2009 X535D Purchase with DEF/EGR Delete - Any words of cautious advice

[ARZ540I]

Hello Folks

Started to scope out the X5 market after looking for a TDI touareg and not finding what i wanted. After viewing 5 or so E70 series X5's i have decided Diesel is the only way to go. Locally is very clean 2009 with 125K Miles, Plenty of maintenance performed over the years including Rear air suspension, Brakes, 60K service, Regular oil services etc. I wasn't aware until i spoke with the owner in person but the cars EGR and DEF system have apparently been deleted. This was done from a preventative standpoint with the owner stating they are weak points of the system and costs several thousand to replace once they fail.

Should i have any major concerns over this? everything i have read indicates this is a common practice with these diesels. Everything else leads me to believe this car has been extremely well taken care of, Test drive was great with very responsive and powerful engine delivery, It honestly drove and looked like it had sub 50k miles.

One thing i did notice, With the drivers window down if you get on the gas it will sound very F250 Superduty-ish, That higher pitched intake injection sound, Not horrible but i noticed it. Pretty sure it didn't sound like that stock.

Anything else i should be looking for as red flags?

Thanks

[Gulfsurfer]

Awesome! Good find, wish mine was deleted when i bought it. Kind of wondering why the SCR system wasn't cleaned up as well. The 2 DEF tanks' instrumentation/heating (active tanks only), injection metering and NOx sensors cause all kinds of problems.

[ard]

Could be awesome, could be a disaster.


If the delete was done properly and there are no hidden issues- if the owner isnt lying- then maybe you are ok


Im at 138k, havent felt compelled to preventatively remove the emissions systems.


GL

[ARZ540I]

More clarification, The car has had EGR,SCR & DPF removed by a local shop mentioned on this forum many times. I decided to purchase the car anyway, Seems to have been very well maintained mechanically and cosmetically.

Should take ownership tomorrow.

[spyro235]

This is a big cost that you're saving in the long run. I deleted mine, and lots of owners choose to delete them at the first sign of trouble out of warranty.
I'd say that if there are records, and it seems liek teh vehicle was taken care of, then the delete is a HUGE bonus. Alone, it's wqorth 2-4 thousand dollars, and it's saving you future headaches. Make sure you know about your state's emissions programs though. Will they test you? OBD? Sniffer test? What company tuned that X5? DUDMD? Malone? JR? Those are a few of the big names in bmw diesel tuning. If you don't have emission testing, it's all bonus, and no negatives except worse contribution to the degredation of teh enviornment, in a miniscule way.

I gained 3-4 mpg in all situations, and a tune woke it up, added about 40% more power, something like that. More power, more efficient, and more reliable. What's not to love?!

[ARZ540I]

Originally Posted by spyro235

This is a big cost that you're saving in the long run. I deleted mine, and lots of owners choose to delete them at the first sign of trouble out of warranty.
I'd say that if there are records, and it seems liek teh vehicle was taken care of, then the delete is a HUGE bonus. Alone, it's wqorth 2-4 thousand dollars, and it's saving you future headaches. Make sure you know about your state's emissions programs though. Will they test you? OBD? Sniffer test? What company tuned that X5? DUDMD? Malone? JR? Those are a few of the big names in bmw diesel tuning. If you don't have emission testing, it's all bonus, and no negatives except worse contribution to the degredation of teh enviornment, in a miniscule way.

I gained 3-4 mpg in all situations, and a tune woke it up, added about 40% more power, something like that. More power, more efficient, and more reliable. What's not to love?!

Thanks for the feedback, DUDMD done the Tune. I don't have emissions testing here in Washington State. I didn't notice it but i have read a lot about an obnoxious smell after the removal of these items. Like i said i didn't smell it idle but i also didn't sit with the windows down at a light. Hopefully its not to bad and i can just live with it. How is your experience with that ?

[Best4x4xFAR]

Originally Posted by ARZ540I

Thanks for the feedback, DUDMD done the Tune. I don't have emissions testing here in Washington State. I didn't notice it but i have read a lot about an obnoxious smell after the removal of these items. Like i said i didn't smell it idle but i also didn't sit with the windows down at a light. Hopefully its not to bad and i can just live with it. How is your experience with that ?

It's going to smell like a Diesel now, for better or worse. It is also going to emit black smoke under load. But in exchange your going to get better mileage, more power, and the peace of mind of knowing that most of the common points of failure are now eliminated. Oh yeah, you also get to listen to that sweet sound of the turbos when they spool now..

Everything is a trade off, no free lunches as they say..

This the one?

If so, I imagine its going to be a job to keep its white backside clean..

[ARZ540I]

Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR

It's going to smell like a Diesel now, for better or worse. It is also going to emit black smoke under load. But in exchange your going to get better mileage, more power, and the peace of mind of knowing that most of the common points of failure are now eliminated. Oh yeah, you also get to listen to that sweet sound of the turbos when they spool now..

Everything is a trade off, no free lunches as they say..

This the one?

If so, I imagine its going to be a job to keep its white backside clean..

LOL, Yep that's it. Its pretty mint inside and out, very well cared for.
I will trade off all of the above for the smell - Hopefully not to strong !!

[ard]

I love the smell of diesel in the morning....





Congrats, enjoy!

[WuCreW]

How bad is the delete with the smells in the interior? I'm debating on getting one but have a little one and don't want the NOX in the cab as not good for the health from what i'm gathering.