New to me LCI 6MT X5

[javamon]

Originally Posted by Doru

Not sure about the prices in the US, but I think you are correct concerning the dealer awareness about the manual. By now you probably know that 130 k miles is nothing for these i6 engines. Also, regarding MT, the CCV issue is somehow less severe than the slushbox counterparts.

I have a question for you.
I'm contemplating getting an e92. Is yours x-drive? If not, how are the snow tires performing? My e39 is my DD (RWD) and the weight distribution is close to 50/50, never had any issues in the winter for the last 8 seasons. Not sure what the wt distribution on the coupe is, but I really don't want to get an x-drive. I just hope it will behave like the e39. If it's tail happy, I might reconsider.

Thanks for the reply. No, my e90 is not x-drive. On a square Michelin x-ice xi2 (purchased the year before xi3s came out) setup, it does just fine. On the steepest grades I can't exactly start from a stop, but sensible driving means that I've never gotten stuck (i.e.: it's just like any RWD car fitted with proper rubber and the slightest bit of sense behind the wheel). Of course, it's not like my r32 that I had before the 335, which was absolute brainless fun. Want to go through snow that is up to the bumper? Why not! But that's another story, heh.

I don't believe the coupe weight distribution is all that different to the sedan (still has a slight bias forward with the MT I believe - within a percent or two of 50/50). It's not tail happy until you add right foot. With a square setup (stock sport is staggered), it is a bit more neutral, but its default characteristic is still to understeer unless you're really trying. It's definitely a great chassis that I still recommend. I don't have enough seat time in an f30 to really compare...but as it stands, I'm in no rush to get rid of mine. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about the 3er.

[javamon]

Now with multiple replies!

Originally Posted by LVP

Similar stable of vehicles to mine.
E36 328 (close enough to same issues, track rat too)
E60 535 (same set of issues including turbos, just the box mine are bolted to is heavier)
E53 X5 (Ive got the V8 - you're choice for the 6 and MT is a much smarter, more cost effective route)

Nice stable! I feel slightly guilty about having that compliment of cars, but I feel like it's a nice mix, since BMW won't bring over a car that is a good compromise for all three (I suppose an e91 328xi 6MT would fit the bill, but I feel like that's even more rare than the x5 6MT...).

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Jump on it. And post on the manual registry.

If it shifts smooth and isn't showing major wear rust or leaks or cosmetic issues it was probably cared for.

You may need some suspension work, cooling system (good call on the Stewart pump) and CCV maintenance are most likely in order.

My oem CCV lasted 11 yrs and 75k miles. Pretty good if you ask me. M54 plus the MT is the most reliable E53. Good luck!

And yeah, I went ahead and jumped sans PPI. I'll get it in the registry as soon as I get a chance. A PPI might have helped me sleep better...but I'm not too concerned from my own inspection. About the only mechanical issue I really noticed on the way home is that the parking brake needs to be adjusted a bit. If something major happens, I'll deal with it. After living with the e36 m3 as a daily for 6 years, I'm going in with my eyes open heh.

The first order of business might be the CDV. It's been so long since I've had one on one of my cars, I forgot how annoying it can be. That and 1st gear being insanely short made me look like a complete rookie a few times tonight. Will drive around it for the time being...but yeah, the gearbox shifts incredibly well, and the clutch feels pretty strong. Brake pedal is a bit long, but it's there - I think I'm just used to the (imho) superior pedal feel of the e90. Someone recently did the brakes (pads and rotors look almost brand new) - I'll probably flush the fluid and do a proper bleed, though, just in case. If you covered up the odometer, I'd guess 50-60k, tops. Someone really took care of this one, without question. Needs a new roundel on the front (and figuring out how to get those stupid window shade things off)...cosmetically, that's about it.

Thanks for all the replies! Definitely helps put me off of any potential buyers remorse (given that I didn't strictly need this car, but definitely wanted it).

Quick pics attached - when the weather gets a bit better and I get a proper detail done, I'll throw some more up.

[Doru]

Thanks for the insight.

your X looks great. Love the color combo. And I don't think you will regret it. The M54 engine is really easy to work on.
If the 4.4 would have come with MT I would have recommended it.

ECS & FCPEuro have the best prices for O.E. roundels. Don't go the egay route.

[javamon]

Short honeymoon, heh. I might have noted above that I thought the brake pedal was a bit long, but it didn't seem alarmingly so, and my memory told me it was similar to the last e39 I drove, so I wasn't worried. All the lines looked fine and dry...that I could see.

Woke up to a little wet spot under the driver's door, with a few fluid spots in a trail from where I backed it into the spot. Goldish fluid - sure enough, brake fluid was a good bit lower than when I checked at delivery. Funny that it didn't drip at all during the 3 hours I had it in the garage cleaning it off - when I backed it out, I did a lap around the neighborhood and tested out the HDC. Hopefully no correlation.

Some searching turned up this: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rs-side-2.html

Sucks that you couldn't see that area without pulling the plastic cover. Maybe score one for a PPI, heh (although given that it's under that cover, I'm not sure they would have looked at that). I'll put it up tonight and have a look. Hopefully it's just that and not the master cylinder or something more involved...but we'll see!

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by javamon

Short honeymoon, heh. I might have noted above that I thought the brake pedal was a bit long, but it didn't seem alarmingly so, and my memory told me it was similar to the last e39 I drove, so I wasn't worried. All the lines looked fine and dry...that I could see.

Woke up to a little wet spot under the driver's door, with a few fluid spots in a trail from where I backed it into the spot. Goldish fluid - sure enough, brake fluid was a good bit lower than when I checked at delivery. Funny that it didn't drip at all during the 3 hours I had it in the garage cleaning it off - when I backed it out, I did a lap around the neighborhood and tested out the HDC. Hopefully no correlation.

Some searching turned up this: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rs-side-2.html

Sucks that you couldn't see that area without pulling the plastic cover. Maybe score one for a PPI, heh (although given that it's under that cover, I'm not sure they would have looked at that). I'll put it up tonight and have a look. Hopefully it's just that and not the master cylinder or something more involved...but we'll see!

I would think its the hard lines under the big cover at the rear, funny that its been popping up more frequently.

CDV is now a free mod btw, you just unbolt the CDV and attach the hard line directly to the master cylinder for the clutch. A good brake flush and clutch flush/bleed are in order after you get the leak sorted.

Nice job to see you have the Style 63's from the 4.4 Pre-facelifts, those were not the OEM equipped wheels but nice to see a good wheel choice on yours.

Does it have xenons? I also needed a fresh front/rear set of roundels when I got my X in December 2011, make sure to get genuine.

I have the sunshades too and can't stand them but I didn't bother removing them I just leave them tucked away.


EDIT: Nvm I see you are talking about the horrificly ugly exterior sunshades. Ugh. Remove them ASAP.

[javamon]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I would think its the hard lines under the big cover at the rear, funny that its been popping up more frequently.

CDV is now a free mod btw, you just unbolt the CDV and attach the hard line directly to the master cylinder for the clutch. A good brake flush and clutch flush/bleed are in order after you get the leak sorted.

Nice job to see you have the Style 63's from the 4.4 Pre-facelifts, those were not the OEM equipped wheels but nice to see a good wheel choice on yours.

Does it have xenons? I also needed a fresh front/rear set of roundels when I got my X in December 2011, make sure to get genuine.

I have the sunshades too and can't stand them but I didn't bother removing them I just leave them tucked away.


EDIT: Nvm I see you are talking about the horrificly ugly exterior sunshades. Ugh. Remove them ASAP.

I would agree re: the internet diagnosis, but I won't know for sure until I take a look tonight. I'm optimistic enough.

And yeah - the exterior sunshades. I have no idea why someone would take such good care of the rest of the interior and exterior and then slap those on. Oh well. OEM roundels are on the way.

The style 63s really caught my eye, because I knew they weren't stock for the 3.0. The spare is still the OEM wheel, but it's never been used. Seriously. Still has the week 12 rubber from 2006 that hasn't touched pavement.

As a bit of a letdown, it does not have xenons. I misread the option thread and thought that if it had projectors and angel eyes, it had xenons (which is usually the case for BMWs, as I thought they all used free form halogen reflectors for non-HIDs). Thus, I was slightly surprised last night when I discovered it didn't. Oh well. Still has pretty good light output.

[StephenVA]

Nice buy. Yep hard lines under the cover are subjected to salt spray and since they are in a cover, the salt digs in for all summer, eating away at the lines.

Here is the link to Mark's postings and findings on his 4.6IS.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ine-check.html

How far out in WV are you? Pan Handles (Eastern or North) or down south?

[e28jay]

Congrats! Smart buy. I searched for a 6mt for a couple of months and just couldn't find one I liked. Either over priced or beat up. Keep the pics coming.

[Riggodeaux]

Looks like a keeper. Are those 63s [19"] or 132s? [18"] that came on mine with the sports package? Someone sure did a nice job polishing those headlight covers ...

Oh, by the way, ditch the shades .....

[bcredliner]

Looks good! I have a week spot for that gray. Welcome! Sounds like you know what you are doing.