E53 X5 3.0d - finally bought one. Few questions!
Discussion
Hi all,
Almost a year to the day now, I posted about buying an X5 to use as a cheap daily and tow car. I was going to go for an LPG'd V8 at the time. I ended up buying a Merc Vito van instead, but eventually I got a bit fed up with it and kept getting hassle from neighbours about parking it on the road etc. So I thought screw it, I'm going to get an X5.
This time, however, I decided to get a 3.0d. I spotted one on eBay and it had pretty much a full MOT and had had the gearbox done in the last 12 months, albeit a cash job with no receipt, so I had to take that with a pinch of salt and hope it was true. Having dealt with knackered autoboxes before, I felt confident I would know if anything wasn't right. Oh and it also had a Witter removable tow bar
It did have a whopping 178k on the clock, but seemed well looked after, so I agreed a price of £1750 with the seller and was preparing to collect.
Then lockdown hit. Fast forward two months, and the easing of restrictions somewhat, I went to collect it. In what must be an eBay miracle, the seller held the car as promised and I, the buyer, turned up on the dot!
Here she is. I know it's just a cheap banger, but I'm actually very impressed with it and it's far more handsome than the pre-facelift version:
Massive boot:
So what I'd like to know is, at this mileage should I consider the swirl flaps to be fine and not bother removing them, or is it actually more likely that they will give me issues? The next one is, should I bother with an EGR blanking kit? I know this would require a remap, which isn't a terrible thing.
I am very impressed with it though. Drives just like a car and doesn't feel like a two ton beast in the bends at all. The autobox is a bit lazy for me, but for the money and how capable it is, I really can't fault it. Finding a cassette deck behind the nav screen was a novelty
Stuck a bluetooth module on it from Amazon and now have full bluetooth audio from my phone so it instantly feels a bit more modern too. Very happy.
Almost a year to the day now, I posted about buying an X5 to use as a cheap daily and tow car. I was going to go for an LPG'd V8 at the time. I ended up buying a Merc Vito van instead, but eventually I got a bit fed up with it and kept getting hassle from neighbours about parking it on the road etc. So I thought screw it, I'm going to get an X5.
This time, however, I decided to get a 3.0d. I spotted one on eBay and it had pretty much a full MOT and had had the gearbox done in the last 12 months, albeit a cash job with no receipt, so I had to take that with a pinch of salt and hope it was true. Having dealt with knackered autoboxes before, I felt confident I would know if anything wasn't right. Oh and it also had a Witter removable tow bar
It did have a whopping 178k on the clock, but seemed well looked after, so I agreed a price of £1750 with the seller and was preparing to collect.Then lockdown hit. Fast forward two months, and the easing of restrictions somewhat, I went to collect it. In what must be an eBay miracle, the seller held the car as promised and I, the buyer, turned up on the dot!
Here she is. I know it's just a cheap banger, but I'm actually very impressed with it and it's far more handsome than the pre-facelift version:
Massive boot:
So what I'd like to know is, at this mileage should I consider the swirl flaps to be fine and not bother removing them, or is it actually more likely that they will give me issues? The next one is, should I bother with an EGR blanking kit? I know this would require a remap, which isn't a terrible thing.
I am very impressed with it though. Drives just like a car and doesn't feel like a two ton beast in the bends at all. The autobox is a bit lazy for me, but for the money and how capable it is, I really can't fault it. Finding a cassette deck behind the nav screen was a novelty
Stuck a bluetooth module on it from Amazon and now have full bluetooth audio from my phone so it instantly feels a bit more modern too. Very happy. When I bought my E65 730D (06 plate facelift); first thing I did was swirl flaps for peace of mind etc... That an a full engine overhaul service
As for the EGR; I left mine, it was very clean indeed; but new EGR and main stat were fitted as the temp gauge wasn't as it should be
Re your audio; if you've the CD changer in the boot; or have the wiring for the CD changer (as it's the same stuff as the E39s use); you could look to add the Grom Audio BT3 kit, which is Bluetooth hands-free and A2DP music playback; you just feed the Bluetooth hands-free mic into the cabin and it works with the head unit and steering wheel controls too
I've got one in my import E39 touring and it's superb
As for the EGR; I left mine, it was very clean indeed; but new EGR and main stat were fitted as the temp gauge wasn't as it should be
Re your audio; if you've the CD changer in the boot; or have the wiring for the CD changer (as it's the same stuff as the E39s use); you could look to add the Grom Audio BT3 kit, which is Bluetooth hands-free and A2DP music playback; you just feed the Bluetooth hands-free mic into the cabin and it works with the head unit and steering wheel controls too
I've got one in my import E39 touring and it's superb
I'd chuck the swirl flaps and leave the EGR in. Helix402 on here found that the M57 is better with the EGR on. I was of the same opinion with my 330d.
The E53 X5 is a great bus. My dad's had one from new and it's at 245,000 miles now. Still runs well, but the autobox is getting lazier.
The E53 X5 is a great bus. My dad's had one from new and it's at 245,000 miles now. Still runs well, but the autobox is getting lazier.
Yeah I'm really impressed with it. I'll leave the EGR in that case and have a think about the swirl flaps. I remember removing a set years ago but can't remember if it was on my E46 330cd or my E60 535d.
d_a_n1979 the Bluetooth adapter I got from Amazon was £30 and plugged into the CD changer cables. Works flawlessly and I still have the Bluetooth hands free calls etc. Can't fault it at all.
d_a_n1979 the Bluetooth adapter I got from Amazon was £30 and plugged into the CD changer cables. Works flawlessly and I still have the Bluetooth hands free calls etc. Can't fault it at all.
TroubledSoul said:
Yeah I'm really impressed with it. I'll leave the EGR in that case and have a think about the swirl flaps. I remember removing a set years ago but can't remember if it was on my E46 330cd or my E60 535d.
d_a_n1979 the Bluetooth adapter I got from Amazon was £30 and plugged into the CD changer cables. Works flawlessly and I still have the Bluetooth hands free calls etc. Can't fault it at all.
Ah yeah; I know which one you meand_a_n1979 the Bluetooth adapter I got from Amazon was £30 and plugged into the CD changer cables. Works flawlessly and I still have the Bluetooth hands free calls etc. Can't fault it at all.
lewis328 said:
I have a 3.0l x5 really like it. It has Bluetooth but it's never linked up to my phone. I assume the Bluetooth in the car is too old. Do you have any pics of the adaptor you fitted to your one? I'm still in 2 minds as to whether I should keep mine or sell. Great cars.
Bluetooth will work backwards; so your phone will connect to Bluetooth from current to pastHave you checked the Bluetooth settings on your phone; does your phone see the cars Bluetooth?
If not; it could be an issue with the car, not your phone
I removed the swirl flaps but left the EGR on my E39 530dT, it has run like a top and gone through all it's MOTs without trouble. It is my understanding that the modified swirl flaps were no more reliable than the originals. The problem is that if you have the misfortune to experience a problem in this area it will, in an instant and without warning, wreck the motor and possibly the turbo too before you can say ** ****, and that will be the end of your nice shiny X5 because the cost of repairs will be miles more than the value of your car. A set of blanking plugs and the labour will cost you peanuts so just do it!!
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