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  #1  
Old 10-23-2012, 10:37 PM
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Need to knows when buying

hi guys new to the site, names josh live in s.a, yes im young only 24 but have a good job and appreciate good cars. Now im lookingatthe x5's been looking at the 01 to 03 e53 range, v8's. Been looking on the site and from what i can gather these models have a few problems with the transmissions, is this correct? What other problems am i likely to have looking to spend around the 20,000 to 25,000 mark. Aslo gathering that alot of the problems dissapear from the 04 model on? What year does the shape change in them because from what ive seen the net the 04 is a slighty diff shape is this correct? They main thin i will be using it for is to tow my ski boat that weighs around 2100kgs on the trailer. Also have come from the modding backround so what mods are available? Chip ecu, zorst, bigger brakes, cams? Any help is much appreciated thanks guys
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  #2  
Old 10-23-2012, 11:13 PM
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Get a diesel if you want to tow ..... ! Main problem would be the cooling issue, pay a bit more, get one with full service history and you'll be right.
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Old 10-23-2012, 11:36 PM
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I agree that diesel is great for towing. transmissons are weak point for all e53. My mates 2005 3.0d transmission was stuffed.
I suspect extra torque of diesels *might* work auto tranny harder than petrol models.

Get pre purchase check from someone who knows these trannies. Theres a place in Melbourne that specialises in them, but dunno about Adelaide.

I will be in Adelaide with my 3.0d at Christmas. I can possibly help you out by having a look at any you might have short listed. I only drive my car on weekends (lotsa interstate trips home to sa), but I can probably notice some faults...

The 3.0d model is a brilliant towing vehicle; the newer E53 have stability and aids that are great for towing. I think the xdrive stuff came in around 2004

Cheers
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Old 10-24-2012, 02:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tymatk View Post
Get a diesel if you want to tow ..... !
+1

I most definitely agree with that sentiment.... the V8's are thirsty enough by themselves without the added strain on the wallet of towing a 2100kg floating disco behind them!!!

Was a shame they were so bad on juice.... I would've quite liked a V8

Whatever you buy, definitely get one with a good service history and the lower k's the better.... If you can bag a good warranty into the mix, that'd be even better again as things which go bang on you cost $$$'s!!!

Good luck!!
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Old 10-24-2012, 08:35 AM
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If your going to tow 2100kgs just get a diesel! I tow similar weighted car trailer setup and it barely feels it (both performance and economy)

That being said I am not sure that you'd be able to get a nice 04+ LCI 3.0d with the budget you have mind.
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Old 10-24-2012, 10:40 AM
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was looking at the diesels but would still rather a v8 just for that sound and better performance, mainly the sound. Im not overaly fussed with the fuel consumption cant be any worse then the car i have now im lucky to get 450km a tank (75ltr). As i said i have a good job so get decent money. What destroys the trans is it just heat, if thats the case would it be smart to go down the track of an a/m trans cooler?
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Old 11-12-2012, 12:57 AM
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Hey Josh,

Welcome. I have just brought X5 number 3 an 06 4.4i (V8).

The list of issues that I have come across when trying to purchase are:

* Blown Head Gaskets
* Lower Control Arm bushes
* Leaking between Transmission and engine
* Folding mirror issues
* various work sensors
* air bag suspension issues

That.s just off the top of my head. All cars have a full service history, but that doesn't mean that when issues are raised the previous owners have shelled out to get it fixed.

I was looking from 01 and up and most of the cars had just over 100,000 km mark which seems to be where most problems start and the car is due for major service.

The guys here have put me onto a great parts dealer up in QLD and he express posts me all parts that we need.

I figured that once I work our all the issues with buying a second hand car, and then I have it maintained properly all will be well.

The V8 sound is great, but I am looking to upgrade it soon, to give it more of a V8 Grunt.

As for fuel, it is better than our commodore, I get between 11 L - 13 L per 100 kms i fill up when I get to the last quarter of the tank and I have usually done between 600 km - almost 800 km a tank.

I didn't like the sound or the smell of the diesels ( we had a loaner at one point).

Your insurance will prolly be a killer though.

Good luck in your search
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Old 11-13-2012, 07:24 PM
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If you haven’t already done so I would suggest you read a few of the posts in the main E53 forum on this site regarding fuel economy for the 4.4 V8.
Just remember people in the US will be quoting mpg using US gallons.
A US gallon is 3.785 litres while a UK gallon is 4.546 litres.
Also, be aware the onboard fuel economy on the trip computer is in some cases extremely optimistic, I would be very careful with people supplying economy information based on the trip computer alone.

While I own a diesel X5 myself I have a couple of friends with X5’s, one with a 4.4 and the other with a 3.0 petrol.
I know the 4.4 cruising on the highway at 110kmph without towing averages around 14-15 litres/100km when calculated even though the trip computer will read in the low 12’s.

If your current car gets 450km for 75 litres that’s 16.6 L/100km which isn’t significantly different to an unladen 4.4 X5.
Add a 2.1 tonne trailer and you will be looking at economy around 25 L/100. This is approx double what the diesel version gets towing a similar weight.

Since you will be towing a pretty sizable load I would also suggest you do some research into the engine torque figures between the 4.4 V8 and the 3.0d, you will find the diesel has quite a bit more torque than the V8. When lugging around a heavy weight it’s torque that counts not power.
I admit that there’s something special about a nice sounding V8, in fact I own one myself (not an X5), but when it comes to towing, modern diesels win hands down.

Also, the body shape from the pre 2004 vehicles is exactly the same as the later E53’s but there were a number of cosmetic changes.
The easiest way to tell externally is by looking at the indicator lenses (front & rear), the earlier ones are yellow while the later ones are clear, assuming they haven’t been changed which is a common upgrade.

Lastly, if your budget will stretch, I would suggest you look at 2004 onward models purely because a number of niggly issues were fixed. In particular the later models scored the ZF auto instead of the earlier GM unit. While they both have issues the occurrence of issues with the ZF appears to be far fewer.
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  #9  
Old 11-13-2012, 09:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bec View Post

The guys here have put me onto a great parts dealer up in QLD and he express posts me all parts that we need.
I need a Luxury seat memory control module, hook me up !

Thanks
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