New X5 Owner!!

GamecocksE53 · #1 04-01-2014, 09:42 AM

Heys,

I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. My name is Doug and I am a new E53 owner! On Saturday I picked up a silver 04 3.0 with every option. The car will mostly be used to tow the boat and to the mountain bike trails. The inside and out are in PERFECT shape. No dents, scratches, fading, etc. I was shocked to see the condition because the truck has 140k on it. My dad is in the car business and I was told that I got the car for about $2,000k under wholesale so I jumped on it.

I had a BMW Tech do a pre purchase inspection and it passed with flying colors. He said it was the best BMW he has seen with that many miles. Then again, who hasn't heard that from their mechanic? I doubt I will be doing much with aftermarket stuff since it is not a daily driver. It did come with an extra set of 20" chrome rims that are hideous and I am currently plasti dipping. I have DL the most recent NAV disc and plan on updating that soon.

My current DD is an Audi a3 s-line (sorry bmw faithful), but I have had an E46 330 ZHP and a Mini Cooper S JCW, so I am somewhat familiar with BMW and German odds and ins. With that being said, what are the first, lets say, 5 preventative things I should look into/do?

I know everyone wants to see photos, I will post some as soon as I am out of the office!

Thanks a lot yall!
Doug

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tmv · #2 04-01-2014, 10:01 AM

and congrats.
You come to the right place/forum for the X5. Many helpful and knowledgable people on here. However, there might be some "nay-sayer" to spoil your excitement, as it seems to be a trend in welcoming thread lately. Just ignore them.
My suggestion:
1. Oil and filter change (if you don't know when it was done last)
2. Sparkplugs
3. Pre-cats O2 sensors
4. Cooling system overhaul
5. Suspension components/bushings

If you want more than 5

6. Pulleys and Serpentine belts
7. Vanos seals
8. DISA valve upgrade kit

I'm sure other will suggest some more.

Ricky Bobby · #3 04-01-2014, 10:08 AM

:thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics:

tmv · #4 04-01-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

:thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics:

You're doing it wrong, RB.

GamecocksE53 · #5 04-01-2014, 10:33 AM

Thanks Guys!!

I already did the oil change (castrol oil). Any recommendations on Plugs? Also, when I am doing that, is it worth it to do the Packs as long as I am in there?

What is involved with the coolant system overhaul?

Also, this does not have the HK speakers, what do you guys have in your x5s? I do not want crazy bass, but something similar to what I had in my e46 (HK).

Here are some quick pics, let me know what you think!

Riggodeaux · #6 04-01-2014, 11:12 AM

Do you have any service history? For example, papers in the glove box, chalk marked on the diffs, transfer case, etc.? It certainly looks in fine shape for 140k miles. Plugs may have been done around 100k; the PO who kept it in that good a shape may well have done the proper service. If you can locate a cooperative BMW dealer, I'd try to get a print out of dealer service and work from there. I'd pull the fill plugs on the diffs and transfer case and give the fluids the eyeball/smell test, absent history, and change them if suspect at all. As for the auto tranny: search further for the pros and cons of doing a partial drain/filter change and fill; no standard/school solution there. Congrats on what looks like a nice purchase! Personally, I would do a short interval fill [5k miles?] on that oil had have it tested at Blackstone, then proceed forward with an oil that meets the BMW LL01 standard [some Castrols, Mobil1 euro 0w40, the Pennzoil Ultra high-detergent, etc]. The search tool here can be a little glitchy, but spend some time looking and you'll find the info on coolant repairs.

Riggodeaux · #7 04-01-2014, 11:22 AM

I see you intend to use this SAV to tow. If you plan to tow any weight at all, I would check to be sure you have a quality hitch [OEM], as these unibody mounts are tricky. Towing would also point me toward changing the diff, transfer case, fluids, and to consider an auto tranny drain/filter/magnatronic [sp?] connector? replacement. If pulling any weight at all, i.e., trailer with brakes, I'd invest in the Tekonsha Prodigy RF controller and not mess with the bimmer's wiring. That's what I'll use once I get off my arse and install the OEM hitch kit sitting in the garage ....

GamecocksE53 · #8 04-01-2014, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

Do you have any service history? For example, papers in the glove box, chalk marked on the diffs, transfer case, etc.? It certainly looks in fine shape for 140k miles. Plugs may have been done around 100k; the PO who kept it in that good a shape may well have done the proper service. If you can locate a cooperative BMW dealer, I'd try to get a print out of dealer service and work from there. I'd pull the fill plugs on the diffs and transfer case and give the fluids the eyeball/smell test, absent history, and change them if suspect at all. As for the auto tranny: search further for the pros and cons of doing a partial drain/filter change and fill; no standard/school solution there. Congrats on what looks like a nice purchase! Personally, I would do a short interval fill [5k miles?] on that oil had have it tested at Blackstone, then proceed forward with an oil that meets the BMW LL01 standard [some Castrols, Mobil1 euro 0w40, the Pennzoil Ultra high-detergent, etc]. The search tool here can be a little glitchy, but spend some time looking and you'll find the info on coolant repairs.

I will check on the service history. I guy I bought it from said he had it and was going to mail it to me. Hopefully that is the truth. If not I will call the dealer that he got it from and see if they will/can pull any records for me (he said he got it serviced at the dealer) They guy I bought it from had a 2013 MB CLS and a New Escalade and was fairly young (under 40?) so hopefully he likes cars as much as we do.

I looked in the coolant overhaul. Seems fairly do-able. I will probably do that in a month or two.

Thanks again for all the advice!!

Ricky Bobby · #9 04-01-2014, 11:29 AM

Hey man, truck looks great, love the facelift sport package!

For plugs, I recommend OEM NGK plugs I just did mine last year. Coil packs I wouldn't replace unless they are misfiring, they aren't really a maintenance item.

As long as the fluids are fresh and other maintenance taken care of, drive the piss out of it!

For speakers, I would go to www.bavsound.com as they make great speakers for our E53's

AS well, we are rounding up 10 buyers for the first round of reproduced decorative skid plates, see the thread started by Clockwork, painted in Titan Silver it would be a HANDSOME piece on the front of your X

GamecocksE53 · #10 04-01-2014, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

I see you intend to use this SAV to tow. If you plan to tow any weight at all, I would check to be sure you have a quality hitch [OEM], as these unibody mounts are tricky. Towing would also point me toward changing the diff, transfer case, fluids, and to consider an auto tranny drain/filter/magnatronic [sp?] connector? replacement. If pulling any weight at all, i.e., trailer with brakes, I'd invest in the Tekonsha Prodigy RF controller and not mess with the bimmer's wiring. That's what I'll use once I get off my arse and install the OEM hitch kit sitting in the garage ....

Man really glad you posted this. I was going to purchase a Reese hitch this weekend. I am not towing anything crazy, its a 20' center console. I will look into the Tekonsha.

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