Are the E70s really that bad?!?

SapphireXAE · 08-17-2022, 12:51 PM

Hi everyone, looooong time since I posted here. I've owned many BMWs and two X5s (both were E53). My sister several years ago bought an E70 as a CPO vehicle from BMW. It was a very well equipped 3.0si. It was often having some kind of issue and was in the shop quite a bit. I am now in the market for another X5. I was going to stick with another E53, but I do like the look of the E70 and some of the updates / improvements over the E53. I have researched like crazy and the reviews are SO mixed! So, I'd like to hear from actual owner enthusiasts. I've owned several BMWs with the in-line 3.0 and never had issues, so to speak. I'd be specifically looking at the 3.0 as my fiancé is dead set against any of the eight cylinders (I tried, believe me. lol).

We know any older, used vehicle will need the occasional repair and of course regular maintenance. Would a pre-LCI 3.0si be a reliable enough vehicle, provided maintenance was kept up with and it had lower mileage. Or, are they finicky, glitchy little monsters?

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate the assistance.

SlowX6M · 08-18-2022, 03:45 AM

They are not bad at all if you respect them. Expensive to maintain properly, yes.

Sophisticated Redneck · 08-18-2022, 04:53 AM

Like SlowX6M said, you have to respect them. They are complex cars so beating on them like a cheap old Camary will nuke your wallet in short order. Change their fluids & filters, don't murder them in stop and go traffic/sitting idling in the heat and you can get 200k+ miles out of them, even in the infamous 50i (I am at 181K miles myself).

With all that being said, for any older vehicle, I recommend you learn how to do the basic maintenance yourself or at the very least purchase a very good scanner such as foxwell that can read BMW specific codes. Even if you don't work on cars, knowing the exact codes when something goes wrong, a quick google search on what it means and how to fix, then arm yourself with this knowledge before taking it in will prevent you from being taking advantage of at shops.

Doctor///M · 08-18-2022, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

They are not bad at all if you respect them. Expensive to maintain properly, yes.

Would agree with this. Get up to speed on service history and ensure key maintenance items were addressed based on mileage. Takes a pretty penny each year to ensure all maintenance is covered, but when you do it's a fantastic car to drive.

SlowX6M · 08-18-2022, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Would agree with this. Get up to speed on service history and ensure key maintenance items were addressed based on mileage. Takes a pretty penny each year to ensure all maintenance is covered, but when you do it's a fantastic car to drive.

One of the best.

Attacking Mid · 08-18-2022, 10:52 PM

Were either of your E53's 3.0L M54's? Doggiest BMW I've ever driven (still own it). I also have an E83 3.0 N52. It's a nice vehicle, but I imagine that engine in the bigger, heavier E70 chassis will be a dog just like the E53/M54.

That said, since I own both, I enjoy my E70 35d much more on the highway. It drives so nice, has ample power, and is more comfortable. I had to do some fairly serious four-wheeling in my E53 last season elk hunting, and I realized how much more capable it was vs. the E70. I'd have never made it up there in my E70 with its much lower ground clearance. Of course, if I intended to do that sort of thing regularly, an E53 is not the right choice either - perhaps a Jeep or other true 4WD vehicle. I think I raised some eyebrows parking my E53 at the upper trailhead alongside only MUCH more serious 4WD trucks and Jeeps. The E70 is relatively more car than truck vs. the E53.

AM.

Colodano · 08-20-2022, 09:11 PM

My only issues have really been engine and transmission maintenance, so if you know the engines you are looking at I would say no issues that you would really have that are out of the ordinary with an E70. Maybe silly seat stuff, comfort access or auto tailgate as well.

Dekero · 08-25-2022, 12:11 AM

I absolutely love my 2013 X5 35i. Wouldn't give it up for the world... That said I've owned it for roughly 2 1/2 years and just rolled 203k miles and will easily make it to 300k... However... Be advised it would take me Multiple pages to list the amount of maintenance repairs and parts I've replaced to get here.... Including

Diff/TC/trans fluid swaps (X 3)
Every Gasket on the car other than the head gasket
Water pump/thermostat
Motor mount
TC mount
Every cooling hose, yes all of them
Valve cover, plugs, coils (X 2)
Ac compressor
HPFP
Starter
Boost solenoid
Purge valve and all related hoses
Charge and boost pipe upgrades
Footwell module
Battery
Belt, Tensioner both Idler pulleys
Full front suspension
Front/rear brakes and rotors (X 2)
Expansion tank
All 6 Injectors
Throttle body
Both Vanos solenoids
Both Camshaft sensors
Fuel pressure sensor
MAF
MAP
TMAP
Turbo diverter valve

And I'm surely missing something...

Honest info, I drive mine 7k+ miles a month
So the abuse is immense, so I change the oil monthly.

All that said....

Owning a BMW E70 is like being in an abusive relationship

I keep getting my ass kicked

But the sex is amazing and I keep coming back for more....

Chrisnytx · 10-04-2022, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dekero

I absolutely love my 2013 X5 35i. Wouldn't give it up for the world... That said I've owned it for roughly 2 1/2 years and just rolled 203k miles and will easily make it to 300k... However... Be advised it would take me Multiple pages to list the amount of maintenance repairs and parts I've replaced to get here.... Including

Diff/TC/trans fluid swaps (X 3)
Every Gasket on the car other than the head gasket
Water pump/thermostat
Motor mount
TC mount
Every cooling hose, yes all of them
Valve cover, plugs, coils (X 2)
Ac compressor
HPFP
Starter
Boost solenoid
Purge valve and all related hoses
Charge and boost pipe upgrades
Footwell module
Battery
Belt, Tensioner both Idler pulleys
Full front suspension
Front/rear brakes and rotors (X 2)
Expansion tank
All 6 Injectors
Throttle body
Both Vanos solenoids
Both Camshaft sensors
Fuel pressure sensor
MAF
MAP
TMAP
Turbo diverter valve

And I'm surely missing something...

Honest info, I drive mine 7k+ miles a month
So the abuse is immense, so I change the oil monthly.

All that said....

Owning a BMW E70 is like being in an abusive relationship

I keep getting my ass kicked

But the sex is amazing and I keep coming back for more....

What maintenance schedule do you follow? I am pretty new to BMWs and I am trying to figure out what maintenance routine I should stick to. Thank you

Dekero · 10-07-2022, 04:36 AM

I change my oil on the first Saturday of EVERY month which ends up being between 5-7k miles everytime.

I do the transmiy, transfer case, and diferentials every 60k miles and have done them 3 times as of now

Beyond that I don't hold to a schedule. I've done all the major gaskets, the valve cover gasket twice now...

And I just finished replacing the turbo literally yesterday... OMG that was a bytch...

I educated myself on these forums about the common fail items and roughly what to expect and at what milages... Then tried to be ahead of the failures by doing preventive maintenance.

Most important thing you can do for a 35i is by far the oil filter housing gasket, serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulleys, along with a good thorough degreasing of the front of the engine before finally adding a front crank seal guard. These engines love to ingest a shredded belt, and you'll be stuck with a destroyed motor.

Like I said though... Now I'm at 209k miles, I will make 300+ and I love this truck!

08-17-2022, 12:51 PM	#1
SapphireXAE Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 228i Cabrio, Estoril Blue Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Are the E70s really that bad?!? Hi everyone, looooong time since I posted here. I've owned many BMWs and two X5s (both were E53). My sister several years ago bought an E70 as a CPO vehicle from BMW. It was a very well equipped 3.0si. It was often having some kind of issue and was in the shop quite a bit. I am now in the market for another X5. I was going to stick with another E53, but I do like the look of the E70 and some of the updates / improvements over the E53. I have researched like crazy and the reviews are SO mixed! So, I'd like to hear from actual owner enthusiasts. I've owned several BMWs with the in-line 3.0 and never had issues, so to speak. I'd be specifically looking at the 3.0 as my fiancé is dead set against any of the eight cylinders (I tried, believe me. lol). We know any older, used vehicle will need the occasional repair and of course regular maintenance. Would a pre-LCI 3.0si be a reliable enough vehicle, provided maintenance was kept up with and it had lower mileage. Or, are they finicky, glitchy little monsters? Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate the assistance.
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08-18-2022, 03:45 AM	#2
SlowX6M Lieutenant 288 Rep 593 Posts Drives: 2021 X6M, 2012 X5, 2018 M2 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	They are not bad at all if you respect them. Expensive to maintain properly, yes.
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08-18-2022, 04:53 AM	#3
Sophisticated Redneck Lieutenant Colonel 1416 Rep 1,564 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 50i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Like SlowX6M said, you have to respect them. They are complex cars so beating on them like a cheap old Camary will nuke your wallet in short order. Change their fluids & filters, don't murder them in stop and go traffic/sitting idling in the heat and you can get 200k+ miles out of them, even in the infamous 50i (I am at 181K miles myself). With all that being said, for any older vehicle, I recommend you learn how to do the basic maintenance yourself or at the very least purchase a very good scanner such as foxwell that can read BMW specific codes. Even if you don't work on cars, knowing the exact codes when something goes wrong, a quick google search on what it means and how to fix, then arm yourself with this knowledge before taking it in will prevent you from being taking advantage of at shops.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2022, 10:52 PM	#6
Attacking Mid Enlisted Member 15 Rep 46 Posts Drives: e46, e53, e83, e70 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Were either of your E53's 3.0L M54's? Doggiest BMW I've ever driven (still own it). I also have an E83 3.0 N52. It's a nice vehicle, but I imagine that engine in the bigger, heavier E70 chassis will be a dog just like the E53/M54. That said, since I own both, I enjoy my E70 35d much more on the highway. It drives so nice, has ample power, and is more comfortable. I had to do some fairly serious four-wheeling in my E53 last season elk hunting, and I realized how much more capable it was vs. the E70. I'd have never made it up there in my E70 with its much lower ground clearance. Of course, if I intended to do that sort of thing regularly, an E53 is not the right choice either - perhaps a Jeep or other true 4WD vehicle. I think I raised some eyebrows parking my E53 at the upper trailhead alongside only MUCH more serious 4WD trucks and Jeeps. The E70 is relatively more car than truck vs. the E53. AM.
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08-20-2022, 09:11 PM	#7
Colodano First Lieutenant 131 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2010 X5M Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Co iTrader: (0)	My only issues have really been engine and transmission maintenance, so if you know the engines you are looking at I would say no issues that you would really have that are out of the ordinary with an E70. Maybe silly seat stuff, comfort access or auto tailgate as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-25-2022, 12:11 AM	#8
Dekero Private First Class 36 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X5 35I Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Memphis TN iTrader: (0)	I absolutely love my 2013 X5 35i. Wouldn't give it up for the world... That said I've owned it for roughly 2 1/2 years and just rolled 203k miles and will easily make it to 300k... However... Be advised it would take me Multiple pages to list the amount of maintenance repairs and parts I've replaced to get here.... Including Diff/TC/trans fluid swaps (X 3) Every Gasket on the car other than the head gasket Water pump/thermostat Motor mount TC mount Every cooling hose, yes all of them Valve cover, plugs, coils (X 2) Ac compressor HPFP Starter Boost solenoid Purge valve and all related hoses Charge and boost pipe upgrades Footwell module Battery Belt, Tensioner both Idler pulleys Full front suspension Front/rear brakes and rotors (X 2) Expansion tank All 6 Injectors Throttle body Both Vanos solenoids Both Camshaft sensors Fuel pressure sensor MAF MAP TMAP Turbo diverter valve And I'm surely missing something... Honest info, I drive mine 7k+ miles a month So the abuse is immense, so I change the oil monthly. All that said.... Owning a BMW E70 is like being in an abusive relationship I keep getting my ass kicked But the sex is amazing and I keep coming back for more.... Last edited by Dekero; 08-25-2022 at 12:18 AM..
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10-07-2022, 04:36 AM	#10
Dekero Private First Class 36 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X5 35I Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Memphis TN iTrader: (0)	I change my oil on the first Saturday of EVERY month which ends up being between 5-7k miles everytime. I do the transmiy, transfer case, and diferentials every 60k miles and have done them 3 times as of now Beyond that I don't hold to a schedule. I've done all the major gaskets, the valve cover gasket twice now... And I just finished replacing the turbo literally yesterday... OMG that was a bytch... I educated myself on these forums about the common fail items and roughly what to expect and at what milages... Then tried to be ahead of the failures by doing preventive maintenance. Most important thing you can do for a 35i is by far the oil filter housing gasket, serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulleys, along with a good thorough degreasing of the front of the engine before finally adding a front crank seal guard. These engines love to ingest a shredded belt, and you'll be stuck with a destroyed motor. Like I said though... Now I'm at 209k miles, I will make 300+ and I love this truck!
	Appreciate 0 Quote