XSeries-forum

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum and have been thinking about getting an e53 model x5 as there are a lot kicking around cheap right now. Just wonder what the pit falls are with them, I do a fair bit of mileage a week so diesel would be best. It which one is the most reliable. What they like on other running cost i.e. Insurance, tax and parts do they drive well, and what about snow as we get a lot of snow in Scotland. Any help would be more then appreciated 

Hello and

Spend a couple of hours reading the forum and the Buyers guide.

As the youngest of these cars are now approaching 12-years old things will begin to fail, and some of those parts are very expensive - the X5 is a premium model and comes with those kind of costs.

There is nothing you would not expect to find on a car of that age, or older.  A good one is now harder to find so take your time.  When you find one you will love it.  A bad one will break the bank!

The biggest common items are auto gearboxes @ £1,600+ to repair (don't even think about new!).  Transmissions can be very sensitive to tyre choice and wear depth differences front/rear.  This can (but doesn't always) result in diff failure.  V8s need checking for timing chain guide noise.  Any rattle in that area needs replacement or a major engine rebuild will follow.

The 30d is the most economical returning low 30s on motorways and mid/upper 20s elsewhere.  Decent tyres are around £600 a set.  Servicing is cheaper via an independent.  You can DIY, especially if supported by a Forum like this one.  Tax after early 2006 is £500, cheaper if registered before March of that year.  I think it was Band K.

You can run winter wheel sets to make the handling even better in snow, and they do drive very well on any set.

Those of us who have had E53s liked them (even with niggles) and would have another.  Many of us have gone on to have later versions and we like them too.  Get as newer model as you can afford would be my advice.

Going in with your eyes open is the best way.

That's great information thanks

Definitely worth getting yourself informed!  This forum's very good for that.

My research confirmed what I already knew from having had 3series in both Auto and Manual - For me, I really didnt want another bmw auto!  Manual X5's are hard to find, but drive beautifully - I'm really happy to have found a nice one, and it's eliminated one of the big concerns for me. 

Take your time to find the right one, there are some rough sheds out there, but the gems are there also, if not necessarily bargains!  (Mine was private purchase from the original owner, so I'm only the second, a 3.0d manual with just 83k and FSH on a 53 plate - had already been mapped, HIDs, SatNav, dimming side mirrors etc, new tyres, and every bit of paper from new.  I paid £4.2k, but I reckon that was well spent!)

One reason for the manuals being rare is that Dealers were afraid they could not sell them if a buyer pulled out.  I specifically wanted a manual and my Dealer said that was fine as long as I paid a £10k deposit!  The normal deposit was £500-1,000.