About to bite the bullet on e53 X5 3.0d 2004

[Entwicklung34]

Hi!! New to the forum, hopefully will be a long term member...

I've been doing my homework for a while now and i'm looking to travel a fair distance this weekend to view/hopefully bring home a 2004 x5. I've had many bmw's in the past (currently 530d e39) so I know a lot about bmw's and plan to do all maintenance work myself as I have done for years. Having read the highly acclaimed buyers guide and trawling the Web for a few weeks i've come to the conclusion I need to do a thorough check paying close attention to; condition of the pixels on the obc display, rear subframe bushes, g/box changes (i'm used to an auto 530d), wet carpets/spare wheel well, cv boots and all of the interior electrics! I'm sure there's more...

The question is, when I go to view, is there anything else I should be specifically looking at / or checking out? The more detailed you can be in your response the better - don't worry about offending me! :p

Many thanks in advance.

[Reusch]

Check everything that's it pal.

[dark_stranger]

Sit in the car and start it up, check the dash for any messages or warning lights.  The X5 is good and indicating if there is a problem.

[AW8]

Edit : The following may have some duplication to the buyers guide I wrote some while ago so apologies....(speed/free typed with non cross checked info off top of my head).

I would ask seller in advance if they are happy for you to read the car for fault codes & if they agree I would take one to plug into diagnostic port. If they do not trust you maybe see if there is an indy happy to do this for a reasonable fee. Mindful it is a weekend viewing so the later option may not be possible to achieve. If seller says no to either option it may speak volumes re them or the car.

I would approach your inspection in the same way as any other vehicle. Paperwork, history, mileage & servicing verification, cosmetic and maintenance condition including that of inspectable parts like pads, tyres, discs. Check for matching VIN to V5c. Check for prescence & function of all keys ( 2 fob 1 valet, 1 wallet (Unlikely all will be present but you can maybe write to prior keepers later).

If something is powered electrically check  funcionality more than once especially folding mirrors, pan roof & window operation. Check the gearbox cold warm and hot.  Very important - Check auto, manual  & sport mode plus kickdown assuming it is auto. When you kickdown listen for any knocking from rear subframe bushes. Check the outer front cv boots, inside of rear tyre tread to rears. Look for pas hose and header tank leaks, check last coolant and brake fluid change  dates.check tailgate mechanism operation by fob and hand. Check heater fan for labouring and also engine cooolant fan. Look for water pump leaks, also check for smoke from turbo on a 3.0d. Check pixels on dash & radio if no comms pack. Check colour integrity of screen on a comms pack or nav equipped car.Check date stamps on headlamps...if later than car could be minor repair only but inspect further.check function of auto wipers if so equipped. (Sensor behind drivers mirror). Check heated mirrors both warm up with demiste on. Check roof li ing for tears. Check roof for out of sight significant marks Many buyers miss stone chips to a windsreen , don't be one of them that windsreen isn't a cheap item.

Check CD changer & also Radio reception on a scan of weaker stations, if fitted check heated seats. Check for a recentish dated sat nav disc (if nav fitted).Look for mismatched tyres. Check panel gaps, enquire when alignment checked (if ever). Check trim under mats for unacceptable damage. Check panels side to side for correct gaps and ask re any body repairs being happy to accept a decent minor repair (bumper &/or car park dinks).  Check oil and coolant for contamination.

Try to drive and view others beforehand ideally a minter and a snotter (forget colour or trim choices)....otherwise it can be hard to evaluate relative to other examples.

Brake firmly from at least 70mph indicated - vibration means likely thrust bushes need changing. Ensure you drive on bumpy roads at some point and listen/feel for obvious knocks.

Do honest maths (have some idea re costs involved) , re sorting issues as many change cars to pass on future bills. Dont reject due to work needed but ideally cost to buy and sort shouldn't be significantly higher than market value.

Do not be distracted by seller or anyone accompanying you & do not take allow emotion, or good points to compromise your negotiation......be prepared to walk away.

Be mindful that if you indicate to seller you are travelling by public transport &/or with cash that it might cause seller to reel you in on their terms. Worth maybe mentioning if you are viewing another car or two otherwise seller will maybe dig in heels re the money.

May seem daft but take your licence & proof of test drive suitable insurance to avoid only having a passenger ride demo (though a lot can be learned re mechanical sympathy of seller by seeing them drive it initially).

Try to keep things friendly as viewing thoroughness is likely to annoy all but a seasoned seller. If they seem restless maybe explain they can leave you to crawl over it if happy & their time with you is an issue. A walk talk video call in advance might save a wasted trip.

Be careful - seems you may have almost decided to buy this specific car already.

Oh & darker evenings on us now.....never view in the dark.

HTH

[Entwicklung34]

Many thanks for the replies, particularly your detailed response AW8. I completely agree with the comments you have made and some valuable insight there for future forum members!
I did get down to view the car and thought I'd better update... After a THOROUGH drive and inspection I found only a couple of things that worried me first was only one of the keys would remotely operate the car, but I solved this by using the well documented re-initialisation procedure I had previously used for my e39 when a key went crazy on me! Next is an issue with the sunroof leaking some water inside - the common issue indeed! Also, the nav/radio had no sound due to an amplifier issue but he did tell me this in advance and it is off being repaired. Long-ish story short i've put a deposit down on the car and agreed a sale providing the sunroof issue is resolved and the sound comes back ok for the nav/radio. I've got to make another long journey to collect the car a week Saturday. I really appreciate the advice given and found it most valuable. I'll update with some pictures once I pick up the car and have given it a good 130 mile drive home. (p.s I was well prepared to walk away if anything was amiss - losing £50 in travel costs is much better than ending up with an wallet busting unreliable heap!) :p

[AW8]

Thanks for feedback (glad of some use) & more impotantly for the update. Faulty mech more common issue than leakage on the pan roof btw. Good for you in asking for issues sorted pre-sale.

It is unrealistic to expert potential purchases to be faultless - sometimes folk buying used have to be realistic.

No rush on the pics but interested to see same as & when you have time after collection.

Need Zzzzz's now as up early tomorrow.

[Entwicklung34]

Yes I'm looking forward to showing off the new wheels 

Oh I must have linked the faulty roof mechanism issue with the leak in my own mind hahaha... I hope this isn't a bad omen! Good enough the seller has said he will have his guys look at it, maybe use some compressed air to blow out any much from the gulleys and then take her through the carwash to make sure it's ok... Can't say fairer than that I suppose. I'll be speaking to him in a day or two, so I'll know more then.

I do have a question actually that I've just remembered... I noticed the temp gauge never quite hit the 12o'clock position despite a good length of driving, which would see the needle straight up in my own car. I'm guessing this could be the thermostat partially stuck open? In my e39 530d I did the thermo and water pump as a precautionary measure shortly after I bought it as I heard these were weak points... Would you advise doing the same with the x5 3.0d? I'm not rolling in cash at the moment with the Mrs on maternity leave but I would do it if deemed necessary for longevity.

Also, while I have you and your x5 wisdom here, can I ask would it be wise to change the autobox fluid once I have the car (it has 84,000 miles, no records of previous changes)? I did my own on the e39 (5spd auto) and followed all protocols meticulously... I just feel less confident on this new car with it being worth a lot more money and potentially f-ing it up! If it makes any difference to your reply, the car seems to be driving like a dream already.

I may fire some more questions at you as they arise I hope that's ok!

[kjb1]

Mixed bag, some say good to do it, others say leave well alone re gearbox.

Congrats on the new arrival both baby and the X!

And I had the e60 530d and did the thermostats ( two ).  So yes might be worth doing on the e53 ( one ). 

Enjoy the motor!! 


Sent from my iPhone

[andym3]

Temp gauge sounds fine, I've had a few X5's now & ive only had one get up or just past the 12 o'clock position!
As for gearbox, if oil & filter have never been changed then yes get it changed ASAP! 

[AW8]

If it has done a genuine 84k it may be worth changing the transmission fluid but I know of others who have had failures after same done. If you do then it is essential it is done by an expert who knows exactly how to do it properly that means correct fluid, temperature specifics & torque settings. Senior tech at local dealer told me one went bang as it was driven off ramp after textbook change....others will say from an engineering point of view it simply makes sense to do it...allegedly ZF say to do it 80-120k....matter for you.

As for temp I would get an Indy to check stat operation and yes I would change pump as precaution at same time if doing the stat. Periodic checking of pump for excess play leaks or bearing noise may be sensible in any case if not changing same. Belts worth keeping an eye on albeit a failure can still occasionally occur even if all looks well.

I do some bits and bobs on my 4.4i albeit am very aware I am far better at evaluating cars, seeing obvious faults rather than  significantly pulling them apart. Ironically I have taken mechanics to view used cars before and they have missed stuff that I have spotted.

[Entwicklung34]

Hey - thanks to all again for taking the time to reply!

Ha kgb1 I appreciate that! Picking up the new 'baby' on Saturday, looking forward to it. 

I've just took the DVD/USB headrests out of the e39 ready to be impanted into the X when I get it... Kind of sad doing it, but at 163,000miles she's had her day and it's time to move onto something new.

I hope the x5 is as good to me as this e39 has been!!

Pics/initial review to follow

[Entwicklung34]

Just got the new x5 home after a long but pleasant 130mile drive. Transaction was quick and easy and the issues with sunroof/amplifier have been rectified which is great

In my hyper sensitive mode on the way back getting to know the new car I noticed 2 things which I though I would ask about here...
1. The car drives great in general yet sometimes, not all times, when slowing to a complete stop the car will do a slight lurch as though it's changing gear just as you stop. I hadn't noticed this happen on the test drive and it isn't every time. Any opinions? G/box oil change? G/box update needed?
2. The car temperature did hit the middle (12o'clock) position at times, but also dropped to the line that is marked a little lower than centre when cruising along on the motorway... Every other bmw i've had stuck at the central position and didn't move from there while driving, so is it time for a new thermostat? Or sensor maybe?

I'll really appreciate any input here, got the initial new car purchasing nerves here!! :p

Many thanks, and pictures will soon follow.

[X5Sport]

Do a search on the 'lurch' on here.  It is not unusual.  Sometimes it's a software update, sometimes it's a problem but mostly it's nothing serious to worry about.  A 'feature' of that generation box.

A slight move in the needle isn't uncommon.  One to just keep an eye on.  If it moves well away from centre then that needs checking and could mean it should be replaced.

[andym3]

Wouldn't worry to much about the g'box they can do that. But when was the g'box last serviced? If no record it might be worth getting it done! My g'box felt so much smoother after a service!

Temp gauge sounds fine, mine tends to sit at the 12 o'clock position during the summer & a bit lower in the wintertime!

Go any pics? 

[Entwicklung34]

Just been out for a little drive and having read the suggestion on some old threads I kept it in sport mode... the lurch didn't happen :s Gotta be honest i'm a little worries, and surprised I never read anything about this common issue during my hours of research! No record of g/box oil change, so considering having it done...
It does come with a warranty for engine/g-box/final drive components, so really it should be covered if it does turn out to be a problem.