As above looking to get one in the next few weeks, was going to go for the 3.0 diesel due to running costs but having looked into it they all seemed to be just as bad as each other economy wise (3.0d, 3.0 petrol and 4.4 V8). I wont be doing silly miles so its not really an issue but has anyone owned either of the 3? How do they fair up, what to look for, cost to run etc.... Looking at around a 2002 / 2003 model, perhaps a 2004 facelift if I can find one (budget up to 8k).

Cheers

 

gearbox's are made of chocolate, thats the biggest problem,
you do get a manual but they're rare
i've had a 3ltr diesel and a 4.4 v8,
v8 defo had more guts but was heavy on juice if driven anything less than economy mode(it is a v8),
the diesel is prob the best all rounder but they hold most money

 

Basically a 5 series on stilts Chris.......can be had for good money if u hunt around

 

geaarbox faults, rear subframe bushes and bolts can snap in chassis when removing subframe

 

Ok cool so i'm better off buying one thats had the gearbox replaced/reconditioned?

jamies - how are the diesels performance wise, are they totally gutless or 'ok'. Not expecting a rocket ship but would like a bit of poke. I'll be towing a horsebox occasionally asa well.

 

I had a 4.4 V8.

Ł8k will get a nice one now.

Very heavy on transmission, brakes and suspension parts.

Keep your eye on the cooling system too. If one part fails, overhaul the lot!

Change the rocker gaskets too.

 

Definately try get one with the Gearbox done already, the Diesels are ok, but dont expect alot especially if towing mate.

 

We had a 4.6iS V8 Black carbon edition, had it 2 years and did 12K miles in it, only had a couple of small probs with ours, heater control failed, Ł50 fix from Ebay, tyre sensors packed up, and replacement tyres are pricey, really bad off road/wet grass and slight hill!!

But saying that, I do miss our old one, and would love another!

 

as above really, i had a 03 4.6is brilliant car, rear subframe bushes and rear airbags are always an issue gearbox's can be also same as 5 series, mine used to ave about 12mpg around town on a run not bad about 30mpg, get a v8 and lpg it best of both then, thats what i will be doing this year getting another 4.6 or 4.8 with lpg...

 

my cousin has the 4.6 is and its cost him thousands in repairs bill because of electrics and bushes but he loves it but he dont love the fuel costs

 

Dont do it. Trust me!

Mine has sat on my drive for over a year.

Y plate, 60k miles, spent 3k on mot 18 months ago. some weird fault codes still showing so I put it to one side. LPG converted. I'd take 4k
I just cant be ARSED with it!!!

 

Now i've always loved the x5 and have been toying with getting rid of the p38 range rover for an x5, but this thread is making me think otherwise.... Prehaps adding a few grand and getting a l322 range rover or even a discovery would be the better option, Ł8k would get you a nice late disco 2 td5 with low miles with enough change to chip it!

 

Blimey its putting me off as well!!!

James - what Range Rover is the L322 one? Never even thought of them! Are they old?

 

I had one Chris and it was a nice car but had the 3.0 petrol and it was dog slow and averaged about 19mpg....never had any mechanical or technical problems at all though in 9 months of having it.... apart from changing the front bushes that needed to be done when i bought it.

 

I'll give you Ł1,500

 

haha!

If you said 3500 I'd listen.

 

lambchop - is it a diesel one you had?! Any idea what the fault codes are?!

 

Vultures are circling!

Makes me laugh people thinking they are gonna get a bargain.... They do realise you are scottish?!?!?!?

 

L322 are around the '02-05 shape mate. The petrol ones can be had for reasonable money, Ł9000-Ł12000 depending on miles I would say. Folks suggest buying the early ones, as for one it was still BMW owned and two, most things that will break already have.

 

Didn't realise you still had that Chop?!

......don't fancy an ST200 and a mint* Focus in px do you?


Cheers,
Grant


*not remotely mint.

 

3.0 petrol and I converted it to LPG.

one fault code relates to the AFM. I changed it for an ebay special(this wont help me below ) and in hindsight I wish I bought a BM one but it was circa Ł160 and I'm scottish so preferred the Ł50 option

THe other one is 'auto trans failsafe' which is normally when the box has an issue. However it can be related to battery dying. I paid to get it looked at on a decent diagnmostic machine which properly reset the codes and all codes fucked off and was well again. THen the batt went flat again when I was abroad () and the codes came back.

At this point I had my 4th child, bought a brand new 7 seat qashqai and parked the x5.


AFPMSL!

This time they might! I just want it gone. I own 4 cars and a bike and might be emmigrating. I'm happy to see this go for a low price.

 

had a 3 series auto years ago and the gearbox warnings were showing up and it would go into limp home home which is no use on the motorway 100 miles from home . anyways , turns out the convector in the alternator had went ,replaced alternator .all was well , just a thought lambchop incase it gets ur x5 sorted..

 

Mate had one, nothing but problems with it had the gearbox done got rid and the buyer phoned him a month later saying it had gone again !

 

i got mine last augest last year after looking around for a fair bit Im not a fan of the manual ones, but the auto ones are nice. The earlier 5 speed boxes go wrong. Bmw say they are a sealed for life box, but only designed to last 100,000 miles?! The 6 speed box's fitted to the later models are much better and dont seem to fail. But obviously, as its a beemer, turbo failure is common, so get cleaning your strainer! Also check for rear diff noises on the road. Only ever heard they go on petrol models tho?

iv got 54 plate 3.0 d sport with all the toys on just done a 600mile trip in it a few sundays ago and got 34mpg on that trip, mpg goes down round town as expect tows my rs on the back and you hardly no its there, will tow 2500kgs

go for the 6 speed auto box's fitted to the later models are much better

go for the best spec you can get but make sure every thing works and it has full service histroy mine has just done 80k best car ive ever had and cant see geting rid

go for 1 with 19 on as i drove 1 with 21inch and didnt like the ride as much

oh and check all speakers are working as the x5 amp has common problems can be fixed but its Ł120+ depending which amp is fitted

just like any othere car if its looked after its a great car if not looked after you will speendŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁŁ


john

 

Hi Mate

I appreciate that!

I'm pretty confident the box is ok. It's unfortunate that the boxes can actually shit it and that's hiding the real issue.

Like I said the codes cleared and it drove perfectly when I had it on correct diagnostics.

Also normally when the box is fucked or goes to limp more you cant go above a certain speed. There is no difference on mine, it drives no bother up and down. The only difference is that coming to a stop it kicks down to 1st gear slightly quicker.

 

You know where I am

 

A good friend of mine has one of the last 4.6is X5's and it's a cracking motor.

Had a few problems with it when he bought it, but I've fixed al them for him apart from the tyre pressure sensor inactive message on the OBC - needs new sensors in the tyres but other than that a good car

Things to watch, discs/pads all round, handbrake, thrust arms, track rod ends, bottom ball joints, gearboxes, crankcase ventilation system (especially on the big V8's), camcover gaskets (except diesels), MAF sensors, cam sensors, radiator/cooling system (similar issues to the E39) and air suspension.

Other than those main niggles they are good busses

 

some pics off mine










john

 

I've got one just now on a 04 that I'm selling,it's a 3.0d and I love it! Only reason we're selling is because it's a bit big for the wife and it likes the fuel,she uses it for work and she only works part time and all her wage goes on fuel so it's gotta go! If you were to go a bi above the 8k it could be yours!!!

 

chop, auto trans fault on dash when you have no real actual gearbox issues normally means a fault with the dash itself NOT the box.

 

Interesting! How the hell do you check/fix it?

 

watch for the v8's spinning the shells as well ive repaired one and my mate is doing one now although the engine is in a boat not an x5 lol!

 

Need to know more about it mate , plus your in Falkirk which is miiiiiles away!!!!

Chris