New guy looking to buy an e53

[rmepilot]

New guy here looking to buy an E53 with manual transmission, for my daughter to learn to drive on on.

Is there a combined list of common problems listed anywhere?

I previously owned an e46, so I''m aware of window regulators and water pumps. What else should I be looking at prior to purchase?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[andrewwynn]

I saw a thread last year with the context of "I just bought what did I get myself into" which answers most of the maintenance questions. Search xo for that thread.

Good luck finding a manual shift though might as well be searching for a diesel in the USA. (It can be done though I'm not being sarcastic just actual luck)


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[rmepilot]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I saw a thread last year with the context of "I just bought what did I get myself into" which answers most of the maintenance questions. Search xo for that thread.

Good luck finding a manual shift though might as well be searching for a diesel in the USA. (It can be done though I'm not being sarcastic just actual luck)


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Still looking for that thread, but I appreciate path to follow.

[Jeadiex5]

The CCV failing if not being driven regularly at highway speed can be a huge issue if you are living in a cold climate. Can at best, hydrolock your engine, or at worst, like me....detonate your engine causing me to install a new one. HUGE money! Another issue can be the yaw sensor..not hugely expensive but required a removal of half the interior to replace. Another issue is the sensor pad for the passenger airbag can fail. Some were under recall, some we're not. Mine was not but I found a emulator system that was cheap and easy to install that still allows the bag to deploy but will also deploy if nobody is in the seat. I've heard of cooling system issues here and there. Have not had any other major issues otherwise. Great car, safe and comfortable..a huge gas hog, however. Taught my boys on a 2004 Saab 9-3 manual. Good luck.

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[rmepilot]

Originally Posted by Jeadiex5

The CCV failing if not being driven regularly at highway speed can be a huge issue if you are living in a cold climate. Can at best, hydrolock your engine, or at worst, like me....detonate your engine causing me to install a new one. HUGE money! Another issue can be the yaw sensor..not hugely expensive but required a removal of half the interior to replace. Another issue is the sensor pad for the passenger airbag can fail. Some were under recall, some we're not. Mine was not but I found a emulator system that was cheap and easy to install that still allows the bag to deploy but will also deploy if nobody is in the seat. I've heard of cooling system issues here and there. Have not had any other major issues otherwise. Great car, safe and comfortable..a huge gas hog, however. Taught my boys on a 2004 Saab 9-3 manual. Good luck.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Xoutpost.com mobile app

Much appreciated with the CCV and sensors info. That's the type of things I'm looking for. In hindsight, I wished I had kept my e46...

As far as a gas hog, my wife's AWD 5.7l Durango and my S/C'd Tacoma 4x4 are just as bad. That's the price we pay for wrapping our kids in plenty of steel and having enough room for several sets of golf clubs.

[Crowz]

Im in Alabama too and I spent a year hunting for a manual version and ended up settling for an automatic. No regrets. In all honesty I think the automatic was a better fit seeing as I wanted to creep up my driveway which was in bad condition and the automatic was much better suited for that. Plus when we had that ice/snow storm last year the automatic was definitely better suited for that vs the manual.

Last plus for the automatic is the odds on finding a manual trans x5 at ALL are slim so you will have to take what you find.

Going with an automatic allows you to find one that has all the other options you want and to focus more on the overall condition since you wont be settling for what few if any manual ones you may find.

[rmepilot]

Originally Posted by Crowz

Im in Alabama too and I spent a year hunting for a manual version and ended up settling for an automatic. No regrets. In all honesty I think the automatic was a better fit seeing as I wanted to creep up my driveway which was in bad condition and the automatic was much better suited for that. Plus when we had that ice/snow storm last year the automatic was definitely better suited for that vs the manual.

Last plus for the automatic is the odds on finding a manual trans x5 at ALL are slim so you will have to take what you find.

Going with an automatic allows you to find one that has all the other options you want and to focus more on the overall condition since you wont be settling for what few if any manual ones you may find.

I'm insistent of a manual for several reasons and may end up with a X3 or e90. She's not 15 yet, so I have time to look.

[Attacking Mid]

Originally Posted by rmepilot

I'm insistent of a manual for several reasons and may end up with a X3 or e90. She's not 15 yet, so I have time to look.

I have a nice 5MT e46 I'd sell in Colorado. Although maintained well, it's a 20 y.o. car with 251K miles, so that may be older than you're looking to put your daughter in.

An X3 with MT will likely be easier to find, and frankly, I bet she'd like it more. Especially if you can find an LCI (07+) version with the N52. The 06 pre-LCI is desirable over the older ones mostly due to BMW FINALLY painting the bumpers instead of adorning the vehicle with big ugly black plastic!

Good hunting,

AM.

[rmepilot]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I have a nice 5MT e46 I'd sell in Colorado. Although maintained well, it's a 20 y.o. car with 251K miles, so that may be older than you're looking to put your daughter in.

An X3 with MT will likely be easier to find, and frankly, I bet she'd like it more. Especially if you can find an LCI (07+) version with the N52. The 06 pre-LCI is desirable over the older ones mostly due to BMW FINALLY painting the bumpers instead of adorning the vehicle with big ugly black plastic!

Good hunting,

AM.

Thanks, but I can find an e46 much closer, if not buy my old car back if it's still alive. Her golf clubs will fit in an e46, but it's still a little tight. Most likely she'll have other teammates traveling with her to practice as well.

[Attacking Mid]

Originally Posted by rmepilot

Her golf clubs will fit in an e46, but it's still a little tight.

I can 100% verify that statement! ;-)

AM.