Discussion
Easternlight said:
My BMW beard is only a light stubble but if it's the S65 engine they have a fair few weak points, oil leaks and a water cooled alternator plus a valley pipe that can be troublesome.
I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly.
S65 is the E92 M3 engine. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly.
The V8 X5 in F15 guise would be the N63 or S63 if X5M
Boozy said:
I live in the states so petrol is cheaper than beer. I’m obviously powerfully built otherwise I wouldn’t be on here!
Okay. So you're looking at 50iX? These use the N63 V8 with twin turbos and exhaust manifolds that sit in the centre of the V ('Hot V') with the inlet manifolds on the outside of the heads where the exhaust manifolds used to be.These engines have been a LOT of trouble. The problem is the staggering underbonnet heat that cooks everything in sight and there was a class action lawsuit against BMW:
https://caseadvisor.org/settlements/bmw-n63-oil-co...
They drink oil due to cooked stem seals, have timing chain and tensioner problems as well as flat batteries - the 7 Series certainly had an electric fan that worked like crazy to cool the underbonnet area once the engine was shut off.
Touring442 said:
Boozy said:
I live in the states so petrol is cheaper than beer. I’m obviously powerfully built otherwise I wouldn’t be on here!
Okay. So you're looking at 50iX? These use the N63 V8 with twin turbos and exhaust manifolds that sit in the centre of the V ('Hot V') with the inlet manifolds on the outside of the heads where the exhaust manifolds used to be.These engines have been a LOT of trouble. The problem is the staggering underbonnet heat that cooks everything in sight and there was a class action lawsuit against BMW:
https://caseadvisor.org/settlements/bmw-n63-oil-co...
They drink oil due to cooked stem seals, have timing chain and tensioner problems as well as flat batteries - the 7 Series certainly had an electric fan that worked like crazy to cool the underbonnet area once the engine was shut off.
I’ve got a Dec 2011 E70 X5 50i. Bought it as AUC in early 2014, mid 2015 the engine lunched itself for well documented reasons that are all over US BMW websites. The N63 engine was poorly designed and always ran ‘hot’.
Fortunately I’d continued the BMW warranty and it covered absolutely everything. The car had a full engine rebuild that cost just about £20k. It took just over 3 months to rebuild (parts availability being the main delay) throughout which I was provided with a BMW management X5 to get about in. The engine in my car is now designated an N63a, it’s the same spec as before but runs much cooler.
Prior to the failure I would almost always hear the fans kicking in trying to keep the engine cool, in fact working over time to keep it cool. Plus, it used a lot, and I mean a lot, of oil. Now it doesn’t use any and I never hear the fans kick in. HTH.
I’ve put over 30k miles on it since the rebuild and it’s been entirely reliable.
Fortunately I’d continued the BMW warranty and it covered absolutely everything. The car had a full engine rebuild that cost just about £20k. It took just over 3 months to rebuild (parts availability being the main delay) throughout which I was provided with a BMW management X5 to get about in. The engine in my car is now designated an N63a, it’s the same spec as before but runs much cooler.
Prior to the failure I would almost always hear the fans kicking in trying to keep the engine cool, in fact working over time to keep it cool. Plus, it used a lot, and I mean a lot, of oil. Now it doesn’t use any and I never hear the fans kick in. HTH.
I’ve put over 30k miles on it since the rebuild and it’s been entirely reliable.
Boozy said:
Great feedback thanks gang, I’m going to look at a Range Rover instead then, what could possibly go wrong.
Don’t discount the Porsche Cayenne as another larger SUV with impeccable road manners carrying a potential bork factor. They’re fast enough, good handling and give a smooth ride with the air suspension. The GTS model could be right up your street...
GTS sounds magnificent, goes like stink.
But, it's not that big in the back, and the interior has some niggles like the set backs dropping off constantly and rattles, it's not what I would have expected. Long legged front passengers would make it tricky for those in back.
Otherwise mechanicals are good though it's gallons per mile not miles per gallon.
But, it's not that big in the back, and the interior has some niggles like the set backs dropping off constantly and rattles, it's not what I would have expected. Long legged front passengers would make it tricky for those in back.
Otherwise mechanicals are good though it's gallons per mile not miles per gallon.
the_g_ster said:
GTS sounds magnificent, goes like stink.
But, it's not that big in the back, and the interior has some niggles like the set backs dropping off constantly and rattles, it's not what I would have expected. Long legged front passengers would make it tricky for those in back.
Otherwise mechanicals are good though it's gallons per mile not miles per gallon.
They seem to be more expensive than the other options which bodes well! Any issues with engine/suspension? They do sound the nuts, there’s a red 2008 near me that’s not too bad price wise but has 130k miles on it. I’ve set myself a $15k budget.But, it's not that big in the back, and the interior has some niggles like the set backs dropping off constantly and rattles, it's not what I would have expected. Long legged front passengers would make it tricky for those in back.
Otherwise mechanicals are good though it's gallons per mile not miles per gallon.
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