Looking at buying, sat nav options

[Dysan]

Hi all,

Yes I'm afraid this is another "I'm thinking of getting an X5" post, sorry!

Ok I'm looking for a 3.0d with less than 120k up on about an 05 plate.  My previous red line had been it has to have sat nav built-in as my car and the wife's outgoing car currently has, Bluetooth as well ideally.

However on searching the trader I'm wondering whether I'm over looking some mechanically good cars for something that could be retrofitted fairly easily.

On a post elsewhere my understanding is that if the car has the monitor type OBM already installed the loom for the nav should already be present.  In which case I can buy the various pieces of the puzzle elsewhere and install.

Is this correct? Any other options?

I've read the buyers guide, is there any other advice when looking for the diesel motor that I could use to save myself from a money pit?  I understand the auto boxes can have issues, any driver tests that can be done to help identify one on the way?

Many thanks

[max]

If the Comms Pack - nav, bt etc is not present I would (if you want to stay single din) get something like a fold out alpine/pioneer. If you are happy to make the space for double din, then you can get after market units such as Dynamin (sp). You could retrofit all the OE BMW stuff not sure it would be worth it imo. Your cheapest and possibly most effective option would be something like a portable TomTom and get a BT kit fitted.

What budget are you working to for your car?
I know of a Sterling Grey 2005 89k miles (FSH) 3.0d Sport (with the Comms Pack) about to come up for sale

[grumpywurzel]

If you get a car with the BMW satnav it will be out of date, there are ways to update the maps but we aren't allowed to advertise that here. Either way tho the maps will look crap compared to the likes of Tom Tom/Garmin etc.

There are plenty of buying guides here, http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,8.0.html

Bluetooth, unless you have a 3rd party receiver wont be able to stream music to the e53. These new fangled phones seem to have a hard time communicating with the elderly versions of Bluetooth or Vicky verky.

There are plenty of X5's around, don't rush into the first one you see.

Any sign of a crap service history- Walk away
Any sign of gearbox gremlins- Walk away

Try and get a warranty but that means going to a dealer, buying privately and then finding the faults will leave your arse and wallet very sore

[Imy]

the system will be so outdate its not something I would bother with tbh. Get a double din Pionner/Alpine unit with Bluetooth and satnav and you will all the features of a new car. Double din is very simple to fit also. Chinese units look tempting but I would pick a proven quality brand each time. Although Dynavin does have a good rep.

[Dysan]

[quote="max"]
What budget are you working to for your car?
I know of a Sterling Grey 2005 89k miles (FSH) 3.0d Sport (with the Comms Pack) about to come up for sale
[/quote]

I'd kind of set a limit of around £6.5k, but if the right car came along and was more money, I'd dig deeper.  Would be interested in the details when it comes up for sale.

[Dysan]

Thanks all for the advice.  I'm not that bothered about the Sat Nav maps being out of date, they are on my Vectra and I won't update that as you lose the traffic info.  Most places are still where they were 10 years ago 

So If I understand correctly, on models with the screen and no SatNav its effectively a standard Double Din setup.  In which case I can pretty much please myself on what gets installed?  Is there any onboard computer type information available on the standard BMW display or just ICE?  As in, do you lose anything by simply swapping it?

I'm assuming by gearbox gremlins with the auto we're talking about any clunks, it holding gears too long etc?

Thanks

[max]

[quote="Dysan"]
[quote="max"]
What budget are you working to for your car?
I know of a Sterling Grey 2005 89k miles (FSH) 3.0d Sport (with the Comms Pack) about to come up for sale
[/quote]

I'd kind of set a limit of around £6.5k, but if the right car came along and was more money, I'd dig deeper.  Would be interested in the details when it comes up for sale.
[/quote]

PM (Private Message) sent

[Imy]

[quote="Dysan"]
Thanks all for the advice.  I'm not that bothered about the Sat Nav maps being out of date, they are on my Vectra and I won't update that as you lose the traffic info.  Most places are still where they were 10 years ago 

So If I understand correctly, on models with the screen and no SatNav its effectively a standard Double Din setup.  In which case I can pretty much please myself on what gets installed?  Is there any onboard computer type information available on the standard BMW display or just ICE?  As in, do you lose anything by simply swapping it?

I'm assuming by gearbox gremlins with the auto we're talking about any clunks, it holding gears too long etc?

Thanks
[/quote]

models with no satnav will have a single din frame, this can either accommodate an dynavin or be chopped for a double din.
You will want to keep the computer and re-route this to the glove so to retain all the information features.

[Dysan]

Hi all,

As an update to this we found an X5 reasonably locally and the deal was done.  05 gun metal grey 3.0d which appears to have a fair proportion of the options list.  Drives really nicely and seems to have been very well looked after,  bodywork and interior are pretty much mint and don't show it's age at all.

Don't get me wrong we've driven it now about 1000miles and we have discovered some issues.  All but one pretty minor:

1) Drivers front tyre has small pressure loss
2) PDC not working, not having had a BM before, I didn't understand the noises it was making meant error.  No clicks from any sensor so suspect module at this point.
3) Jack missing.
4) Oil leak - maybe something maybe nothing, can't telll at this point without dropping the tray.  It appears to be originated right at the front of the car.  Like others I'm assuming that the oil is run through a couple of cores in the radiator, if so, I think it's probably a duffer.  Whatever it is it's very small.

Other than that everything seems fine.

So I just need to get it booked in so our local garage can go through it.

Thanks for the pointers.

[X5Sport]

Worth checking the power steering hoses for seepage at the lower coupling crimp as this might give you reason to suspect engine oil.  The hoses in late 2004 into 2005 are a known weak spot and many owners had them changed under warranty.

Also worth checking the oil filter housing.  It might be that a spill happened at service and is showing in a different place.

[Dysan]

Thanks for that, the colour and smell suggest engine oil and its at the drivers side which I believe is opposite to the oil filter housing.  Power steering fluid is a little low though.

Today been out, done 100 miles, not a drop anywhere we've parked up!