BMW E70 X5 4.8i - 'Countryside Edition'

[Bobberoo]

A great car in a great colour with a stonking engine, what's not to like!!!!

[g3org3y]

Andy665 said:

g3org3y said:

Out of interest at what mileage did you start having issues with the valve stem seals and how much did it cost to sort?

It was about 76,000 miles, light haze on start up apparently, was done by the BMW specialist I bought from, cost to sort was about £800 IIRC

Thanks for the info, not crazy money then which is reassuring.

EdmondDantes said:

Any chance you were up in Scotland at Largs a few weekends ago? Seen a car with the the similar spec waiting to board the ferry, love the thread, I’m seriously considering one of these as my next car!

No, not me...unless my wife has been doing road trips back home without my knowing. Thanks for the kind words, it's an unusual colour/spec so does stand out somewhat against the sea of grey/white/black.

Bobberoo said:

A great car in a great colour with a stonking engine, what's not to like!!!!

According to my wife: fuel economy.

[Teepot]

Very nice indeed

Certainly looks far better on the bigger wheels, have the impacted much on the ride quality would you say?

Has these on my 48i and found them slightly crashy but overly so.

Anyways keep me in mind ;-)

[Baked_bean]

Lovely old bus, nice to see that specification, I never seem to see cars like that for sale.

[ATM]

Baked_bean said:

Lovely old bus, nice to see that specification, I never seem to see cars like that for sale.

This one looks interesting. I'm even tempted myself.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124896215313

[bramley]

Looks like a good buy. The other fob may be a valet key so people can enter the car but not drive it. My old E39 had a valet key but I don’t think they provide them these days.

[cerb4.5lee]

g3org3y said:

Bobberoo said:

A great car in a great colour with a stonking engine, what's not to like!!!!

According to my wife: fuel economy.

I still shudder when I think back to how much fuel the E53 X5 4.8iS I had used to get through as well...so she makes a very good point for sure!

[g3org3y]

Teepot said:

Very nice indeed

Certainly looks far better on the bigger wheels, have the impacted much on the ride quality would you say?

Has these on my 48i and found them slightly crashy but overly so.

Anyways keep me in mind ;-)

From a looks POV, yes I agree. The 20s fill the arches properly. Ride is definitely harsher but when Dynamic Drive off it's more precise and less 'wobbly' than on the 18s.

You have first refusal if/when it comes to sell.

Baked_bean said:

Lovely old bus, nice to see that specification, I never seem to see cars like that for sale.

It genuinely was an impromptu Autotrader search that I noticed it. As I mentioned, never planned on the V8, but the spec and history won me over.

ATM said:

Baked_bean said:

Lovely old bus, nice to see that specification, I never seem to see cars like that for sale.

This one looks interesting. I'm even tempted myself.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124896215313

Looks like a looked after example.

If you're going to go down the V8 E53 route, perhaps go for the 4.6iS or later (N62) 4.8iS. If you're going to be stung with V8 fuel consumption, good to have the performance to match. They seem to be priced quite high on AT holding their value very well though.

bramley said:

Looks like a good buy. The other fob may be a valet key so people can enter the car but not drive it. My old E39 had a valet key but I don’t think they provide them these days.

Thanks Bramley, I think I've worked out the mystery of the fob, I had a delivery from Lithuania that has clarified matters! Post to come.

cerb4.5lee said:

g3org3y said:

Bobberoo said:

A great car in a great colour with a stonking engine, what's not to like!!!!

According to my wife: fuel economy.

I still shudder when I think back to how much fuel the E53 X5 4.8iS I had used to get through as well...so she makes a very good point for sure!

I asked my wife whether she would prefer to go back to the 1.0 litre Polo we used to have. She declined.

[cerb4.5lee]

g3org3y said:

cerb4.5lee said:

g3org3y said:

Bobberoo said:

A great car in a great colour with a stonking engine, what's not to like!!!!

According to my wife: fuel economy.

I still shudder when I think back to how much fuel the E53 X5 4.8iS I had used to get through as well...so she makes a very good point for sure!

I asked my wife whether she would prefer to go back to the 1.0 litre Polo we used to have. She declined.

To be fair I felt like I was driving something similar to that when I swapped my X5 for the 520d touring!

I only swapped the X5 to try to save some money on fuel...but needless to say that it was a terrible mistake for definite! The engine contrast was just a step too far for me sadly. I've got serious V8 envy with yours for sure.

[Teepot]

[/quote]

From a looks POV, yes I agree. The 20s fill the arches properly. Ride is definitely harsher but when Dynamic Drive off it's more precise and less 'wobbly' than on the 18s.

You have first refusal if/when it comes to sell.

Thank you kindly g3org3y! Trying my hardest to hold tight in case you do decide to move it on, despite there being a rather dashing 540i touring (E39) calling my name at present.

I’ve resisted the urge up until now but it’s easier said than done!

[ATM]

ATM said:

This one looks interesting. I'm even tempted myself.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124896215313

Price of this one keeps dropping. Now only £3950.

[Sheepshanks]

ATM said:

This one looks interesting. I'm even tempted myself.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124896215313

Its MOT history is 'interesting' - staggeringly low annual mileage, only 6k at first MOT and corrosion and wear related failures at 6yrs and 14,500 miles.

[m20b25]

Great thread! Keep it updated with snow and muddy pictures.

I saw one for sale a few years ago: same colour and engine but with saddle tan. By the time I’d called it had gone. Gutted

Glad to hear it’s running well. I’ve got 2 e53s - 4.8is in le mans blue (blown HG, sitting on a farm) and a 3.0d manual in green (with an 18 hour battery drain)

[EdmondDantes]

Any updates OP?

[craigjm]

EdmondDantes said:

Any updates OP?

He has been too busy buying shoes and jackets. He has even been neglecting his cigar habit

[g3org3y]

craigjm said:

EdmondDantes said:

Any updates OP?

He has been too busy buying shoes and jackets. He has even been neglecting his cigar habit

Sorry for lack of updates chaps. Covid innit. Will do a proper one outlining the work done to date and approximate costs.

X5 is otherwise running well. Wife is mainly dailying the 330i Touring and only really using the X5 for longer journeys.

Finally made the decision to go back down to 18s and go for all seasons. 20s definitely for looks, but 18s for ride comfort, cheaper tyres and definitely better for my bad back.

When making the change from 20s to 18s, had a bit of a problem with one of the locking nuts...


Should look like this:


Bought a new key but unfortunately, despite my best efforts it just wouldn't grip enough. Did some googling and found many BMW owners with similar issues with this type of locking nut. Because of the spinning collar, turns out these can be a git to get out when damaged and a lot of tyre shops refuse to get involved.

Came across this company: https://www.lockingwheelnutremovers.co.uk/ which was mentioned/recommended on a few BMW forum threads.

Gave the chap a bell and arranged an appointment. Used a special tool and had it off within 10 mins. He said, quite a common thing with these type of BMW locking nuts (I think they are the same as the McGard bolts)


I'll admit, I'm not one for the frequent cleaning, car is often dirty!


Though once in a while it gets a bit of cleaning attention.

As I mentioned on the previous page, lots of debate about Star Marked (BMW approved) tyres on the XDrive models to avoid transfer box issues. Started another thread in the BMW section, with specific discussion re the staggered vs square set up if anyone is interested in more detail.

I went for the Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUVs. Living 'darn sarf' made sense to have something with summer bias but also all weather and snow ability rather than the more winter biased all seasons from Nokian etc. These CCs are NOT Star Marked and they are not RFT. I really wanted the CCs as they seem to do fantastically in every group test and felt it worth the punt despite non being Star Marked. They were only recently released in the SUV form at the start of May and it was difficult to find UK suppliers in the size I needed. Oddly enough, cheapest was ASDA tyres - £160/tyre (which was cheaper than BlackCircles was selling the original CC SUV).



I'm happy with the outcome. Compared to the 20s (or even the 18s with the RFT Conti Winters), the ride is a lot smoother, less road noise and overall a more comfortable and relaxing drive. Got one of those BMW 'mobility' kits (goo and air compressor) in the boot. Hopefully will never have to use it.

As far as issues with the transfer box etc, have probably done 500-1000 miles since the CCs have been fitted, and no problems yet.

Centre caps were looking a bit tatty, so treated to some new ones as well.




Used the X5 for a recent holiday away, it's certainly a decent load lugger.





As I insist on Super Unleaded (typically Tesco 99), must admit, it's getting quite expensive to tun. 85 litre fuel tank and high teens in town means £££.

I found this photo from January...now looking back 161.9 for Super Unleaded seems cheap!!


Trickle charger has come in use on a few occasions when the car has sat unused for a couple of weeks at a time.


Could be worse...at least it's not a Prius.

Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 26th June 20:05

[g3org3y]

As an aside, I notice Sreten from M539Restorations has got his girlfriend an E70 X5 with the same N62 4.8. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

[EdmondDantes]

That reminds me I’ll need to get some new centre caps for my daily driver Golf, they all seem to have fallen off. I really do like these X5s, I’ve been scouring EBay and it looks like due to the rising fuel costs and low emission zones, you can pick up FFRR, X5’s and the like for penny’s on the Pound.

I’m pondering on selling my Integra and cashing in on the rising price for JDM cars, and getting a nice SUV since the wife doesn’t like to drive the Integra!