Advice on E70 purchase consideration
 

Hey guys,

I currently have an 03 E53 4.4i, and I'm feeling a major repair bill coming. I was planning on keeping the E53 for at least another 3-4 years, but with the high cost of any transmission repair, I'm considering if I should sell it. Take the residual value and money I would have put into the transmission repair, and just get another vehicle.

I love the the look of the E70; however, my price point would put me at the early production of the E70 (2007-2008 models). My question for all you E70 owners are:

Are the 07-08 models more prone to problems than the later production ones?

Is there a list of common problems with the E70?

Are the E70 transmissions prone to the early failure seen in the E53?

I'm currently weighing all my options whether to keep the E53 and take the repair hit...upgrade to an E70 3.0...upgrade to an MBZ ML350 or Audi Q5?

I have an early 2007, however we don't drive it much, it currently has a little over 40k miles.

Issues:
1.) Rear Entertainment System DVD drive (2007)
2.) HVAC blower motor (2010)
3.) Mechatronic Sleeve (2011)

Other than that everything has been fine. I have 3rd row (air bag suspension), NAV and heat package so it's equipped well.

Thanks for the first response 3Series.

Seems like the transmission components are still a weak point (mechatronic being the tranmission valve body?). I've been doing some research, and it seems the 2007-2008 production MBZ MLs are susceptable to transmission problems with the valve body as well.

mine is a 12/07 production 2008 4.8 and i have driven the dog-snot out of it for over 90K miles with no major issues.

it is buggy as far as some of the electronics: Sat Radio, Alarm, SOS System fixed mostly under warranty.

Body: one Daytime Running Light, one Window Regulator.

mechanically: hoses to the transmission were replaced as they were leaking, but i was up under it yesterday and the pan is dry and all seems fine 8K later.

look for a CPO '08 and you should be fine. IMO 3.0 may be more problematic early on and the 4.8 later........... valley coolant leak............. fingers crossed here........

Mine is 12/07 production 2008 3.0si as well. Way less buggy than 07 for sure, but still have its own issues, mostly electric, mechanical, and ofcourse the transmission. I have a feeling that the dealership doesn't tell you the issues on a used car unless you run out of the warranty, and then they rip you blind even if you are under CPO, by outright telling you the issue is not covered under CPO.

So you have to be very careful, get a very thorough check done on all major components of the car before buying, get a diagnostics done as well by a good ex BMW master tech, it worth the money.

Other than that, it's a beast to drive, you'd totally love it. Huge improvement over E53.

Thanks guys. Looks like the transmission and valley pans are still a weak point in these beasts. So strange that these continue to plague the X5 going into the next generation X.

Why did I click this thread? Now I feel completely no confidence in my ride when I need it the most.

From experience, usually the first model year almost always has issues with bugs and problems. When I consider buying a new car I usually buy a model from the 4th production year and beyond as this should be sufficient for them to work all the issues out.

Obviously the 2007s will have more issues than the 2010 and up.

The major question to resolve, imo: is the OP willing to spend the considerable money, (and maybe payments), on a used E70, vs spending the ~$6Gs and keep the current E53 running, (maybe running well), for another few years?

I realize a big repair bill is daunting, and makes many of us feel, "screw that car, I want a new(er) one", while the used 'newer one' may or may not be a ticking time bomb...

This coming from a fixed income retired bum that avoids new car cash outlay...

My point is that it is the OP's decision, and none of us can know your econ situ, and few of us can offer more than anecdotal 'insight' into how a used E70 will perform for you.
GL, mD

When I had my E53 4.4l 2000. The trans went two and half years ago. Took it to a local trans shop and it rebuilt for around $3500.00 included rear main seal. Half of what the dealer charges. They did a good job and gave me a one year warranty. I had 150,000 miles on it when we traded it in a month ago. The valley pan never game me any problems but valve cover gaskets did. The E 53 is much Easier to work on then the newer ones. We had a 2012 X50 4.4l twin turbo. I lifted the hood. Holy shit their Is absolutely zero room to do anything. I'm hands on with all my cars. I now have a '08 4.8l. Engine room ok. Electronics not so good. Do you really need a electric emergency brake.