Upgrading from e53 - issues to watch - Page 2

Russianblue · #11 07-21-2015, 10:00 AM

Very interesting to say the least. Not sure if I love where BMW is headed. Something about my first three of them were a little bit of rawness, and were all about the driving experiences. That's what I fell in love with. The handling, brakes and driving confidence they inspired. Hoping that's not going by the wayside. Every time I see ANOTHER barebones new 328i on the road (and there are a LOT of them) my heart sinks a bit. There's no way they are producing these cars to last 15 and 20 years like my three have/will. I guess they don't make em like they used to. Good in many ways but alas....change is difficult.

The other car I'd like to check out is a Q5 Audi. Or maybe I will just buy my girl the engagement ring and drive the e53 until it is completely dead!

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bawareca · #12 07-21-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russianblue

Very interesting to say the least. Not sure if I love where BMW is headed. Something about my first three of them were a little bit of rawness, and were all about the driving experiences. That's what I fell in love with. The handling, brakes and driving confidence they inspired. Hoping that's not going by the wayside. Every time I see ANOTHER barebones new 328i on the road (and there are a LOT of them) my heart sinks a bit. There's no way they are producing these cars to last 15 and 20 years like my three have/will. I guess they don't make em like they used to. Good in many ways but alas....change is difficult.

The other car I'd like to check out is a Q5 Audi. Or maybe I will just buy my girl the engagement ring and drive the e53 until it is completely dead!

You got it absolutely correct

if you change the E53 with a pre-2011 E70 you may be in for a huge disappointment. If you go with Audi you may be heartbroken.
If it were me, I'd go with the ring

14thbmw · #13 07-21-2015, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgsquad

Stick to the E53... I did the move, and I'm not so impressed to say the least.

The E70 definitely looks better especially from the inside with all the tech that is needed today, but as a car, the E53 drives better, handles better, better gear ratios, more responsive, hides its weight better, etc... it's much much more fun to drive. besides, some little things we got used to in the E53 are missing in the E70, like the extra power socket in the passenger foot well, the adjustable rear wiper, the sun glasses compartment, the double layer middle compartment, etc...

I paid 21000USD to do the shift, and deep down inside me, i feel kinda silly for doing so (my consolation is that the E53 developed a transmission issue after coolant leak inside the trans)

The E53 is this kind of cars that goes from Hot to Classic without ever going through the "dull" phase... just like the Mercedes SL of the 90s for example... try to keep it a few years and go for F15...

I agree, but my experience is with E53 4.8is (2005) and e70 5.0i (2013) and e70 4.8i Sport (2008). In other words, well equipped V8s. The e53 is a bit more raw and a lot more fun! The e70s are kind of lame by comparison, but if not for the e53 they would seem pretty outstanding. It is just getting harder to find a good, low mileage e53, especially the 4.8is. Now I haven't tried the X5M yet...that might change my opinion of the e70!

In fairness, the e70 is quieter and smoother, so more comfortable for longer drives. It is a bit more fuel efficient (just a bit), and seems to be more reliable but that may just be lack of age/miles on mine. Actually all of mine have been very reliable, but I maintain them well and fix issues immediately.

kalaharix5 · #14 07-24-2015, 06:15 AM

Just traded in my 2006 3.0i e53 (with 141000 miles) For a 2012 e70 3.5i (38000 miles). I will miss the e53, but it was time to trade. The e70 is much quicker and you can feel the extra weight, but is not as harsh a ride as the e53. I will miss the e53 though

bgsquad · #15 07-24-2015, 08:36 AM

congratulations! post some pictures. a 2012 is practically new, and the 3.5 is a better ride than the 3.0. happy motoring!

imalabil · #16 07-24-2015, 09:48 PM

My E53 was traded away for a leased 2016 X3 2.8i.
But I'm still in ownership and payment mode on my 2009 E70 30i.
That little X3 is really pretty nice...

ripp222 · #17 07-26-2015, 08:43 PM

BMW does a good job creating a SIB (Service Information Bulletin) for most known issues. The list for the E70 is longer than the E53, but keep in mind the greater level of technology, features and different engine variants.

Attached is a list from May 2014. More SIBs have been released, some likely have been canceled, some no longer valid due to software improvements... and some may not even apply to a US Spec E70!

Your local BMW can pull these up and may share the contents if you ask nicely!

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