E53 X5 3.0d buying advice
Discussion
Unfortunately my L322 Range Rover has done something on the beyond economic repair list by s
tting a turbo so is now sadly scrap.
I need a stop gap and someone I know is selling a 2005 X5 d Sport with 130k and FSH that he’ll let me have for 2k which going by Autotrader seems pretty reasonable!.
From what I’ve researched it will be the later 220 ish BHP engine with the 6 speed gearbox.
I know basically what to look out for on cars but wondered if there’s anything X5 specific which is likely to be a huge expense?, I’m not worried about wear and tear stuff as I’d do more basic things myself, but anything that is a clear sign to run away?.
Am I right in thinking it’s basically the same engine that was in the E39 530d?, had one years ago and it was an absolute tank!.
tting a turbo so is now sadly scrap.I need a stop gap and someone I know is selling a 2005 X5 d Sport with 130k and FSH that he’ll let me have for 2k which going by Autotrader seems pretty reasonable!.
From what I’ve researched it will be the later 220 ish BHP engine with the 6 speed gearbox.
I know basically what to look out for on cars but wondered if there’s anything X5 specific which is likely to be a huge expense?, I’m not worried about wear and tear stuff as I’d do more basic things myself, but anything that is a clear sign to run away?.
Am I right in thinking it’s basically the same engine that was in the E39 530d?, had one years ago and it was an absolute tank!.
Same engine and same car; but on stilts 
IIRC its' the air suspension system that can cause a lot of issues; but the engine is solid (although be ideal to have the swirl flaps removed if they're fitted & blanked off) etc
Suspension on these can be chocolate based with age; so it needs a solid test drive and a thorough going over underneath to see what condition the arms/bushes/ball joints are like
IIRC its' the air suspension system that can cause a lot of issues; but the engine is solid (although be ideal to have the swirl flaps removed if they're fitted & blanked off) etc
Suspension on these can be chocolate based with age; so it needs a solid test drive and a thorough going over underneath to see what condition the arms/bushes/ball joints are like
Yes the same M57 engine was shared across many BMW models...and BMW made L322s until 2006. So your car has the very same engine. As L322 is bound to become a collectors item it will hold value long term much better than any X5. Engine swap maybe as there are many used M57 units around?
When you finish reading this you may not want to scrap it (I wouldn't:-)) https://auto-didakt.com/cars_blog_leser/land-rover...
When you finish reading this you may not want to scrap it (I wouldn't:-)) https://auto-didakt.com/cars_blog_leser/land-rover...
Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 4th September 12:39
Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 4th September 23:29
Thanks for your help, I thought only the really high spec ones would be on air and most were springs?, I’m used to air suspension issues anyway from the Rangie!, not the end of the world anymore cost wise , well if they’re similar in price to the L322 anyway.
Bushes and ball joints etc I can do myself although would rather there weren’t too many to do!.
My Rangie needed the rear subframe bushes doing which I understand the X5 can suffer from too?, not the cheapest job and certainly not one I want to do.
It seems like overall they’re fairly reliable engine/gearbox/turbo/electronics wise?, mostly wear and tear issues?, which at this age and mileage probably will have been done by now or need doing again.
Bushes and ball joints etc I can do myself although would rather there weren’t too many to do!.
My Rangie needed the rear subframe bushes doing which I understand the X5 can suffer from too?, not the cheapest job and certainly not one I want to do.
It seems like overall they’re fairly reliable engine/gearbox/turbo/electronics wise?, mostly wear and tear issues?, which at this age and mileage probably will have been done by now or need doing again.
Edited by Walter Sobchak on Saturday 4th September 12:34
Check the corners of the boot floor under the rear lights for rust, where the exhaust heatshields bolt onto.
The 2005 one I have wasn’t in great shape there, had the rear bumper removed and got it plated and welded up.
Apart from that, I have just kept on top of servicing and seems ok. Mine sometimes comes up with a trans fail safe if cruising in 6th and floor it to go into 5th - hopefully a gearbox oil change will cure it, think the genuine ZF kit is around 220 quid from Darkside Developments. Only happened twice in 8 months so hoping the gearbox isn’t on its way out.
The 2005 one I have wasn’t in great shape there, had the rear bumper removed and got it plated and welded up.
Apart from that, I have just kept on top of servicing and seems ok. Mine sometimes comes up with a trans fail safe if cruising in 6th and floor it to go into 5th - hopefully a gearbox oil change will cure it, think the genuine ZF kit is around 220 quid from Darkside Developments. Only happened twice in 8 months so hoping the gearbox isn’t on its way out.
naturalaspiration said:
Yes the same M57 engine was shared across many BMW models...and BMW made L322s until 2006. So your car has the very same engine. As L322 is bound to become a collectors item it will hold value long term much better than any X5. Engine swap maybe as there are many used M57 units around?
When you finish reading this you may not want to scrap it (I wouldn't:-)) https://auto-didakt.com/cars_blog_leser/land-rover...
Unfortunately mine is the later JLR 3.6 TDV8 not the BMW unit, factoring in cost and that mine is by no means mint it just isn’t worth doing sadly.When you finish reading this you may not want to scrap it (I wouldn't:-)) https://auto-didakt.com/cars_blog_leser/land-rover...
Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 4th September 12:39
Edited by naturalaspiration on Saturday 4th September 23:29
I have a May 2005 3d with 126,000 miles on the clock. Owned it now for 3 years, the longest I've ever kept a car by a long long margin. Mine only has air suspension at the back and don't be put off by it. Really easy to replace an air spring should one fail and plenty aftermarket ones to be found. The rear suspension arm bushes were tired - upper and lower - so replaced the lowers with poly bushes. The upper arms come complete and were around £50 each from Autodoc (Germany).
I've replaced the oil and filter in the 'lifetime' autobox at 112,000 and changed the fluids in the transfer box (expensive stuff but you only need a small amount), back axle and front axle too. The updates for the Satnav have stopped (as far as I know) so made do with an eBay disc. The Satnav/TV screen kept turning green after a few miles or when it got hot. A simple fix to remove the unit from the dash, open it up, disconnect the ribbon cable inside, contact cleaner and refit the ribbon. It has a few pixels missing - 'they all do that sir' - but not noticeable really.
Lots of Youtube videos if you are handy and want to tackle any jobs yourself. To identify parts use: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
Fuel consumption, according to the computer, round town is low to mid 30s but on trips to Edinburgh it says 45-47mpg.
Bought mine as a stop gap but here we are 3 years on and not intending to part with it any time soon. £2k seems a good price.
I've replaced the oil and filter in the 'lifetime' autobox at 112,000 and changed the fluids in the transfer box (expensive stuff but you only need a small amount), back axle and front axle too. The updates for the Satnav have stopped (as far as I know) so made do with an eBay disc. The Satnav/TV screen kept turning green after a few miles or when it got hot. A simple fix to remove the unit from the dash, open it up, disconnect the ribbon cable inside, contact cleaner and refit the ribbon. It has a few pixels missing - 'they all do that sir' - but not noticeable really.
Lots of Youtube videos if you are handy and want to tackle any jobs yourself. To identify parts use: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
Fuel consumption, according to the computer, round town is low to mid 30s but on trips to Edinburgh it says 45-47mpg.
Bought mine as a stop gap but here we are 3 years on and not intending to part with it any time soon. £2k seems a good price.
Edited by N7GTX on Wednesday 8th September 01:01
Wow that’s really impressive fuel economy!, my TDV8 Rangie only could manage about 23 around town and if I was lucky 30 on a motorway trip.
Thanks for the write up, I’m not too worried about the air suspension, I’ve changed a strut on my L322 and it wasn’t too bad to do, I’d assume it would be a fairly similar process on the X5.
Thanks for the write up, I’m not too worried about the air suspension, I’ve changed a strut on my L322 and it wasn’t too bad to do, I’d assume it would be a fairly similar process on the X5.
N7GTX said:
I have a May 2005 3d with 126,000 miles on the clock. Owned it now for 3 years, the longest I've ever kept a car by a long long margin. Mine only has air suspension at the back and don't be put off by it.
ALL X5's up to the latest G05 version only ever had air suspension on the back.The latest G05 version from 2019 onwards was the first X5 to be offered with full twin axle air suspension.
aeropilot said:
N7GTX said:
I have a May 2005 3d with 126,000 miles on the clock. Owned it now for 3 years, the longest I've ever kept a car by a long long margin. Mine only has air suspension at the back and don't be put off by it.
ALL X5's up to the latest G05 version only ever had air suspension on the back.The latest G05 version from 2019 onwards was the first X5 to be offered with full twin axle air suspension.
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