E53 X5 advice

[Phateuk]

I'm considering an E53 to use as a runaround car, mainly to fit all my golf stuff in easily. Some short trips 1-2 miles, some longer ones probably 3-4k miles a year.

Fuel costs not an issue, Ideally I'd get the 3.0i to avoid the complexity of the diesel model - from what i've read the V8 versions can all be ruinous with complex repairs.

Obviously the era these are from, the majority available near me are 3.0d - I'm not averse to a diesel but I can't seem to find out if these had a DPF. (I'd be looking at an LCI ideally but pre-06 to avoid having another car in the £500+ tax bracket). Can anyone confirm if they have a DPF?

Purchase prices there isn't really much in it at this age now, and MPG isn't relevant either.

Any opinions welcome

[helix402]

No dpf. One of the main issues with the E53 now is that a lot of them are run by people who have neither the money or inclination to fix faults or maintain them well.

A good one is still fine.

[naturalaspiration]

From 03/2005 the E53 got a revised transfer case. I would also change the transfer case fluid at the earliest convenience for added piece of mind.

[helix402]

No dpf. One of the main issues with the E53 now is that a lot of them are run by people who have neither the money or inclination to fix faults or maintain them well.

A good one is still fine.

[Touring442]

For the full /Shogun experience, the rare 3.0i manual is the one to have. I took one in p/x 10 years ago from a farmer who'd had it from new - they're not a bad thing.

Most old E53 X5's are knock kneed badly/non maintained scrap now. The E70 is proving even worse.

[Phateuk]

Thanks for the thoughts so far, I must admit I never knew they did a manual, I'd be wanting an auto in this sort of car anyway really.

I guess being sensible I should just get a much newer estate car for the same money which would fulfil my needs, but I really fancy some sort of SUV

I can't really justify an E70, although I would much prefer one.

Got some thinking (and possibly waiting) to do I guess

[johnag007]

I have still my LHD from new (March 2004) and with 97k on the click (km), living in Central London.
Lessons:
1- I had the pump go which droves the AC and power steering. Next time I get cold AC out of the blue I will know to stop...
2- A couple of spark plugs needing changing, annoyingly it happened once as I was leaving for a trip
3- Very early on problems with the gearbox which a change of oil appears to have cured
4- My mirrors have been battered no end and the motors folding them have gone. BMW charges £1000 a mirror...
5- The central display has circa 5% dead pixels and shifts towards the green spectrum.
6- My keyfob battery is dead
7- Some suspension repairs over time
8- Rear passenger light cluster wiring partially overheated somehow (probably too close to the actual lights, leading to cluster light failure. Easily remedied once you know.
9- Dedicated BT phone's battery needs replacing, unfortunately the head unit's BT system is so old it appears to be been a special BT connection rather than an off the peg profile our modern phones could link up with.
10- Cup holder grommets gone.
11- Do not replace the wing mirrors by RHD ones! I did on 1 of them and I have to fully tilt the mirror to align it.

Overall I love this car, paid £45k in 2004, worth 8% of it now. Consumption is abysmal but as you said as long as the journeys are small it does not matter.

I am lucky enough the 3.0l petrol engine is Euro IV compliant so no penalty in Central London until 2021 I believe.

Frankly I cannot bring myself to part with £60/80k for a car that will not do anything more, knowing that electrical cars are advancing in leaps and bounds. Therefore I would suggest spend as little as possible on any car you buy and keep it for a long as possible. Next decade will be electrical.

Edited by johnag007 on Thursday 28th March 15:19

Edited by johnag007 on Thursday 28th March 15:20