XSeries-forum

Hi all, just joined. We have an Isuzu bighorn (trooper) diesel from 1993. We bought it about twelve years ago for trailer work. It was a second hand car direct from Japan and have to say its cost very little in all those years. I have had Merc cars for years and am not sure if I should replace the old Suzie with a ML or X5. I would be looking for a car around 2006-2008 not too worried if its petrol or diesel manual or auto. The stories I hear about the ML cars have made me think about having a change. I am not in any rush as the old jeep is still running but will need replacing next year. Can any members tell me what I should be looking out for when buying a X5. My son has a small garage/MOT business so I am ok with the running repairs of the car. I asked him today what he thinks to the X5 he said they have never had one through the door for repair or MOT!!
Thanks John.

Welcome.

2006 is the end of the E53 era, and manual ones are very rare.  The E70 which appeared in the UK within a few months of production starting early 2007 is auto only.  If you can afford to, go for the Mk2 (E70) rather than the Mk1 (E53) as the tech in much newer and transmission more reliable.  The original E53 is based on 1999 tech borrowed from LandRover.

On the less positive side.  As with any luxury car the running costs can be very high.  Your son will need to get hold of a copy of the BMW software to do diagnostics.  Generic systems simply won't help decode anything in meaningful ways. V8 petrol models are very thirsty - but then you expect that from 4.4/4.8 powered units.  Diesels are typically in the high 20s to mid 30s fuel wise and for both VED is or can be high depending upon year.  Later ones are better on VED.

If you are towing then you may need to find one with uprated towing capacity to 3.5T.  The default is 2.7T.  The upgrade added additional transmission cooling, uprated suspension at rear and a bigger fan.

E70s are fitted with run flats and all versions are sensitive to incorrect tyre types, to the extent it is possible to shatter diffs and transfer boxes.  More and more members are reporting issues, and though numbers are low, they are high enough to make ears prick up.  The rise in 20"/21" RFT shod cars is harsh.  I don't find it so, but it doesn't appeal to all.

On the positive side the E70 X5 is a fantastic drive.  Comfortable, quick, handles well and looks good.  The tech is much better and the cabin is a nice place to while away the miles.  The SD or 35d badged versions are twin turbo and the V8 is also available with two hairdryers... .  Diesels are all 3.0L IL6 engines regardless of badge numbers.

I suspect many smaller garages never get to see the cars because they need specialists who know their way around complex electronics, computer based cars, hi tech gizmos and less than intuitive ways of doing things.  Getting some parts is tricky if not buying OEM.  Nothing unusual though at that end if the market.

Whatever you go for, take your son with you and a fine tooth comb!  You'll need it to check everything works and does so properly.  The time taken is worth it and there are some really good ones available.

And

Many thanks for the reply,My son has had a couple of 320d cars in this week one 07 plate had a water pump fail and damper disintegrate taking the auxiliary belt with it. The customer told him he drove around ten miles with the warning light on and steaming like a train. Can you believe that??  The other car 58 plate bonnet locks had seized so the bonnet could not be opened. I went over to the workshop to look under the 07 car and was surprised it looked like new underneath. The engine was more refined than my c class 220cdi hence my interest in the x5. Ive not owned a BMW since the seventies as I said I have always been Merc minded. Does the X5 suffer from rust like the ML?

No!  The only corrosion problem that seems to come up regularly is brake pipes where they come out of the rear sills.  Body wise they are pretty good. 

Most of the underneath is covered in shields or black gunk!

The bodies seem to stay in good nick even after 10 or more years.  Our 2095 E46 is very clean, but that will no doubt be helped by keeping it clean above and below (I use a Kärcher chassis cleaning attachment after 'salt season') all the time and I think most owners like to do the same.

along, make sure you take it for a good test drive over differant road surfaces as said above the ride can be harsh apart from that just make sure everything works as it should as repairs can be expensive. Happy shopping