XSeries-forum

Hi all, have three questions regarding my E53 which I hope you can help with:

1) I need to replace the front and rear wipers,  I'm not fussed about retrofitting anything, I like the look of the bulky original wipers so happy with a direct replacement. Is there a type of wiper which you would all recommend? Euro Car Parts do the 'Bosch Super Plus Universal Wiper Blades', are these good enough ?

2) I got my mechanic (local BMW indy) to take a look at the suspension, as I was hearing a creaking sound every time I went over a speed bump and it turns out that the front wheel bearings and front bushes need replacing as they are cracked. I'm in the process of buying a new house at the moment, so I'm strapped for cash. Can I get some cheapo parts from eBay and get my mobile mechanic (who is very cheap) to fit them? Is any specialist equipment needed? I know that these parts won't last too long but they'll keep me ticking over until I've got enough cash to put some proper parts in.

3) I've noticed on start up in the mornings, that the E53 lets out a fair bit of white smoke, however, it goes after a few minutes once the car is warm. Is that normal? I've also noticed that when I do start the car, I can smell alot of diesel in the cabin, is that normal?

Thanks in advance.

1)  I use Valeo from ECP

2)  Sorry but I'll pass on this and let others make the obvious comment.

3)  sounds like you have lost either the glowplugs and/or glowplugs controller so you will get smoke until the engine is idling properly.  It will be worse in cold weather.

I agree about the glow plugs etc but when i was getting diesel fumes inside the cabin it was a cracked manifold. If so best to replace it with a cast iron one. You can find them on ebay and you can search on here for a forum post about it
Smee

I found the old school type Bosch wipers never lasted plus would skip a little intermittently. Drove me up the wall, the previous owner was a chimp and tried to fix it by bending the end of the arm which made it worse. Had to buy a new one (well new to me!) from eBay.

Bought the Bosch Aero type from Amazon, AR24U and AR22U are the direct replacements, seems great so far.

Great, thanks for the replies guys, will look into the wipers.

Regarding the glow plugs, is it a DIY jobby or one for the mechanic? Is there a recommendation for which glow plugs to use and preferably a guide on how to do it?

Ive used the Bosch Aerotwin too and found them to be very good.

As I recall there is a section in the How To on doing glow plugs. whether it is a DIY job or a mechanics job really depends on your own level of competency and comfort in tackling such a job. Have a look at the how to and then decide for yourself. I don't recall there being specific glow plug brand recommendations on here previously, but others can advise. Given the time and effort to get to the stage of replacing them I would say don't go cheap.

Smee

[quote="Smeeagain"]
Ive used the Bosch Aerotwin too and found them to be very good.

As I recall there is a section in the How To on doing glow plugs. whether it is a DIY job or a mechanics job really depends on your own level of competency and comfort in tackling such a job. Have a look at the how to and then decide for yourself. I don't recall there being specific glow plug brand recommendations on here previously, but others can advise. Given the time and effort to get to the stage of replacing them I would say don't go cheap.

Smee
[/quote]

ok, thanks for the advice Smee. Do you have any idea regarding question 2 about the bearings?

Also do you have a recommendation for the rear wiper? I'm just about to purchase the AR22U and AR24U Bosch Aerotwins for the front, can I just get the AR18U for the rear?

[quote="X5Sport"]


2)  Sorry but I'll pass on this and let others make the obvious comment.


[/quote]

Ok.....I will take this one.

In answer to question 2. I suggest you ask your mobile mechanic.

To elaborate on this......Many mechanics won't fit used or poor quality parts. Some take this stance as they like to profit from sourcing themselves,some hate fitting cheap or used parts because they dont want issues fitting or after work done.

For the rear wiper look for the e70 wiper in eBay. Slightly shorter Blade but looks tons better 181455413209

The OP said he prefers the original style. And doesnt want to change anything.  I like the look of the E70 version and have it on my own car but I detest the shorter sweep of the blade.

[quote="Smeeagain"]
The OP said he prefers the original style. And doesnt want to change anything.  I like the look of the E70 version and have it on my own car but I detest the shorter sweep of the blade.
[/quote]

Yeah I agree ref the slightly shorter length... 1-2 inches makes all the difference or so I been told

So I ended up buying these ridiculously cheap wipers off eBay after a few people recommended them on this forum and another BMW one I'm signed up to - 2 x front and 1 x rear for £10.45 delivered!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... 8&_sacat=0

They went on fairly easy, took a few minutes. They don't make any noise (screeching/scraping etc), they clean both windscreens very well, no smears etc and they look decent.

Time will tell how long they last but for a tenner delivered, I can't complain at all. 

[quote="Smeeagain"]
I agree about the glow plugs etc but when i was getting diesel fumes inside the cabin it was a cracked manifold. If so best to replace it with a cast iron one. You can find them on ebay and you can search on here for a forum post about it
Smee
[/quote]

Hi Smee,

How and where do I check the manifold for a crack? My X5 is letting out a hell of a lot of white smoke upon start up, every start up now and you can smell diesel in the cabin, even when the car is warm and you've driven it for a while. The white smoke only appears on start up an goes after 5/10 seconds.

Just want to make sure if it's a cracked manifold or not before I start ordering glow plugs.

Thanks

A cracked manifold is likely to show smoke under the bonnet.  White smoke is very common in cold weather as it takes a few more turns to get all cylinders fully firing and burning everything.  The E53 diesels only met EU3 so smoke controls were less stringent than today's EU6 vehicles.

I saw that London will be adding a daily £10 'T' (toxic) charge to all 2005 and earlier cars including petrol & diesel that don't meet EU4 standards, from 23rd October 2017 - and that is on top of the current Confestion Charge.

[quote="X5Sport"]
A cracked manifold is likely to show smoke under the bonnet.  White smoke is very common in cold weather as it takes a few more turns to get all cylinders fully firing and burning everything.  The E53 diesels only met EU3 so smoke controls were less stringent than today's EU6 vehicles.

I saw that London will be adding a daily £10 'T' (toxic) charge to all 2005 and earlier cars including petrol & diesel that don't meet EU4 standards, from 23rd October 2017 - and that is on top of the current Confestion Charge.
[/quote]

Cheers pal, I'll open the bonnet before I start the car in the morning and check if any smoke comes out there. What about the diesel/fume smell I'm getting in the cabin.. Could that be glow plugs?