New X5 Owner

[Mike1]

Wow guys, one way to make a guy wish he never joined the family.

 

[ryanetz]

Wow guys, one way to make a guy wish he never joined the family.

Sorry mike.... The gentleman did ask what he should look out for...!!

I told him my story!

Its not the case of making him never want to join the family... its just stating the issues these cars do and can have... there are common problems that do occur on the cars and like myself i had wished someone told me the common problems to look out for... Then i probably would of chosen a different bmw!!

Then, i would of changed my mind and bought a car i could afford to maintain before spending and loosing ALOT of money !!!

Rather the devil you know... NOT SO???

So welcome to the family, we WILL be open and tell you the issues that YOU MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT HAVE but we will deffinitly try help you make the right choice to save you money and make sure you have the dream machine you want and can afford to maintain... or to do some "preventative maintenance"


Regards


p.s your X5 is an amazing machine and i loved my car...

if i had the money to maintain it i honestly would of kept it bud :thumbs:

 

[Mike1]

I fully understand, he did ask but it came across very like "What you didnt know your car was about to explode" the poor guy didnt sleep for an evening! :rollsmile:

The X5 3.0D is a superb machine. :thumbs:

 

[ryanetz]

I fully understand, he did ask but it came across very like "What you didnt know your car was about to explode" the poor guy didnt sleep for an evening! :rollsmile:

The X5 3.0D is a superb machine. :thumbs:

Mike.. buddy... it was never like that!! i think u are seeing into things too much.

....he didnt sleep that evening cause he was too excited to wake up and see what a machine he has in his driveway :thumbs: ha ha ha.

as stated .. this was my experience !! On the other hand u never know what you are buying when you buy second hand... hell, you dont know what you buying when the vehicle is new !!:fencelook:

Le boss X5... dont worry man, your car wont just go poof... hopefully :rollsmile:

i have a thing with murphy and his law...

anything that can go wrong with me probably will :rollsmile:

your car is a nice machine... as any car their is preventative maintanance and you should look out for that (as in any second hand car)

we here are fanatics and the slightest squek that i hear in my car i quickly rush and take it to the mechanic shop :rollsmile: ha ha ha

 

[Mike1]

I drive a Smart Fortwo - If anyone knows something about Murphys Law and a temperamental ride its me.

This thing never remains constant, there is always something funny that it is doing. :rollsmile:

 

[ryanetz]

I drive a Smart Fortwo - If anyone knows something about Murphys Law and a temperamental ride its me.

This thing never remains constant, there is always something funny that it is doing. :rollsmile:

Dude, its a "SMART" car :rollsmile: what can i say its too clever for us.


:idea: p.s... the best mod you can do to your X5 is get the 4.8is mags :thumbs: too sexy

 

[msm]

The bill from agents R 56000 . 00 excl transfer case...

There's your problem right there :thumbdo:

I'm sure you get the same work done elsewhere for about 30% of that and with better results that the "agents"

I'm on my 3rd 3.0d motor and also had an X5 3.0d, which "agents said needed new injectors". Long story short, I had 2 injectors cleaned elsewhere at a fraction of the cost and no issues afterwards.

Part of the reason for this forum is to assist people with support on their vehicles so they don't have to run to the "agent" and pay exorbitant prices for expertise that they can get elsewhere. So while your experience was rather sad, it does not mean that the X5 3.0d is unreliable or expensive to repair ...

 

[ryanetz]

The bill from agents R 56000 . 00 excl transfer case...

There's your problem right there :thumbdo:

I'm sure you get the same work done elsewhere for about 30% of that and with better results that the "agents"

I'm on my 3rd 3.0d motor and also had an X5 3.0d, which "agents said needed new injectors". Long story short, I had 2 injectors cleaned elsewhere at a fraction of the cost and no issues afterwards.

Part of the reason for this forum is to assist people with support on their vehicles so they don't have to run to the "agent" and pay exorbitant prices for expertise that they can get elsewhere. So while your experience was rather sad, it does not mean that the X5 3.0d is unreliable...

thanks msn... we learn the HARD way dont we?!

i never take the vehicle to any agents anymore... i swear to god, the minute they plug in their diagnostic machine im sure it loads viruses on the cars software :fencelook: swear to god !

your car will be fine, go to the agents, plug in diagnostics, poof.... u now have a problem :flyfun:

i have heard many storys of x5 3.0d being a lovely and extremely reliable car... and im sure thats what he has bought :thumbs:

 

[Le Boss X5]

I think I will make it - thanks for all the concern, really good to see that one can be assisted on the forum

Would like to know

*what tyoe of oil will be best to do the gearbox
*must I do the filter on the gearbox
*what will be the best oil replacement for the engine
* do I need to remove and how the swirl flaps and crack case breather

Dankie Manne

 

[ryanetz]

i know in 2003 if im not mistaken there were two different engines. one with swirl flaps and one without.. check if yours has them. if it does... remove asap

 

[Le Boss X5]

where do I look - on the side of the manifold

 

[ryanetz]

for you buddy :

http://www.swirlflaps.co.uk/what-are-swirl-flaps.html

http://www.bmwswirlflaps.co.uk/swirl_flaps.html

you can have a read :thumbs:

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some people suggest getting the blank plates made up or importing, other people just remove the two screws on the shaft and remove the flap :thumbs:

 

[Solo Man]

My 2003 E53 X5 auto does not have swirlflaps. Am not sure about the uprated motor on the later 2003 models. Easy enough to check. Just feel under the inlet manifold for the shaft that opens and closes the swirlies and if you do not have a shaft then you do not have swirlflaps!
My gearbox was replaced at about 140k km but the car was sometimes used to pull a very heavy laden trailer (plus minus 1,2 - 1,5 tons) and i assume that is why it packed up. Recon gearbox currently done about 80k km and still going well. Had it serviced at ZF in Bellville and cost about R2 500. ZF guy was happy with the clean/unburnt oil that came out of the sump. Have not had any problems with the gearbox recently.

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Take the car to ZF. Their gearbox filter cost R300 whereas the agents quoted R1300 if i remember correctly. Because the oil in the gearbox was clean/unburnt i only did the drain and refill - did not flush it as i deemed it not necessary.

 

[Le Boss X5]

Just a quick one - Came from P.E. to Cape Town and having the gearbox serviced at Triangle Transmission - I can have a gearbox cooler fitted to keep the gearbox oil temp down to about 90 deg that will make last longer - is this really necessary on the X5 - want to have it done tomorrow morning

Thanks