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

[Gizmo]

My wife's E46 330i is on around 274000km and soon in need of replacement however we looking at something that has ground clearance so we can go on holiday in SA without freaking out on every dirt road we travel.

The 1st X5 prefacelift my wife says is really ugly, the facelift of that looks alot better around 2006 model. I have ruled out diesels already so its down to 3.0lt petrol or 4.4lt/4.6lt/4.8lt models.

What are running costs like? tyre prices? issues to look out for? Gimme your honest opinions.:thumbs:

 

[Peter@AEW]

Expensive
Ludicrously Expensive

Buy a diesel instead.

 

[Gizmo]

Searching on autotrader, the diesels outnumber the petrol models 10 to 1.
47pages of them!

 

[ChefDJ]

I've never owned one but I know the air suspension is problematic, and the tyre prices are around 4.5k and upwards, each.

Good luck with the search :thumbs:

 

[Gizmo]

Expensive
Ludicrously Expensive

Buy a diesel instead.

I need more details than that to convince the wife...

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I've never owned one but I know the air suspension is problematic, and the tyre prices are around 4.5k and upwards, each.

Good luck with the search :thumbs:

Eish, not what I want to hear...:thumbdo:

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

4.8is :thumbs: Nothing like getting beaten by an SUV!

 

[Gizmo]

Although I need a v8 in my life, I don't think it should be in a SUV. Strong motor though as my mom has a 2006 E60 550i sportpack, goes like the clappers!

 

[DieselFan]

The diesels carry the big body far better than the petrol variants with the added torque of the diesel. Go with the wife and test drive both. The petrol will be a bit lazy hauling the heavy body around.

 

[ChefDJ]

I agree on getting a diesel. Do software, block off vacuum system, remove swirl flaps and you're set.

The air suspension I believe can be replaced with standard shocks and springs like any other car, so perhaps look at doing that? I'm sure if you had the parts you could do it yourself.

The rest of the car is like an E39. Spacious, comfortable, built well and safe :thumbs:

 

[Gizmo]

So its the facelift E53 I would be looking at. Pre-facelift E53 is a bit dull in the looks department and E70 is out of my budget.

---

Hard choice to make as you guys know how much I hate the fuel of satan!
But yeah, a 2 ton car needs lots of torque to pull it around... what sort of range we looking at per tank?

 

[ChefDJ]

So its the facelift E53 I would be looking at. Pre-facelift E53 is a bit dull in the looks department and E70 is out of my budget.

Correct, facelift E53. Try get a sportpack to give a more aggressive look, and better steering wheel.

Hard choice to make as you guys know how much I hate the fuel of satan!
But yeah, a 2 ton car needs lots of torque to pull it around... what sort of range we looking at per tank?

Why the hate?

Fuel tank is 85 litres IIRC, and combined consumption is around 10L/100km.


See here:

http://www.um.co.za/specifications/bmw_x5_3_0d_steptronic_(2004).aspx

 

[Gizmo]

Who needs diesel when you have a 700hp V12!

It would be my first diesel, Im hesitant to the change...plus they smell bad and sound like bakkies...:fencelook:

 

[Andy1GP]

Get the 3.0d and give me a call. I will convince you. And share my experiences about them. They only require more frequent oil changes. And the DIY's on them will be peanuts for you. Once all the mods are done you have a motor that can easily see 300-400k kms on original turbo.

If my word isn't enough get in touch with Nico aka Netercol. He's had a couple of those motors as well and knows them quite intimately.

Don't be blindly biased to petrol. That motor has it's place in this world

Only downside I know of the X5 in particular is the CV's. Hitman had his rears done not too long ago. Other than that I think the transfer case output actuator gear issue was only related to X3's?

 

[topclub]

Who needs diesel when you have a 700hp V12!

It would be my first diesel, Im hesitant to the change...plus they smell bad and sound like bakkies...:fencelook:

Like Bakkies, that's what it also reminds me of :roflol:

 

[ChefDJ]

They do not sound like bakkies :bat:

 

[131GAV]

Get the 3.0d and give me a call. I will convince you. And share my experiences about them. They only require more frequent oil changes. And the DIY's on them will be peanuts for you. Once all the mods are done you have a motor that can easily see 300-400k kms on original turbo.

If my word isn't enough get in touch with Nico aka Netercol. He's had a couple of those motors as well and knows them quite intimately.

Don't be blindly biased to petrol. That motor has it's place in this world

Only downside I know of the X5 in particular is the CV's. Hitman had his rears done not too long ago. Other than that I think the transfer case output actuator gear issue was only related to X3's?

On top of that, if you import the gear for roughly 700bucks, its not a difficult fix... Is it not related to Xdrive models only?

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

My dad has a prefacelift X5, 3.0d. Pretty cool car. Comfy and some nice low down torque.

He has replaced the air suspension this year as his died. But other than that, it's been in the family since 2006/7 and happy trucking. Fuel consumption is awesome for an SUV.

 

[peanut125i]

My boss had a v8 turbo X5. Pulled like a crazed beast. Absolute rubbish though. Blown turbo and propshaft fell out on the highway. Extremely heavy on gas and price for a set of tires will be like getting kicked in the nuts repeatedly. Go for a diesel is the only advice I can give you.

 

[Gizmo]

So what I need to find then would be a white sportpack E53 facelift 3.0d with brand new tyres then...

:ty: and keep the info coming guys.:thumbs:

 

[frs1]

Depends what tyres you want, i had federal on my e53 sportpack 285/19 and 255/19, not that expensive and better km's than brand names, the diesels are excellent and fuel in town about 9 km and long trips 11.5 km. I had no troubles at all. My e70 315/20 and 275/20
run on Azura Pace at 10 G's for four, also better km's than brand names, not expensive at all the runflats cost 25 G's(Michelins etc)
Only some of the V8's got the suspension that gives trouble, adjustable from inside, the normal sportpack only got self levelling in the back and unajustable from inside, they are fine.
Excellent cars