X5 E70 - what year did the ZF8 arrive?

[SlowV6]

Hello All, can I just double check that the ZF8 gearbox was fitted to the e70 (30d and 35d) as part of the LCi facelift? So this would be my2010 cars with the fog lights nearer the grille only?

I believe the 7 button iDrive controller is not a reliable indicator of the 8 speed gearbox.

Any other ways of checking beyond putting it in manual mode and going up and down?

Thanks.

[helix402]

Pop last seven digits of chassis no into realoem website will let you know.

[theboss]

Pretty sure it was with LCI as you said. I bought a 40d new in 2012 so was fairly well researched as I had driven several cars both before and after facelift. Both diesel units were upgraded at the same time with 245 and 309ps respectively if I recall correctly. Go for the LCI - the drivetrains are much better.

[BFleming]

Here's a July 2010 review by (UK) Auto Express. Looks like the LCI saw the arrival of the 8 spd box alright. They describe all the other things updated too, just so you know what to look for. I would say it's MY11 rather than MY10, not that Europe really goes into the MY stuff.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x5/17937/bmw-x5

Edited by BFleming on Tuesday 4th May 18:04

[SlowV6]

Thanks guys. Appreciated.

[Sir_Dave]

The 30d got the 8 sp zf box when it got the N57 diesel engine change, but the 35d with the M57 never got the 8 speeder.

40d was the new name for the 35d when it got the upgraded N57 engine and ZF8 box.

[SlowV6]

For closure! I test drove a 2010 30d m-sport yesterday. Well when I say test drive the seller drove me but would not let me drive it! Not sure how someone would expect to sell a car they don't let the buyer drive, so obviously I didn't buy it. Anyway I digress. I came away thinking ZF8 and N57 was required in 30d spec. Whilst the 235bhp M57 is great in my e91 it was only "ok" in the x5. I need to save some more money! Nice car otherwise though. I liked the rest of if. The 7 button IDrive is much nicer than the earlier version in our e91.

When I got back in mine it felt tiny! It also felt much better looked after; tighter, cleaner and a nicer example despite being nearly 2 yrs older and +30k miles more. I concluded leggy x5s might not be a good idea.

[Sir_Dave]

Interesting you say about leggy ones, my ‘58 SD has got 208k miles on it and feels FAR better screwed together than the 14k e91 335i it replaced! The later CIC nav is a super easy to retrofit btw, ive done it to mine - should probs put a thread on here about it i suppose, such a great old tank

[SlowV6]

Wow! How many miles did it have when you got it?

There is an 09 35d SE locally in nice understated grey/green. Is panoramic roof a good thing or a headache?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105012...

[Sir_Dave]

Had 198k on it when we bought it, blind, off ebay

Sunroof wise, ours only slides, doesnt tilt (needs an anti-trap sensor) and did leak an impressive amount into the boot before i cleared the drains out with strimmer wire. I do like it though, adds a lot of light into an otherwise very black interior! They map up to 350bhp or so as well, so go pretty well then apparently

[SlowV6]

Sir_Dave said:

Had 198k on it when we bought it, blind, off ebay

Sunroof wise, ours only slides, doesnt tilt (needs an anti-trap sensor) and did leak an impressive amount into the boot before i cleared the drains out with strimmer wire. I do like it though, adds a lot of light into an otherwise very black interior! They map up to 350bhp or so as well, so go pretty well then apparently

Kudos to you sir! I have woken up scared of the local 35d today. May get braver later.

[g3org3y]

As Sir Dave says, the panoramic roof is a nice feature (if it's not leaking). Really makes the (already spacious) interior feel more airy. I suspect makes the most different on dark interiors.

SlowV6 said:

Wow! How many miles did it have when you got it?

There is an 09 35d SE locally in nice understated grey/green. Is panoramic roof a good thing or a headache?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105012...

The advert suggests 'fabulous spec' but tbh apart from the heated seats and panoramic roof, it's pretty standard.

[SlowV6]

g3org3y said:

The advert suggests 'fabulous spec' but tbh apart from the heated seats and panoramic roof, it's pretty standard.

I called him and didn't really get a warm feeling so i will pass on that one. The conversation included him saying "the price reflects the condition" at one point and mentioning some bumper repair that needs doing that isn't captured in any of the photo's. I also noticed the iDrive photo is from 27th March last year so he has been trying to sell it for at least 14 months. Move on.

[rayyan171]

We came close to getting a LCI 30d as they are newer, with the upgraded lights and ZF8 box which does help the fuel economy, but chose a 35d pre-LCI and had no regrets. Even in the LCI they only have 245hp which isn't that much, the 290hp from the 35d is much much better and the power delivery is perfect, pulls like a train on the motorway.