XSeries-forum

Dear readers

I am looking at buying a 2nd gen X5, around the 2009-2010 era. Am I correct by saying from 2010+ the cars all have the 'updated' i drive system built in? Also are the angel eyes updated to the white rings from this year onwards? Is there anything else important which also has been updated that I am missing?

Any clarity on the above would be hugely helpful 

I am debating whether I buy a 2008-09 model with a very low mileage (around 45k) - and the compromise is it comes with the older idrive system, old angel eye colour (amber) etc. Or, I buy a slightly newer model, 2010 plate or maybe 2011 (if budget allows) which has a higher mileage (around 60k) but has the updated idrive, angel eyes etc.

:blink:

Correct though there are a few very late 2009 builds with the CIC iDrive.  The number of buttons in the controller is the giveaway - only 2 on the CCC type, 7 on the CIC version.

Thanks, can you clarify further please, when you said "The number of buttons in the controller is the giveaway - only 2 on the CCC type, 7 on the CIC version"

What controller exactly?

But in short I want the CIC version as its newer? So 2010 car is what I need to buy?

Any advice on the angel eyes too pls?

IDrive controller on the transmission tunnel.

Angel eyes being LED are E70 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse aka Facelift) version from 2010.  Also gets the 8-sp gearbox.

The 35d is pre-LCI, the 40d is the LCI.  30d needs more care as it continued through.  All use the same engine (3-litre in line 6) with the 35d and 40d being twin turbo, 30d, single.

Thank you.  So I understand correctly, if I want the white looking angel eyes (LCI), I need to get a 4.0D engine, 2010 model onwards? The 35D engine does not come with the white angel eyes as you say is pre the face lift?

Correct.  White LED angel eyes are in the LCI, so that means a 40d if you want a twin turbo.  It’s a better car anyway and the 8sp box is superb.

Newer will also give you the 8 speed gearbox.


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Looking at LCI 2010-11 plate with the 4.0D engine


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Good boy. Just got a 2010 40d myself last week, love it!


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You should also be thinking about how the car was driven rather than total milage, low mileage car that was only doing short trips will have more problems than car that did higher mileage but longer journeys where it had a chance to get up to temperature, run dpf regeneration when needed and in general most stressful moment for the engine is when you starting the car. Don't be scared of average mileage for that year should be between 80-100k.

[quote="X5Sport"]
Correct.  White LED angel eyes are in the LCI, so that means a 40d if you want a twin turbo.  It’s a better car anyway and the 8sp box is superb.
[/quote]
Is it not newer cars than 2010s that have the whiter angel eyes? I thought it was closer to 2012.
Our 2010 X6 40d didnt have the whiter angel eyes.

2010 for the E70.  The X6 didn’t get them until much later, might only have been when the F16 arrived for some odd reason!  They were fitted if you specified the (expensive at the time) full LED lights option.

Hi

I a man still learning about these cars, X5Sport it the ultimate esp when you look at the number of posts but yes I know a bit.

Autotrader is okay but with BMW the history is key even if mileage is a little higher, BMW do approved used cars and these are cars only serviced with them and generally they keep the best for themselves but you do pay a premium for the car, but their approved used warranty is second to none.

The website JamesPaul is very good and he always has too quality BMW's again pricey but you get what you pay for, and if it's too cheap be wary.

Also I found Saxton 4x4 usually have a nice selection but not sure in the price range but. It's worth checking

The key with the car is history showing maintenance being done and given a 2010/11 plate car is now 7 or 8 years old then clearly not all will have been Service by BMW.

Private dealers offer more assurity than a private person, but you have to check as I found some poor cars at BMW and better elsewhere.

Also try th website call Pistonheads as I find the people are more passionate and poss more likely to be an enthusiastic owner who has ensured the car is looked after.

One word of caution the retro fitting on the E70 models forward is costly and require coding one chap had a quote of over £2k from BMW for retro fitting heated rear seats, and I was advised it would be £1500 for a heated steering wheel, so whatever car you get make sure it has all the essential items you want, also if you can get a good spec'd car with comfort seats they are a bonus.

For me I wanted heated rear seats and I found a car with four zone climate as well so rear passengers can change their heating.

The 4.0d would be the one I would go for but you need to make supper the diff/ front prop shaft has been checked. They are awesome and give better fuel consumption than the 3.0d.

Graeme

Hmmm
Mine is a Jan 2010 xdrive LCI with white angel eyes?