Hold on to your E53 X5

[bmw540san]

I briefly considered selling it because I had 5 cars in driveway and it looked like a used car lot, lol.
Thankfuly, E60 M5 is gone (found a good home and buyer is over the moon) so I really have no reason to sell it.

I love my newly purchased X3 M40i and it's such a fun but the build quality is not as good as E53 X5. I expected that and have no regrets. My 13 year daughter loves it and she has my car gene for sure.

In fairness, we have to remember that X3 is "lesser"model and 2019 X5 is probably better build overall but I doubt it's E53 X5 quality.

Also, X3 G01 is almost identical to E53 in dimension and it fits my lift. I simply have no need for bigger SUV.

I've had various BMW's for years now and I'm not telling you anything new while stating that E39, E38, E53 and few others are last of the breed.

All I need to do is to go open and close doors on E53 and X3 and like my friend said, first word that comes to mind with X3 is "delicate".

But we can't argue with the fact that I'm getting 25 mpg vs 18 mpg with engine that is 130 hp more powerful!

[omodos]

Like a good wine ages so does the E53....yup get your point about the older models, and of course the joy where you could pull and tug and repair things without bits snapping off.....alas todays age of the throw away economy, not fix it to live another day.....

Shame, it really amazes me how far things have come for better or worse from the time i got my first car an audi80 SE 1978 model, that was as basic as it could get....and do really miss its simplicity.....oh well on and upwards....

PS how come you didn't get whitewash the house to match?

[jsoto]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

All I need to do is to go open and close doors on E53 and X3 and like my friend said, first word that comes to mind with X3 is "delicate".

Compare a current X5 to the X3 - the X3 is just cheaper on the interior.

Re: the door. Can't comment as one is steel and the other is aluminum though

[5254444]

We would love to hold onto it but we have run out of room/parking for our cars, so I had to put our SAV up for auction on bring-a-trailer with NO Reserve Price. I'm sad to see this go, but hopefully to someone who will appreciate the work that was done.

INFO: https://www.wix.com/5254444/acschnitzerx5

AUCTION: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-bmw-x5-11/

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/h659iVYN6ZE


Let me know your thoughts...

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by omodos

Like a good wine ages so does the E53....yup get your point about the older models, and of course the joy where you could pull and tug and repair things without bits snapping off.....alas todays age of the throw away economy, not fix it to live another day.....

Shame, it really amazes me how far things have come for better or worse from the time i got my first car an audi80 SE 1978 model, that was as basic as it could get....and do really miss its simplicity.....oh well on and upwards....

PS how come you didn't get whitewash the house to match?

Audi 80!? Funny, my first car was a 72 Audi Fox. Total crap-box, but very fun and I could do most of the work myself, or ask my Dad for help. My brother and I drove the wheels off that car, literally. The rear beam axle fell out on an especially awesome handbrake drift on a snowy street corner.

[X5only]

Of my 4 bimmers, my 1997 E39 528 has the best build quality. I maintain these vehicles myself. The next best in build quality is my 2017 F86 X6M, followed by my 2005 E53 4.4 and then my 2007 E92 335i coupe. It looks like a lot of love was put into the E39, right down to the carpet and the door side storage. Everything seems to be solid with this vehicle except for the cup holders.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by Henn28

Audi 80!? Funny, my first car was a 72 Audi Fox. Total crap-box, but very fun and I could do most of the work myself, or ask my Dad for help. My brother and I drove the wheels off that car, literally. The rear beam axle fell out on an especially awesome handbrake drift on a snowy street corner.

Hahahah small world eh?, apparently mine was a fox too the newer version exact same blue one top row in url

Audi 80 / Fox (1972 - 1978), Audi 80 / Fox (1972 - 1978) Models, Audi

[X5chemist]

The X5 gets many looks and compliments. I plan to keep it and get a return on my time and money. It's solid. A few friends that have borrowed, mention how stiff/solid/smooth the suspension rides. The suspension front and back refresh did wonders. The doors are heavy and solid. A few previous owners cosmetic blemishes but I can live with them. The most annoying is probably brake dust on wheels. Cleaner has been used to remove most of old dust. I need time to really polish up and clean them up.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

The X5 gets many looks and compliments. I plan to keep it and get a return on my time and money. It's solid. A few friends that have borrowed, mention how stiff/solid/smooth the suspension rides. The suspension front and back refresh did wonders. The doors are heavy and solid. A few previous owners cosmetic blemishes but I can live with them. The most annoying is probably brake dust on wheels. Cleaner has been used to remove most of old dust. I need time to really polish up and clean them up.

Indeed those doors! my little one struggle to pull open and that forces her to yank the handles! and those handles are am sorry fit for only doors that are flyweight not as heavy as the X5s! no matter, hmmm wheel dust is a scourge...
i wish there were ANY proper wheel places out here that could do a proper strip back and powder coat but alas there are none....if there were I would do them a charcoal black or very dark grey to hide the dust going forward....

[stiubhartach]

I agree. Especially now due to the crap coming off assembly lines already broken. Reports of cars reaching dealers without oil or with wrenches in the chassis. The state of manufacturing is currently crap.