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  #1  
Old 08-08-2011, 10:40 PM
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2003 X5 3.0 turbo diesel

I'm in Sydney Australia and looking at buying a 2003 3.0d turbo diesel X5 with 100,000 Klm on the odometer.

I have to say I love this car and it drives beautifully, however i have heard a few horror stories about BMW's in the last week. A guy I know with an X5 had his transmission go (whilst under warranty and cost the dealer $8,500A) and lately had the transfer case? (which drives the front wheels) go and that cost him $10,000 to fix. All up in the last 2 years he said he ahas spent $15,000A on his X5.

I have already put a deposit on this X5 and am now terrified about buying it.

I would like to know whether transmission problems are a common occurence with X5's or if somehow this is rare and i just happened to speak to the guy who has been unlucky.I've done a search and while there seem to be some people with X5 transmission problems, the feedback I am seeking from those with X5 experience is whether transmission failures on any X5 models are a common occurence...(Particularly 2003 which is what I'm looking at).

If transmission failures on these cars are common I might be better off buying something else. I don't mind paying for regluar maintenance of tyres, brakes, oil & filter changes plus the odd small faults, but transmissions are another story. I'm retty confident of the turbo diesel engine, it's just transmissions and transfer cases that concern me.

Any info or experience would be highly appreciated as if I'm going to pull out of this deal and lose my deposit might be wise.

Thanks

JD
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  #2  
Old 08-08-2011, 11:25 PM
jdd jdd is offline
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Does this vehicle have the 5 speed GM transmission or the 6 speed ZF ?

Although I’m no expert in this area, from what I’ve read the older GM 5 speed transmission has more issues than the later ZF.
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Old 08-08-2011, 11:31 PM
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I believe it's got the earlier 5 speed..... I think the 6 speed ZF came in the 2004 model. This X5 is plated February 2003, so I believe it's one of the first Turbo diesel models.....

Any advice would be appreciated.
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Old 08-08-2011, 11:58 PM
jdd jdd is offline
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As mentioned above, I have no personal experience in this area as my X5 has the ZF transmission which I haven’t had any issues with however; having read many posts about various failures with X5’s since purchasing mine a few months ago, I personally wouldn’t consider one of the pre-facelift (5 speed auto) variants unless it was a manual.
The auto in both the 5 and 6 speed is extremely expensive to repair and that’s pretty much the only fear I have with my vehicle as I reckon I can tackle most other repairs myself but would never attempt a transmission rebuild. Failures on the ZF aren’t un-heard of either.
I would also look at whether this vehicle has a tow bar already fitted, and if so, if you can find out what it’s been towing and how often.
If it’s done a fair bit of towing anything substantial it would add further weight to perhaps giving it a miss.
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Old 08-09-2011, 12:10 AM
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the good thing is it hasn't got a towbar so i assume it's never towed (unless it's been removed which I would doubt)......

i hear you on the pre-ZF transmission, that's what has me concerned also...

i must admit, this car is great and highly tempting, but with 100,000klm on the clock i'm not made of $$$ and if a tranny went sometime in it's near future i would seriously jump of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Perhaps i had better stick to Toyota 4WD's
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Old 08-09-2011, 06:59 PM
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I've no experience with the GM 5 speed... but I guess you should ask yourself 'how long are you going to keep the car' ?

If it's for the longer term, I would suggest buying an 04 + model.
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