Considering trading my E53 for an E70
 

My 04 is starting to show its age and I am tempted to upgrade to a CPO 2010. I love my 04, great ride, plenty of space (for me), and good looks. If you E70 owners had it to do over again, would you? I am interested in hearing what you like and don't like about your rides.

Based on my research before buying new I learned that a 2011 is the start of the big iDrive refresh...that got me looking at 2011's which then got me looking at 2013 which then got me looking at a gorgeous truck.

I went from an 06 3.0 to a 12 35d, haven't looked back. In 2010 the nav changed to hard drive based, whereas the 09 and prior were dvd based, big difference in speed. I know people with the dvd based systems made the comment that they would be backed out of the driveway and on the road before the review camera would even start...I don't have that problem with the hard drive based, it comes almost right on. Good luck with your hunt!

I'm pretty sure that the "DVD-based" systems were for the navigation maps only. I'd say the issue of the rear camera delay is simply a factor of slower hardware used in previous years.

Then again, I could be wrong. However, I know everything works in my 2007's iDrive except navigation without that DVD in.

The idrive refresh is very tempting to hold out for. My control arm bushings in the front and rear are shot. Not sure I want to dump $1500 into a near 10 year old car...

If you want the diesel motor, the e70 is the only option to get a newer car. Otherwise I suspect the new X3 is closer to the e53.

I got the e70 diesel after owning two V8 e53s for a couple of years. The e70 is absolutely no comparison for the e53 V8s. You have to buy it on its own merit......

We are very happy with the 35d, it is a very comfortable highway cruiser but I still enjoy my e53 a lot too.

We had an '02 3.0 and got a CPO '08 4.8 with 36k for the same reason you noted, not wanting to start dumping repair money into a 10 year old vehicle. We've owned it for almost a year and of course there is no comparison in the power (you can't compare a 3.0 to a 4.8 in this regard) and the iDrive system was another big change that we've adapted to and like. The creature comforts are great and with the sport package it handles almost as well as the E53 despite the longer wheel base and heavier weight. Overall I would say we're happy and I bet you will be too, but I suspect there will be days that you will miss your E53 as we do.

I have to say I miss the simplicity of the E53, it was a rock solid vehicle that was very dependable. The E70 has so many computer systems running things that at times it just seems quirky to us. It spent a week at the dealership because it wouldn't shift out of park and then wouldn't start. They ended up re-programming the software in the entire vehicle and since then it hasn't repeated this issue. The software that controls the transmission seems to be inconsistent with where it shifts at times, I don't know if these issues are something that plagues the '08's or just ours.

Does anyone know or have you experienced transmission/software issues with your '08?

OlyS4,

Was wondering how your car is running after your above noted experiences. I too moved from an e53 to e70 4.8. I love the power but you're right, too many slow electronic computer issues.

Today I drove for a while and then parked to enter a store. Came out, started fine and then couldn't shift out of "P". Turned off car and wouldn't restart. Called roadside assistance and the tow truck guy was a riot. Asked him if he knew where the dealership was and he said "oh yeah, I'm constantly towing these things!". Great.

Has your issue returned? I am dreading the "...we found out what it is but it's not covered under CPO" call.

Joe

2008 4.8 w/61K miles.

Get ready for a "$600 battery plus diagnostics" conversation, with a "you take too many short trips" excuse.

There is a SW patch as I recall to change the short trip charging logic... you should be aware of this prior to approving $$ if it is not covered by CPO

What is a SW patch??

I am already bracing for the call tomorrow when I am told it will be $1,000 all in for something like a battery. Damn.

The best part of all this is when the flatbed got to the dealer on Saturday and one of the salespeople came running out barking at the tow truck driver "don't even THINK of dumping that there!!!". (I bought it at this dealership btw). The tow driver and I discretely drove around back of the service area and "dumped" it behind. Too funny. Guess they are only happy when you're buying, not bringing it back on a truck in front of potential buyers!

SW = software

patch = term used when they recode software to correct something initially released, but now realize there is a better way to do it...etc

In BMW speak, they will have a SIB (service bulletin) that may instruct them to recode the charging system to use a different charging algorithm. I am NOT sure if this will apply to your car, and I didnt bother searching to find it.

Remember, you can always decline to pay them $1000. Have the wife drive you to a store, pick up a battery and pop it in at the dealers lot. Did you sign a WO with anything other than $0 where it says 'estimate'??? Technically they need your approval BEFORE they do any work that would increase that past the approved amount.

GL

Report back

Nice! Didn't think of that, will start searching for battery replacement DIY posts!

Any quick reply as to relative cost for battery? I have an awesome set of tools! (Spicoli reference) and would have no problem swapping in lot. Thanks

EDIT: Wow, lots of info: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ement-diy.html

Joe, My wife had the exact same thing happen to her. Went to the store, came back out and it wouldn't shift out of park. Turned it off and it wouldn't start, just cranked like the starter was going out. Had it towed to BMW and after a couple days they were ready to give it back saying it was a fluke (said it threw a transmission code is all they could find). I told them BS and it wasn't coming back to me until I knew exactly what happened and that it was resolved, this issue has the potential to strand a family on a road trip where it may not be as easy to get help.

They called BMW USA and BMW told them to reprogram every system in the entire car and update all the software. They had the car for about 6 days and it was fixed but then a day after we got it back the rear lift gate quit opening on its own! That started working again and now randomly quits and resumes working. My wife drives it daily and says that every once in a while it doesn't start instantly and cranks a little, or it won't shift immediately out of park quickly or hesitates. It is an 08 with 58,000 miles but the CPO warranty is up in February 14. I think we are going to get rid of it before the warranty is up as I don't want to deal with issues like this on my own dime, we shouldn't have to. I will stay with an X5 but look for something 2010 or newer as they seem to have a lot less of these issues, BMW has solved the problems that plague the earlier models. Its a shame though, its a beautiful car with really low miles, we should be able to keep it until its over 100k! Hope this helps. -J

Unbelievable. Still waiting on the call from dealer and I will report back thereafter.

Thank you for such a long, detailed reply. PM sent.....

Joe

Not sure I buy it but..... Fuel pump failure covered under cpo. I guess it could have caused the inability to shift out of park? Oh well, love the thing so I'll look past it's faults for now.

Thanks for the input fellas.

Joe.