XSeries-forum

Love affair started in with an E21 323i, then E32 735i rare manual with Eibach & Bilstein + Alpinas, next E32 750il and lastly E38 740i with Eibach & Bilstein + SS straight through exhaust.
Had a hankering for an X5 project so I join you now owning an E53 X5 4.6Is sporting all the usual wear problems to be tackled in a time scale yet to be decided.
Been a member of the 7 series register for many years and now look forward as a newbie to X5 discussions with those with experience.

you're clearly a hands on kinda guy, unlike me.

E53 is a great machine, had my 4.4 circa ten years and gave the local dealer a lot of my £s to keep it tip top. Rear suspension bushes are a known issue and the V8 thougn lovely will invariably leak oil. Mine had cam cover gaskets twice and timing chain cover gaskets once. A radiator, new door mirrors and a lot more.

I sold the car with around 82k on it having effectively bought it twice. I tried to buy it back more recently but failed. The 4.6 is a nice place to sit when its running as intended

Welcome aboard. I've been through many BMW's too and love the E53 4.8is so much I bought a second one a couple of weeks ago lol.

Seems like you aren't adverse to getting your hands dirty which is cool too.

Welcome, I have a 4.6is, owned about 6 years, great machine, once you have the niggles sorted, oil leaks, coolant leaks and electrical gremlins sorted. You have come to the right place to get help and advice, some smart dudes on here who have often pointed me in the right direction. Good luck with your project.

Hello and . Never owned a petrol X car as all mine have been oil burners. Plenty of good info sources and mentors for you on here....

Hi there and welcome new be myself first car bmw 2002 must off had over 20 bmw over the years nicest 735 with those parallel wheels just recently sold my 740 hybrid m sport very fast and rare but to big for misses every time she took it shopping it came back with either a dent or scratch from people hitting it cost me a fortune 10 times I had to call out paint man now back to the old X5 3.0 d sport what have I done just spent 1500 on suspension

I'm new here myself and I had a '88 E32 735i rare manual with Eibach & Bilsteins. Loved that car - my grandkids called it Darth Vader because it was big, black and mean looking. I loved that car.
Welcome.

I remember mine had the deep dish alloys cost a fortune now

Here is a picture of mine:

I felt the same about my E39, solidly built, heavy doors that shut with a positive clunk.

Although some of the interior styling was borrowed from that car, the E53 never felt as 'chunky''.

I remember being told by the dealership the E39 was one of the best cars BMW has ever produced. That said i actually owned the E53 for considerably longer.

My current ride of some five years, an E71, is a nice place to be, and positively restrained compaired to the blingy interiors now appearing. I much prefer the former understated look on the inside and the exterior.