Higher mileage E53 X5?

[5678]

Looking at post 2004 3.0i and 3.0d X5s. Most seem to have a good 80k miles plus, so after a steer on if this brings any particular repairs on and what to watch out for. My brother has a 2003 330ci with 90k and a fbmwsh and that still feels very solid, is the X5 to be the same?

I'l looking for a non-nav, non-sunroof M-sport. Did they come with stuff such as heated seats & Xenons as standard? Any other options that are nice to have?

Cheers.

[8Tech]

At that mileage, it will need front thrust arm bushes as well as rear subframe bushes, both available from Powerflex as a far superior replacement to the OEM bushes. Assuming of course that they have not already been done.

I found that the flexible brake hoses corroded pretty quickly and you should take a good look at those.

Make sure all the electric windows are quite and smooth as they are notorious for breaking the cables.

Discs are prone to judder although they are very temperamental for juddering also due to tyres and the aforementioned thrust arm bushes.

Essential preventative maintenance is changing the oil in the transfer box.

Other common problems are squeaking tailgates and freezing locks when its very cold, you cannot shut the door once opened until the lock thaws out!! I have done many a journey with the seat belt through the door handle holding the door closed.

Dump the run-flats asap, they are harsh, noisy, wear very quickly and cost a fortune.

Other than that they are great cars.

[5678]

Some nice points to check. Thanks for that.

A Cayenne (3.6 v6) is another alternative but (without any research) I expect the costs to be far higher than that of the X5.

[Stitch]

Plenty of tips in the post above - but why the reference to run flats? My (very late) E53 has a spare and "normal" tyres.

[cjj799]

Has the 3.0d the same engine and box as the E60 530d?

[Speed addicted]

BMW will grease the locks with an apparently special low temp lube to make the locks work in winter. Or you could do what my wife did last winter while I was stuck offshore and hold the door shut then lock it, though this does mean you have to exit via the rear door.

[8Tech]

Stitch said:

Plenty of tips in the post above - but why the reference to run flats? My (very late) E53 has a spare and "normal" tyres.

My 2001 E53 had a full size spare, and 19" runflats fitted and my 2004 E53 has a space saver spare and non run-flats.

Maybe it was a choice when ordering? I couldn't afford a new one so would not know!!

All I DO know is my 2004 on 20" normal tyres is much quieter and gives a far superior ride to my 2001 with 19" runflats, and they both had/have the same Powerflex bushes all round.

In the end, I bought 4 x 20" wheels WITH tyres for the same cost as 2 x 19" runflat tyres only.

[8Tech]

5678 said:

Some nice points to check. Thanks for that.

A Cayenne (3.6 v6) is another alternative but (without any research) I expect the costs to be far higher than that of the X5.

Price-up a set of discs and pads on the Cayenne, that should put you off that idea!!