Hello from Newcastle

calvin1169 · Post by **calvin1169** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:22 pm

Hi boys n gals, came accross this place while i was doing some research into X5s. Quick bit of info about me, im Calvin, 25 years of age and live in Whitley Bay in Newcastle. Basically im in two minds about getting a E53 3.0d so thought you lot could give me some advice, maybe talk me round.

Im currently driving a 320Cd Sport on a 53 plate, had this for nearly 3 years, its a great car but i think its time for a change. My car before this was a twin turbo Toyota supra, loved these since i was a small lad and was great to own one.

Since i have a work van to travel to and from work i dont need to worry about filling up all the time and spending a small fortune. The toss up is between going back to jap performance or trying something new and getting an X5. From doing a bit reading online and having a look at the buying guide on here im a bit worried about the gearboxes and possibly the turbos and how quite a few have failed. I know many will probably be fine but it would be just my luck i get a bad one. My price range would be between 7k - 8k and i would quite fancy a 51/52 maybe 53 plate 3.0d Sport. Call me cheap but i dont really want to pay Â£400+ on the tax, which is why i would go for the older model. I appreciate the X5 and the Supra are two totally diferent cars, the X5 would be a good all rounder which wouldnt try to kill me in the winter, and the supra will be a good fun summer car and wouldnt get much winter use.

Think thats enough rambling on for now, but i would really appreciate people pros, cons, experiences, views, costs etc etc with the spec i would be after.

Cheers all

Calvin

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:16 pm

You could always get a V8, if you are not commuting then you dont need to worry about the fuel. Plenty of threads about the pros and cons on here. I work on diesels and I hate the bl**dy things

phill · Post by **phill** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:16 pm

I am from the other side of the Jap market, owning the Mitsubishi GTO TT, nice car, Swapped that for the X5. The X5 will never put the same smile on your face as you put your foot down and both turbos scream into life, though it is funny to see some Corsa with extra wings and spoilers have its arse wiped with a school bus, I bought the 4.6is and have had some problems but nothing to bad. The problem with forum sites is people only tell you about problems and are seeking advice, which is what they are for, if everybody every day wrote how good their X5 drove today these forums would be massive. The way I look at it is there are a lot of X5's on the road, 2001 to present, so they can't be that bad, but if things do go wrong they aren't always cheap, (there seem to be more cheaper after market spares as time goes on).

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IanP · Post by **IanP** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:17 pm

[quote=""phill""] The problem with forum sites is people only tell you about problems and are seeking advice, which is what they are for, if everybody every day wrote how good their X5 drove today these forums would be massive.

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Did 150 miles today and it didnt break

But it appears to have yet another oil leak

phill · Post by **phill** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:20 pm

[quote=""IanP""][quote=""phill""] The problem with forum sites is people only tell you about problems and are seeking advice, which is what they are for, if everybody every day wrote how good their X5 drove today these forums would be massive.

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Did 150 miles today and it didnt break

But it appears to have yet another oil leak

[/quote]

I drove mine for a mile and a half to work parked it 8 hours, later drove it home the mile and a half, everything ok

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phill · Post by **phill** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:22 pm

The tax is not a problem until march 2006 or after mine is a 2003 4.6is V8 and is about Â£245 a year.

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AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:26 pm

Hi Calvin,

If not doing many miles or bothered re fuel costs I would consider a petrol model.

Plenty out there to enable you to get a feel for various engine sizes & maybe even try a manual if not going for a V8. Go drive a few, ( good & bad), & then have a think about it. You will have a far better understanding of these cars & generally be far more up to speed than by merely reading my buyers faq ramblings & other contributions.

Personally I think theere is sense in sourcing an acceptable 3.0i petrol manual model if it avoids sleepless nights,(re either box & turbo failures). That said plenty of used X5's out there that have had proper repair/replacement work on turbo's & aut boxes so maybe keep an open mind......especially if the numbers are right.

Don't be tempted to buy the cheapest car you can find for year as your wallet may regret it later.

You state you would go for the older model. The Â£400 plus tax cost only affects facelift cars registred after 3/06 the physical facelift cam before this & thus there are facelift & prefacelift cars paying the lower amount. The very earliest prefacelift cars pay even less as rates based on Cc not emissions. if excat dsates not in the buyers guide/faq then look on DVLA or parkers sites for specific info or tax disc rates relative to engine(s) &/or year registered.

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