My X5 sold yesterday. Just waiting for the buyer to arrange the money and collect it now.

I bought it in January and have spent a reasonable amount of money since then fixing some common issues such as front & rear bushes, lambda sensors, radio module and repeatedly re-balancing the wheels to chase down the steering wobble. I also had to replace the undertray that was missing and fix a cross-threaded front subframe bolt - I blame those on the supposed "specialist" that fitted a new steering rack a few months before I bought the car.

It's a lovely car to drive and all last week I was having second thoughts about selling but the torque converter is juddering a bit and my paranoia has taken over, fuelled by the number of gearbox threads on here. I'm almost scared to use it now for fear of a £2k-£3k repair bill when something big goes wrong. I can cope with a couple of hundred quid now and then on smaller things but that kind of money on a car that's only worth £4k is madness so I decided to quit while I'm ahead.

Also, last week I spotted a car I've wanted for a long time in the exact spec I'd want, local and for a fair price, and after a few days of me acting like a child before Christmas my wife said I can have it That sealed the X5's fate. There's still a little negotiating to be done on the price but it should be sorted by the end of the week. Bye-bye X5, hello Porsche 996

Many thanks to everyone for the advice I've had here, and I'd like to think I've helped a few folks too. This is a good forum. Keep it up !