Considering buying a x5

[Willmartin89]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum, and maybe soon to be x5 owner. At the moment I'm looking to purchase 04-05 3.0d 80-100k x5. I'm just after some advise from current owners, of things like running cost ( I will do about 5-7k a year) potential problems that I may encounter, things to look out for whilst test driving. Also I would to know how real the gearbox problems are. Any info would be appreciated thanks.

[paddy wright]

Ho and welcome- there's a good buyers guide for the e53 in the e53 section. Can't advise you personally as I have never had an e53. Hope u find a good one. 

[X5Sport]

In answer to your questions, as above you will find a lot of info in the 'Buyer's Guide'.

As to the gearbox, well in truth there are a significant number of both 5 & 6-speed auto boxes that have failed.  There are also a more significant number that haven't.  It is also fair to say that although it is a 'known issue' - though denied by BMW - it does not just affect BMW and not just these particular boxes.

There is obviously an increasing risk with age that you might suffer a failure.  Replacement costs are prohibitive (BMW will only offer you a remanufactured unit) but rebuild costs are what you would expect on a £60k car, around £2k.

Do your research very carefully as there are other 'known', to owners at least, issues with the electrics and with the panoramic sunroof.  The engine is almost bombproof and as long as the breather is changed, the turbo should be OK.

Manual E53's are rare.  V8 engines have their own issues - still as rare as those on the 3.0i/D, but it does tend to be the transmission that pops up more frequently so any test drive should be long enough to get the car properly warmed up and all functions tested.

It's a great car to own and drive.  I had one for 7 years from new.  It had gremlins - a number of which were exacerbated by incompetent dealer service teams who over rely on their test gear not their brains.  And yes I suffered a gearbox failure, it was premature and I put it down to bad luck - still very annoyed though!!  I loved owning the car though.

Good luck with the search and feel free to ask any questions......the only dumb one is the one you should have asked, but didn't..

Richard

[entropy]

Hi Will,

I've been a owner for 1.5 years of a 2001 4.4 V8 and love the car. Based on your mileage i'd be tempted to go for the petrol options as you are doing low mileage. I'd also be very tempted to save some money and go for 2001-2002 V8's as you can find some nice tidy ones for around 4-5k. I've just been looking at  2006 model for over 14k and it looks the same as mine, same interior as well but its £9k more than I paid and I just dont think its worth it sometimes.

The one we bought was well looked after and never missed a service.

Only thing i'd advise is be prepared for fairly big repair bills when things go wrong. Our 1st year required Rear subframe bushes, ball joint and a new door carrier which was around £800 if I remember correctly. This week I get to pay out for new drive shafts at £450..

Good luck

[macca]

i have to stick my nose in here and say i bought a 2005 3.0d sport 3.5 years ago with 63,000 on it, an original one owner car, it now has 180,000 km on it and it runs exactly as it did when i first purchased it

i do a 100km round trip to work every day, some motorway some crawl and i average 8 liters per 100

I've swapped out the struts and lowered the car and done a bunch of little things, but overall its been a pleasure to own

the only mechanical things to go have been outer driveshaft boots and the dreaded drivers door handle carrier,

i did the carrier myself and paid to have the boots done.

while my experience may not be representative, i have to say ive been very happy with my choice

[shadrack]

if your worried about gearboxes and do 7k max a year, the v8s have issues and diesels have turbos, go buy a 3.0i manual and convert the rear to springs and boom 90% of issues ruled out!

[briankerrys47]

[quote="Willmartin89"]
Hi all, I'm new to the forum, and maybe soon to be x5 owner. At the moment I'm looking to purchase 04-05 3.0d 80-100k x5. I'm just after some advise from current owners, of things like running cost ( I will do about 5-7k a year) potential problems that I may encounter, things to look out for whilst test driving. Also I would to know how real the gearbox problems are. Any info would be appreciated thanks.
[/quote]Had 10/2002 3.0i 66000 on clock till 100,00 no major probs if your budget is say £6000 then you should be looking at a £5000 purchase bank the other £1000 and sit back find a good Indy garage! The £1000 won't go far on repairs though ;)Best
of luck

[Smeeagain]

Hi

I bought pretty much the same car that you are considering. I purchased in 2010 an E53 3.0D auto X5 with £74k miles on the clock.

The car has been, generally speaking, problem free but obviously with a car of that mileage , and in fact it is now 159k there are going to be some issues.

I get the servicing done as and when the indicator lights suggests but I also keep an eye on the oil (I use Castol Magnatec 5W 30 C3 - just watch out for when it is on offer then get some) and tyre pressures, etc.

I had an issue with the battery and replaced that - Bosch Silver S5 is the one to get in my opinion - bear in mind that in 2010 the battery was 6 years old so at the end of its predicted life anyway. IF you are only doing 5-7k miles then I'm guessing that is lots of short trips - will knock the hell out of the battery particularly in the winter as it takes a lot to kick these beasts into life. Make sure it gets a decent run to fully recharge the battery (at least 20 mins) - although you can charge it on the driveway (but may invalidate your insurance if you leave it running and someone nicks it so beware). I also believe it is illegal to leave an unattended running car on the roadside while you are in the house.

Consider investing in a CTEK battery conditioner. Brilliant and essential for maintaining long battery life.
The pads and discs needed replaced all round when I got the car and I had worn rears due to previously bad wheel alignment. I now get the alignment checked twice or so per year - my local garage does not charge to check so if it doesn't need adjusted then no cost. If front or rears need adjusting is about £25 for either end (you need someone who has the kit to do four wheel drive).

The 2004 era had a dodgy starter motor (draws too much power which doesn't help an ailing battery), so I changed the starter too. Couple of hundred from local indy.

Door carrier failed - fixed myself. Not super-easy but not difficult either. Follow the how to's on the site.

Every third service changes the airfilter etc _ if you are not sure of the service history then go for the full 'every 3rd service routine'. At the same time change the oil breather to the newer vortex type (which helps with turbo issues). Once changed the vortex doesn't need replaced every 3rd service. Its only a small amount of additional labour when the airfilter is being changed to do the oil breather too.

Gearbox - I haven't had any issues. I think previous posts indicated jason at chiptune (west london) can do it for around £1500 or so (although that may be an out of date price).
Bear in mind you will always hear horror stories but how many people rush to fill forums with how good there car is and don't report the lack of problems. So the bad stories will always stand out. And the gearbox is used on other vehicles as its a proprietary one (ZF is one of them if I recall correctly), so it isnt just an X5 problem.

Turbo - no issues.

Some have reported a steering wobble under breaking around 60mph. Various folk have reported sifferent resolutions to this - I have had the car four years and never got to the bottom of this issue however it has improved dramatically since changing all four tyres to a set of Vredestein Sessantas for the summer (19 inch) and a 17 inch set (on spare wheels) Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme for the winter. (wheels were £200 the set on ebay purchase din summer when they don't go for as much money!)
CV boots and front wheel bearings (which had been an MOT advisory) needed replaced around 100k.

I have had four consecutive MOT passes (touch wood!).

Some had had issues with the mirror not folding in - there is how to - essentially a faulty microswitch.

There can be an issue with the rear screen wiper not clearing properly - the arm blocks up with crud and prevents the blade pressing against the screen properly - I clean it up with some WD40 about 3 times per year (2 min job while cleaning the car) and all is fine.

Bosch aero are the best wipers blade - in my opinion.

Aircon - run it all the time , even if only for a short period, and even in the winter , to keep the seals lubricated. Expensive bill otherwise.

A car of 2004/2005 vintage may need re-gassed (circa £50). Mine is 8 years old and its absolutely fine in terms of cooling on a hot day.

Fuel consumption - I get around 38mpg - I do a lot of motorway driving and have a light right foot. Aroudn town the consumption is pretty poor even driving conservatively. Think about that if you are only doing 5-7k miles.


All the above are searchable on this forum to find out how others have dealt with the issues - look in the how to section also.

Obviously check all the standard stuff when going for a test drive HPI Vin numbers etc etc. Take a long time to check everything (including all electrical switches properly). If you are going to take a long time to do a thorough check then let the seller know - often folk turn up and they are going again in less that 15 mins so if you want longer tell them to be sure they haven't made other plans and hadn't expected you to take so long.

Ask for all receipts that they have. Look at the receipts, what was it for? When was it done both in terms of date and the mileage on the car. I believe you can call BMW and they call tell you the service history if it was done by them.

Look at the MOT's - any gaps when it may have been off the road? Are there any advisory points. Was the work done? IF they say something was replaced recently - look at the aprt - is it heavily worn (indicating that it had not been done recently)

Most of the above issues are wear and tear related rather than design fault. The question you have to ask yourself is , would another 4x4 of a similar vintage and different manufacturer be any better or worse. You are not going to punish the vehicle so you should be fine assuming all is when you purchase it.
Hope that helps?

Smee

[X5 ALN]

My local indy recommended the 3.0i manual for minimal faults too.  If you go auto, get a facelift.  More power and a 6 speed box instead of 5.

I bought an auto  which is for sale, but not in your budget
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1031110488

Things i've attended to

Replaced 4 Front suspension arms & ball joints (Only 1 arm actually required)
Replaced 4 Rear suspension arms and ball joints (Only 1 ball joint actually required)
Repaired Webasto heater
Replaced a slow retracting seat belt
Replaced a parking sensor
Replaced the steering wheel trim to get rid of the 100,000 mile look

I've fixed more than I've needed to through perks of cost price aftermarket parts and a free mechanic.  It's been a brilliant reliable car to own, but now going back to a hot hatch.  All the above things I would look at if I were you, with high mileage suspension is going to need addressed.  Also make sure the crankcase breather has been replaced, minimise the risk of turbo failure.

[petert]

Just a point to be aware of: there was a short period when the 3.0i facelift had the 5 speed auto box not the 6 speed.  I know: I had one.  Never had any problems with the g-box though...
Peter T