X5 3.0d Purchase Decision help

[stephenCT]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and will hopefully be a proud owner of a BMW soon.

I am looking to buy an X5 in the coming months and I can't seem to decide what to go for. I have read a number of posts and this forum seems to have a large number of experts on these cars. The X5 as far as Im concerned is the ultimate SUV and I just love the 3.0d motor which my old man had in his 530D. I have tried to talk myself into a Toyota Fortuner but I fall asleep from boredom each time I go down that thought path.

Please would you be so kind as to give me some advice on this purchase as I seem to be chasing my tale at the moment and the dealers will tell you whatever you want to hear just to get you to buy THEIR X5.

The first question is whether to by the E53 older shape version or the newer E70 version (assuming same mileage/cost). You seem to get both in 2007 and from 2008 just the E70. These are obviously very different cars, but my preference is for the E70. The E70 however seems to have more electronics that can go wrong, and I dont know which has a better history with regards to general reliability and gearboxes, turbos etc goes.

I will drive whatever I buy out of Motorplan and will hopefull be able to fix things as and when needed, but I just wanted to get a sense of which to go for from a quality perspective.

Then to complicate matters.. If the E70 is then the best one to go for, how reliable are they? I would consider buying an 08/09 with about 80,000km on the clock, but my concern once again is for turbos/gearboxes/engines etc that could really kick one in the groin should they go wrong out of motorplan. Any common problems on these cars I should worry about. Have their been any major changes to the E70, other than a better on-board computer, that would suggest buying a later model, ie 2009/2010?

Apologies for the million questions, and thank you in advance for your input..

 

[FerrariRSA]

We had a e53 diesel and it was quite an amazing car, but... The e70 is just so much more luxurious! We have a 4.8 so I can't comment on the engine but we were never disappointed with the e53

 

[Rolf]

First question to ask after reading above post is: What's your budget?

Will send PM as well

 

[zaleonardz]

+1 Rolf,

We have just been down this road.

E53 is essentially old school tech developed in 98ish, and shares a lot of characteristics with the E46 and E39.

Many have argued that this era was the last era that BMW built decent solid indestructible cars.

So in terms of build quality, I will actually say that the E53 is better built and more robust then the E70. Take a close look on the factory finishes of the E70, specifically how the rear fenders are joined, its actually fairly poor. First close look at one I almost figured it was a backyard panel shop job that went wrong, but then compared, and they are all the same.

However, a 2003 E53 is, 10 years old, which means its subject to wear and tear.

The E53 however had its fair share of design problems as well, most notably, the transfer case and gearbox.

The motor however (M57N) being the diesel version is remarkable, absolutely incredible, and a 2004 ish (D3 I think is the version) will probably be the most reliable motor ever built, evidenced by winning the ward's top engine of the year for like 4 years (correct me on this fact).

However, the E70 is just such a nicer place to be, with the right options selected, it is far more of a luxurious car then the E53 will ever be.

The shape is by far more modern, the electrics are, although seemingly more complicated, far more modern.

Do not be fooled by the complex electronics, the basic design principle in terms of communications, in principle, is the same as the E53, yea its a lot more modern, but programming/buses/diagnostics therefore is virtually the same.

The E70 does cost more of this I am sure.

So in esstance

Option 1, E53
drop 150k, keep 50k in the bank for when it breaks

Option 2 Out of plan E70
Drop 350k and keep 50k+ in the bank for when it breaks

Option 3
Drop 450 on one with motorplan (say 30k left) and ride that plan to have everything done and the car to be in the best shape possible, then 50k in the bank

Option 4
Drop 600+ on a demo/fairly new and ride it till the motor plan is out, sell it at a huge loss, and over-finance another, like everybody else does.

My money is on option 3.

So ultimately, all of this comes down to what rolf originally asked... whats your budget ?

 

[stephenCT]

We had a e53 diesel and it was quite an amazing car, but... The e70 is just so much more luxurious! We have a 4.8 so I can't comment on the engine but we were never disappointed with the e53

Thanks for the response, much appreciated. zaleonardz@DentDoctor hit the nail on the head. do you spend 150k or slightly more on the E53 or do you go newer and spend 350k to 500k for the newer one etc.

My budget is between R300k and R450k depending on what is going to be the best deal. The reason I am starting at 350k for the older models is because I cant see the value in spending 650 to 850 on car just so that there is a plan in place if things break.

Thanks for your help!

---

+1 Rolf,

We have just been down this road.

E53 is essentially old school tech developed in 98ish, and shares a lot of characteristics with the E46 and E39.

Many have argued that this era was the last era that BMW built decent solid indestructible cars.

So in terms of build quality, I will actually say that the E53 is better built and more robust then the E70. Take a close look on the factory finishes of the E70, specifically how the rear fenders are joined, its actually fairly poor. First close look at one I almost figured it was a backyard panel shop job that went wrong, but then compared, and they are all the same.

However, a 2003 E53 is, 10 years old, which means its subject to wear and tear.

The E53 however had its fair share of design problems as well, most notably, the transfer case and gearbox.

The motor however (M57N) being the diesel version is remarkable, absolutely incredible, and a 2004 ish (D3 I think is the version) will probably be the most reliable motor ever built, evidenced by winning the ward's top engine of the year for like 4 years (correct me on this fact).

However, the E70 is just such a nicer place to be, with the right options selected, it is far more of a luxurious car then the E53 will ever be.

The shape is by far more modern, the electrics are, although seemingly more complicated, far more modern.

Do not be fooled by the complex electronics, the basic design principle in terms of communications, in principle, is the same as the E53, yea its a lot more modern, but programming/buses/diagnostics therefore is virtually the same.

The E70 does cost more of this I am sure.

So in esstance

Option 1, E53
drop 150k, keep 50k in the bank for when it breaks

Option 2 Out of plan E70
Drop 350k and keep 50k+ in the bank for when it breaks

Option 3
Drop 450 on one with motorplan (say 30k left) and ride that plan to have everything done and the car to be in the best shape possible, then 50k in the bank

Option 4
Drop 600+ on a demo/fairly new and ride it till the motor plan is out, sell it at a huge loss, and over-finance another, like everybody else does.

My money is on option 3.

So ultimately, all of this comes down to what rolf originally asked... whats your budget ?

Hi,

thanks so much for your detailed reply. You hit the nail on the head!

My budget stands at about R300k to R450k. I don't want the sports pack as those tyres will cost a private school education to replace. For me thats like throwing away money?

As nice as the E53 is, I agree that the E70 just seems a whole lot nicer, more modern and comfier. Do you think there is a big difference between the 2 in terms of quality?

I am sitting on the fence between option 2 and 3. I was leaning towards option 2. I can understand why some choose to do option 4, but I can keep some cash on the side and self insure against the off chance that something breaks.. but the gap between a quality 350k X5 and the 650k X5 doesnt seem to justify R300k?

I do longish distance travelling each day, so I probably do about 25k - 30k per year, so any MP would run out quickly, and Ive seen a few quotes from dealers and they are not for the fainthearted.. My thinking was to get something with a year of MP and 30k left on the clock, get everything anything fixed and then keep the cash for any pain later?

 

[FerrariRSA]

I would say go for the e70. A lot of luxury and comfort in comparison to the e53, but maybe you must wait a while with the new x5 coming out which will mean that the e70s price will drop

 

[OppositeLockMT]

We used to have an E53 X5 4.4i Sportspack and now we have an E70 M-Sport xdrive35d. They are essentially the same car but have somewhat different characteristics.

The E53 was the definition of character, especially when it was first released - was the first that pulled off the aggressive SUV look IMO. Ours had all the bells and whistles: Sebring exhaust tips, rear-seat entertainment etc. Still miss that car to this day.

BMW tried to clean up the E53's rough edges with the E70 IMO which made a bit more sedate and understated. It is a better car when you look at things retrospectively. Performance wise our 35d puts out a whopping 210kW (exactly the same as the E53) and it was the most powerful production diesel engine some time (correct me if I'm wrong), so that's a massive improvement. The E53 would do 16l/100 whereas our E70 averages 11l/100.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Just have to make sure you find one that's been looked after.

PS: The E70 won't age quickly judging by the looks of the F15 (anyone seen the revealed pics?), it looks more like a GL now - big and tall.

 

[Jarv]

Cant go wrong with a x5 man,my dad has one and he loves it,its fast and light on juice/diesel.

He selling his 30d , which is in mint condition with only 88k on clock with m/plan 2006 shape sport kit

We have the new x3 30d in our driveway now, WOW well i know what car i need now to beat all these gti's and ST's and things on the road.
190kw & 560nm this thing is a lethal machine!!

Big UPS BMW!!!:thumbs:

 

[vnitos]

if i were you, i would also look at an aftermarket warranty - some companies offer some good ones at around R11,500 which will cover for example the engine for about R70k and gearbox for R50k.

ive got one of those policies and within the first month the warranty company paid out R8.5k for the air suspension compressor on my car

 

[stephenCT]

if i were you, i would also look at an aftermarket warranty - some companies offer some good ones at around R11,500 which will cover for example the engine for about R70k and gearbox for R50k.

ive got one of those policies and within the first month the warranty company paid out R8.5k for the air suspension compressor on my car

Okay, great!! I've heard of them but there seem to be quite a few and I've heard mixed reviews about them. Who would you recommend?

---

We used to have an E53 X5 4.4i Sportspack and now we have an E70 M-Sport xdrive35d. They are essentially the same car but have somewhat different characteristics.

The E53 was the definition of character, especially when it was first released - was the first that pulled off the aggressive SUV look IMO. Ours had all the bells and whistles: Sebring exhaust tips, rear-seat entertainment etc. Still miss that car to this day.

BMW tried to clean up the E53's rough edges with the E70 IMO which made a bit more sedate and understated. It is a better car when you look at things retrospectively. Performance wise our 35d puts out a whopping 210kW (exactly the same as the E53) and it was the most powerful production diesel engine some time (correct me if I'm wrong), so that's a massive improvement. The E53 would do 16l/100 whereas our E70 averages 11l/100.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Just have to make sure you find one that's been looked after.

PS: The E70 won't age quickly judging by the looks of the F15 (anyone seen the revealed pics?), it looks more like a GL now - big and tall.

Great. Thanks very much. That's certainly made my choice easier. Much appreciated.

 

[Clownshoe]

Just don't be fooled into thinking it is an SUV, it is a SAV (sports activity vehicle). If you are thinking about going any further off-road than the good gravel roads then you should consider something with a bit more off-road cred.

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Just don't be fooled into thinking it is an SUV, it is a SAV (sports activity vehicle). If you are thinking about going any further off-road than the good gravel roads then you should consider something with a bit more off-road cred.

+1

It's a bone jarring ride on anything other than tarmac, especially in sportspack guise. I've done a lake trip in both the E53 and E70 - E70 is much more comfortable but still feels overly stiff over the rough stuff, just the way an "SAV" should be.