XSeries-forum

I've fellow X5 drivers, I've not been on the board for some time now since selling my previous 2, X5's around 4 years ago and replacing it with a 535d. However with a growing family I needed to start looking for a 7 seater replacement. Having loved the 535d performance and ride it didn't take long to narrow my search down to another X5. I've owned loads of BMW's and can never be tempted else where. I was after an LCI E70 and it would seem the LCI models although more expensive seem to hold their value and also come with the newer engine and transmission. I recently sold my Individual M3 as it rarely got used, I adored the colour combination (Avus blue on Lotus White Nappa) and got many positive comments about it, so as part of my search I knew the colour combo I was looking for.




So the spec I was after included:

• M Sport Model with 40d engine
  Deep Sea Blue and Oyster Leather
  <50k miles
  LCI model
  7 Seats
  Media pack

All other options would be desirable other than the panoramic sun roof, I had one of these in my last X5, although great for letting more light in, they a very prone to giving up the ghost as mine did and it hit the resale price hard, so I didn't want to go through that again.

Anyway most of the cars for sale seem to be either black or white with black or oyster leather, not many in the colour combination I wanted and even less with 7 seats and the 40d engine.

I found a few, one from trade with partial history and another private which all stacked up and the one I purchased.





So the spec includes

• 40d msport in sea blue and oyster + 7 seats
  44k miles
  media pack with comms
  20" alloys
  heated seats front and rear
  top view camera
  folding mirrors
  aluminium rails
  rear tints
  rear net divider
  light pack
  15 speaker hi-fi system
  5 year service pack

I've had the car 2 weeks now and my initial feedback is the engine is great, the x5 is no where as quick as the 535d, but that will be down to the 4wd and weight of the car. The gearbox is great, I'm loving the light pack the illuminated handles make it easier to access the car and shows the puddles you may be able to miss when getting back in the car and the remote lights on help find the car in the carpark! The 7 seats work well. I have 3 boys, the 2 older ones 6 & 4 fit in the back nicely and there is still enough space in the boot to fit the multi purpose buggy for the 1 year old.

The car's due to go in for an oil service in the next week or so. I have the service pack which will cover this however I wanted to know if any of you have been able to get the filters replaced under this plan at the same time?

I've also read there was a recall for prop shaft inspection, is this correct? Should this be covered, the X5 is no longer under warranty.

Lastly I recall reading some time back BMW had released a new firmware version for the E70 to address security via ODBC. The fix was to disable the odbc when the car was alarmed. I'm not sure this have been carried out on the car previously, is this something you have had done and was it completed FoC under a service or will the dealer try and collar me for a £££.  I'll be going to BMW Cooper Croydon if that helps. The X5 has a FBMWSH.

Is there anything else I should know about in terms on recalls or known issues with these X5s?

I will detail the car once the weather get better and hopefully put a mirror shine on the body work, the wheels are all refurbed, diamond cut about a month ago so are now in good condition. 

Anyway I'll try and become a regular on the board, I always found this forum a good resource of knowledge.

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The Service Pack sets out what can/can't be done.  The oil filter will be changed but you will most likely get charged for anything over what the pack says to change.  In my experience if the pack says no at that point, then you won't get it.  Sweet talk the service drone.....

Prop shaft inspection is a recall (check for backlash in the UJs), as was the 'security update' so both should be free regardless of warranty state.  The Dealer should get the done/not done from the BMW database.  My MY2011 X6 was covered by both and I did get a new propshaft.  Car now has <22k miles.

Have a look at VOSA website to check if you are affected by any others, but again the Dealer should get it from the VIN.  I have not had any others apart from those two.