BMW X5 from 2006 - disaster awaiting?
BMW X5 from 2006 - disaster awaiting?
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casualdriver

Original Poster:

57 posts

70 months

Thursday 10th December 2020
quotequote all
Hi,
garage in which I service my car (and I trust them) has few cars for sale including BMW X5 from 2006. 3.0 diesel, automatic gearbox. Price quite low, low enough that I could say it would be a costly mistake, which I could afford. Sure, no ULEZ compliant (I live in London, quite close), and I am not 'Piston Head', but it's a really nice car, like really nice. Although I am afraid my first longer trip across the channel (camping in Central/South France) could end up with a (costly) disaster...
My sane idea is to buy Honda CRV (rather a petrol) 6-8 old (suggestion from here, an actually excellent one).

ZX10R NIN

30,484 posts

153 months

Thursday 10th December 2020
quotequote all
They actually very robust air suspension is now at a price where it won't break the bank, there are a couple of things to get done that'll save you a chunk of money in the long run.

1) Change the gearbox fluid BMW said they're sealed for life but you should change it every 40k

2) remove the swirl flaps (if it hasn't already been done) as if these fail they get ingested into the engine

The above can all be carried out by your garage for not a lot of expense or time so strike a deal & get it bought.

gman88667733

1,196 posts

95 months

Friday 11th December 2020
quotequote all
If it is something you can afford/like, I say go for it!
I went for a mk2 CRV petrol which should be bulletproof and have still spend £1500 in the first year sorting it out. Luck of the draw really.
Budget for some bits to go wrong and then it won't be a shock if they do.
Pictures if you get it!

casualdriver

Original Poster:

57 posts

70 months

Friday 11th December 2020
quotequote all
gman88667733 said:
If it is something you can afford/like, I say go for it!
I went for a mk2 CRV petrol which should be bulletproof and have still spend £1500 in the first year sorting it out. Luck of the draw really.
What was wrong?