E53 X5 3.0D Sport as a new Daily Driver
E53 X5 3.0D Sport as a new Daily Driver
Author
Discussion

VR6 Matt

Original Poster:

17 posts

84 months

Yesterday (17:57)
quotequote all
Afternoon all, I've realised I've got far too much free time at the minute despite having a sizeable house extension on the go which I'm doing myself and also working more hours a week than most (the joys of self employment).

So what else is one to do but start posting about my trio of cars on a forum for like-minded individuals who have a perverse interest in automobiles.

I've had a PD130 Passat estate as my workhorse for the past 5 years. I bought it for £1500 and have successfully completed over 120k in it during my ownership. However during that time it has become tatty and slightly less than presentable but due to my necessity for a workhorse I didn't mind too much. Yet I found myself yearning for an "upgrade"; so in July I acquired a rather fetching example of an E53 X5.

Presented in Sterling Grey, powered by the venerable M57 diesel powerplant and accompanied by a stack of service history it has proven a very good buy over the past few months.

I've carried out a reasonable amount of maintenance/servicing over my ownership so far to get the X5 a state I'm now happy with. I am rather fastidious so this did include replacing some previously fitted budget tyres (which had plenty of tread left) with some Falken rubber (A Wet Grip Rating as per all my cars, I know I'm also surprised I don't drive a Volvo).

So far the jobs I've carried out are:

Oil and all filters changed at123700
Polished headlights to remove yellow haze
Gearbox - Oil, mechatronic sleeves and filter at 125670

Thermostat/water pump and fresh coolant (thermostat was opening too early so the car wasn't quite reaching 90°c) at 124840

Rear wiper from an E70 X5 fitted for superior rear windscreen cleaning action

I also want to lanoguard the underneath before winter truly kicks in and also adjust the handbrake as it's currently taking a lot of travel to ensure it's actually capable of holding the car.

I've now done about 6k since acquiring the car and I have to say it's very impressive. I was never overly fond of the appearance of the X5 most examples are blacked out and have a whiff of the devil's lettuce about them. However this particular car has won me over, it's supremely comfortable and smooth to drive, I've calculated the mpg to be 32mpg which is obviously less than my Passat was offering me yet noticeably cheaper than dailying my V8 S5. All in all I'm very impressed, the previous owner also fitted sound deadening, apple carplay and upgraded the speakers so the sound system is superb.

Considering the car cost me £2600 which is the equivalent of 6 monthly payments on a new Jaecoo (I know this as a friend has one, not because I'm a heathen who has enquired about one for personal use) I'm very impressed. It's a lot of car for the money and it really does offer everything I think I could ever need.


matt21

4,366 posts

222 months

Would love to see pics of the X5 as a BMW fan.

Also the Passat. My friends and family have owned 8 B5.5 130 TDIs over the last 12 years covering over 400k with minimal issues and 0 breakdowns. I've had 2, one of which I sold last year after 10yrs and 140k. It still soldiers on with another friend on 270k now. Awesome cars.