Hi, Trials and tribulations of being a new E53 Owner!!!

[X5marc]

Hi All,

Having used this site a great deal in my first month of ownership, I thought the least I could do was join and pass on my thanks and my experiences.

I became the proud owner of a 2004 (54) X5 3.0i Sport just over a month ago after a lengthly search. I really wanted a 4.4 V8 but just couldn't find the right one, they were either too higher mileage or the wrong colour or spec, so I bought this one, low mileage, Sterling Grey, black leather, silver trim, comms pack/ nav etc.

Which brings me to my first buying tip, If you're a petrol head like me, then the only 2 E53 models of interest are the 3.0i and the 4.4i Sports. Having driven quite a few examples of both, Do you know what, there really isn't a massive difference between the 2, despite the pretty big difference on paper. If anything I find the 3.0i more "sporty" than the 4.4i mainly due to the gearbox being more reactive. The 4.4i does sound epic in comparison though!! So my advise would be, make your decision based on condition, service history, spec etc rather than engine size. I have just come from a E39 540i and I'm never left wanting with my 3.0i.

So, I get my new baby home and I'm pretty pleased. I bought it with the service reminder up and used it as a bargaining tool. Booked her in for an Inspection 2 and found that I needed replacement pads all round and a front N/S CV joint......Bugger!

Well at least my truck is all sorted now.......wrong!!! 2 days later my nav screen went green and blurry....WTF!! Here comes my first delve into this amazing site, Massive thank to ITBarbie who tipped me off to the possibility that the ribbon cables from the screen to the main circuit board can loose a bit of connection. I googled this and came up with a blow by blow set of instructions on how to take the nav unit apart, it was very simple, I cleaned the connections with a pencil eraser, popped it back together and hey presto, fixed nav screen, took me about 15 mins in total.
So tip #2 If your nav screen goes a horrible green colour, dont panic, its a really easy fix.

Ok, I'm happy now except for 1 nagging problem that I didn't notice at first. You know when you think you can hear a noise but your not quite sure and then you can hear it all the time and then you start questioning your sanity!!!! But as the days went by I was convinced that there was a strange noise, I could only hear it as I was slowing down from, say, 40 to a standstill. The best way to describe it was like the noise a tube train makes as it comes to a stop at a station, not dissimilar to a wheel bearing, but it got quieter as I spend up, so cant be that, again cant be a diff for the same reason, it was definately transmission, either gearbox or transfer box, I'm freaking out now!!!!!
Here comes my biggest thanks, I google the symptons and up comes a post from Acarty, Oh my god, you sir, are a legend!!!!
He described the exact same problem as I had and stated that if you have a staggered wheel set up and are running non BMW recommended tyres the tiny difference in rolling radius between the front and rear axles can cause "wind up" in the box. He changed his tyres and bingo, no nasty noises!
I must admit, I was very skeptical at first, so phoned my local BMW dealership up to discuss the issue with them. The first thing the service manager asks is, what tyres are you running? I had a nasty set of Nexen Rodians that really have no place on an X5! Suddenly Acarty's post is gaining some weight!!  After much deliberation I decide to give it a whirl. The recommended tyre for a 2004 3.0i Sport X5 is the Bridgestone ER30, thats what they came out the factory with, So thats what went on it and slap my thighs and call me Charlie, it drove perfectly, no noise at all, not to mention the transformed grip and steering response.
So tip #3 If you're looking at an X5 and it doesn't have star rated BMW recommended tyres on it, budget to replace them ASAP and again massive thanks to Acarty for his post!!

So I now have a proper sorted X5 and its brilliant, I loved my 540 and didn't think I could ever replace it but I now wouldn't even consider anything else but an X5, they really are that good!!!

Thanks for reading my ramblings and I hope the may be of some use to someone

Cheers
Marc   

[shadrack]

if you are a true petrol head would the 4.6is or 4.8s be of more interest, despite the obvious lack of power compared to my ml

[X5marc]

Oh I see, I pour my heart out on my first posting to thank people and to try and give some useful info and all I get is pulled up for not mentioning the 2 performance X5s, and from a man who drives an X5 wannabe!!!!!

Let the banter begin!!!

Please dont baffle me with facts and figures a to why your ML is better cos I know nothing about the ML apart from old people drive them!!!!!

[shadrack]

[quote="X5marc"]
Oh I see, I pour my heart out on my first posting to thank people and to try and give some useful info and all I get is pulled up for not mentioning the 2 performance X5s, and from a man who drives an X5 wannabe!!!!!

Let the banter begin!!!

Please dont baffle me with facts and figures a to why your ML is better cos I know nothing about the ML apart from old people drive them!!!!!
[/quote]

i was only pointing out you'd missed the two fastest versions lol, the ml is no wannabe i agree'd with your opinion till i drove it, no other figures needed other than 510bhp

Your post is good info also theres loads of people on here that will help with all kinds of issues, i had a 3.0i and found it very reliable, its a good proven bmw unit.

welcome to the forum

[X5marc]

I know, I was only entering into a bit of BMW vs Mercedes banter, Your AMG is an animal! A friend of mine runs an ML320 and thats no slouch and a lovely truck to drive, I'd never tell him though!!!!

Thanks for your welcome.

Cheers
Marc

[X5Sport]

Hello and to the madhouse......

Eventually he'll realise the ML is just a G Wagon with posh trim and a big engine......a bit like a Range Rover and Defender......  O:-)

Richard

[shadrack]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Hello and to the madhouse......

Eventually he'll realise the ML is just a G Wagon with posh trim and a big engine......a bit like a Range Rover and Defender......  O:-)

Richard
[/quote]

i'd of rather had a g63 but then thats a 100k defender!  i fell in love with amg g wagons when i was in dubai

[X5Sport]

They are good kit, but the price......

[X5marc]

Thanks Richard,

You know your right, I know your right but this is my first post! I didnt want to start any arguments, well not just yet anyway!!!!!

But a G63, I'm Sorry but I would sell my X5, my dog, my mother and probably a kidney for a G63

I expect it will drive like a Defender but oh my god, they are sooooo cool!

[shadrack]

[quote="X5marc"]
Thanks Richard,

You know your right, I know your right but this is my first post! I didnt want to start any arguments, well not just yet anyway!!!!!

But a G63, I'm Sorry but I would sell my X5, my dog, my mother and probably a kidney for a G63

I expect it will drive like a Defender but oh my god, they are sooooo cool!
[/quote]

:ok

just the other week my brother took delivery of his 64 plate defender xs with everything as theyve stopped production, and jesus it still drives like his k reg 250k miles one!  how he drives it is beyond me, still the steering wheels comfortable

[X5marc]

A-Ha, common ground!!!! I just dont understand the whole Defender thing, sure an old battered 90 with a 6" lift kit, 33" mud terrains and a snorkel looks cool but they are sooo bad to drive.
I work in the motor trade and have also driven a few new Defenders, you can put it in gear, let the clutch out then make a cup of tea and smoke a fag by the time all the ujs have taken up their slack!!!!! and the driving position is just ridiculous!!!

[shadrack]

Nothing wrong with the driving position if your 5'6 slim and only have a left arm.

[AW8]

Welcome aboard

Good first post - I actually read it all without skimming.

I have driven a 3.0i and found it fine at legal speeds. A healthy 4.4i for me comes into its own at autobahn speeds and maybe spirited 50-70 overtakes. I considered 3.0i also at one point. A bit lighter up front end too.

And yes the i.s.models are faster than both aforementioned.

Glad you like car (mine is definitely not a truck lol) and forums.

Must dash - things to do.

[briankerrys47]

[quote="X5marc"]
Thanks Richard,

You know your right, I know your right but this is my first post! I didnt want to start any arguments, well not just yet anyway!!!!!

But a G63, I'm Sorry but I would sell my X5, my dog, my mother and probably a kidney for a G63

I expect it will drive like a Defender but oh my god, they are sooooo cool!
[/quote]Could not resist  . 'Sell the DOG' Substitute mother in-law/wife much better  O:-),enjoy the car but 4.4 is nice just need deeper pockets  )

[X5marc]

Hi AW8
Thanks for your comments.

Regarding the 3.0 v 4.4 issue. I think your comments are bang on. I only experienced the two during test drives but that was the impression that the 4.4 would never run out of puff and it was certainly the case with my 540. That would pull just as hard at a 100mph plus as it would at 30!!!

We are driving over to Les Arcs in January, so it will be interesting to see if mine get a bit breathless on the French motorways!

Cheers
Marc