealers don't like cars on their pitch that don't fall into BMWs Approved Used criteria. They send them straight to auction.

This garage is less than a mile from the main dealer and seems to have a few bmw 1-3 and 5 series of the same age and value which would back up the car being sourced as a dealer part ex that was deemed too good to auction, all between £5000 and £11000.
I’m going back this week to drive it, I’ve heard it start up and it was from cold and it sounded good, no rattles and sat nice at tickover, I’m probably being ultra cautious after reading a lot of horror stories, he’s offered a 3 month warranty free but I’d be buying another warranty as well.

[X5Sport]

One thing you really should check is the tyres. Not just for all being the same type, but (ideally) carrying a ‘*’ mark on the sidewall and tread depth within 1.5mm of each other. This is really important on cars fitted with staggered wheel sets - standard on the twin turbo 35d.

If you haven’t picked this up from the forum, or elsewhere, using the wrong tyres can and has damaged transmissions. As part of your test, drive the car very slowly on full lock. Any sign of jerkiness and walk away as that is a common sign of differential damage. It does happen with the right tyres, but far more rarely (one so far on the forum). Similarly if there are grinding or whining sounds from the transmission then leave it and find another.

Check that these e-handbrake works properly too. The servo drive unit fails and is stupid money to replace (getting in for £1k) unless you have the tools to strip and repair it.

[Leslie]

It's simple was never worth 12k a year ago with those miles and an se not an Msport lol 2009 is getting pretty old now and slightly out of fashion as the face-lift becomes more affordable. The 35d and sd are same older engine design and pretty bombproof if serviced.

[dazmul1]

Thanks guys I’m going to drive it tomorrow I’ll want at least 30 minutes and to drive it up to around 70 mph and make sure gearbox changes up and down smoothly, also I’ll want to drive it slowly to check on the diff issues, any other tips?