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#1  02-03-2014, 07:12 PM |
williamk10  Member | Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7  | |
New member buying used - School me on i6 VS V8 models Hi guys, I don't currently own a BMW, but I love the look of the X5 and I am looking into buying an E53. I searched for used car buying threads, but didn't see too much information about what models/years to avoid. As far as reliability, I'm leaning towards buying a 2006 3.0 model, as the inline 6 is BMW's bread and butter. The performance of the V8 is certainly tempting, can any owners chime in on the dependability of the V8 VS the inline 6? Also, I've heard the air suspension on these vehicles could be problematic. Are there other major issues that I should look into when inspecting an X5? Thanks in advance for any advice, looks to be a great community here.   |
| #2 02-03-2014, 07:20 PM |
 | giodog2000 Member | Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Montreal Posts: 462 | |
| Welcome to the forum..... One thing I can say , they are not maintenance free especially the 4.8... In your quest for the "perfect" X , discard the ones that have no maintenance record. Good luck and this is a great community. Very knowledgeable members here. __________________ His : 2005 X5 4.8is (SOLD) Hers: 2007 X5 3.0si (SOLD) _______________ Retired: 1999 518 2000 323i 2002 M3 (beautiful car) 2003 330Ci |
| #3 02-03-2014, 07:30 PM |
| williamk10 Member | Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Vancouver Posts: 7 | |
| Thanks, there is actually a 4.4i locally in my area, low miles. Any idea what the "AG" and "Activity" packages are? I don't mind doing maintenance on a car (I should know, I own a V8 Lexus GS with a heck of suspensions problems) I'd like to hear what the members opinions are on what to look for when buying used. |
| #4 02-03-2014, 07:35 PM |
 | pezho405 Member | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Charlotte,NC/Воронеж,Росси&# Posts: 1,286 | |
| Welcome, first check this out, has some info especially for the V8 models: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...st-e53-x5.html That thread should tell you alot of the stuff. The most reliable would be a later 3.0 Manual with Coil/spring suspension all around. I love my v8, but if youre gonna go v8 then The 4.6/8is.. In my opinion Air suspension really isnt that problamatic, Most of the time sometimes the Airbag may develop a leak and you have to get a new one... not a big deal really. Ive replaced mine. Go for the 04+ X5s. They are the Facelifted ones. Also with Xdrive instead of the old regular 40/60 split tc. __________________ 2003 4.6is 2004 E53 4.4i N62 http://i.imgur.com/nNNg5Qz.jpg http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3xxtq5op.jpg 2007 E63 M6 S85 http://i.imgur.com/mSXK6ML.jpg 1984 Porsche 911 930 Turbo http://i.imgur.com/i9XUXOg.jpgg http://i.imgur.com/ZMGou51.jpg 1983 E21 320i [Sold] http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...psfd905353.jpg |
| #5 02-03-2014, 09:03 PM |
 | Ricky Bobby Member | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 9,344 | |
| The more electronics. The more to replace. I have full air suspension and besides replacing leaking air struts the system works fine, I had to replace compressor too but that's because the PO drove too long with leaking bags. My CCV is ready to be replaced at 10 years old, I am planning on doing the DISA rebuild preventatively and other than that the inline 6 is flawless. Did I mention owning a manual 3.0 takes that whole "driveline failure" of the automatics out of the question? My tranny will outlast the x. Member on here recently replaced his trans on his 4.8 to the tune of 7200 __________________ 2018 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 68RFE 19k miles -Bright White/Black - Big Horn Sport - Crew Cab Short Bed 2013 X5 35D (CEO's) - Born on 5/17/2013 - 82k miles - Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown/Premium Pkg, Sport Activity/Premium Pkg and Sound/20" Style 214/Running Boards |
| #6 02-03-2014, 10:44 PM |
 | upallnight Member | Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Cook County Posts: 7,280 | |
| I would look for something else since you live in Canada and must deal with sub zero weather. Look up frozen CCV problem or intermediate levers. __________________ 2006 Infiniti G35 2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids BMW 525IT Sold Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold Opel 1900 Sold Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD |
| #7 02-03-2014, 11:28 PM |
 | JCL Premier Member | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 11,853 | |
| No real cold to worry about in Vancouver, but at local fuel prices I would be looking for a 3.0. Better than the 4.4 in the real world, no matter what the artificial official figures said. I would say dependability and reliability are similar with the various engines, but cost to repair and ease of servicing is better with the 3.0. Also, condition and maintenance will matter more than engine choice. One issue is that the 4.4 has more optional features, and that means more to fix. Personally, I would avoid a 4.4 and air suspension, but that is just me. I would look for a 2006. __________________ 2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White Retired: 2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey 2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver 2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey 2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue |
| #8 02-03-2014, 11:58 PM |
 | TerminatorX5 Member | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Stafford, VA & Harrisburg, PA - USA Posts: 5,736 | |
just like all the folks here said... look for as late model in the production run, as it will have less of the old gremlins (and more of the new ones!!!). as simple as you can go, the more reliable the machine will be - as the laws of entropy say: simply less of the things to break... so, a 3.0 with manual and no bells or whistles... and the records... well you will need records for any car you get... or, you will need to establish a baseline once you get the car. if you go for a V-8, then go for the miles that correspond to the age - you don't want a car driven by granny to the local bakery and back... even if you get a car without records, or a car driven short trips in cold Canadian winters... check in the dipstick and under cap for the cholesterol/mayo goop... as soon as you get the car, do a hot oil change... do several hot oil changes with short intervals, check the posts that talk about oil additives (like Liqu-Moly engine flush, Auto-RX) - you want to dissolve and flush out that goop from inside the engine and that is what those things will help you do... if buying from a dealer, try to get some kind of engine warranty, at least for the first 30/60/90 days - i do not know how Canadian warranties work, so you look into it... while anything that breaks on a car is annoyance, but broken lock or handle is much better mishap than a busted engine... I would go for a 4.8is but that is me - i just like the bells and whistles... lol... and hate retrofits - the "is" is already fitted with most things i'd like to have in a car... __________________ E53 X5 4.6iS 147K mi - Sold May 2013 Tireprints left in: USA, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Russia  E53 X5 4.8iS built 2005-10-17 66200 mi - June 2012 96000 mi - June 2013 112000 mi - June 2014 OEM fire extinguisher OE first aid kit OE tow hitch OE TV module OE aspheric mirror K&N air filter black/white badges rear camera 4-channel video recorder Here is the list of things I have done to the X |
| #9 02-04-2014, 12:17 AM |
 | alecu Member | Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 102 | |
Buy a Ford. More reliable - J/k The 2004 - 2006 models also have a better transfer case than the previous models. If you're not going to tow anything with it, I think the 6 is fine, however there is a considerable difference in power between the two engines. I have the I6 with regular suspension and am very happy with the way it handles. Prior to this one, I had one on with air bags and I honestly can't tell the difference too much. Get the I6 with regular suspension and put the sport wheels that came on the V8 model. Looks nice (like mine) - lol  - Check it out.  __________________ X5 E53 3.0 built 6/20/04 w/ 19" Sport Pkg Wheels. |
| #10 02-04-2014, 02:15 AM |
 | romeokc10 Member | Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: California Posts: 956 | |
| You should buy a newer CPO model with a warranty, trust me you're gonna need it, so that obviously rules out an E53. Even if you buy a 2006, the last year for the E53, you're still buying an 8yr old vehicle that will have brittle plastic and other worn components. Do yourself a favor and take a month or so and read some of the threads here on the site to familiarize yourself with the litany of problems these things have, you'll probably runaway faster than a top fuel dragster...lol! And for the love of god please don't tell us you're wife/GF will be the primary driver, you'll be rescuing her more times than you can count! __________________ 2002 X5 4.6is 1999 C5 Corvette 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 1994 Kawasaki ZX-9R 2005 Mazda 6 Wagon (Wife's) 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 |
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