About to join the club..

[SnatchyRhino]

Hi everyone. I've always liked the X5 but never been in a position to buy on until now. We're expecting our first child, so can't think of a better time. Hopefully this is the best forum for X5s!

I've been researching lots, but would just like to pick your brains if I may. Before I hand over my cash , I'd like to know if this is a wise choice...

My budget isn't vast and so I intend to buy a X5 privately. I've found one that I like - 82k, 2001, FSY (up to 55k) for only £3400 but crucially it's recently LPG converted. Recently so I know that it hasn't been used for high mileage on LPG. May certificate of installation, but still needs fully accredited and put onto the government DB (I checked, it's not).

However... the seller has informed that the trans fail safe has appeared after the LPG was fitted. He claims to have take it to a BMW garage who couldn't diagnose the fault, and that the car runs fine with no issues at all. Aparently they blamed the LG system and said that there wasn't anything wrong with the car. I am very dubious that the BMW garage couldn't diagnose.

It's located a distance away from me, so difficult to diagnose over the phone. From reading about the trans fail safe fault am I right in thinking it's either a battery or gearbox rebuild? My plan is thus:


1) Attempt to contact the BMW garage.
2) Speak to the garage that fitter the LPG system
3) Test drive the hell out of it.
4) Determine if battery has ever been replaced.
4) Test the battery voltage, if it's below 11.6, then replacement needed

Is the above ok? Have I found a bargain, or should I be running a mile?
Is there anything I can do to diagnose the trans fail safe problem isn't gear box?
Is there anything else I need to look for before I buy a car of this age / mileage?

Sorry my 1st post isn't a simple hello. Hope you can help.