New (to me) E70, a few questions
 

Hello all,

We recently (last Saturday) traded our 2005 E53 X5 3.0i in on a 2009 E70 X5 xDrive35d with 18k miles (still smells new inside!). So far loving the upgrade, but I have a few questions being new to the E70s.

1st, I parked it in the garage after bringing it home and it dripped a tiny bit of oil on the ground. Is this common? It's still under warranty so I might have the dealer look at it, just wondering if this is just an E70 thing.

2nd, the rear hatch is the powered type and doesn't work properly. It will go up (sometimes) but not go back down and has to be manually pulled down. I figure this will be covered under warranty, just wondering if this is a common problem (as in, it will happen again)

3rd, on our E53, the floor mats were held in with big velcro-like disks that screwed in to the floor. I noticed the mats on the E70 have the same velcro-like loop setup that attaches to those disks, but no disks in the floor. Is that something I can add? I hate the mats sliding around everywhere and it's a little disappointing that my 2005 had those holders but the new one doesn't :dunno:

4th, there's a cord with what looks like a phone-type plug that's coiled up right next to the right side of the gauge cluster. I can take pictures of it if necessary. Any ideas what it could be for? My guess was power supply for a radar detector or something but just wondering if it's an option or accessory I haven't seen before.

Thanks for any help :D

i can only answer the 3rd. the reason why your discs are missing is probably because the previous owner had all weather mats which use a different connector (more of a "hook") and they probably took the mats and attachments when the turned the car in. i'd go buy the all weather mats, they come with the hook connectors

Oil dripping on the ground isn't normal on any model, but that said, all X5s have an underbody tray which can catch drained oil when an oil change is done. It may have just had an oil service. If the tray isn't wiped clean, it can drip for a day or more. It would be under the engine if so.

If you are back to the dealer, mention it to them. If you aren't going back in otherwise, give it a few days and see if it stops. Put a piece of newspaper under it to be able to tell if there is any new oil.

How are you trying to close the hatch - the button on the dash or remote will not close the hatch (in the US only) and you have to manually close it or push the button on the bottom of the actual hatch to close it. If you pushing the button on the hatch to close it and it isn't working, then it is broken.

As for the oil, should not leak any, but it isn't uncommon that they spill some when they change it, and it may have been recently changed, so I would take a look underneath, clean any off and see if it comes back indicating a leak.

Your mats should have the disks screwed into the floor, someone just must have lost them before you.

4 does sound like a power cord for a radar detector, pic would help, but based on the placement, sounds like the obvious answer.

I was wondering about that, but on our old one there were holes in the floor to accept the velcro disks (they twist in). On the new one there's no sign of anything.

I was wondering if that might have been the case, I know how those pans like to hold oil :lol: This isn't my first BMW dance ;) I'll probably mention it to the dealer when I go to get the hatch fixed.

the new ones have Velcro disks which screw in which you should be able to get from the dealer. Your car is under warranty so take it in that simple

If you push the button on the hatch, sometimes it will open but it sounds like it's struggling. If you push the red button inside the hatch to close it, it actually goes up slightly and then doesn't move, you have to pull it down.

That is not normal functionality, definitely get it checked out.

Rob

I doubt this is the problem with your hatch but be sure that the "tailgate" is shut securely otherwise the hatch will not close automatically.

The day we brought ours home, my wife opened the hatch and couldn't get it to close. After an embarrassing trip to the dealer, they told us the "tailgate" wasn't completely closed and that was the problem. :D

Mine is in the shop right now for a VERY slow oil leak on the RT side near engine. It is leaking from somewhere around the turbos, and I suspect it is the same leak as this:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ak-recall.html

I dropped it off on 9/4, and still waiting for them to repair it. Will post more on the above thread hen I get it back.....

Good luck! You may also have an issue with the GPS map DVD player...If you start getting errors with the disk, bring it in, and they will replace the player.....

Sounds like you bought a used car without a Pre Purchase Inspection. (PPI)

Why?

OP:

Do you know why someone traded in a 35d with only 18,000 miles? Did you see the service history?

Any chance it was this car?

http://www.xoutpost.com/766184-post31.html

That would be funny, although that X5 was in the OC.....Looks like the OP on this thread is in WA state.........

EXTREMELY common for the western region dealers to move cars around among themselves... this way there is no local history, and the new salesmen can honestly say "I know nothing".

The dealership sales managers actually try to give sales reps as little info as they can.

As I understand it, the dealer taking a car in on trade, etc, will toss it up to the local/regional dealers if they do not want it. First dealer to say "i'll take it" gets it.

I bought it from a dealer I bought my last X5 from, they specialize in high end lease return and specialty cars. They claim this one was an "executive car" which is why the one year turn around.

I'd be amazed considering this one is Space Gray and came from Colorado.

I'm going to take it to the dealer either today or tomorrow and let them mess with it. I wouldn't mind if they wanted to buy it back and give me a new one like that other guy :rofl: :thumbup:

I'd be amazed too. To both points! :rofl:

They ALL "specialize" in lease returns. And an "executive car" is a term with absolutely no meaning! It can mean that it was the wife of dealership management that drove it, or a dealer exec, or the guy down the street from me. Salesmen like that term because it seems to 'work' with buyers... makes the car seem 'coveted' ('Hey, an executive drove my car, aren't I special?'), and maybe buyers think "execs don't abuse cars"... maybe it makes a more believable story as to why it was traded ("executives throw money around all the time"). Whatever. Personally I do not like demos, execs, lease returns as they all may not have had a good break-in experience... not saying I'd never consider one, just makes me pause.

Do keep in mind that a used car has no lemon protection (although may vary by state)

If your issue is similar to the thread that was posted, do add your results to it!

Good Luck-

A

1st: My 2011 Diesel does not drop a lick of anything on the ground except for water from the A/C...yes i do check periodically becuase i am paranoid about those kinds of things

2nd: I had this happen on my 2011, after folded down the bottom portion of the hatch. I folded up the bottom and could not shut the lift using the button. i went and slammed the bottom part closed and no problem since but then i have not folded down the bottom since. If you have problems opening, i would suggest a warranty inspection and fix

3rd: I have winter mats with hooks however on my 535, it does have velcro stickies for the carpet, the fasteners do exist, if someone will sell them to you

Good luck on your recent purchase