Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-30-2019, 03:02 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 1,109
Bdc101 is on a distinguished road
Another long towing trip under the belt

Spent 9 days on the road towing our camper trailer last week. This was the longest trip we have taken at about 600 miles of towing, over 2 passes and in 90+ degree heat with AC blasting. I am just so impressed with this car as a tow vehicle. Ours is a 2003 3.0 with the 5-speed manual, an OEM hitch with WDH, and Tekonsha proportional brake controller. I have to downshift to third to climb some of the higher-elevation grades, but generally it doesnt lack power. My trailer is an Apex Nano 19-footer, which is just shy of 3,000lbs dry. It isnt a huge trailer, but it is full width and height, not like an R pod.



I have no modifications except for 4.6is fartcans. But I did nab an aFe intake on amazon for $112 shipped yesterday, so the next trip with the trailer will be a great way to see if there is any performance increase.



I havent filled up since I got back, but my first two fillups were 14.3 and 13.7 mpg. Last year I had one tank as low as 12.5mpg, so this wasnt so bad. Could be worse. My last towing vehicle was a 2001 Tahoe with a V8, and this is both more powerful and more stable despite being a smaller car.



This is my first german vehicle and in year 3 of ownership, I am still surprised at how much I like this car. It hasnt been unreliable, it is fun to drive (for an SUV), it's really stinking nice, and most of all I only paid $6k for it. Sorry for the rambling, but I really do like this car.



10/10 would purchase again
__________________
2003 3.0 5MT Topasblau
Purchased in 2016 and surprisingly still running
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 07-30-2019, 03:24 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 2,192
Clockwork is on a distinguished road
thats fantastic to hear. if you take care of it, it should take care of you.
__________________
I swear, my cars are like a girlfriend.
Sometimes its a rough ride, sometimes its smooth motorin'.
Sometimes she doesnt like how i treat her and sometimes i dont like how she behaves.
BUT at the end of the day, she loves it when I am inside her.

_______________________
'91 850i
'05 X5 4.4i
'09 Clubman S
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-30-2019, 04:41 PM
wpoll's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 4,660
wpoll will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdc101 View Post
… This is my first german vehicle and in year 3 of ownership, I am still surprised at how much I like this car. It hasnt been unreliable, it is fun to drive (for an SUV), it's really stinking nice, and most of all I only paid $6k for it. Sorry for the rambling, but I really do like this car.

10/10 would purchase again
Nice to see a post on here that isn't about a problem!

Actually, this forum is a pretty good balance of the good, the bad and the ugly.

The ugly being the OFHG repair on some models...

This is my first German vehicle too - four years in and I'm a lifer.
__________________
Wayne
2005 BMW X5 3.0d (b 02/05)
2001 BMW F650GS Dakar (b 06/01)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-30-2019, 06:15 PM
PropellerHead's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: At the wheel of a Bimmer
Posts: 2,171
PropellerHead is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by wpoll View Post
This is my first German vehicle too - four years in and I'm a lifer.
See? You guys are lucky. My first *vehicle* was a german vehicle... I got relegated to a life of poverty early.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-30-2019, 06:37 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 1,109
Bdc101 is on a distinguished road
I bought mine fully depreciated. I am all in maybe $8,500, which includes complete CCV and cooling system overhaul. My only failures have been two windows with broken clips -- $40 total repairs.
__________________
2003 3.0 5MT Topasblau
Purchased in 2016 and surprisingly still running
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-30-2019, 08:50 PM
wpoll's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 4,660
wpoll will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdc101 View Post
I bought mine fully depreciated. I am all in maybe $8,500, which includes complete CCV and cooling system overhaul. My only failures have been two windows with broken clips -- $40 total repairs.
That's darn good value for money, esp. for a car of this pedigree.

I paid a bit over US$10k for mine, with ~120k miles. Spent a bit on maint. items, like the exhaust manifold, glow plugs and controller, viscous fan coupling, various suspension bushes (front and rear) but have not had any major failures and I'd certainly call what I have done just routine maint. on wear items. Well, maybe not the exhaust manifold but that failure IS a known issue on the M57TU.

I regularly tow large loads of firewood with mine - don't even notice 2-3cu.m of wet wood on the back.
__________________
Wayne
2005 BMW X5 3.0d (b 02/05)
2001 BMW F650GS Dakar (b 06/01)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:24 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.