Time to say goodbye to the X5

[Horizon]

Thanks to all who have given me advice and help over the last two years )
And all you lot !!!
Its time to sell the X5  :-[ I've enjoyed the experience. I always wanted one from the first time I clapped eyes on one, and when the face lift emerged I thought it was the best looking 4x4 ever.
I paid 11k for mine 2 years ago, now I've begrudgingly accepted 7.5k for her part ex. I've only done 12k in 2 years, garaged all week, bit of a weekend toy really.
I've only bought a battery and winter tyres , servicing etc for her in that time. Oh I forgot the Dynavin headunit too. I fitted back discs and handbrake shoes and rear pads last week before presenting her for MOT. She flew through again with no advisories. 106k 12 months MOT, set of summer and winter tyres, winters on now, same size tyres as summers. FSH, all main dealer apart from last oil change.oh and I fitted a new centre trim to the steering wheel, so its perfect now.and I forgot I had the gearbox oil and filter service too.
I'm going test driving a couple of Japanese estate cars on Saturday, ( Wow, that caused a few stirs of emotion )
I've got to that age now :'(w
I can't believe the x5 E53 is a very good bargain if like me you find a good one.
If anyone in the Manchester area wants a good 55 plate x5 for PArt Ex money, Speak now or forever hold your peace. petermahon3@sky.com no time wasters or dreamers. Sorry mods probably should have placed elsewhere.
It's going at weekend, be quick.  7.5 k, OFO

[X5Sport]

Sorry to hear you're getting rid of the X.  I hated getting rid of mine, but it got too expensive to run for SWMBO.

Don't be a stranger when you find a replacement.  If we can put up with Fiesta Man and Audi Boy, then you'll be just as welcome with a Jap car......

My parents drive a Honda Accord Estate.....but then Dad's 82........

Richard

[Sanj]

Damn that's a rare offer...

Get a few pics up if you can be bothered, there's a shed load of lurkers that might be interested. I WOULD!

All the best buddy, should I ask for pics of a Jap Estate???? mmmmmmmmmm

[Horizon]

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... 545#p49545
For you Sanj, I know you like your pics

These are a few photos, mint condition unmarked leather, sport spec, a lot of car for the money

[pvr]

Shame to see you go though.

Not that much depreciation in 2 years though !! Think I lost that in 2 months  )

[Horizon]

Well I've had a well stressful day today, me and the wife have trawled around several car dealerships, only to experience shoddy cars.
The first test drive was at 10 am, we drove a 60 plate facelift Mazda 6 180 sport estate. Typical Jap car, all the toys, did everything very well, impressive figures. No soul !
On to the next site for 12.30 to view a Mazda. 6 180 sport hatchback 60 plate. On inspection we found several panel scratches, badly worn bolster on the drivers seat, poor leather. The paint is so thin stone chips are made so obvious .
We walked away from that car, I made the mistake of looking in the showroom to find a silver 12 plate focus, 32k on a 12 plate, nav, Bluetooth General Zetec spec, only 9,868 pounds. Took it for a test drive, I drove first, then the wife, we both said there was a problem with the engine, I said it was in limp mode, the salesman said he had the same car as his company car so had a drive and said it was ok. So back to the dealers and walked away from that also, checked autotrader again to see there was another Mazda in White 10 miles away, last chance I  Thought. we arrived at the next dealers to look at the next Mazda, by this time the X5 was looking like a keeper. I looked at the white Mazda6 for 10 seconds, only to decide that I was never going to buy one, as to me they don't do it for me in the way they drive, or make you feel about them.
To cut a long story short, it was parked next to a VW Golf 2.0 TDI MK6 140 GT in White, DSG gearbox which was open, we sat inside to admire the decent quality that we had so far not seen in the Mazdas. 10 minutes later were test driving, 20 minutes later were arranging to pick it up next week.
So many on here, as well as my step son are wondering why I would pick a Golf over my X5, well I put £60 in fuel in today to look for a more economical car, and now its empty again!
I was only given 7k allowance on the X5 but as PVR pointed out many owners loose that much in a few months in depreciation. I hope this car gives me as much pleasure as the x5 did in the two years that I've had her.

[X5Sport]

The Golf is a good car.....and it's a cheap Audi.

We're looking at replacing the Mini next year with a Superb (even cheaper Audi).

Mazda's look OK but like many Jap cars, are uninvolving.  Aren't Mazda owned by Ford?

Richard

[Horizon]

Correct Richard , Mazda  is owned by Ford, but I believe its like Saab was, they are run as a separate concern, they seem to have their own design and parts departments, unlike VAG who seem to share a lot of engines and running gear. the Mazda 6 in my eyes is aimed at the fleet market, good MPG figures, good tax benefit levels and a lively drive. As with all Japanese cars they do everything very well, but seem to lack the soul of a German made car.
I removed the HIDS and front markers, kicking myself that I threw out my old battery, as it's got a 5 year Bosch S5 on with 5 years warranty on it, but saying that I wouldn't like to cause a further enthusiast enjoying owning a  car that I have enjoyed so much, by having battery problems.
I have bought some Thule roof bars, BMW hydraulic bike racks,  LED front marker lights and 500 w HIDS, and led number plate lights. Also I have 3 decent Michelin  dimaris tyres to get rid of. If I can learn how to post some pictures I will put them in the buy and sell  section, any offers welcome. 

[pvr]

Golfs are indeed lovely looking cars, always had a Golf in the household and still have it.

Just quality and nice to drive, simple as that.

[Jayx5]

Hi, what size are the tyres and how much do you want for them? Jay.

[Horizon]

Hi Jay. They are the standard spec for the 3.0 d sport. I have 2 rear 285/45/19 Michelin demaris good tread aprox 6mm. One front 255/50/19 approximately 6 mm, and a legal threaded front too ( bought as a part worn to get me by as the wife borrowed my car and ended up with a horses hoof nail stuck in it so the tyre was a write off.
I will give you photos and depths if interested. £100 the lot. Collected. If you want them delivered I will drop them at a carriers, but the carrier will be at your expense . PS. I fitted my winter tyres then, so these 4 tyres were just put up in the garage rafters until spring, but now the X is now sold as a PX, I no longer need them

[Jayx5]

Pm sent.

[Horizon]

Sorry tyre were snapped up late last night.

[Horizon]

Well the X5 went today, set the trip computer to take her the 40 miles to the car dealers to part ex against the Golf. She returned 28 mpg, as I was driving very carefully as I was dammed if I was putting anymore diesel in her.
The range was 20 miles left when I got her there. PHEW.
I  picked up the  golf, its a 10 plate 2.0 TDI 140 GT. What a beautiful drive, plenty of power, whisper quiet, the ride over rough and smooth surfaces reminds me of what the old Beemers were like.
What I can't get over is that I set the trip computer on the Golf when I picked her up, and after 60 miles of test piloting she is showing 52.8 MPG !!!!!!!

[X5Sport]

Good innit....

That's about what my old Octavia used to return.  800 miles to a tank....and that was just 11 gallons or so.

I do miss those days sometimes, but 300+ BHP of BMW in line diesel and two hair dryers is very hard to give up.....even though I may have to if I can't find another job fairly soon.

Richard