In the market for a X5, what to look for?

Gizmo

Banned
Wow, just got a phone call for an interested party in the 330i....:fencelook:

Whats book and trade value on a 2002 330i manual?
 

Budleigh

Active member
I think that if you're buying an E53, the smart money is on a facelift 3.0d - but I'd forego the looks and get an Activity (or whatever they were called) spec model with the smaller/more practical wheel/tyre combo.
 

Bevan

New member
X5 30d Sportpack definately the better choice, powerful and economical. The V8's are nice but you will take a knock when you want to get rid of it. Be sure to check the history of the car as the transfer case is a problem on these cars. They normally start from about 180000kms- 200000kms
 

Mr. C

New member
If you don't want a diesel, the most economical one of the lot is the 4.4.

The M54b30 needs to be nailed all the time to get anywhere and suffers from horrible consumption. It is frustratingly slow. Take your 330i and load it up with 4x of your biggest buddies and on top of that hook a fully loaded 7ft venter trailer to it. That is how the 3.0i X5 feels.
The M62tub44 is definitely the best in the petrol range ITO economy, albeit still not close to the diesel ones. I have witnessed this first hand.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
Well I have an E70 X5 and the E83 at home so you can compare actual size.

What I found best in the holiday situation, is just to attach a 5 foot venter on the back, and put all of the crap in there..
 

Flash-Gordon

Honorary ///Member

DieselFan

Honorary ///Member
Haha if I were getting another big car it would be a touareg v10 tdi. And they are going for dirt cheap
 

H|TM@N

Member
zaleonardz said:
Gizmo,

You cant really go wrong with the E53, its old school tech, and solid as hell.

Air suspension is a fsckup yea, so try and avoid something with that.

As for the fuel of satan, ost of the guys have said it already, and you know how I feel about the diesels.

Thing is, the 3.0 petrol or 3.0d is the smart move, you know the M54 backwards, the M57 seriously is a lot less complex then the M54, but the M62's parts are far more scarce, you are dealer dependent ect...

But fuel consumption/running costs, diesel, low down torque/gruntyness, diesel, and lets face it, you dont buy a X5 for top end, hands down diesel wins.

Yea there are more associated risks with big ticket items on the diesel such as injectors and diesel pumps and turbo's, so there is that, however if well maintained with regular service intervals, the diesels are good for well over 500k, with perhaps a turbo, have the injectors taken out and ultrasonically cleaned, stuff like that.

Other issue to keep in mind is the transfer cases, they go poof, thats how it is, 25k to recon.

Do however keep in mind that I have a very clean X3 3.0i right around the corner from you, with all maint done, new transfer case, and a new set of bridgestones, 05 E83 with 150 on the clock.

It's usually the servo motor that strips a plastic gear on the transfer case, that gear can be replaced at roughly R1000.00.


DieselFan said:
Haha if I were getting another big car it would be a touareg v10 tdi. And they are going for dirt cheap

Because they pop turbos. :fencelook:
R56k from dealers to replace the two turbos. Colleague of mine sold his due to this fact.
 

Solo Man

Well-known member
Get a 3ld facelift E53, but the non-sport model as the sport is notoriously bumpy with the sport suspension. I had the pre facelift 2003 E53 diesel and sold it on 240k with original turbo but gearbox was replaced at about 140k. Facelift has six speed auto so should be much better than the old GM five speed (although the GM is extremely smooooth). Never had problems with the rear air suspension but it is not that expensive to replace with aftermarket spheres. My brother (previous owner) had replaced a sideshaft sometime in its life. I replaced a driveshaft boot once, rear shocks due to one leaking, aircon compressor was refurbished once. That is about all. Rear doors central locking was not working when I sold it. Some pixels went dead on the radio (had the Business radio I think). Also had the 17 inch rims with 235/65 x 17 tyres which made the car handle the bad roads better but would still amaze you with its cornering abilities even with the relative small tyres. Rear camber a slight problem but I overcame that by changing the tyres on the rims and swopping them over. Outside door handles breaking somewhere on the inside apparently a problem but I never experienced it. On a trip to Kruger park travelling at the speed limit with car fully loaded, got 11,4km/l and with the 90l fuel tank, often saw over 1000kms range. Miss her, but will definitely go for the facelift one next tima around. Sold mine with 240k on the odo for R110k including a spare set 19inch wheels and well used tyres. Hope this info is of use to you.
 

H|TM@N

Member
I found you one. :fencelook:
500


http://www.platinumwheels.co.za/?page_id=4&vehicleid=8a81830a47d401d301481767909d3351
 
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