E53 X5 3.0D Sport as a new Daily Driver

[VR6 Matt]

Afternoon all, I've realised I've got far too much free time at the minute despite having a sizeable house extension on the go which I'm doing myself and also working more hours a week than most (the joys of self employment).

So what else is one to do but start posting about my trio of cars on a forum for like-minded individuals who have a perverse interest in automobiles.

I've had a PD130 Passat estate as my workhorse for the past 5 years. I bought it for £1500 and have successfully completed over 120k in it during my ownership. However during that time it has become tatty and slightly less than presentable but due to my necessity for a workhorse I didn't mind too much. Yet I found myself yearning for an "upgrade"; so in July I acquired a rather fetching example of an E53 X5.

Presented in Sterling Grey, powered by the venerable M57 diesel powerplant and accompanied by a stack of service history it has proven a very good buy over the past few months.

I've carried out a reasonable amount of maintenance/servicing over my ownership so far to get the X5 a state I'm now happy with. I am rather fastidious so this did include replacing some previously fitted budget tyres (which had plenty of tread left) with some Falken rubber (A Wet Grip Rating as per all my cars, I know I'm also surprised I don't drive a Volvo).

So far the jobs I've carried out are:

Oil and all filters changed at123700
Polished headlights to remove yellow haze
Gearbox - Oil, mechatronic sleeves and filter at 125670


Thermostat/water pump and fresh coolant (thermostat was opening too early so the car wasn't quite reaching 90°c) at 124840



Rear wiper from an E70 X5 fitted for superior rear windscreen cleaning action

I also want to lanoguard the underneath before winter truly kicks in and also adjust the handbrake as it's currently taking a lot of travel to ensure it's actually capable of holding the car.

I've now done about 6k since acquiring the car and I have to say it's very impressive. I was never overly fond of the appearance of the X5 most examples are blacked out and have a whiff of the devil's lettuce about them. However this particular car has won me over, it's supremely comfortable and smooth to drive, I've calculated the mpg to be 32mpg which is obviously less than my Passat was offering me yet noticeably cheaper than dailying my V8 S5. All in all I'm very impressed, the previous owner also fitted sound deadening, apple carplay and upgraded the speakers so the sound system is superb.

Considering the car cost me £2600 which is the equivalent of 6 monthly payments on a new Jaecoo (I know this as a friend has one, not because I'm a heathen who has enquired about one for personal use) I'm very impressed. It's a lot of car for the money and it really does offer everything I think I could ever need.

Edited by VR6 Matt on Thursday 16th October 06:19

[matt21]

Would love to see pics of the X5 as a BMW fan.

Also the Passat. My friends and family have owned 8 B5.5 130 TDIs over the last 12 years covering over 400k with minimal issues and 0 breakdowns. I've had 2, one of which I sold last year after 10yrs and 140k. It still soldiers on with another friend on 270k now. Awesome cars.

[VR6 Matt]

matt21 said:

Would love to see pics of the X5 as a BMW fan.

Also the Passat. My friends and family have owned 8 B5.5 130 TDIs over the last 12 years covering over 400k with minimal issues and 0 breakdowns. I've had 2, one of which I sold last year after 10yrs and 140k. It still soldiers on with another friend on 270k now. Awesome cars.

[url][img]https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/558519/202510162123932?

resize=160[/img]|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/558519/202510162123932[/url]


As you can see it's in quite good nick for a 21 year old car. I've had a few compliments on it's bodywork so I'm doing my best to maintain it by parking it 6 nautical miles away from the entrance to whichever shop I go into.



Always amazes me how popular the B5.5's are and that you never hear of someone's bad experiences with one. I genuinely believe they are the most reliable cars ever made. Mine is currently SORN as the X5 is it's successor but I can't bring myself to get rid in case I need a back up car.

[21TonyK]

I had one of these for 15(?)+ years. Bought it as an ex-demo car so near new, loads of toys on it, which at the time were amazing to play with (like TV etc).

Hands down, one of the best cars I've had. Okay on fuel and brilliant on long hauls.

My BIG warning, any already have it addessed is the gearbox.

Thats what killed mine off. I think as long as you keep them well maintained they will go on forever. At least mine would have.

[VR6 Matt]

21TonyK said:

I had one of these for 15(?)+ years. Bought it as an ex-demo car so near new, loads of toys on it, which at the time were amazing to play with (like TV etc).

Hands down, one of the best cars I've had. Okay on fuel and brilliant on long hauls.

My BIG warning, any already have it addessed is the gearbox.

Thats what killed mine off. I think as long as you keep them well maintained they will go on forever. At least mine would have.

I have to say I already think it may be one of the best cars I've ever owned also. 15 years is good going! Yeah I've got the 6 speed zf box which is said to be better than the more fragile 5 speed box nonetheless I've serviced it with genuine ZF fluid and parts and also changed the mechatronic sleeves. It was smooth before but now it's supremely smooth. Hoping to run it for many more years

[21TonyK]

Same, 6 speed box on mine. It was never serviced, despite me raising an issue with the supplying dealer at about 90K they said it was due a software update and the gearbox was sealed for life... no maintenance.

Not long after it kept dropping into a transmission fail safe and eventually lost the will and ebayed it.

Mint in every respect other than the gearbox. Got 1500 quid with new tyres!

Was quoted about 7K for a new gearbox by the dealer who failed to understand why I was not buying another new car from them having spent best part of half a million quid on cars over 20 years with them!

B8stards.

[VR6 Matt]

21TonyK said:

Same, 6 speed box on mine. It was never serviced, despite me raising an issue with the supplying dealer at about 90K they said it was due a software update and the gearbox was sealed for life... no maintenance.

Not long after it kept dropping into a transmission fail safe and eventually lost the will and ebayed it.

Mint in every respect other than the gearbox. Got 1500 quid with new tyres!

Was quoted about 7K for a new gearbox by the dealer who failed to understand why I was not buying another new car from them having spent best part of half a million quid on cars over 20 years with them!

B8stards.

Yeah I've never understood the "sealed for life" mantra. It's s a shame that yours gave up the ghost because as you know they're bloody great cars. What did you replace it with as I've wondered what would be the next step for me when I eventually retire it a millennia from now?

[Uncle Meat]

Great cars, I enjoyed mine when I had it.

I presume it's got the (software disabled) Webasto pre-heater under the bonnet?

Get that turned on in time for the winter!

[VR6 Matt]

Uncle Meat said:

Great cars, I enjoyed mine when I had it.

I presume it's got the (software disabled) Webasto pre-heater under the bonnet?

Get that turned on in time for the winter!

It has got the webasto pre-heater fitted however due to the new apple car play unit that was fitted by the previous owner I can't set the timer for it come on. Though from what I know about the system it should come on automatically at 5°c and below.