Multi e53 owner- First Post

[Sven2160]

Hello to all and thanks for all your great information.
I am near 70 and have owned many different cars and trucks. Most all were bought used.
My BMW saga started in 2012 when I found an e39 2003 530i 5 speed.
85M and near mint one owner. I love this car and was hooked. NO issues!
I live in Minnesota, so I stored it in the winter.
In 2013 I was in Arizona and came across an '04 e53 3.0 (about as stripped as you will find)with 70M. Why not?
Bought new all season tires and drove it home. Minor problems, most I fixed myself.
My granddaughter needed a car, so the X went to her in Sept. of 2014.
My search for a replacement was on.
FOUND IT! 2003 4.4 with only 72M with the options I wanted.
Sport Package.
Heated Seats.
Comfort Seats! I'm Old!
I love driving this truck. Big difference from the 3.0.
BUT-ALOT MORE PROBLEMS!
I have replaced or repaired,
Water pump
Power steering lines
All three washer pumps
Air ride suspension compressor (Only thing I would do away with).
Radio pixels
Valve cover gaskets
Oil level sensor
Used set of 18"Bridgestone winter tires and BMW wheels. $500 good deal!
Need 2 rear 19" summer tires. Why different size front and rears?
My point,
I would buy it again!
If you are looking for a cheap trouble free car, this is not it.
If you have time, a little car knowledge, and another car (just in case), a better driving 10+ your old car or truck can not be found.
Thank you for reading.
I will post pictures in the spring. Sven

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Sven2160

If you are looking for a cheap trouble free car, this is not it.
If you have time, a little car knowledge, and another car (just in case), a better driving 10+ your old car or truck can not be found.

TRUTH!

Welcome!

[CapeX5]

Sven, good for you finding one with such low miles and for working on it yourself! I have an 01 with the same configurations as yours. Here comes the spoiler-you need to do some research on the timing chain guides/tensioner/vanos. There are different opinions here and elsewhere of whether to go with miles or age as to determine when to give the TCG attention. But, you want to be prepared if not preemptive about dealing with it. I won't bore you with info here. A simple google search will give you plenty of insight. But, be prepared....
These are great rigs when all is right. When it isn't, it isn't!!

[squidzilla]

Welcome. Nice find with low miles. Do you mind telling how much you paid for it?

You are brave if you are trying to the guides etc. There is a guy on a an e38 forum that did his own guides over the course of a month. I think he was retired and took his time. I think any this stuff can be done if you are patient and have the work space and time.

[Sven2160]

No, I would not try TCG myself, but I am lucky to know a retired import mechanic who works for cheap. Sorry he doesn't want more customers!
One of my defects of character is searching and finding nice cars, drive for a while, then sell them.
I could buy new, but that is no fun.
I love my '03 e39 5speed but there is a price on everything!
I paid $8800 for my e53 4.4.
She had some good points going for her besides low miles and options.
Florida car.
One family owned.
Dealer serviced. I talked to the service manager myself.
Body had only two very small dings and original perfect windshield.
Interior looks new.
My best friend in high schools nickname was Squid. Can't believe that was 50 years ago! Sven

[xbimma]

Originally Posted by Sven2160

If you are looking for a cheap trouble free car, this is not it. If you have time, a little car knowledge, and another car (just in case), a better driving 10+ your old car or truck can not be found.

Welcome in the house Sven. E53 cannot not be defined better than your quote. I am shopping for another E53 (4.8iS). I might have found the one, will know in a week or so.

[Sven2160]

Happy Hunting!

[StephenVA]

Welcome to the family of X5 owners.

As you noticed BMW does a really great job of over engineering these beasts. As a first generation we all suffer with some poor thought out items but that is the way vehicles are.

Congrats on being a multi BMW owner as everything you learn about the E53 is the same on the E39.

[tmv]

You get such a nice example of bimmer (E39 530i 5sp). No wonder why you're hooked. My first bimmer is an 02 E53 3.0i with 33k miles, which we traded an 02 LR Discovery II for.