New Member and X5 owner

[NeoMatrix1217]

Purchased this BMW as a repo for 2,500 2003 X5 high mileage 217,000 but so far so good all electrical stuff works great, Sunroof works AC is amazing especially here in Texas where it's needed very little rust interior in good shape no tears in the leather unfortunately they removed original stereo but it works. I do some have questions on some things that I have noticed.

1. I notice when that when we start the car for the first time and put it in drive there is a small hesitation and then it goes after that I do not notice it at all.

2. Steering wheel is a hard power steering is full it's ok for me but for my 18 yr old daughter that drives it her arms are going to look like Popeyes soon is that normal for a bmw?

3. brake and abs lights are on how can I fix that?

4. I only have the spare key how hard is it to get the remote key.

looking forward to the help

[tmv]

Originally Posted by NeoMatrix1217

Purchased this BMW as a repo for 2,500 2003 X5 high mileage 217,000 but so far so good all electrical stuff works great, Sunroof works AC is amazing especially here in Texas where it's needed very little rust interior in good shape no tears in the leather unfortunately they removed original stereo but it works. I do some have questions on some things that I have noticed.

1. I notice when that when we start the car for the first time and put it in drive there is a small hesitation and then it goes after that I do not notice it at all. I'd drain and refill the ATF. Then do that again in about 1k miles with filter replaced. You might be low on ATF and after it warm up, it expands so you don't experience the hesitation anymore

2. Steering wheel is a hard power steering is full it's ok for me but for my 18 yr old daughter that drives it her arms are going to look like Popeyes soon is that normal for a bmw? It's heavier on the X5 than my E39 for sure. How about replace the power steering fluid too? Look at the cap for fluid type.

3. brake and abs lights are on how can I fix that? Need to be diagnosed.

4. I only have the spare key how hard is it to get the remote key. Go to the dealer with prrof of ownership to order remote key(s)

looking forward to the help

I hope you remove that stick-on side vent already.
GL

[BMWX5CHI]

Originally Posted by tmv

I hope you remove that stick-on side vent already.
GL

[NeoMatrix1217]

What stick I don't see it unless you mean on the back glass?

[motordavid]

The posters are referring to the black air vent 'grill', on upper fender, above the 3.0 i emblem...

[Joshdub]

Welcome!

3: could be a wheel speed sensor or the ABS module. You'll either need to have a shop diagnose it or get the INPA software and read the codes to get started.

Tmv is talking about the stick on faux-m3 grill on the front fender.

[andrewwynn]

Drive hesitation: are you saying it takes a second before drive engages or when you put in drive and hit the gas there is hesitation before you get any real acceleration.

If the second, and if you give just a little bit of throttle until RPM > 1000 then it works fine you may have the same problem I had: intermittent cam shaft sensor. Replaced and engine runs like new.

Prepare for some sticker shock on the key: $180-230 per. My remote key wasn't working on purchase apparently dropped too many times. When I got my second key from the auction house, it took to programming but also failed after about a month. I took apart the first one and re soldered many of the solder joints and was able to activate it. I've seen key blanks for sub $100 but cutting and programming another thing.

The steering is heavy. My brother in law that sold me the car thought it was broken. It's not. Don't worry the daughter will get used to it, maybe even help her learn some proper steering manners (two hands, zero phones). My left wrist got sore the first few times I took the x5 on longer drives but now it's toughened up and my other car is "too easy to steer" (my wife thinks that it's broken/wobbly but really just over amplified power)