Newbie saying hello and a few questions 😉

[D11nyd]

Hi everyone, just a quick hello to you all!
I've just purchased a lovely 2005 55plate e53 x5 3.0d sport with only 74000 on, very happy with my purchase!
I've already done a few bits and only had it 4 days!
A list of what I've done:

Auto box multitronic plug seal as it was leaking so a new pan gasket and oil change
4.6is wheel arches and sidesteps with the rear bumper arches installed.
Full service with genuine BMW parts
NSF cv boot
Wiper blades.
Think that's about it 😳

I'm hoping to get some 4.8is 20inch alloys for it as the original 19's look a bit lost in the wheel arches now!

My questions are about the dreaded swirl flaps...
In the previous cars like a 2003 320d and a 2003 330d e46 I've always changed them to blanks after reading all the horror stories about them!
With it being the newer style engine did they sort the swirl flap issues or are they still a risk which needs addressing?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Danny

[wpoll]

Welcome!

Sounds like you got a good car there. 74,000 miles or Km's?

Good news - no swirl flaps in the M57TUD30 fitted in the 2005 X5. Or any diesel in an X5.

Might be a good idea to reset the transmission adaptations after the fluid change. But if its working great, then maybe you don't need to. I haven't changed the fluid in mine (but I have had the condition and level checked) but I got the adaptations reset to cure a hard 2-1 shift.

You're going to love this car!

[D11nyd]

Hi it's miles, had it on the ramp at my garage and I don't think it's ever been near any mud in its life! So clean I couldn't quite believe it!

That's good to hear re the swirl flaps, I'm glad you replied as I was just about to buy some off eBay!
Does that apply to every x5 diesel or just the later ones like mine?

I was having a play around with my snap on scanner and there was an option to reset the adaptions but I didn't do it but I may do now.
The next job is do do the rear lower hub bushes as the rear tyres are massively worn down on the inner edge and I need to sort that before the the new wheels go on!
I do really like it and it was great today after we'd been for a long walk I put both my kids on the drop down boot lid whilst I sorted there muddy wellies!

Looking forward to getting it all sorted!

[wpoll]

Hey Danny,

No model X5 diesel was fitted with swirl flaps. I went through exactly what you are doing now, when I got my '05 3.0d about 8 months ago (worrying).

The trans. reset is a good idea if you have changed any parts in the trans, had the trans open (fluid change) or are a new owner, with a different driving style than POs. Having said that, I'm a real supporter of the "if ain't broke..." philosophy. Regular maintenance aside of course. If the trans is good, maybe don't screw with it. I have read of adaptation resets going bad...

I did the same as you when I got mine - full service 2 with all BMW parts (at a BMW dealer - I have a mechanical warranty that requires this). Not sure if I'm going to take it back though - I wasn't all that happy with aspects of what they did. They did the trans. fluid check and adaptation reset though (at my request), which I'm very happy about.

Had to change the left front outer CV boot too - Spooky... Mind you, mine had 170,000km when I got it. 186,000km now. But it's in great nick.

Nothing else to major to do. Got a couple of rows of pixels on the MID that are a bit flaky - going at the moment but some days they drop out. Got some broken mesh in the front bumper (birdstrike) - I have some black alloy expanded mesh to fix that but waiting for a better reason to remove the front bumper (the clips are $$!).

Thinking I'll replace the front control arm bushes soon - have a WoF due in a couple of months and I'm sure they'll fail as the they are torn a little and I'm starting to get the front-end thud on sudden braking. Just need to find a 2-ton press!

But it's still the best vehicle I've ever driven/owned. Converted...

[D11nyd]

That is good to hear very happy to confirm that!
I like to go right through my cars as I believe prevention maintenance is best!

I think my front control arms bushes are on the way out as mine are showing cracking to,maybe a may leave the trans reset for a bit as knowing my luck it would kill it!

Once the mechanical is done I can move onto to getting the paint to shine again once this weather sorts itself out!
Nice speaking to you
Danny