E53 to E70 Upgrade

[TiminIndy]

Hi, I've been casually looking to upgrade from an E53 to an E70 for a while now, looking for one that checks most or all of my boxes. At one point, I did some reading and was advised to try for 2011 or later. I don't remember all of the reasons why, but one had to do with upgraded computer speeds for the NAV, etc.. I think I like the 2011 facelift look a little better. The switch to the turbocharged N55 seems like a double edged sword. I liked the extra power when I test drove one, as compared to my M54, but it sounds like the turbo could bring a new set of issues I haven't had to deal with before.


I bought my 06 with the 6 cylinder after reading many different opinions that it was more reliable and generally has less costly repairs than the 8 cylinder options. Reading a while back, I believe the consensus was the same for the E70 engine options. I'm wondering what are some of the things to look for on these:


*Do they have same issue with oil filter housing gasket leaks?


*Do they have issues with the PCV valve in the winter? Do all of the 2011 6 cylinders have the PCV valve heater? (I'm aware of the recall on this)


My check boxes right now are 2011-2013 35i, tan or brown interior - not black, heated seats and steering wheel, Style 334 wheels, NAV/backup cam (seems they all have it), and obviously in good condition. I am open on exterior colors, but I have preferences (bronze, charcoal, black).


I found one that checks all of these boxes that I will probably stop and look at today. It is manufactured in 11/10, so it falls outside of the dates on the PCV system recall. I believe there would have been the front driveshaft recall, but the CarFax doesn't say whether it has been done or is still needed, so I would have to check on that. I also don't see anything about having intake ports cleaned (walnut blasted) and I don't know how easy that is to check. The pics and CarFax look pretty clean. It is at a small dealer, but was a one owner car.



It doesn't say anything about Sport Package or Cold Weather package in the options I pulled up, but it does have heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats. Here are the results of the VIN decoder:


Type Code ZV43
E Series E70 (MUE)
Series X
Type GEFZG
Model X5 35I (USA)
Steering LL
Doors 5
Engine N55
Displacement 3.00
Power 225
Drive ALLR
Transmission AUT
Colour PLATINBRONZE METALLIC (A53)
Upholstery LEDER NEVADA/F1 TABAK (LUF1)
Prod Date 2010-11-04



Vehicle options

S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S212A Equipment, brake syst. country-specific
S245A Steering wheel column adjustment,electr.
S248A Steering wheel heater
S2DEA BMW LA wheel Star Spoke 334
S2VBA Tire pressure display
S302A Alarm system
S316A automatic trunk lid mechanism
S319A Integrated universal remote control
S328A Footplate, aluminum
S386A Roof railing
S3AHA Backup camera and Top View
S402A Electric panoramic roof
S417A Roller sun vizor, rear door
S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A Smoker package
S456A Comfort seat with memory
S464A Ski bag
S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S496A Seat heating, rear
S4ABA Fine wood trim burr walnut
S4NAA Interior mirror with digital compass
S4NBA Autom. climate control with 4-zone ctrl
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S544A Cruise control with brake function
S563A Light package
S575A Supplementary 12V sockets
S5ACA High-beam assistant
S609A Navigation system Professional
S615A Expanded BMW Online Information
S620A Voice control
S639A Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S645A BMW US Radio
S655A Satellite tuner
S677A HiFi System Professional DSP
S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6AAA BMW TeleServices
S6ABA Control for Teleservices
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S6UHA Traffic Information
S6VCA Control for Combox
S761A Individual sunshade glazing
S823A Hot-climate version
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S8KCA Dummy-SALAPA
S8S4A Decoding variable light distribution
S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.
S8SLA Trailer coupling preparation
S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside
S8TLA Dummy-SALAPA
S8TNA Daytime run.lights adjus.via light menu