BMW x5 e53 slight issue ….

[Mattiebmw]

Hi all, just before I call the RAC I was wondering if anyone can help..

I’ve got a 55 plate x5 3.0D as a spare car, it was bought as a stop gap but I really like it so decided to keep it and just pootle around in it, I love this generation of BMW.. however , I’ve not used it for about a month and all this cold weather seems to have killed the battery. It also suffers with the front driver do sticking quite a bit normally if it’s to bad I’ll just drop the window to open the door, however with a flat battery you obviously can’t do this.. it’s sticking really badly so I can’t open the door at the minute.. anyone got any advice ? Thanks in advance

[The Conflated Outlier]

The door handle carrier is failing, of many, many E53 common issues.

Ebay, 20 quid for a Chinesium replacement.

Batteries: It's not an AGM thing so before you buy anything, ring your local BMW dealer. They tend to price match and can get one same day. The last three batteries I've bought from Sytners have been sub Halfords price.

[g3org3y]

Mattiebmw said:

Hi all, just before I call the RAC I was wondering if anyone can help..

I’ve got a 55 plate x5 3.0D as a spare car, it was bought as a stop gap but I really like it so decided to keep it and just pootle around in it, I love this generation of BMW.. however , I’ve not used it for about a month and all this cold weather seems to have killed the battery. It also suffers with the front driver do sticking quite a bit normally if it’s to bad I’ll just drop the window to open the door, however with a flat battery you obviously can’t do this.. it’s sticking really badly so I can’t open the door at the minute.. anyone got any advice ? Thanks in advance

Can you open the boot with the key and get in that way?

[Mattiebmw]

The Conflated Outlier said:

The door handle carrier is failing, of many, many E53 common issues.

Ebay, 20 quid for a Chinesium replacement.

Batteries: It's not an AGM thing so before you buy anything, ring your local BMW dealer. They tend to price match and can get one same day. The last three batteries I've bought from Sytners have been sub Halfords price.

Hi mate, thanks for the reply, yeah I read about the door handle carrier failing, common issue in these and the Range Rover of its time.. my problem is actually getting into the car so I can sort it and the battery out.

[Mattiebmw]

g3org3y said:

Mattiebmw said:

Hi all, just before I call the RAC I was wondering if anyone can help..

I’ve got a 55 plate x5 3.0D as a spare car, it was bought as a stop gap but I really like it so decided to keep it and just pootle around in it, I love this generation of BMW.. however , I’ve not used it for about a month and all this cold weather seems to have killed the battery. It also suffers with the front driver do sticking quite a bit normally if it’s to bad I’ll just drop the window to open the door, however with a flat battery you obviously can’t do this.. it’s sticking really badly so I can’t open the door at the minute.. anyone got any advice ? Thanks in advance

Can you open the boot with the key and get in that way?

Hi, no not that I can see, unless there’s a hidden key hole somewhere?

[g3org3y]

Mattiebmw said:

g3org3y said:

Mattiebmw said:

Hi all, just before I call the RAC I was wondering if anyone can help..

I’ve got a 55 plate x5 3.0D as a spare car, it was bought as a stop gap but I really like it so decided to keep it and just pootle around in it, I love this generation of BMW.. however , I’ve not used it for about a month and all this cold weather seems to have killed the battery. It also suffers with the front driver do sticking quite a bit normally if it’s to bad I’ll just drop the window to open the door, however with a flat battery you obviously can’t do this.. it’s sticking really badly so I can’t open the door at the minute.. anyone got any advice ? Thanks in advance

Can you open the boot with the key and get in that way?

Hi, no not that I can see, unless there’s a hidden key hole somewhere?

Good point, I assumed must have a keyhole as same era as the E46 (which does have one).

This could be an option: https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/threads/2003-e53-x5...

forum said:

Hi guys, i have a update....and a tip

I removed the bolts and clips to the front half of the offside underguard arch
you can then reach the bonnet latch cable with you fingers, give it a tug and guess what......!
One open bonnet, connect your jump leads press the key and open she goes..

[Mattiebmw]

g3org3y said:

Mattiebmw said:

g3org3y said:

Mattiebmw said:

Hi all, just before I call the RAC I was wondering if anyone can help..

I’ve got a 55 plate x5 3.0D as a spare car, it was bought as a stop gap but I really like it so decided to keep it and just pootle around in it, I love this generation of BMW.. however , I’ve not used it for about a month and all this cold weather seems to have killed the battery. It also suffers with the front driver do sticking quite a bit normally if it’s to bad I’ll just drop the window to open the door, however with a flat battery you obviously can’t do this.. it’s sticking really badly so I can’t open the door at the minute.. anyone got any advice ? Thanks in advance

Can you open the boot with the key and get in that way?

Hi, no not that I can see, unless there’s a hidden key hole somewhere?

Good point, I assumed must have a keyhole as same era as the E46 (which does have one).

This could be an option: https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/threads/2003-e53-x5...

forum said:

Hi guys, i have a update....and a tip

I removed the bolts and clips to the front half of the offside underguard arch
you can then reach the bonnet latch cable with you fingers, give it a tug and guess what......!
One open bonnet, connect your jump leads press the key and open she goes..

Hi, that’s good to know. When I went up the other day I left the door unlocked, this seems to help as it opens fine now. So I’ll either got one of the lads to jump start it or the RAC, then get a new battery in it 👍🏻.

[Mattiebmw]

Unless I can jump start it from my other car, it’s an EV tho so not sure, I’ll have a look online

[danb79]

Mattiebmw said:

Unless I can jump start it from my other car, it’s an EV tho so not sure, I’ll have a look online

Time for a new battery; get one via Tayna online if you can wait; if not Halfords will have the Yuasa 019 which is all you need:

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batteries/car-ba...

Have you a trickle charger at all? If not get one and keep it connected to that when you're not using it; I did this with my Jap import E39 530i touring and 540i saloon (same battery requirements etc)

The Cteck MXs 5.0 charger is brilliant: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Battery-Automatic-Te...

[Mattiebmw]

Hi Dan, no I can’t trickle charge it unfortunately as I live in a flat in the city centre.. I normally start to up at least once a week and run it up to temp but I’ve been a bit poorly recently so I’ve let it lapse. Aye there’s no rush to get it sorted, I was just concerned about getting into it, but leaving the door unlocked seems to have helped with that. I’m a bit confused as to why the other doors won’t open from the inside but who knows?

I really should get rid of it but it’s such a nice old car, I’m far more enthusiastic about it than my i4 daily lol

[danb79]

Mattiebmw said:

Hi Dan, no I can’t trickle charge it unfortunately as I live in a flat in the city centre.. I normally start to up at least once a week and run it up to temp but I’ve been a bit poorly recently so I’ve let it lapse. Aye there’s no rush to get it sorted, I was just concerned about getting into it, but leaving the door unlocked seems to have helped with that. I’m a bit confused as to why the other doors won’t open from the inside but who knows?

I really should get rid of it but it’s such a nice old car, I’m far more enthusiastic about it than my i4 daily lol

Ah that's fair enough

Running it / idling won't charge the battery; it needs to be driven. If you can, give it a good drive once a week, 30mins and over and that'll keep it happy

My pal has this on his E39 M5 when he's not using it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-5060114614185-Solar-Po...

Been brilliant and does a good job

[Mattiebmw]

Hi Dan, thanks for that I’ve ordered one ! I’m completely stumped at to why the other doors won’t just open from the inside, but who knows.