Greetings!
 

Just joined and look forward to learning all about the e53. I've spent years on other BMW forums as a lifelong BMW enthusiast, but I'm a first time X (or any other SUV for that matter) owner. I finally let SWMBO convince me that dogs, our first child, and my e39 M5 aren't great bedfellows :)

Just picked up a well loved '01 e53 4.4 in Topasblau Metallic on gray a couple of days ago for a song. In the first 96 hours, I've spent at least 6 hours relieving it of 16 years worth of other people's fast food, spilled coffee, and other detritus. Also changed all her fluids, replaced a broken hood latch, installed two new kidneys, repaired corroded brake light contacts on both sides, and am awaiting the arrival of a dozen or more various tune-up and replacement parts to arrive from ECS.

This is my 3rd vehicle with the M62, and the engine valley coolant pipe and timing chain & guides were replaced in December. Otherwise, aside from the SLS (currently inop for reasons pending diagnosis), it's in pretty good shape with 166K mi, and I'm hoping to enjoy owning it for several years to come!

Congrats, and welcome.

Welcome to the family

Welcome to an expensive club.

Welcome!

Hopefully you got to keep the E39 M5, there's nothing quite like that car!

Welcome to the X5 forum, we're all a little crazy here! The X5 is quite different from the E39 but I'm sure you'll come to enjoy it as well. It drives incredibly well for a vehicle of its size and weight, especially if you have the sport package.

Absolutely :thumbup: They'll bury me in that car.

Thanks for the warm welcome all!

Good day and welcome!!

It is funny you mentioned this! Another member and I were just talking about how much it would cost to bury a full size SUV! I have a 540i/6, but my new found love, despite it being an automatic, is my Imola Red 4.6is!!! BMW should have really put the 6 speed's that reside in our E39's in these V8 E53's!!! I actually got my 4.6is specifically to do the manual conversion, but I got mine for half a song and it was on the road in a week... Gathering parts still... Enjoying it until all are obtained...

Cheers!!!

Welcome to a fine and knowledgeable Board...
Glad you deferred to your CEO, and hope you can rehabilitate your new V8 e53!
GL, mD