Severe lack of power!

[Suchy1977]

Hi all,
I recently bought a 2003 X5 D sport and when driving normal all is good, but when it comes to wanting to overtake anything its really slow! The engine revs right up but there is just virtually no speed increase at all. To the point its embarrassing. There is no smoke out the back at all and the gears change well enough. Ive had it scanned and there is no fault codes apart from a glow plug fault. Ive spoken to the guy I bought it from and he assures me that X5's are crap at acceleration for a big motor. I personally don't buy this but would like some advice plz before I take it in to a garage to get seen to. Thanks in advance for any reply's

[Wayfarer]

Not an expert by any means, but assuming it’s an auto, first thing to check would be gearbox oil level, as low oil can cause the effect you describe, although sure someone much more knowledgeable will be along shortly.

[X5Sport]

They should take off like a scared hare! The pre-facelift with the 5-sp box is no slouch (the facelifted version is quicker still) so you could have a transmission issue. If the refs are climbing initially but little speed change happens that usually indicates something in the gearbox or torque converter, or possibly low oil level causing some slippage. Gearbox scans are separate to engine/electrical system scans - or at least that was what I was told when my 2004 build went wrong.

Try a Bosch Autocentre or a main Dealer. It might cost you £100 but they have the right tools.

[Alan Gunn]

What miles has it done.
Has it had a auto box service.
If you can get the oil topped up in the box and if that is the fix then get the box oil/filter changed it will make a world of difference.

[Suchy1977]

Thanks all for the reply's, I was told it had just had a gearbox service and the oil flushed through and changed at a garage. The mileage is high 150k but has been maintained fsh. I will check with a local bmw specialist near me and keep you guys informed

[Suchy1977]

Had another look with covers off and found these two pipes connected to fresh air! One go's back to the gearbox and the other as far as I can see go's down to the front axle and comes up to the what looks like an oil filter? Could either of these be the problem? I also got my wife to rev the car and I could here a whooshing from the turbo area not sure if it was from the waste gate or not

[X5Sport]

Front diff gas vent and probably the gearbox gas vent pipes.

[Suchy1977]

After all I took it down to my local German car specialist to find out it was actually the MASS AIR FLOW unit/sensor this has now been replaced and she is now back to 90% power as I also have an egr fault as well so that will get sorted on fri. Again thanks to all who replied it was much appreciated