BMW X5 E53 3.0d 2005
Discussion
Been a while for a post, the family grew by 1, we moved house, the Rav 4 sat getting rusty and ended up cutting my loses and scrapping. It was to small for the family.
I have driven a 2023 Tesla Model Y for work (private hire driver) for 16 months and covered 75k miles and downgraded the car and went to a plug in hybrid instead. This allowed some funds to get a family car that the partner can continue to drive with L plates and is on the insurance, this cost a fair bit more to insure than the Rav as to be expected.
Anyway, I have had an X1 and an X3. I have wanted an X5 for a while and I found once locally and without a towbar. Facelift, Sapphire Black, 156K, 3.0d, Auto etc etc. Costing £2200
The car has been sat around for a little while, and its hardly covered any miles in the last 6 years, a couple of thousand! It was the previous owners family car, but hen o longer used it as much and ULEZ also took its toll to stop driving as much. I am outside of the ULEZ zone now so this worked for me.
Anyway a photo from collection day (looks tidy here)
I need to take the car out and get some photos once it has had a clean but not had a chance as of yet.
I took the car to get some tyres replaced and took some photos of the general condition of the car.
Some interior shots. Cream leather (heated), screens in front headrests, previous owner says these work but he never worked out how to get the headphones to work and played the audio out of the car speakers.
Some exterior shots, the scratches are not deep and should hopefully come out with a correction excluding the bonnet and front bumper. Headlights need restoring. Rear bumper will need painting too.
Engine bay.
Chassis
Air suspension at the rear currently works fine from what I can tell.
Car was up for more than I paid for, on the basis of tyres I got the car for less. Where the car had been sat the tyres were perished.
I managed to find some locally with 7mm tread, from the same wheels as mine. £240 for the set and £50 for fitting. Not premiums but gets the car safer and road legal.
Car is flashing for brake light and tail light warning. Purchased bulbs and this didn't resolve the issue. Next step was bulb holders but unfortunately this also did not resolve. So possibly a new light unit needed but gonna check for some wiring and look for any surface corrosion first etc.
New aero wipers this week and going to order a rear wiper delete. Hopefully find some time to clean it this week.
Want to get a service done, check if this has swirl flaps and if so, blank them. Probably an EGR delete too. Gearbox service and diff oil. Brakes no doubt needed do but it currently stops well.
Want to get this ready for a drive up north around Christmas time so let the fun begin.
As always an expenses sheet and per mile cost. It's only just been purchased and not been driven anywhere of distance as of yet and will fall in time.
Car purchase / purchases / upgrades / tax / insurance / fuel. This will differ for everyone and I also have my partner on the insurance as a learner.
Hopefully some updates soon and some photos of the car.
I have driven a 2023 Tesla Model Y for work (private hire driver) for 16 months and covered 75k miles and downgraded the car and went to a plug in hybrid instead. This allowed some funds to get a family car that the partner can continue to drive with L plates and is on the insurance, this cost a fair bit more to insure than the Rav as to be expected.
Anyway, I have had an X1 and an X3. I have wanted an X5 for a while and I found once locally and without a towbar. Facelift, Sapphire Black, 156K, 3.0d, Auto etc etc. Costing £2200
The car has been sat around for a little while, and its hardly covered any miles in the last 6 years, a couple of thousand! It was the previous owners family car, but hen o longer used it as much and ULEZ also took its toll to stop driving as much. I am outside of the ULEZ zone now so this worked for me.
Anyway a photo from collection day (looks tidy here)
I need to take the car out and get some photos once it has had a clean but not had a chance as of yet.
I took the car to get some tyres replaced and took some photos of the general condition of the car.
Some interior shots. Cream leather (heated), screens in front headrests, previous owner says these work but he never worked out how to get the headphones to work and played the audio out of the car speakers.
Some exterior shots, the scratches are not deep and should hopefully come out with a correction excluding the bonnet and front bumper. Headlights need restoring. Rear bumper will need painting too.
Engine bay.
Chassis
Air suspension at the rear currently works fine from what I can tell.
Car was up for more than I paid for, on the basis of tyres I got the car for less. Where the car had been sat the tyres were perished.
I managed to find some locally with 7mm tread, from the same wheels as mine. £240 for the set and £50 for fitting. Not premiums but gets the car safer and road legal.
Car is flashing for brake light and tail light warning. Purchased bulbs and this didn't resolve the issue. Next step was bulb holders but unfortunately this also did not resolve. So possibly a new light unit needed but gonna check for some wiring and look for any surface corrosion first etc.
New aero wipers this week and going to order a rear wiper delete. Hopefully find some time to clean it this week.
Want to get a service done, check if this has swirl flaps and if so, blank them. Probably an EGR delete too. Gearbox service and diff oil. Brakes no doubt needed do but it currently stops well.
Want to get this ready for a drive up north around Christmas time so let the fun begin.
As always an expenses sheet and per mile cost. It's only just been purchased and not been driven anywhere of distance as of yet and will fall in time.
Car purchase / purchases / upgrades / tax / insurance / fuel. This will differ for everyone and I also have my partner on the insurance as a learner.
Hopefully some updates soon and some photos of the car.
I/Mrs21 ran one of these from new until a couple of years ago when the gearbox ate itself (or at least the sensors did).
Despite this, best car we have had in years. Comfortable, ample grunt and able to carry a pile of stuff when needed. More than useful for 900km runs to SW France in a very long day.
Looks like gearbox is on your list. "Sealed for Life" b
ks from BMW. Power steering was also a bit of a weak point IME
Despite this, best car we have had in years. Comfortable, ample grunt and able to carry a pile of stuff when needed. More than useful for 900km runs to SW France in a very long day.
Looks like gearbox is on your list. "Sealed for Life" b
ks from BMW. Power steering was also a bit of a weak point IMEJames-06gep said:
In for updates. I may start a thread for my 2004 e53 also.
Do it! Realising how simple things are not with this car.Chris Stott said:
For the rear lights, have a look at the connector block… just had to do mine.
On the to do list just not found the time!21TonyK said:
I/Mrs21 ran one of these from new until a couple of years ago when the gearbox ate itself (or at least the sensors did).
Despite this, best car we have had in years. Comfortable, ample grunt and able to carry a pile of stuff when needed. More than useful for 900km runs to SW France in a very long day.
Looks like gearbox is on your list. "Sealed for Life" bks from BMW. Power steering was also a bit of a weak point IME
Yeah the gearbox will be done hopefully by the end of the year. This has the 6 speed auto box. Feels all good for now but who knows.Despite this, best car we have had in years. Comfortable, ample grunt and able to carry a pile of stuff when needed. More than useful for 900km runs to SW France in a very long day.
Looks like gearbox is on your list. "Sealed for Life" b
ks from BMW. Power steering was also a bit of a weak point IMEMattiebmw said:
I’ve absolutely loved mine, but a work ev is going to force a reluctant sale, she’s simply not being used. Mines a Le Mans blue edition and I keep saying what a car it must have been like to have in 2005. Unbelievable
Yeah this is a second car for me I did have a Tesla for work but now in a Hyundai ha. This is definitely not the cheapest car in the world to run as a second car so I understand.Nothing to exciting to check in but since the last post covered around 250 miles maybe. Almost faultless in a driving sense except for the need of a thermostat.
Service done today along with new wiper blades and screenwash.
8L of 5w40 for a higher mileage.
I had 3 filters laying around for the same engine from my compact project that has sat doing nothing for god knows how long.
Much better than the rotten skeletons that were on the car.
Changing the air filter involved far more work then expected and that probably explains why it looks in this state.
Screenwash bottle removed for access, emptied out the plain water for 5L of Halfords berry scented that was on offer.
The fuel filter got left today as there was not enough time, and while making room for the air filter the pollen was in complete access and actually the easiest to change of them all so popped around the corner for a cabin filter and a new sump plug and washer.
Said cabin filter. Disgusting.
32mm on the filter housing that was pretty tight on!
Checked the oil level a couple times this week, knowing the oil was being done this weekend and it was at just above MIN but no more than 5-6L came out and all 8L went in. States 7.5L but without the filter assuming.
Luckily on the X5 the inlet manifold does not have the troublesome swirl flaps. So that is now off the list.
Next up will be to change the fuel filter that was not done today. Thermostat and water pump which will be Meyle units from C3 BMW and an EGR kit from Darkside. I also need a new boost pipe hose that comes off from the EGR and it appears the engine cover has been rubbing away. It is ok for now but needs replacing, you may well see the damage in photos above. Will obviously replace coolant at this time too.
New jetwash coming on Monday / Tuesday. Only a Karcher K3 in the sale from Argos for black Friday but will do for me and start getting some cleaning done on the car.
I also need a new bonnet badge? It came off while jetwashing the car at a clean park after fireworks night, the car was covered and will need a big decon. I just used some citrus pre wash and a jet wash for a quick turn around.
Have updated my spreadsheet but I update mileage on a Sunday but after today its sitting around £8 a mile until I update mileage.
Service done today along with new wiper blades and screenwash.
8L of 5w40 for a higher mileage.
I had 3 filters laying around for the same engine from my compact project that has sat doing nothing for god knows how long.
Much better than the rotten skeletons that were on the car.
Changing the air filter involved far more work then expected and that probably explains why it looks in this state.
Screenwash bottle removed for access, emptied out the plain water for 5L of Halfords berry scented that was on offer.
The fuel filter got left today as there was not enough time, and while making room for the air filter the pollen was in complete access and actually the easiest to change of them all so popped around the corner for a cabin filter and a new sump plug and washer.
Said cabin filter. Disgusting.
32mm on the filter housing that was pretty tight on!
Checked the oil level a couple times this week, knowing the oil was being done this weekend and it was at just above MIN but no more than 5-6L came out and all 8L went in. States 7.5L but without the filter assuming.
Luckily on the X5 the inlet manifold does not have the troublesome swirl flaps. So that is now off the list.
Next up will be to change the fuel filter that was not done today. Thermostat and water pump which will be Meyle units from C3 BMW and an EGR kit from Darkside. I also need a new boost pipe hose that comes off from the EGR and it appears the engine cover has been rubbing away. It is ok for now but needs replacing, you may well see the damage in photos above. Will obviously replace coolant at this time too.
New jetwash coming on Monday / Tuesday. Only a Karcher K3 in the sale from Argos for black Friday but will do for me and start getting some cleaning done on the car.
I also need a new bonnet badge? It came off while jetwashing the car at a clean park after fireworks night, the car was covered and will need a big decon. I just used some citrus pre wash and a jet wash for a quick turn around.
Have updated my spreadsheet but I update mileage on a Sunday but after today its sitting around £8 a mile until I update mileage.
Mr Tidy said:
Does it have the M57 or N57 engine? I'm not too familiar with the 6 cylinder diesels but IIRC the N57 doesn't have the swirl-flaps, and is a bit more powerful.
Both models typically have swirl flaps, but the E53 was M57 only as the N57 didn't come along until 2008 / E70 X5.Mattiebmw said:
I think mines due a trip or the garage, random warning lights coming on telling me to check lights etc and yet their fine… than the wipers stoped working yesterday, parked up turning it on and off and it was fine again. Odd one, still a great car though
I have a permanent check number plate lights warning (they are fine), and also had occasional check tail lights… which turned out to be a dodgy earth wire in the connection block to the RHS rear cluster. Mr Tidy said:
That looks like a lot of car for the money!
Does it have the M57 or N57 engine? I'm not too familiar with the 6 cylinder diesels but IIRC the N57 doesn't have the swirl-flaps, and is a bit more powerful.
M57 but the x5's never had the swirl flaps, not sure if thats just facelift or not though.Does it have the M57 or N57 engine? I'm not too familiar with the 6 cylinder diesels but IIRC the N57 doesn't have the swirl-flaps, and is a bit more powerful.
Chris Stott said:
I have a permanent check number plate lights warning (they are fine), and also had occasional check tail lights… which turned out to be a dodgy earth wire in the connection block to the RHS rear cluster.
Sounds similar to me!Mattiebmw said:
I think mines due a trip or the garage, random warning lights coming on telling me to check lights etc and yet their fine… than the wipers stoped working yesterday, parked up turning it on and off and it was fine again. Odd one, still a great car though
Not ideal coming in to winter. Hope you get it sorted!Nothing exciting this week but got a Karcher K3 in the black friday sale, I know it's not the greatest pressure washer in the world but will do the job for now. Although I plan on upgrading the hose and the gun. I also picked up a karcher foam cannon just to use today as had a spare couple of hours. Also not the greatest but will do for now.
Some before just to show the general condition. Car has not had a half decent contact wash in god knows how long.
Had some old Kleers wheel cleaner laying around, couple of brushes to do the tyres and wheel face, need some woolies or wheels off the clean inside the barrels.
Sprayed the car down with Halfords Pro citrus pre wash and pressure washed the car off and also used some Halfords Pro snow foam and brushed down the usual areas, especially my window trims with various different brushes to get the moss out the drivers window.
2 bucket wash with some meguiars gold and a lambs wool mitt and dried with a Temu drying towel. Not great. Need to build up some good products.
Eye spy the L plate. That is not mine, that is for my Mrs who is on the insurance with her provisional. Worse cars out there learners can be in I'm sure! Paying for it is a killer but we love it.
Shuts were just pressure washed, no products as I was trying to be quick today but happy enough.
686 miles covered so far since purchasing and sitting at £4.65 a mile currently. Need this number down!
Some before just to show the general condition. Car has not had a half decent contact wash in god knows how long.
Had some old Kleers wheel cleaner laying around, couple of brushes to do the tyres and wheel face, need some woolies or wheels off the clean inside the barrels.
Sprayed the car down with Halfords Pro citrus pre wash and pressure washed the car off and also used some Halfords Pro snow foam and brushed down the usual areas, especially my window trims with various different brushes to get the moss out the drivers window.
2 bucket wash with some meguiars gold and a lambs wool mitt and dried with a Temu drying towel. Not great. Need to build up some good products.
Eye spy the L plate. That is not mine, that is for my Mrs who is on the insurance with her provisional. Worse cars out there learners can be in I'm sure! Paying for it is a killer but we love it.
Shuts were just pressure washed, no products as I was trying to be quick today but happy enough.
686 miles covered so far since purchasing and sitting at £4.65 a mile currently. Need this number down!
Mattiebmw said:
Well I’ve solved the mystery of the wipers randomly stopping and loads of random warning lights coming on… seems to only happen when it’s raining so water must be getting in some where ?
I imagine water is getting in to a connection somewhere or the BCM maybe?! All fun and gamesGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff