Hi guys, been having a good read of the forum for the last few days and the wealth of info on here - so thank you.
I'm interested in the E53 3.0d as a hobby/interest car. I think they look fantastic and having had a couple of E90 330Ds in the past am familiar ish with the lovely powerful motor.
I have an old Golf as a daily driver. The X5 doesn't need to be perfect (for example, I don't mind if the aircon doesnt work or if the bodywork isn't perfect).
I don't like huge bills (who does?) although accept these aren't cheap cars to run. To that end, and because I think it'd be more interesting to drive, I'm looking at a manual transmission to minimise potential issues.
I've seen these two examples which are very similar in terms of mileage, FSH, age, one (poss both) is a one owner car from new. On paper they look good. MOT history for both is similar with most failures caused by suspension related issues.
Can anyone give any advice on going to look at these - anything in particular to look for? On paper do you think they look reasonable? I've read the buying guide which was helpful.
How is the manual transmission?
Thanks in advance - hope to join you properly soon!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 2nq&page=1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 2nq&page=1
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E53 3.0d manual buying advice
Re: E53 3.0d manual buying advice
Absolutely love my manual X5. None of the auto box worries, they're quicker than the auto too if that interests you (not that any of them are exactly fast!) and more economical. It's a nice gearbox to use too.
Mine's been remapped which is great, I get an average weekly commute of around 33mpg (stop start the usual) but can comfortably be in the forties on a run even loaded. Towing down to Cornwall and back, I average about 26mpg.
Top tips: Check for star rated tyres all round, especially if its one with staggered front/rear wheels, quite usual. If it hasn't got them, factor in getting them - it's worth it and eliminates of lot of risk to your transmission. Be prepared to spend a little on bushes etc - they're a heavy truck and this will be part of life. (I had a couple of arms /bushes replaced 15k ago, but nothing since). LED headlamp bulbs make a huge difference.
Both of those look of interest. I paid £4200 or so, for an 83k mint example, bought from the original owner who had just retired from owning a garage, it had been beautifully maintained and was worth a premium - no regrets on paying that for a good example. Mine's been a proper workhorse - holidays, towing, commuting, moving house, it copes with living on a stud farm and a bumpy country commute effortlessly - I don't think you'll regret it!
Mine's been remapped which is great, I get an average weekly commute of around 33mpg (stop start the usual) but can comfortably be in the forties on a run even loaded. Towing down to Cornwall and back, I average about 26mpg.
Top tips: Check for star rated tyres all round, especially if its one with staggered front/rear wheels, quite usual. If it hasn't got them, factor in getting them - it's worth it and eliminates of lot of risk to your transmission. Be prepared to spend a little on bushes etc - they're a heavy truck and this will be part of life. (I had a couple of arms /bushes replaced 15k ago, but nothing since). LED headlamp bulbs make a huge difference.
Both of those look of interest. I paid £4200 or so, for an 83k mint example, bought from the original owner who had just retired from owning a garage, it had been beautifully maintained and was worth a premium - no regrets on paying that for a good example. Mine's been a proper workhorse - holidays, towing, commuting, moving house, it copes with living on a stud farm and a bumpy country commute effortlessly - I don't think you'll regret it!
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passporte53
- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:15 pm
Re: E53 3.0d manual buying advice
[quote="bascule"]
Top tips: Check for star rated tyres all round, especially if its one with staggered front/rear wheels, quite usual. If it hasn't got them, factor in getting them - it's worth it and eliminates of lot of risk to your transmission. Be prepared to spend a little on bushes etc - they're a heavy truck and this will be part of life. (I had a couple of arms /bushes replaced 15k ago, but nothing since). LED headlamp bulbs make a huge difference.
Both of those look of interest. I paid £4200 or so, for an 83k mint example, bought from the original owner who had just retired from owning a garage, it had been beautifully maintained and was worth a premium - no regrets on paying that for a good example. Mine's been a proper workhorse - holidays, towing, commuting, moving house, it copes with living on a stud farm and a bumpy country commute effortlessly - I don't think you'll regret it!
[/quote]
Thanks for the reply mate!
Agreed that it's not worth skimping for a poorly maintained example.
How long ago did you buy yours? I assume recently - that seems a fair price. What faults have you had with it, if any?
Can you tell me about star rated tyres - I assume that means non-budget ones. I'm guessing the Sport has staggered wheels. The tyres on both of these look like new budget ones from the photos - i think I'd prefer knackered ones so I could buy my own choice.
Cheers
Top tips: Check for star rated tyres all round, especially if its one with staggered front/rear wheels, quite usual. If it hasn't got them, factor in getting them - it's worth it and eliminates of lot of risk to your transmission. Be prepared to spend a little on bushes etc - they're a heavy truck and this will be part of life. (I had a couple of arms /bushes replaced 15k ago, but nothing since). LED headlamp bulbs make a huge difference.
Both of those look of interest. I paid £4200 or so, for an 83k mint example, bought from the original owner who had just retired from owning a garage, it had been beautifully maintained and was worth a premium - no regrets on paying that for a good example. Mine's been a proper workhorse - holidays, towing, commuting, moving house, it copes with living on a stud farm and a bumpy country commute effortlessly - I don't think you'll regret it!
[/quote]
Thanks for the reply mate!
Agreed that it's not worth skimping for a poorly maintained example.
How long ago did you buy yours? I assume recently - that seems a fair price. What faults have you had with it, if any?
Can you tell me about star rated tyres - I assume that means non-budget ones. I'm guessing the Sport has staggered wheels. The tyres on both of these look like new budget ones from the photos - i think I'd prefer knackered ones so I could buy my own choice.
Cheers
Re: E53 3.0d manual buying advice
That was just under a year ago, for an 83k 53 Plate one.
Star rated tyres - you'll see lots of posts on here about them.
Star rating ensures that if there are two different size tyres on front and rear (such as 255/55/19 Front and 285/45/19 rear) , that the effective rolling diameter will be the same. It can vary enormously on non-star rated tyres even from quality brands, but it's vital - if the diameter isn't exactly the same, the front will rotate at a different speed to the rear, and its a great way to knacker a 4 wheel drive system. On most rated tyres it's pretty clear - mine are the Michelin Diamaris and theres a great big star by the word Diamaris.
Faults - none. Not bad for a 14yr old workhorse!
I put it in for an early MOT when I got it, and had advisories on a couple of bushes and a control arm, as well as a small leak from rear diff seals (about £15 each) Got the lot done at that point and an early service. No issues since. Have replaced two front tyres, upgraded bulbs, fitted bluetooth kit, upgraded the satnav firmware and disc etc etc, but the truck is good as gold.
Only current need is to replace rear wiper arm - I put a cheapo ebay one on and its rubbish now, needs a genuine one!
Star rated tyres - you'll see lots of posts on here about them.
Star rating ensures that if there are two different size tyres on front and rear (such as 255/55/19 Front and 285/45/19 rear) , that the effective rolling diameter will be the same. It can vary enormously on non-star rated tyres even from quality brands, but it's vital - if the diameter isn't exactly the same, the front will rotate at a different speed to the rear, and its a great way to knacker a 4 wheel drive system. On most rated tyres it's pretty clear - mine are the Michelin Diamaris and theres a great big star by the word Diamaris.
Faults - none. Not bad for a 14yr old workhorse!
I put it in for an early MOT when I got it, and had advisories on a couple of bushes and a control arm, as well as a small leak from rear diff seals (about £15 each) Got the lot done at that point and an early service. No issues since. Have replaced two front tyres, upgraded bulbs, fitted bluetooth kit, upgraded the satnav firmware and disc etc etc, but the truck is good as gold.
Only current need is to replace rear wiper arm - I put a cheapo ebay one on and its rubbish now, needs a genuine one!
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passporte53
- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:15 pm
Re: E53 3.0d manual buying advice
Ok, thanks for that info.
It looks as though the Sport (grey) model I linked has budget tyres all round, nearly new (all matching). I can't tell if they are staggered, but likely given that its the sport. So that's a problem.
The green one has 255/55 R18 all round on budget tyres (the guy was able to read off the tyre wall) suggesting a non-staggered arrangement. Presumably then it's less important to get star rated tyres for this car?
And - if I got the sport with staggered wheels - might be best to swap out for non-staggered? Is this possible? Not too fussed about the look so trying to find ways to minimise potential for issues, and cost. Star rated tyres are very expensive!
Thanks for help...
Chris
It looks as though the Sport (grey) model I linked has budget tyres all round, nearly new (all matching). I can't tell if they are staggered, but likely given that its the sport. So that's a problem.
The green one has 255/55 R18 all round on budget tyres (the guy was able to read off the tyre wall) suggesting a non-staggered arrangement. Presumably then it's less important to get star rated tyres for this car?
And - if I got the sport with staggered wheels - might be best to swap out for non-staggered? Is this possible? Not too fussed about the look so trying to find ways to minimise potential for issues, and cost. Star rated tyres are very expensive!
Thanks for help...
Chris
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X5-D-Sport
- Snr Member
- Posts: 1371
- Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 11:13 pm
Re: E53 3.0d manual buying advice
I got a D-Sport & have a matching REAR set of 4 wheels on 285 tyres all round....
No issues at all.
I also added 30mm spacers at the rear & 15mm spacers at the front...
Vented slotted disks & Red-Stuff pads all round...
It drives like it's on rails, & with the pad/disk combination there is no brake fade what so ever.
If anything, the brakes are more efficient the hotter the pads get, & I find myself backing off the breaks on a long high hard speed slow down...
The handling & cornering is totally different & very solid.
She looks quite a brute now with these huge tyres all round, & pot-holes are less of a problem with the extra tyre width up front.
I also noticed that the front tyre outer edge scrub is significantly reduced now too.
No issues at all.
I also added 30mm spacers at the rear & 15mm spacers at the front...
Vented slotted disks & Red-Stuff pads all round...
It drives like it's on rails, & with the pad/disk combination there is no brake fade what so ever.
If anything, the brakes are more efficient the hotter the pads get, & I find myself backing off the breaks on a long high hard speed slow down...
The handling & cornering is totally different & very solid.
She looks quite a brute now with these huge tyres all round, & pot-holes are less of a problem with the extra tyre width up front.
I also noticed that the front tyre outer edge scrub is significantly reduced now too.