XSeries-forum

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and am looking for advise on common E70 issues past 80,000 miles.

The plan is to import a LHD from Europe.  Yes, I know it's odd but I just can't get used to RHD's despite living in the UK for over 20 years.  Also the 3.5i version I'm after was never sold in the UK.

My top choice so far is a 2011 with just over 80k on the clock but it had a brand new engine installed which has now done around 10,000km.  The engine has another 2 years worldwide warranty but the sale is private so potentially quite risky for me.

What are the main issues I should look out with so much milage on the other components? 

Thanks!

Do you not find it hard to overtake cars ?
When I drove trucks years ago I used to do a few trips around Europe and found that difficult at times, especially emerging from junctions where you could struggle to see, but being higher than the cars was an advantage.
But being stuck behind a truck in a car on an A road is so frustrating when you can't see oncoming traffic is pretty dangerous, even with a passenger .
Have you passed the UK driving test ?

No, never had an issue driving LHD in the UK except early on when you get to a roundabout but now it just feels normal to me and I'm more likely to get confused when I drive in Europe.  I have rented a few RHD's before when my car was at the garage and did enjoy the better view but the wheels got scuffed pretty badly  :-[ and using most controls with your left hand is just weird (for me). Yes, I have a full UK license as well.

Anyway, I don't want this to be a LHD vs RHD discussion although it did make me think again.  But regardless I would still like some input as to what issues I should look out for in an X5 with over 80k.

need a deep wallet 

Based on what has been seen on the Forum before....

Electrical (common to pretty much anything these days!) issues so check everything.
Water ingress in rear light clusters
Differentials - especially with cars being run on staggered setup wheels and non-'*' marked tyres.
Prop shafts - we've had a few broken ones now and there was a period in 2009-11 where they needed checking.
Security updates all done
Pre-LCI versions may not stream music on Bluetooth.
Sunroof failure - less common than on the E53
Corroding rims with diamond cut types.
Seat bolster cracking

Engine wise as there are very few petrol E70's other than the V8 it's hard to know, you might get more info off forums with the 5-series using that engine/gearbox and see what they report.

You know the 35i is the same 3.0 engine but with an extra turbo and not a bigger engine?  As it wasn't a U.K. Import and LHD you may struggle with spares, service and support - though it shouldn't be difficult really given the lump was used in other cars.

Hi

I think the biggest initial cost is importing the car, as I'm sure there will be import duty to be paid.

So say the car is 15,000 euros the duty (the same price as a U car) then duty would be about £2800 on top of shipping if you need it.

Also if and when you come to sell the car here the market of buyers would be less and so the residual value of your car would be less, let alone the additional financial loss of paying import duty which you wouldn't recover from a buyer.

In terms of practicality you said you are happy with the LHD, but if the car wasn't sold here and there is a problem especially with the engine as you said that engines wasn't sold here then the

    a) parts will have to be imported, BMW probably won't stock the parts
    b) remember with brexit looming the cost of the parts will become higher,
    c) there will be a delay in getting parts if not readily available
    d) also there may be less garages inclined to work on the car in view of this.

The question I would ask myself is:- if the car was off the road for two weeks waiting for parts to fix it can you continue with your life or do you rely on the car everyday, and if everyday then I would go for a car made here to avoid unnecessary probs, if you don't need the car daily then it's your choice.

I have put a couple of links below which should help.

The government link with info about importing is here
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-i ... k/overview

And the duty calculator is here
https://www.shipmycar.co.uk/2011/01/how ... ill-i-pay/

Good luck with the process whatever you decide
Graeme

Thanks guys, some really solid advise here and definitely loads to think about especially re Brexit and engine parts.

My list of things to check so far was... Injectors/Spark Plugs (Recall), Fuel Pump (Recall), Front Drive Shaft (Recall), VANOS, Timing Chain, Vacuum Hoses, Water Pump (common issue after 60k apparently).

With regards to Import VAT and Duty it was my understanding that as long as VAT was paid within the EU at some point no VAT should be due and since the car was built and sold in the EU a standard import duty of £50 is applied.  Is this not correct?  I tried to verify all this with HMRC over the phone but they were very vague and would not give any specific numbers so all info is from third parties.

"Are you importing a car to the UK which was built in the EU, e.g. a Porsche, Bentley, MG, Jaguar, Lotus, Lamborghini, etc?If so you will not have to pay the usual import duty, just £50 and then the usual 20% VAT on top."

HMRC are not known for being 'helpful' however DfT or DVSA might know more.

The E70 is built in the US but given BMW is an EU based company there should be no issue there.

Car insurance may be more expensive given it's a non-UK model, but again that can get got around as some insurers play nicely in that arena too.

I am assuming that a vehicle holding an EU issued type approval certificate won't need a separate UK type test cert other than an MOT?  E70s from the US go through EU emissions & customs approvals on arrival at Bremerhaven before heading over here.

Thanks for all the info.  Surprisingly, 2nd hand E70's are a lot cheaper in the UK than on the continent which doesn't make any sense to me but I am now seriously considering just getting a RHD which would make my life a lot easier.  Just a matter of getting used to it I suppose and at least I wouldn't have to get out the car every time I drive into a car park to get a ticket!