Upgrading from e53 - issues to watch
 

There are a few of us here lurking in search of a definitive 'issues to watch out for' thread whereby we can make the decision to move from an e53 to an e70.

I would love to know the imperative issues (M20 timing belt style) that simply MUST be addressed as well as the gotchas and "just keep an eye on" type things.

If there's a single post outlining this stuff, I'd love to know where it is.

I'm going for low cost of ownership frankly given that I do most of the work on my e53. I assume brakes and suspension are pretty close. what about engine, tranny, A/C, electricals and stuff like the e53 door handle carrier insanity?

thanks!

As much as I have read the basic metal mechanics of the e70 is pretty good. The bad is mostly about leaks. So inspect for leaks and know what is the source. There is a possible engine coolant leak from passenger side which would mean a new engine $$$$$. There is a valley coolant leak and oil cooler leak which is lots of labor.

Thanks for that. I am just wondering what it is that makes the 2011-2013 models show up so poorly on so many reliability lists. I assume it is typical BMW stuff like door handle carriers, electric windows switches, dead pixels, oil leaks etc that we BMW people have been dealing with forever.

I think the v8 engines have issues and once out of warranty bmw service makes a habit of replacing more than the actual problem and charges a lot for labor hours. Turbo n63s also have electric fan discharging battery resulting in eating batteries. Speaking about e70 with n62 v8 ... in has a oil cooler gasket that leaks and is labor.expensive to replace. Also plastic coolant pipe that leaks expensive to replace. Valve seals the wear out and pool and.then burn oil. Bmw service pulls heads to replace the valve.seals.rather than use an available to do it with out pulling heads. Then I read you may have failed metal of engine block resulting in a coolant leak meaning you need another engine. Anyway if you can diy well and keep it from stealership service it may not be so bad but if you must pay for service you might be better off leasing a new one.

I consider the x5 like a plane or boat .... one needs to inspect and service before bigger failures and carefully. I presently have my wife carrying the premium towing service from AAA with a 200 mile towing radius. So it can be towed home to my diy garage if need be. Point is I thought it a good.gamble to pay $120 a year for 200 mile towing insurance on my 100k mile 2007 x5.

Check the top of the fuel pump under the rear seat. If it has gas on the top, you will need a new one.

So.... thus far we have, I assume for 2012-2013 ish models:

Fuel pump (gas pooling on top)

Turbo n63s also have electric fan discharging battery resulting in eating batteries.

oil cooler gasket leak - expensive repair

plastic coolant pipe leak - expensive repair

Valve seals the wear out and pool and then burn oil. Bmw service pulls heads to replace the valve seals rather than use tool to do it on-car

Failed metal of engine block resulting in a coolant leak meaning you need another engine

This is great. What else? is there an e70 equivalent of e53 door handle carriers, final stage resistor or Aux Fan?

Final Stage Resistor is also a problem, but can be changed fairly easily.
Passenger side mirror motor tends to freeze up around 70k on some E70s and it too can be changed pretty easily...
Washer fluid pump starts leaking, and has been a fault on several, but not all.

Well it wouldn't be a BMW without a crap washer fluid pump, now would it? ; )

Stick to the E53... I did the move, and I'm not so impressed to say the least.

The E70 definitely looks better especially from the inside with all the tech that is needed today, but as a car, the E53 drives better, handles better, better gear ratios, more responsive, hides its weight better, etc... it's much much more fun to drive. besides, some little things we got used to in the E53 are missing in the E70, like the extra power socket in the passenger foot well, the adjustable rear wiper, the sun glasses compartment, the double layer middle compartment, etc...

I paid 21000USD to do the shift, and deep down inside me, i feel kinda silly for doing so (my consolation is that the E53 developed a transmission issue after coolant leak inside the trans)

The E53 is this kind of cars that goes from Hot to Classic without ever going through the "dull" phase... just like the Mercedes SL of the 90s for example... try to keep it a few years and go for F15...

Very interesting to say the least. Not sure if I love where BMW is headed. Something about my first three of them were a little bit of rawness, and were all about the driving experiences. That's what I fell in love with. The handling, brakes and driving confidence they inspired. Hoping that's not going by the wayside. Every time I see ANOTHER barebones new 328i on the road (and there are a LOT of them) my heart sinks a bit. There's no way they are producing these cars to last 15 and 20 years like my three have/will. I guess they don't make em like they used to. Good in many ways but alas....change is difficult.

The other car I'd like to check out is a Q5 Audi. Or maybe I will just buy my girl the engagement ring and drive the e53 until it is completely dead!

You got it absolutely correct :thumbup: if you change the E53 with a pre-2011 E70 you may be in for a huge disappointment. If you go with Audi you may be heartbroken.
If it were me, I'd go with the ring ;)

I agree, but my experience is with E53 4.8is (2005) and e70 5.0i (2013) and e70 4.8i Sport (2008). In other words, well equipped V8s. The e53 is a bit more raw and a lot more fun! The e70s are kind of lame by comparison, but if not for the e53 they would seem pretty outstanding. It is just getting harder to find a good, low mileage e53, especially the 4.8is. Now I haven't tried the X5M yet...that might change my opinion of the e70!

In fairness, the e70 is quieter and smoother, so more comfortable for longer drives. It is a bit more fuel efficient (just a bit), and seems to be more reliable but that may just be lack of age/miles on mine. Actually all of mine have been very reliable, but I maintain them well and fix issues immediately.

Just traded in my 2006 3.0i e53 (with 141000 miles) For a 2012 e70 3.5i (38000 miles). I will miss the e53, but it was time to trade. The e70 is much quicker and you can feel the extra weight, but is not as harsh a ride as the e53. I will miss the e53 though:(

congratulations! post some pictures. a 2012 is practically new, and the 3.5 is a better ride than the 3.0. happy motoring!

My E53 was traded away for a leased 2016 X3 2.8i.
But I'm still in ownership and payment mode on my 2009 E70 30i.
That little X3 is really pretty nice...

BMW does a good job creating a SIB (Service Information Bulletin) for most known issues. The list for the E70 is longer than the E53, but keep in mind the greater level of technology, features and different engine variants.

Attached is a list from May 2014. More SIBs have been released, some likely have been canceled, some no longer valid due to software improvements... and some may not even apply to a US Spec E70!

Your local BMW can pull these up and may share the contents if you ask nicely!