E53 X5 30d - Anyone had one?

[gwatson]

I was originally thinking of selling the F11 5 series and Z4M to get a new 335d M Sport touring.

But after a brilliant drive last night in the Zed, I'm convinced I would regret it once the novelty of a new car wears off, so thinking this could be a good candidate to free up some cash and give me the needed 4x4.

Does anyone have any experience? I'm assuming mpg is optimistic, so mid 20's on my daily 8 mile a-class road commute? Anything to look out for other than potential panoramic sunroof problems.

Would this age of car have Xenon's as standard?

This looks really nice, but 350 miles away

http://www.nickrobertscars.co.uk/used-BMW-X5-Deeside-Cheshire-681395

 

[pvr]

I had one, but that price !!!

I sold mine 3 years ago for 10k, have a look at xdrivers.co.uk

On my 30d it was 30 - 35 mpg as I did not use it for town driving. You need winter tyres though. The drive was fantastic, I have an E70 now after the E53.

 

[bluespit]

I was originally thinking of selling the F11 5 series and Z4M to get a new 335d M Sport touring.

But after a brilliant drive last night in the Zed, I'm convinced I would regret it once the novelty of a new car wears off, so thinking this could be a good candidate to free up some cash and give me the needed 4x4.

Does anyone have any experience? I'm assuming mpg is optimistic, so mid 20's on my daily 8 mile a-class road commute? Anything to look out for other than potential panoramic sunroof problems.

Would this age of car have Xenon's as standard?

This looks really nice, but 350 miles away

http://www.nickrobertscars.co.uk/used-BMW-X5-Deeside-Cheshire-681395

5 miles from my home. I can pop in after work tomorrow and have a look if you like?

 

[paddy wright]

I have anE70 and get around 26-27 mpg as an average on my 32 mile mixed driving round commute. Great car but get a warranty (ideally AUC) In tw years I have had circa 6-7K in warranty claims!

 

[WJB]

I've currently got an E53 X5 3.0d as a family car, it's an '03 and I would highly recommend one!

It's massive inside, took a two seater sofa to the recycling center once and with full leather, electric everything & sat nav its a nice place to be IMO.







Had it 6 months now, not spent a penny on it other than some replacement mirrors, my private plate transfer & fuel. It was less than half the price of the one linked to above too

 

[cj10jeeper]

Ran one for a decade and 100,000 miles. Never misses a beat and without doubt best car I've ever owned as a family hauler.
Was the petrol not diesel

Xenon was an option but I retrofitted oem xenon.

 

[gwatson]

All sounds very positive. I do think they're kind of retro cool now, especially if I can mint a mint low mileage example

This looks really nice, but 350 miles away

http://www.nickrobertscars.co.uk/used-BMW-X5-Deeside-Cheshire-681395

5 miles from my home. I can pop in after work tomorrow and have a look if you like?

Thanks very much for the offer, that would be greatly appreciated. Only problem with that car after inquiring is the "full service history" starts at 36k miles in 2011... They've now amended the advert, but will get back to me if they "find" any invoices etc. I may contact BMW on the off chance.

 

[dario]

I had one a few years back. No real problems. did have a sensor fail which affect the 4WD system which was £500 to find and fix. Used to get mixed 27 and on a run 33 was not a problem. Used my to pull my race trailer. That is where this car held its head up high. marvellous tow car!

If your driving newer machinery like the F11 this will fell like a horse and cart in my opinion. Loved it whilst i owned it as the seats were large and supportive, but when you compare it to newer kit it very dated.

 

[gwatson]

What's the ride like, been a long time since I've been in one.

My wife's 2008 X3 is quite firm...

 

[cj10jeeper]

The ride was a total game changer for 4x4's when it came out. Made all the others look agricultural. That said things have moved on in 15 years so don't expect a 5 series ride.
You can't have a big truck that can tow 2 tonnes, carry 5 and a shed load of luggage and expect a silk smooth cruiser.

 

[pvr]

Just note with regards to the age, that sudden parts might need replacing like the rear bushes etc. Again, if you have a look on xdrivers.co.uk you can see what goes on with those cars.

Satnav disk is the same as the Z4

I found the ride more than acceptable.

 

[bluespit]

Just had a look at the car and it's very nice for a 10 year old vehicle, infact it could easily pass for half its age.

The paint is very good, consistent colour with no low spots or ripples on the doors etc, all the panels seem to be straight and fit well.
Inside is clean with only the faults below, the leather is unworn on the bolsters and the steering wheel shown no age related wear on the rim. Carpets are clean and dry, there is no delimitation of the front or rear screen. All the electrics seem to work including the seats, sunroof and steering column, the sunroof is particularly impressive. The engine started first turn with no smoke or rattles and settled into a steady idle. The alloys are in excellent condition and the tyres seem to have plenty of tread left in them

There are a few faults. the passenger door has a small scratch about 25mm long running vertically under the handle this has been touched in with a repair stick but still looks obvious. The same door trim panel has some access marks that would not repair out but would not be seen with the door closed. The drivers seat has some slight discolouring to the seat base which could probably be coloured out by a leather trimmer easily. The steering wheel rim is excellent but the plastic centre cover has discoloured when thumb marks have been made, I don't think this would take recolouring and would need to be replaced, it is obvious and would annoy me on an otherwise nice interior. The rear seat is perfect. Finally the rear tailgate lower edge on the passenger side interior shows some significant corrosion which has just started to creep to the outside of the panel, this would need rectification and would not be an easy repair.

I didn't drive the car or ask for it to be moved so can't comment on the dynamics.

Hope thats of some help

Cheers

 

[pvr]

The tailgates are generally still repaired under warranty by the dealer as I have seen on multiple occasions.

 

[gwatson]

Just had a look at the car and it's very nice for a 10 year old vehicle, infact it could easily pass for half its age.

The paint is very good, consistent colour with no low spots or ripples on the doors etc, all the panels seem to be straight and fit well.
Inside is clean with only the faults below, the leather is unworn on the bolsters and the steering wheel shown no age related wear on the rim. Carpets are clean and dry, there is no delimitation of the front or rear screen. All the electrics seem to work including the seats, sunroof and steering column, the sunroof is particularly impressive. The engine started first turn with no smoke or rattles and settled into a steady idle. The alloys are in excellent condition and the tyres seem to have plenty of tread left in them

There are a few faults. the passenger door has a small scratch about 25mm long running vertically under the handle this has been touched in with a repair stick but still looks obvious. The same door trim panel has some access marks that would not repair out but would not be seen with the door closed. The drivers seat has some slight discolouring to the seat base which could probably be coloured out by a leather trimmer easily. The steering wheel rim is excellent but the plastic centre cover has discoloured when thumb marks have been made, I don't think this would take recolouring and would need to be replaced, it is obvious and would annoy me on an otherwise nice interior. The rear seat is perfect. Finally the rear tailgate lower edge on the passenger side interior shows some significant corrosion which has just started to creep to the outside of the panel, this would need rectification and would not be an easy repair.

I didn't drive the car or ask for it to be moved so can't comment on the dynamics.

Hope thats of some help

Cheers

Thanks very much for taking the time to have a look, very kind of you It certainly sounds a clean example and I'd be quite happy sorting out those small issues, (other than the tailgate) quite enjoy that.

I'll call BMW tomorrow and see if I can find out any more information out on the SH.

 

[gwatson]

The tailgates are generally still repaired under warranty by the dealer as I have seen on multiple occasions.

Well assuming it has a full BMW service history lol (and is under 10 years old which is must be, just)

 

[pvr]

On xdrivers, someone just had one replaced FOC.

 

[WJB]

Regardless of mileage or condition £11,000 is a lot of money for an E53, at least 4 grand overpriced imo. You'd be mad to pay anywhere near that for it.

 

[pvr]

Yep, as I said, I sold my 100% perfect and immaculate one 3 years ago for 10k (72k miles).