Greetings from East Sussex

[matash]

Hi guys, I've been lurking around this site on and off for a little while now and thought it was about time I registered and introduced myself.
I'm currently on my 3rd X5, they've all been manual diesel's and this time I've got a facelift which apart from a fuelling issue it's a lovely motor, I've got to say this is a great site.......I used a certain landrover forum a few years back and it was exactly the opposit !!

Matt

[X5Sport]

to the Forum.

Three manual X5s eh?  They can't have been easy to find given the almost manic aversion a number of dealers have to selling them.

Have you ever needed to change clutches in any of them?  My dealer told me I would need 'one a year' when I ordered mine.  That and the £10k deposit forced me down the auto route.

Richard

[matash]

True there's not many around but worth looking for in my opinion, I've never had a clutch problem to be honest, I sold my previous X5 to a friend with 68k on it and it is now up to just over 120k and still on its original clutch, likewise my current one I believe is still original at 90k so I think maybe a little scare mongering going on there!!

[AW8]

Hi and welcome.

I had been considering that if my 4.4i ever gets replaced by another X5 of same shape then manual 3.0d might be the way to go.

I would be interested to see what your average best and worst mpg according to the computer readout (which I accept isn't always accurate) .  Also wondering on real world difference in mpg and performance  between pre and post facelift models with manual boxes.

Finding well maintained E53's with right colours and spec for correct money can be tough going so I am sure with the search restricted to manuals it's a tougher mission to source. Some  chose manuals when new to save money or squeeze under a purchase price cap for company cars thus a few have cloth or absent of comms pack albeit these can be sourced later from salvage for those concerned.

Mpg and repair cost aside..  My V8 auto lovely to drive, effortless and still with enough box control most of the time. That said manual boxes provides ultimate control for the driver when wishing to focus on the task in hand.

Some regard 1st gear a bit short......thoughts ?

Good colour choice btw

[matash]

When I get my fuelling/boost issue sorted I will enable to get some figures, I can't imagine the mpg will differ between the two models too much but I'm expecting the performance to be noticeable, especially with the six speed box, I've yet to have an x5 with comms pack but did want leather and as low mileage as my budget would allow, regarding 1st gear I don't think it's too low personally especially when you think about the weight your trying to get rolling but that's just my opinion, as soon as the issue with mine is sorted I'm planning to get her remapped......it's part of the reason I went for a facelift this time, the gains are bigger it would seem. 

[535dboy]

Welcome

Whereabouts (roughly ) are you in East Sussex

[matash]

Hi, I'm in Crowborough

[535dboy]

Not a million miles from me then, folks live there still and I still own a house there.

[pvr]

Welcome aboard, I was also tempted by the manual when I ordered my E53 at the time but was told they would never take it back as a part ex, which sort of worried me.

You are indeed not a million miles from me either, which is a bit of a worry as 535dboy is way too close to me for comfort  )

[535dboy]

[quote="pvr"]
Welcome aboard, I was also tempted by the manual when I ordered my E53 at the time but was told they would never take it back as a part ex, which sort of worried me.

You are indeed not a million miles from me either, which is a bit of a worry as 535dboy is way too close to me for comfort  )
[/quote]

You live on the council estate in Crawley though!!!

[matash]

I've only been here a year, I used to live and still work 6 miles down the road in Blackham.

[pvr]

[quote="535dboy"]
[quote="pvr"]
Welcome aboard, I was also tempted by the manual when I ordered my E53 at the time but was told they would never take it back as a part ex, which sort of worried me.

You are indeed not a million miles from me either, which is a bit of a worry as 535dboy is way too close to me for comfort  )
[/quote]

You live on the council estate in Crawley though!!!
[/quote]

One step up from the gipsy camp where you are living though 

[535dboy]

[quote="matash"]
I've only been here a year, I used to live and still work 6 miles down the road in Blackham.
[/quote]

Where the hell is that!?!?

[matash]

)yep that's what most people say, it's exactly halfway between Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead about a mile off the A264, the middle of nowhere,

[535dboy]

[quote="matash"]
)yep that's what most people say, it's exactly halfway between Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead about a mile off the A264, the middle of nowhere,
[/quote]

So I was probably about there today, came back down edenbridge road today