My search continues.

FYI, I enquired on this car in Sydney

2005 BMW X5 E53 is MY05 Steptronic

For anyone interested, it is obviously a very rare example being an Estoril Blue 4.8is. It also has comfort seats and electric folding rear seats, so fully optioned. Guy is the 3rd owner, He has owned it since the start of the year - states the car is in excellent condition inside and out. Has had a gearbox replacement in the past 6 months (65k 2nd hand box @ $2500). No SLS issues and no pano issues. Initially I was putting the lower than average price down to the high km's. Unfortunately, it is listed on the WOVR as being a repairable write off.

I think the guy is in a bit of a bind because it's a qld registered car, and he's moved to nsw where they have a number of strict new laws about re-registering write-offs.

Within half an hour, the advertised price had dropped another $2k.

Could be the right car for someone who is happy to go through the red tape and accept the lower resale value.

Smokey,

Still no joy then, I'm sure the right one will come along eventually.

Got mine back from an engine rebuild last week, after a month of repairs, timing chain guides! Good to be back in the driving seat.

Advert looks good shame about the write off bit.

Paul

New member - Melb - Lots of questions!
 

Thanks Paul, yeah - I'm just goosey on the write off status. It has obviously been repaired to a reasonable standard but when you're buying a special car you don't want to be thinking about the dirty little secrets in its past! Also had no service history fm about 60k on so....yeah. The smart money says 'no.'

Glad to hear yours is running tip top - now you've done the bags, VCG, Pcv, and timing chain guides - you've pretty much covered off all the normal big ticket items. Hopefully plenty more trouble free km's ahead.

The repairs ran a bit deeper than that, when guides went I had engine pulled and stripped right down. Even big ends inspected. New parts included every gasket and seal replaced, new chain, vanos, thermostat, water pump, CCV tested, manifold seals, valve seats, heads tested in case of any warping, new sparks, all fluids. Every engine part including block sent away for cleaning. Whilst I was at it replaced AT fluid and filters with magnets cleaned. Both drive shafts sent away for rebooting, all bushings checked. Minor stuff included new window switch, new bonnet gas struts, pixel repair done, diff fluid changed, new belts.

I have a receipt for a new alternator 3 years ago from PO so didn't replace.

My car now runs really sweet but here's hoping I don't have a repair for a while as maintenance fund is now empty, but wanted to do all I could whilst stripped down, I even replaced the washer motors and little washer fluid lid as this looked untidy!!

Combined with a new battery and new airbags back in April I am looking forward to just washing and polishing it for a while.

Paul

I've had an x for a while and drove quite a few before settling on a facelift V8. Economy of the 04-06 4.4 is very good for what it is. I do 13-14L/P100 around town and about 10-11L/P100 freeway. The six speed auto helps. The diesel was just too gutless for my liking & couldn't really see large savings in running costs.

I also drove the earlier 4.6, seemed to be heavier than the 4.4 on fuel, couldn't really feel any noticeable difference in performance either. The 4.8 was a different story!

Hope you find the right X!

Thanks mate! I've got email alerts set up for new listings left right and centre!

Smokey,

Any joy yet on the elusive X5, and have any compromises been made yet to the one you would go for.

Happy hunting

Paul

Hey Paul, funny you should ask

I was in touch with a bloke in the ACT on a 4.8is in sterling grey - with liquid injection LPG. Had comfort seats and looked in reasonable condition. Price was nice at $20k, but in speaking with him - it was throwing air-sus codes and he wasn't sure what it was. He was going to suss it out and get back to me. It's on carsales for reference.

In the mean time, a diesel with sports kit, 4.8is flares and wheels came up this morning on car sales. Km's were good, full BMW service history, guy assured me in excellent condition and photos looked good; so put a deposit down - just waiting for him to get it inspection report for warranty purposes, blue slip, then I'll either pick it up from Sydney or get it trucked down to Melb.

I broke a couple of my cardinal rules of not buying a car sight unseen, but most of all, buying a black car - which i said I would never do! Hopefully I don't regret either !

Progress indeed, if you need I can check it out and send more photos etc. I am away with the family this weekend but I am available next week.

Black is good as long as you don't mind washing it every other day, I like mine when washed and waxed but shows its 2 very small scratches on the bumper very easily as well.

Since last post I have had the engine rechecked for leaks and it is bone dry, touch wood, replaced the drivers door carrier, fixed the rear drivers side window regulator, and had a new windscreen.

I hope the purchase goes well.

Paul

Good job, Paul! You'd expect that engine to give you at least another 100,000kms of hassle free motoring with the work you've put in. Must be a good feeling, I remember that niggling dread I used to get with my e39 every time I drove it......'what will go wrong today....?' Nothing really every did, aside from an AUX fan, but as a young guy with not a huge amount of disposable income it was always a worry!

Thanks for the offer to check the car out, I'll send you a PM, but only if it's convenient nd near to you.