Yes i want a E53 :D

[golfmanuk]

Hey all been checking the forum for a while now trying to find out as much info on the X5 as poss before my purchase...... im 27 and decided that im tired of little cars and fancy an X5 only driven a couple and like how they drive as aspose to Range Rovers which are HUGE!

i gone through the buyers guide and decided the one i want is a 2004 2005 3.0D, not silver lol

so watch this space

[Sanj]

Welcome to the forum

Hope you get the car you want and make sure you stick around! Bet you have a list of mods already!

[golfmanuk]

its funny you say that,

first thing i will be doing is tuning it, just trying to get the damos file of me mate so i can write a tune for it
because i want a Diesel they dont have the nice tail pipes sticking out, so that would be the next mod

The some nice entertainment stuff ideally a carputer but ive not managed to play with the ibus yet so will have to learn about that before i start throwing random commands down it lol

so yeah not alot really

[squeaky2]

I've got a 2004 04 for sale . Check out the buy and sell part of the forum.

[JimmySpeed]

[quote=""golfmanuk""]its funny you say that,

first thing i will be doing is tuning it, just trying to get the damos file of me mate so i can write a tune for it
because i want a Diesel they dont have the nice tail pipes sticking out, so that would be the next mod

The some nice entertainment stuff ideally a carputer but ive not managed to play with the ibus yet so will have to learn about that before i start throwing random commands down it lol

so yeah not alot really [/quote]

Keep that list handy, because everytime you are about to purchase a mod, you'll find something that needs fixing and that'll be the priority.

All part of the fun of X5 ownership, you give and you give and you give and it just wants more and more

[golfmanuk]

see them type of things put me of them, work with land rovers every day and they have there own issues im used to the 3.0D ive changed many injectors in them lol also drilled many out as they tend to snap BUT these are only on the range rovers as i havent had the pleasure of fixing a x5 other then to put lpg on lol .....

so please enlighten me to the probs the x5 has as in running costs what tends to go the most often? sensors? discs/pads? i know the early type box is weaker hence why i want to get the 04 and above as it has the 6 speed ZF not the 5 speed GM engine mounts a prob after a tune? turbo issues?

please enlighten me to all your probs ,

[JimmySpeed]

I can't comment on the D as I have a 4.4i, and to be fair, it's maintenance that costs alot, problems in the real sense of the word are not too expensive if you are handy and you sound like you are.

Maintenance at anywhere over 60k can be (depending on your luck)

cooling system problems - water pumps can go, the coolant res tank warps easily, pipes and hoses split often

Suspension maintenance - shimmys are common, caused by upper or lower control arm bushes and balljoints, and even tie rod ends, rear sub frame mounts go making a clunk when you take off, air suspension failures,

Steering issues - clunks and clicks caused by the universal joint in the column under the hood, or maybe just needing a ps fluid change, cv boots rip leading to cv joint damage of not caught early

Electrical issues - alternators and batteries show their age and cause all sort of gremlins in other systems, bm24 and in less cases bm54 radio modules fail but at least with the 24 it's an easy fix, minor gremlins like parking sensors,

Doors and windows - window regulators fail as do door actuators,

I have had about 50% of that list, and DIY,d most of it but the good quality parts ain't cheap for things like suspension and steering.

Alot of people will just live with or even not notice certain issues and so even 'a goodun' may have issues lurking that only become evident after purchase.

But don't let that put you off, esp if you are used to RRs, they are no worse tbh. And an 04/5 should be more reliable than a pre facelift.

I love my 01, even with what I've spent so far to get it to where I'm happy with it's condition (plus a few mods too) its still a damn good car and excellent value for money, how can you beat the feeling of rolling in a 4x4 that handles better than most cars?

[golfmanuk]

well least that reassuring all pretty much same as a landie,

[X5Sport]

The ZF 6sp transmission is still problematic on cars that use it, and not just on BMW fitments either. Torque converter and clutch pack failures are the most common, and can occur at any mileage. Typical rebuild costs are of the order of £2,300 +- £300. It's not unknown to get no warning signs of a failure at all.

Mirror units can be an issue, but are fixable - several here have done it.

Satnav displays can suddenly go washed out - again fixable with care, and has been done here. Usually just crud on a ribbon connector.

MkIV nav drive lasers are another known issue, but again are fixable if you have good electronics skills and follow the 'How to' guides on the web.

Turbo failures have been reported, but how common they are I don't know. If the engine is warmed up and cooled down properly then premature bearing failure due to 'cooked' oil should be prevented. No shutting down the engine with a red hot turbo!

Changing the engine breather unit is essential - especially if it's an early foam type design (used well into 2005) - as a blocked breather can cause serious damage if not picked up on. £40 in bits and a couple of hours to fix - and yeah we've had a few do it here too Having done it, I would say it's a 'do it anyway' job. Not expensive and will save a fortune.

What you won't find are the 4x4 issues that LR and RR seem to have. I used to run a fleet of 20+ Disco's and they used to eat transfer boxes at an incredible rate. Some every few thousand miles, and sounded like a whining Mini Metro! Even had a couple of flywheels shatter too - now that does some real damage!!

The BMW Dealers are (in my experience) much nicer to deal with than RR dealers.

But like any luxury car, you are buying an expensive car to run, and to buy spares for. If you are DIY minded then that will save a small fortune.

[golfmanuk]

Thanks for the extensive replies all, i know that all cars have there problems and when you get an expensive car then you will expensive problems lol im still going to get one as i think it what im looking for at this moment in time and a RR is rather to large!

will keep you all posted to what happens etc

[golfmanuk]

dam the 2nd x5 ive wanted to go look at has been sold,

[dirtymonkey29]

Just make sure you get a good un before you spend time and money tuning it.... Also you'll appreciate the difference when you do tune it up

[golfmanuk]

yeah, really dont mind what spec i get as long as its got leather and black lol

wouldnt mind comfort seats but will see what happens over the next few weeks fingers crossed also trying to stay for the 2005 model a little hard to find in my price range but im sure i will lol

[x555]

Welcome along and good luck with the hunt for the x

[Sanj]

I know not black but may be worth considering?

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