2008 BMW X5 3.0sd E70
Discussion
This is my wife car, so this thread shouldn't be that active - watch that statement come to bite me in 6 months...
A couple of years ago, her front spring perch rusted through, pinning the spring to the tyre.
Recently, the rear subframe rusted through at the rear lower arm mounting, setting the rear lower arm free.
Fixed it all up, but it was new car time.
Despite never liking any of my cars before, she took a shine to my 335d - an automatic, some gadgets, larger engine. But it was too low and a little too small.
We settled on an SUV (I know Pistonheads isn't a fan, no hate please!) - a "full size" one was much bigger than we needed, but anything smaller either had a weedy engine or was really poor value.
The X3 was a sensible choice, but the E83 is a generation older and not much cheaper, and the F25 is much much more unless you want the N47 2.0 - and they are cheap for a reason.
Looking for an X5 at this end of the market was... unpleasant. Every single private example and/or seller looked super dodgy.
Found one at a dealer and thought it was worth a look, wasn't much more than a private sale but wasn't jumping out at me.
High mileage at 170k, but condition was better than my lower mileage car.
I though it was the "regular" 3.0 engine, but it's the 3.0sd, which is the same 280HP twin-turbo 3l diesel as in my 335d.
£16k of optional extras - inc HUD, soft close doors, sunroof, "adaptive drive" (electronically adjustable damping & antiroll bars).
A very short test drive later (thanks to 10 miles of fuel in the tank!) and we took it - either a very good example, or a very big mistake!
First impressions on the way home were:
It's very big,
Some wobble from the brakes under braking,
CCC SatNav is really rubbish,
£145 for a tank of fuel was a shock,
It doesn't feel anywhere near as quick as my 335d - but it's difficult to tell if it just hides it really well,
The third row of seats (7 seater) has a surprisingly complicated mechanism and is useless for anyone who has legs,
HUD is awesome.
A couple of years ago, her front spring perch rusted through, pinning the spring to the tyre.
Recently, the rear subframe rusted through at the rear lower arm mounting, setting the rear lower arm free.
Fixed it all up, but it was new car time.
Despite never liking any of my cars before, she took a shine to my 335d - an automatic, some gadgets, larger engine. But it was too low and a little too small.
We settled on an SUV (I know Pistonheads isn't a fan, no hate please!) - a "full size" one was much bigger than we needed, but anything smaller either had a weedy engine or was really poor value.
The X3 was a sensible choice, but the E83 is a generation older and not much cheaper, and the F25 is much much more unless you want the N47 2.0 - and they are cheap for a reason.
Looking for an X5 at this end of the market was... unpleasant. Every single private example and/or seller looked super dodgy.
Found one at a dealer and thought it was worth a look, wasn't much more than a private sale but wasn't jumping out at me.
High mileage at 170k, but condition was better than my lower mileage car.
I though it was the "regular" 3.0 engine, but it's the 3.0sd, which is the same 280HP twin-turbo 3l diesel as in my 335d.
£16k of optional extras - inc HUD, soft close doors, sunroof, "adaptive drive" (electronically adjustable damping & antiroll bars).
A very short test drive later (thanks to 10 miles of fuel in the tank!) and we took it - either a very good example, or a very big mistake!
First impressions on the way home were:
It's very big,
Some wobble from the brakes under braking,
CCC SatNav is really rubbish,
£145 for a tank of fuel was a shock,
It doesn't feel anywhere near as quick as my 335d - but it's difficult to tell if it just hides it really well,
The third row of seats (7 seater) has a surprisingly complicated mechanism and is useless for anyone who has legs,
HUD is awesome.
Edited by Jakg on Friday 16th September 23:28
Boring bits, phone holder, charger & dash cam fitted
The armrest cubby (like everything else on the car) is ginormous, but has one of the outdated snap-in phone holders taking up all the space.
Took it out and put a blank in it's place - the genuine BMW blank is like £100 so while this £8 3D printed one isn't perfect, it'll do.
Also fitted a budget bluetooth setup - a 3.5mm bluetooth receiver into the aux-in in the glovebox, and wired up some USB ports to power it. It's obviously not as functional as the CIC+Combox in my 335d, but it'll do for now.
The armrest cubby (like everything else on the car) is ginormous, but has one of the outdated snap-in phone holders taking up all the space.
Took it out and put a blank in it's place - the genuine BMW blank is like £100 so while this £8 3D printed one isn't perfect, it'll do.
Also fitted a budget bluetooth setup - a 3.5mm bluetooth receiver into the aux-in in the glovebox, and wired up some USB ports to power it. It's obviously not as functional as the CIC+Combox in my 335d, but it'll do for now.
Scan for faults and spot a DPF error - had the same on my 335d where the thermostat(s) fail, the engine doesn't ever warm up so the DPF doesn't regen.
On my 335d it was very clear as it never got past 60° C, but here it was getting up to 84° C - but still a little short of the 90° C it should get to.
They aren't expensive, and the coolant was due anyway so I changed them (there's two - one for the EGR cooler, one for the engine itself)
With the rad fan, cross-member and EGR cooler out a lot more room
Both thermostats were original, but the EGR one had a crack in the casing
And the main one had some nasty looking sealant around it
New thermostat bolts, and the EGR Thermostat got a new O-Ring (common failure point - as I found out on my 335d when I didn't swap it...)
Unfortunately once together, it became apparent the new EGR thermostat had a hairline crack in the housing that would leak only when under pressure, so had to use the old one again until a new-new one turned up
Still, warms up to 90-ish° C now and the DPF error has gone.
Hopefully it'll help the economy as well, although that's a bit of a lost cause...
On my 335d it was very clear as it never got past 60° C, but here it was getting up to 84° C - but still a little short of the 90° C it should get to.
They aren't expensive, and the coolant was due anyway so I changed them (there's two - one for the EGR cooler, one for the engine itself)
With the rad fan, cross-member and EGR cooler out a lot more room
Both thermostats were original, but the EGR one had a crack in the casing
And the main one had some nasty looking sealant around it
New thermostat bolts, and the EGR Thermostat got a new O-Ring (common failure point - as I found out on my 335d when I didn't swap it...)
Unfortunately once together, it became apparent the new EGR thermostat had a hairline crack in the housing that would leak only when under pressure, so had to use the old one again until a new-new one turned up
Still, warms up to 90-ish° C now and the DPF error has gone.
Hopefully it'll help the economy as well, although that's a bit of a lost cause...
Brake fluid was due for replacement and my tester was detecting water, so I got some new fluid.
I was organised enough to get some new stainless nipples to make it easier for next time, but for some reason the front calipers require extra long ones so I couldn't use them all
Getting all four wheels off the ground wasn't fun, either.
I have a lovely garage - but it's too big to fit in there.
I've never had a problem with my jack / axle stand heights, but max height on this barely gets the wheels off the ground.
Reminds me why I hate working on gravel!
To say thankyou for the preventative maintenance, one of the nipples immediately sheared
I'm 50% I could get it out without damaging the caliper, but I don't want to risk it without a spare in my hand.
Early 3.0sd's had a 365mm front brake setup, but later X5's seemed to switch to 348mm so they aren't no-brainer cheap.
I also think a disk is warped so I need to think some more about what I want to do... the G-series 4-pot calipers are supposed to be a straight swap...
I was organised enough to get some new stainless nipples to make it easier for next time, but for some reason the front calipers require extra long ones so I couldn't use them all
Getting all four wheels off the ground wasn't fun, either.
I have a lovely garage - but it's too big to fit in there.
I've never had a problem with my jack / axle stand heights, but max height on this barely gets the wheels off the ground.
Reminds me why I hate working on gravel!
To say thankyou for the preventative maintenance, one of the nipples immediately sheared
I'm 50% I could get it out without damaging the caliper, but I don't want to risk it without a spare in my hand.
Early 3.0sd's had a 365mm front brake setup, but later X5's seemed to switch to 348mm so they aren't no-brainer cheap.
I also think a disk is warped so I need to think some more about what I want to do... the G-series 4-pot calipers are supposed to be a straight swap...
Windscreen washers are rubbish.
I ultrasonically cleaned the jets but it didn't make a difference, so the next thing to check was the filter in the washer bottle.
Frustratingly, you can't get to the pumps with the front wing in situ (the bottle is behind the front wheel, inside the front wing), and you need to remove the side skirt to get the wing off.
So having removed the wheel, and then most of the wing bolts, and partially removing the sill trim gives you enough room to move everything out a bit to get at it all.
As expected, the pump filter was completely full of grunge
Unfortunatley it's not improved things much, though.
And when I put it back together, I've had to adjust the wing several times to get all the panel gaps kind of right so it doesn't look like it's had a massive shunt.
Most of the fixings are single use, and quite a lot were missing on this side only, so I don't think I'm the first person to investigate this.
Trim clip graveyard
I ultrasonically cleaned the jets but it didn't make a difference, so the next thing to check was the filter in the washer bottle.
Frustratingly, you can't get to the pumps with the front wing in situ (the bottle is behind the front wheel, inside the front wing), and you need to remove the side skirt to get the wing off.
So having removed the wheel, and then most of the wing bolts, and partially removing the sill trim gives you enough room to move everything out a bit to get at it all.
As expected, the pump filter was completely full of grunge
Unfortunatley it's not improved things much, though.
And when I put it back together, I've had to adjust the wing several times to get all the panel gaps kind of right so it doesn't look like it's had a massive shunt.
Most of the fixings are single use, and quite a lot were missing on this side only, so I don't think I'm the first person to investigate this.
Trim clip graveyard
An Andream Android-based Head unit will make a good replacement for the CCC iDrive - much better resolution, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay support, all the functionality of the original iDrive + OEM looks - can’t be told apart from the old head unit if you get the correct one for your car…
Not too expensive and a very popular mod - so worth a shout if you’re so inclined
Not too expensive and a very popular mod - so worth a shout if you’re so inclined
Jakg said:
Windscreen washers are rubbish.
I ultrasonically cleaned the jets but it didn't make a difference, so the next thing to check was the filter in the washer bottle.
Frustratingly, you can't get to the pumps with the front wing in situ (the bottle is behind the front wheel, inside the front wing), and you need to remove the side skirt to get the wing off.
So having removed the wheel, and then most of the wing bolts, and partially removing the sill trim gives you enough room to move everything out a bit to get at it all.
As expected, the pump filter was completely full of grunge
Unfortunatley it's not improved things much, though.
And when I put it back together, I've had to adjust the wing several times to get all the panel gaps kind of right so it doesn't look like it's had a massive shunt.
Most of the fixings are single use, and quite a lot were missing on this side only, so I don't think I'm the first person to investigate this.
Trim clip graveyard
A cracking example of why to use correct washer fluid mixture!I ultrasonically cleaned the jets but it didn't make a difference, so the next thing to check was the filter in the washer bottle.
Frustratingly, you can't get to the pumps with the front wing in situ (the bottle is behind the front wheel, inside the front wing), and you need to remove the side skirt to get the wing off.
So having removed the wheel, and then most of the wing bolts, and partially removing the sill trim gives you enough room to move everything out a bit to get at it all.
As expected, the pump filter was completely full of grunge
Unfortunatley it's not improved things much, though.
And when I put it back together, I've had to adjust the wing several times to get all the panel gaps kind of right so it doesn't look like it's had a massive shunt.
Most of the fixings are single use, and quite a lot were missing on this side only, so I don't think I'm the first person to investigate this.
Trim clip graveyard
Jakg said:
Windscreen washers are rubbish.
I ultrasonically cleaned the jets but it didn't make a difference, so the next thing to check was the filter in the washer bottle.
Frustratingly, you can't get to the pumps with the front wing in situ (the bottle is behind the front wheel, inside the front wing), and you need to remove the side skirt to get the wing off.
So having removed the wheel, and then most of the wing bolts, and partially removing the sill trim gives you enough room to move everything out a bit to get at it all.
As expected, the pump filter was completely full of grunge
Unfortunatley it's not improved things much, though.
<snip>
I had the exact same issue with my 325i (E46) - I cleaned the filter, put it back and tried the washers again - only to find the filter was once again clogged.I ultrasonically cleaned the jets but it didn't make a difference, so the next thing to check was the filter in the washer bottle.
Frustratingly, you can't get to the pumps with the front wing in situ (the bottle is behind the front wheel, inside the front wing), and you need to remove the side skirt to get the wing off.
So having removed the wheel, and then most of the wing bolts, and partially removing the sill trim gives you enough room to move everything out a bit to get at it all.
As expected, the pump filter was completely full of grunge
Unfortunatley it's not improved things much, though.
<snip>
I had to remove the washer bottle and give it a thorough clean - but in my case the screen jets were completely gunged up as well - and I had to clean those too.
Pica-Pica said:
A cracking example of why to use correct washer fluid mixture!
Luke. said:
Probably teaching you to suck eggs, but you have to use BMW's branded washer fluid.
I don't think the problem is non-genuine BMW screenwash, I think it's mixture of different types of screenwash that causes the gelling.TonyRPH said:
I had the exact same issue with my 325i (E46) - I cleaned the filter, put it back and tried the washers again - only to find the filter was once again clogged.
I had to remove the washer bottle and give it a thorough clean - but in my case the screen jets were completely gunged up as well - and I had to clean those too.
I've flushed the bottle so there's nothing solid left in there so hopefully won't happen again.I had to remove the washer bottle and give it a thorough clean - but in my case the screen jets were completely gunged up as well - and I had to clean those too.
New pump arrived today, tried it in the garage this time - the front half fits nicely at least.
You can see how everything comes out a bit at the front
Giving some room
New pump goes on
But the washers still suck, so I guess the jets are the problem.
Not all a waste of time though, turns out the rear washer pump is dead so could swap the old one onto there while it was apart, and back together with new clips.
Jakg said:
But the washers still suck, so I guess the jets are the problem.
Not all a waste of time though, turns out the rear washer pump is dead so could swap the old one onto there while it was apart, and back together with new clips.
As I said, my washer jets were also filled with gunge. Careful dismantling is required, as there is a spring with a non return valve in the jet - and of course the moment you pull them apart, the spring(s) make a bid for freedom!Not all a waste of time though, turns out the rear washer pump is dead so could swap the old one onto there while it was apart, and back together with new clips.
Car has fancy auto dimming mirrors - but the magic fluid in one was making a bid for freedom and distorting the reflection.
Being an optional extra, the glass wasn't easy to find - £300 from the dealer - ended up finding a pair from China for £25.
Engine cover had some broken clips so a bag were ordered.
The car has xenon headlights, but the angel eyes are illuminated by a halogen bulb so are yellow - my E91 has white angel eyes and looks much better for it (I presume someone else fitted LEDs) so I fitted an LED kit from SMD Automotive. Pictures make it look blue but in reality it's a nice pure white.
Being an optional extra, the glass wasn't easy to find - £300 from the dealer - ended up finding a pair from China for £25.
Engine cover had some broken clips so a bag were ordered.
The car has xenon headlights, but the angel eyes are illuminated by a halogen bulb so are yellow - my E91 has white angel eyes and looks much better for it (I presume someone else fitted LEDs) so I fitted an LED kit from SMD Automotive. Pictures make it look blue but in reality it's a nice pure white.
Jakg said:
But the washers still suck, so I guess the jets are the problem.
New jets aren't cheap - they are a unique fitment to the pre-LCI model I think - so I ended up with a £20 AliExpress set. Finally I have decent washers!
Jakg said:
Some wobble from the brakes under braking
Jakg said:
Early 3.0sd's had a 365mm front brake setup, but later X5's seemed to switch to 348mm so they aren't no-brainer cheap.
I also think a disk is warped so I need to think some more about what I want to do... the G-series 4-pot calipers are supposed to be a straight swap...
Unfortunately missed out on a set of the G-series calipers, so standard it is I also think a disk is warped so I need to think some more about what I want to do... the G-series 4-pot calipers are supposed to be a straight swap...
Car has a wobble under braking, feels like a warped disc.
I'm aware discs aren't meant to warp, but if it's pad deposits, no amount of abuse was clearing it up, and I didn't see anything obviously wrong with any suspension components.
I was thinking maybe it was cheap discs or just overheating from hard stopping a >2 ton car and then holding it on the brakes at lights or something.
Discs off, backplate was loose so some repair washers put on:
2 pot sliding calipers is a new one on me
I replaced the slide bushes, discs and pads - the calipers themselves seemed fine, pistons pushed back ok etc. I was wondering if it could've been a bad caliper causing excess wear / heat.
The pads and discs were only about a third worn and were decent brands too (mintex pads, brembo discs), so that blew my "cheap parts" theory.
Slide pins were a bit crusty, so out comes my high precision lathe, which is totally not a socket in a drill with a clamp on the trigger
Came up ok though
All back together (not really much to see!)
Wobble seems to have gone - which suggests that the discs were the problem. But the real test will be if it comes back to find out the real root cause.
Jakg said:
To say thankyou for the preventative maintenance, one of the nipples immediately sheared
Tried some slightly more aggressive techniques, left handed drill bit and then an easyout, but no joy. Also tried tapping round with a chisel.I ended up hammering an (impact) torx bit in the hole and getting my impact gun on it... and the torx bit snapped.
So clearly it's in there very tight and has no intention of coming out - new caliper in the post.
I can't shake the feeling it doesn't feel very quick compared to my 335d with the same engine.
A common 335d problem is a leaking boost hose caused by failed o-rings. I've not heard this mentioned for the X5 but at least half the hose is shared with the 335d so I thought I'd try it anyway.
On my 335d it's done entirely from below, drop the undertray, intercooler and it's accessible.
I tried that here but all I got was some crossmembers and an antiroll bar, so I had to do it from above.
Inlet tract, upper crossmember, rad fan and coolant hose removed
Gives some access to the red boost hose
Removal was a bit of a pain - the car has the "dynamic drive" option with active antirollbars, which means they are massive and have a big actuator on them - and they are right behind the boost hose / intercooler connection, where the clip comes off.
Eventually got it out
On my 335d I replaced the hose itself with an aftermarket one, but no such product here - so just new BMW o-rings instead.
Re-installed with silicone lube but it's a pain to get it seated fully, but essential for the clip to actually hold it together, luckily I've had plenty of failed attempts on my 335d so I could work out what I was doing
Back together I can't say I notice any difference though...
Jakg said:
£145 for a tank of fuel was a shock
Last tank of fuel averaged 24.5 MPG which is... not great. Hence the drive to make sure the drivetrain is working properly.Edited by Jakg on Saturday 5th November 21:49
You've saved some £'s doing these jobs yourself.Jakg said:
So clearly it's in there very tight and has no intention of coming out - new caliper in the post..
New caliper fitted:
With the old caliper off the car I could get even more aggressive and got a larger easyout in the bleed nipple. Clamped the easy out in a vice and started turning the caliper and...
The arm of the vice cracked instead!
Good excuse to get something a little stronger - 1/2" ratchet for scale...
I've mentioned before the car has the "dynamic drive" option with active anti-roll bars - I realised these are hydraulic, using the power steering fluid.
I couldn't find a mention of the total system capacity, so using the turkey-baster method I swapped just over a litre of fluid out.
Left is new from the bottle (green), centre is what I pulled out after round 1 and right is after round 2 - it's definitely cleaning up but probably could do with another go.
Jakg said:
Last tank of fuel averaged 24.5 MPG which is... not great. Hence the drive to make sure the drivetrain is working properly.
Subsequent two tanks averaged 25.9 MPG so I'd like to think a slight improvement there.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff