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  #1  
Old 05-04-2018, 05:21 PM
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Question Looking for advice on E53- >E70

Hi,

Our 2004 E53 3.0 was written off (everyone walked away), and I'm left undecided on determining if I should replace it with another E53 or E70?

I'd prefer the E53, because it shares so many engine related parts with my E46 however there were a few things that were annoying with the E53.

The items at the top of the concern list are:
- avoid panoramic sunroof - Is the E70 version better, or still breaks?
- avoid V8 4.x L engines, total disasters - still avoid V8 with the E70 ?
- "rust" issues on the bottom insides of the doors and rear tailgate area, such a disappointment on the E53.
- x-drive brain box moved from under rear seat -> trunk area , apparently has a habit of getting wet there, and wire chaffing?

I'd also really enjoyed the 3.0 as it had the GM transmission - my previous experience with "ZF" transmissions has been nothing but bad. When they fail, they do so in a epic fashion, where you have to pull down the transmission for a rebuild, at less than 200,000 k. Both my sisters E46 ZF, and A6 4.2 both failed in spectacular fashion to which I wanted to just set them on fire and walk away. Do you have to be *very* gentle on the E70 ZF's ?

eg.
5HP/6HP - pressure regulator crushes the drum, also #2 problem, reverse drum breaks.

As far as I can tell the 3.0's on the E70 series have a 6HP transmission - how well does this hold up to "spirited" driving? In the e53 I would not hesitate to hit the kickdown at all, multiple times if needed on a commute.

Do all of the E70 have this silly LCD screen that pops up in the center - Are there any options for an older look with real buttons like the previous gen?

I've read through a few posts others have asked, but nothing much in terms of the above is addressed.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...opinion-2.html

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...e53-e70-2.html

We're looking to spend upto $10k CAD on a replacement sav, there are some super low km E53 available (less than 100,000 km on it), or some ~200,000 km E70s in the $6-10k range.

thanks for any insight / advice
Jonathan
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  #2  
Old 05-04-2018, 11:30 PM
ard ard is offline
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Not a lot of data on the ZF6s, although it doesnt seem alarming.

"Spirited" driving and not being able to downshift yourself? Hmmm. luck of the draw

Keep in mind that by 200k, most X5s will never have seen a ATF change. [shudder]

Not a TON of sunroof complaints...im going to say they have addresses much of it.

They still havent figured out how to address water drain from the sunroof into the rear electronics bay... basically the drains get blocked with debris, leading to water frying modules

LCD screen doesnt move. It is fixed in the middle of the dash

V8s still a disaster.

Buying a $65k car for $6k and hoping it will go years without expensive repairs is prolly not a great plan

Some people are luck, some are not. Hard to guess which you will be
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Old 05-05-2018, 01:48 AM
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thanks Ard, that was very... succinct and exactly what I was looking for.

Of course, it goes without saying, that it would be unrealistic to buy any vehicle on that scale, and not expect to encounter any problems

For the most part, there seems to be enough information to make that decision, or trade off if you will, say E53 rusties for E70 electric water pump.. yep, ill take changing the electric water pump over rust and body work, even if it costs $400 every whatever-km the interval is.
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Old 05-05-2018, 03:40 AM
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My wife's 01 e53 M54 has averaged $80/ mo in parts. My 01 e53 M54 had averaged 40 /mo in parts. I do the work.

I tell everybody of you can do the labor I wouldn't shut away from the E53 especially the 3.0.

I'm such a fan of the X5 I have no interest in switching to a different platform so eventually that means E70 so I'll be forced to make that transition at some point but I plan to get another 140,000 mi out of mine first. I keep an eye out for a nice 05-06 low miles I can use as a stepping stone that will delay the inevitable.
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Old 05-05-2018, 04:53 AM
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Im not sure what year you have to get to get the 8 speed my 2013 has but its a DREAM to drive. That transmission is enough of a reason to go with the E70 over the E53. I have both a 2005 3.0 and the 2013 turbo 3.0 and they are completely different animals.

The E53 is mechanically very simple in comparison to the 2013 E70. So for reliability and ease to work on the E53 wins hands down. The electric waterpump is the main worry for me.

But when it comes to power and the awesome 8 speed automatic my E70 is more powerful and pleasant to drive than the E53.

Its really weird after owning so many bmw's where the rpm's stay at 2k and above driving down the road and then to have the E70 with the 8 speed doing 1100 to 1200 rpm at the same speed.

Its like going from a 4 cylinder to a big block v8. Its a torque monster that has tons of grunt down lowww rpm wise. Really strange.
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Old 05-05-2018, 07:34 AM
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We now have both an E53 and an E70 in the stable. We are still learning the ropes with the technology rich environment of the E70 chassis. The newer vehicle, as other have stated elsewhere, is much more refined. It reminds me of stepping from a 02 chassis to a E12 back 35 to 40 years ago.
Do they have problems? Of course, but every vehicle out there has plenty to complain about. That's why there is some sort of vehicle repair station on every street.
When you accept the possible problems and make plans for remedial maintenance you end up with a splendid personal chariot.
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:13 AM
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The 6HP is much better than the 5HP. They do have occasional solenoid issues but those can be changed by dropping the pan. Lots of people have cranked up the boost on their turbos and the 6HP does fine.

Sounds like you are shopping for a 3.0L. Just watch out for oil leaks and you will be fine. Water pump, thermostat and starter will all fail around 100k.
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Old 05-05-2018, 01:46 PM
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Hunt for the 8HP it is MUCH better than the 6HP
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  #9  
Old 05-06-2018, 06:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewwynn View Post
My wife's 01 e53 M54 has averaged $80/ mo in parts. My 01 e53 M54 had averaged 40 /mo in parts. I do the work.

I tell everybody of you can do the labor I wouldn't shut away from the E53 especially the 3.0.

I'm such a fan of the X5 I have no interest in switching to a different platform so eventually that means E70 so I'll be forced to make that transition at some point but I plan to get another 140,000 mi out of mine first. I keep an eye out for a nice 05-06 low miles I can use as a stepping stone that will delay the inevitable.
You've got a good point here, why delay the inevitable.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Crowz View Post
Im not sure what year you have to get to get the 8 speed my 2013 has but its a DREAM to drive. That transmission is enough of a reason to go with the E70 over the E53. I have both a 2005 3.0 and the 2013 turbo 3.0 and they are completely different animals.

The E53 is mechanically very simple in comparison to the 2013 E70. So for reliability and ease to work on the E53 wins hands down. The electric waterpump is the main worry for me.

But when it comes to power and the awesome 8 speed automatic my E70 is more powerful and pleasant to drive than the E53.

Its really weird after owning so many bmw's where the rpm's stay at 2k and above driving down the road and then to have the E70 with the 8 speed doing 1100 to 1200 rpm at the same speed.

Its like going from a 4 cylinder to a big block v8. Its a torque monster that has tons of grunt down lowww rpm wise. Really strange.

thanks for sharing that, I didn't realize the 2013+ 3.0's were the turbo engine. That's tempting too, wonder how well the setup does reliability wise.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Zulu95 View Post
We now have both an E53 and an E70 in the stable. We are still learning the ropes with the technology rich environment of the E70 chassis. The newer vehicle, as other have stated elsewhere, is much more refined. It reminds me of stepping from a 02 chassis to a E12 back 35 to 40 years ago.
Do they have problems? Of course, but every vehicle out there has plenty to complain about. That's why there is some sort of vehicle repair station on every street.
When you accept the possible problems and make plans for remedial maintenance you end up with a splendid personal chariot.
Of course that's why were driven to DIY. And also I'd like to avoid buying the "suv" my wife is interested in - with a CVT continuously failing transmission only option.


Quote:
Originally Posted by smassey321 View Post
The 6HP is much better than the 5HP. They do have occasional solenoid issues but those can be changed by dropping the pan. Lots of people have cranked up the boost on their turbos and the 6HP does fine.

Sounds like you are shopping for a 3.0L. Just watch out for oil leaks and you will be fine. Water pump, thermostat and starter will all fail around 100k.

That sounds pretty good. My 5HP nightmares can disappear. I do expect some work, but I hate it when that work is must drop transmission to rebuild. What a pain, and those problems always happens in the middle of winter, at least for me it seems. I really hate dropping the transmission in the freezing cold. Yup that's about it.
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Old 05-06-2018, 07:49 PM
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Our 1st X5 was a 2001 4.8i v8 E53. We loved it, even though it spent so much time in the shop (under warranty) that we rarely had to wash it ourselves

After the E53 was totaled in a 60MPH rear end, we reluctantly bought a E70 2009 35d (build to order). It is a bit bigger and has more complicated electronics. But we couldn’t be more pleased. Our E70 35d has been astonishingly reliable. During the warranty it was only in the shop for routine maintenance and recalls. Now that It’s out of warranty, I do all my own work — with the help of Xoutpost members’ advice and DIY posts

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