Its been 7 years!!!

[Funky Toyz]

:fencelook:

Howsit guys, and girls. 

It's been 7 years since my last post on the forum. Its also been that long since I've owned a BMW. Been driving my trusted GTi ever since. I'm hoping to be making a return to the BMW world within the next day or two though.  :smilebounce:

I've come across a very well maintained, one owner E70 3.0 Diesel X5. :tiptoe: It is quite old with it being a 2007 but is still an overall great car. There are some aging signs, especially the inner grab handles suffering from the dreaded sticky worn issue, but some homework indicated these could be privately repaired, or if I wanted to I could grab a set off AliExpress for like R1200 all in. All round, the car is in good nick. Gearbox is extremely smooth (spoke to ZF etc for what to look out for), so is engine and rear airbags check out fine. Health checks return no faults. Engine is beautiful and still have loads of power but I'm getting a warranty in place with very decent in cover so not stressing about the mechanical aspect too much. 

The car is having a Dekra check done this morning and if all checks out, then I'll be departing with some cash today to bring it home.

After that, time to start saving for 20" tyres  :YesNo:

PS. Any recommended RMI approved workshops close to the Southern Suburbs, CPT beside Brilliant Mechanical Workshop?

 

[preggyn78]

Good luck with the new wheels.

I have the 2012 E70 and still loving it. It’s not that expensive to maintain and do most of the maintenance and repairs by my self.

The ZF services are quite important and also make sure that the tyres are all same tread and wear as this can affect the transfer case.

I am based in Gauteng so can not assist with recommendations for maintenance in your region.

Share some pics please once you have the car.


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[suleiman.ebrahim]

:fencelook:

Howsit guys, and girls. 

It's been 7 years since my last post on the forum. Its also been that long since I've owned a BMW. Been driving my trusted GTi ever since. I'm hoping to be making a return to the BMW world within the next day or two though.  :smilebounce:

I've come across a very well maintained, one owner E70 3.0 Diesel X5. :tiptoe: It is quite old with it being a 2007 but is still an overall great car. There are some aging signs, especially the inner grab handles suffering from the dreaded sticky worn issue, but some homework indicated these could be privately repaired, or if I wanted to I could grab a set off AliExpress for like R1200 all in. All round, the car is in good nick. Gearbox is extremely smooth (spoke to ZF etc for what to look out for), so is engine and rear airbags check out fine. Health checks return no faults. Engine is beautiful and still have loads of power but I'm getting a warranty in place with very decent in cover so not stressing about the mechanical aspect too much. 

The car is having a Dekra check done this morning and if all checks out, then I'll be departing with some cash today to bring it home.

After that, time to start saving for 20" tyres  :YesNo:

PS. Any recommended RMI approved workshops close to the Southern Suburbs, CPT beside Brilliant Mechanical Workshop?

I'm looking for an X5 as well. Would prefer the E70 facelifted version.

What you paying for the 07 model and is she the msport/exclusive spec

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[Peter@AEW]

http://garage808.co.za/

Brilliant Mechanical Workshop and Garage 808

 

[Dr Evil]

@zabbo who are those guys just off Repulse rd you said were good as well?


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[zabbo]

@zabbo who are those guys just off Repulse rd you said were good as well?


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NBMW - Nabeel and Bashier (ex BMW Techies)
On the corner of Repulse and Rust Roads.

 

[Funky Toyz]

Thanks guys.

So since collecting last week, I've done 2 fixes and need to get 3 things checked out. I've repaired the iDrive controller with the solder fix. This took 30seconds to solder and about 5-10 minutes from start to finish. 

Also removed the sticky melted rubber from all the passenger inner door grabs :bin: , sanded it down and replaced with leatherette (paid R16.00), bought at fabric world. Looks and feels OEM to be honest and a highly satisfying DIY. Made a huge difference to the interior.

I need to check these 3 things:
1. Want to get to ZF for a health check on the gearbox...not urgent as the box is smooth and no issues at the moment. I just would like to know the current values by doing a report.
2. When accelerating, I get a slight diesel smell inside the car. Not sure if it's normal, or maybe need to check exhaust or boot lid seal.
3. Need to replace passenger door window switches. They seem to work intermittently. Windows work fine using the key and from the driver's door switch panel. 


@"preggyn78" the tyres are new, but the fronts are a different brand to the rears. The tread pattern is therefore also different so not sure how this effects the transfer case? I'm not intending changing it anytime soon so I'm hoping this would be ok for now.

@"zabbo" - are those guys RMI approved? They are not close, but not far either from me. I'm in the south and know where Repulse road is.

PS. Some googling shows RB Autoworks in Tokai also fairly close to me. Sounds reputable as well. Anyone have any experience dealing with them?

 

[Dr Evil]

Thanks guys.

So since collecting last week, I've done 2 fixes and need to get 3 things checked out. I've repaired the iDrive controller with the solder fix. This took 30seconds to solder and about 5-10 minutes from start to finish. 

Also removed the sticky melted rubber from all the passenger inner door grabs :bin: , sanded it down and replaced with leatherette (paid R16.00), bought at fabric world. Looks and feels OEM to be honest and a highly satisfying DIY. Made a huge difference to the interior.

I need to check these 3 things:
1. Want to get to ZF for a health check on the gearbox...not urgent as the box is smooth and no issues at the moment. I just would like to know the current values by doing a report.
2. When accelerating, I get a slight diesel smell inside the car. Not sure if it's normal, or maybe need to check exhaust or boot lid seal.
3. Need to replace passenger door window switches. They seem to work intermittently. Windows work fine using the key and from the driver's door switch panel. 


@"preggyn78" the tyres are new, but the fronts are a different brand to the rears. The tread pattern is therefore also different so not sure how this effects the transfer case? I'm not intending changing it anytime soon so I'm hoping this would be ok for now.

@"zabbo" - are those guys RMI approved? They are not close, but not far either from me. I'm in the south and know where Repulse road is.

PS. Some googling shows RB Autoworks in Tokai also fairly close to me. Sounds reputable as well. Anyone have any experience dealing with them?

If you in Tokai side i think SVG is in Plumbstead. No personal experience but I heard they good as well.
Otherwise I'll always recommend Brilliant Mechanical Workshop in Kenilworth.


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[preggyn78]

So the issues you mention are quite common. I had the ZF service done on the transfer case and gear box. ZF will not repair the transfer case if the tyres are not exactly the same, but at least you dnt need a repair.

Still need to sort out the melting out door handles and my passenger window also is sensitive when being closed with the passenger switch.

I used to smell fumes if the sun roof is open but maybe I’m used to it now. In the mornings when I start there is a puff of white smoke and it’s been like that for the last 3 years since I bought the X5.

Still loving it though


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[Funky Toyz]

So the issues you mention are quite common. I had the ZF service done on the transfer case and gear box. ZF will not repair the transfer case if the tyres are not exactly the same, but at least you dnt need a repair.

Still need to sort out the melting out door handles and my passenger window also is sensitive when being closed with the passenger switch.

I used to smell fumes if the sun roof is open but maybe I’m used to it now. In the mornings when I start there is a puff of white smoke and it’s been like that for the last 3 years since I bought the X5.

Still loving it though


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The melting door handles were first on my list. I couldn't stand the stickiness of it. Almost made my hands feel dirty when I touched it, and I only used it once. The DIY I done is perfect and I'm extremely happy. Didn't even take too long...probably like 30mins to do all 3 passenger handles.

I also got window switches from Bruce Spares in Maitland and replaced the window switches. This is all working fine now so happy with that. This took about 20 minutes.

Then lastly, I changed all the interior roof bulbs to LED last night. These were front dome, map, reading, rear c-pillar and tailgate bulbs. Paid R280.00 for them and took the car from entry level to premium. LED's are the smallest upgrade that always makes a huge, huge difference on the interior.

Will do the gearbox service in the new year... Happy with the car now. The fume smell I get only when really pushing it, but over the past few days its been fine. Maybe it was just about me having to get used to driving a diesel vs owning petrol vehicles all my life.

---

PS: Also had a proper wash, 3 stage machine polish and interior clean with leather cream done yesterday. The guys spent 5 hours working on her. Car is looking really good now.

:smilebounce:

 

[preggyn78]

Awesome man


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