Common issues on the x5?

[Spyro235]

Oh, I'm sure other users would be able to point you towards a shop that could delete everything out... you're in Texas! Land of the diesels!

Get used to enjoying the vehicle how it is stock.... then get Rod Sutphin's trans tune. I'm biased, as I have it, but I'm a big supporter of his. His trans tune is OUTSTANDING and completely changes the character of the vehicle, makes it act like the sporty SAV that it should, rather than the stock settings of slushiness.

[2010xdrive35dinTexas]

How true how true you are about land of the diesels!

I'm sure someone in Houston, about an hour and half west of me, could do it. My first service will be at a shop to have them clean the intake. I'm sure it's all carboned up.

I found this service called walnut blasting, but the shop I talked to said they did a chemical cleaning. It's something I've seen gets gummed up. That along with the EGR valve and the other emissions components.

If there's any maintenance you've done with your vehicle that you would like to share, please do! Better yet.... I should stop hijaking KwlAznKid thread lol

[Misterman]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

I'm partial to the D-

Oh man this made me laugh harder than it should've. lol

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by Misterman

Oh man this made me laugh harder than it should've. lol

BAhahah I didn't even notice that. I do in fact enjoy the company of women... while still being partial to my D.

[Misterman]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

BAhahah I didn't even notice that. I do in fact enjoy the company of women... while still being partial to my D.

I wish these diesels would depreciate a bit more. I'd love to get one and do the same sort of mods you have. I have the 3.0si with 167,000mi on it, gas mileage is pretty decent, it gets the same as my 2019 GLE400. But I drive over 600mi a week, would be nice to fill up less with the diesel.

[Spyro235]

Originally Posted by Misterman

I wish these diesels would depreciate a bit more. I'd love to get one and do the same sort of mods you have. I have the 3.0si with 167,000mi on it, gas mileage is pretty decent, it gets the same as my 2019 GLE400. But I drive over 600mi a week, would be nice to fill up less with the diesel.

HUNT! They come up for sale for less than $6000 is you're willing to look within 1000 miles of your location. You need to fine one with emissions problems that someone is trying to get rid of. I bought mine with 203.4k miles for $4300, with a cracked windshield, a bad wheel bearing, and a tank level sensor code. Full delete, and wheel bearing later and I'm into a reliable beast for less than 7k. And insurance is going to cover my windshield with a $50 deductible. Mine was in vermont, I'm in NJ and the seller was kind enough to meet me halfway.

The range is SO nice, I get a reliable 600 mile to a tank, and usually it's only just hitting it's 60 mile warning at that point. I drive pretty conservatively and easily average 29mpg when I'm not towing. If I try hard I can hit 30-31mpg no problem, but sometimes the torque is too addciting.


I found an absolute steal. I missed out on one for $5500 about a month earlier, just didn't get there fast enough.

[Misterman]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

HUNT! They come up for sale for less than $6000 is you're willing to look within 1000 miles of your location. You need to fine one with emissions problems that someone is trying to get rid of. I bought mine with 203.4k miles for $4300, with a cracked windshield, a bad wheel bearing, and a tank level sensor code. Full delete, and wheel bearing later and I'm into a reliable beast for less than 7k. And insurance is going to cover my windshield with a $50 deductible. Mine was in vermont, I'm in NJ and the seller was kind enough to meet me halfway.

The range is SO nice, I get a reliable 600 mile to a tank, and usually it's only just hitting it's 60 mile warning at that point. I drive pretty conservatively and easily average 29mpg when I'm not towing. If I try hard I can hit 30-31mpg no problem, but sometimes the torque is too addciting.


I found an absolute steal. I missed out on one for $5500 about a month earlier, just didn't get there fast enough.

Up on this side of the border, you'd be lucky to find one for under 9000$ even with issues. But I do keep my eyes peeled. I got my 3.0 for a decent price with a ton of issues on it. Slowly sorting them out. I'm a mechanic so it'll all get done in time. I'm also watching for Mercedes ML's with bluetec as well.

[mly229]

Originally Posted by Spyro235

Just realized I didn't answer your second question.

I personally was not referring to an "EGR Thermostat" I've been referring to the coolant thermostat. It happens to reside behind the EGR cooler on the front of the engine.

Spyro235

Thank you Sir! This helps a lot.

[2010xdrive35dinTexas]

I don't know if mine was a steal or not... but just picked up our 2010 X5 xdrive35d with 91k, one-owner, for $9k

Dealer found a couple of issues and got it right before sending it out. Active DEF tank needed to be replaced, and the backup sensor quit working.

You're right Spyro... the torque is going to be my downfall and not getting better gas mileage

[Misterman]

Originally Posted by 2010xdrive35dinTexas

I don't know if mine was a steal or not... but just picked up our 2010 X5 xdrive35d with 91k, one-owner, for $9k

Dealer found a couple of issues and got it right before sending it out. Active DEF tank needed to be replaced, and the backup sensor quit working.

You're right Spyro... the torque is going to be my downfall and not getting better gas mileage

That DEF would be high on my list of needed deletes. Especially if the tank was needing replacement anyway.

I guess some of you guys are handcuffed by smog laws depending where you live though.

That price is fairly comparable though. That's 12 grand CAD. Plus I'd have to pay 5% GST at the border, and another 11% because it's not part of NAFTA.

[mly229]

Originally Posted by 2010xdrive35dinTexas

I don't know if mine was a steal or not... but just picked up our 2010 X5 xdrive35d with 91k, one-owner, for $9k

Dealer found a couple of issues and got it right before sending it out. Active DEF tank needed to be replaced, and the backup sensor quit working.

You're right Spyro... the torque is going to be my downfall and not getting better gas mileage

I'd say decent deal, congrats!

[2013X1inTexas]

Thanks! We are supposed to finally receive it from the dealer today. Almost one week after we signed, but I'm OK with that if they got the bugs worked out.

[troy2003]

Morning, I found a 2012 X5 35i with only 81k at Sandy Sansing BMW in Pensacola. I am starting the purchase process now, quick question though. The X5 seems to have composite coolant flanges/fittings similar to a 3 series, which I swapped out with aluminum on my 335i. Are there similar issues of the flanges/fittings becoming brittle and failing on the X5?

[wcs531]

Originally Posted by troy2003

Morning, I found a 2012 X5 35i with only 81k at Sandy Sansing BMW in Pensacola. I am starting the purchase process now, quick question though. The X5 seems to have composite coolant flanges/fittings similar to a 3 series, which I swapped out with aluminum on my 335i. Are there similar issues of the flanges/fittings becoming brittle and failing on the X5?

I would assume the fittings are exactly the same if you had an n55 e90 335i, but I wasnt aware of any coolant fitting issues in n55 or n54 for that matter. More common issues are oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, water pump, and thermostat.

[dmppdx]

Originally Posted by troy2003

Morning, I found a 2012 X5 35i with only 81k at Sandy Sansing BMW in Pensacola. I am starting the purchase process now, quick question though. The X5 seems to have composite coolant flanges/fittings similar to a 3 series, which I swapped out with aluminum on my 335i. Are there similar issues of the flanges/fittings becoming brittle and failing on the X5?

If you are referring to what they normally call the "mickey mouse" flange, then yes its the same.

I think there are a couple other things with the cooling sysetm that are different with the X5 versus 335, like I think some of the hoses since on the X5 they are a little less problematic, but don't take that as gospel.

[zjuyyhu]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

Hi

I'm looking at purchasing a used X5 and was wondering if there are any issues/problems to watch out for. Are there any differences between the earlier models? only considering the X5 3.0 or X5D (diesel), not the v8 ones.

Thank you

My 2012 X5 (109k miles) had the following issues:

Water pump failure
Oil pan leak
Oil housing gasket leak
Coolant leak
Parking brake malfunction
Transfer case oil leak

However, only water pump failure which happened on highway interrupted my trip. Other issues were identified during normal maintenance.

[jcattletown]

Originally Posted by zjuyyhu

My 2012 X5 (109k miles) had the following issues:

Water pump failure
Oil pan leak
Oil housing gasket leak
Coolant leak
Parking brake malfunction
Transfer case oil leak

However, only water pump failure which happened on highway interrupted my trip. Other issues were identified during normal maintenance.

At what mileage did your water pump go out?

[matyoka]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

I have 2011 50i and I am quite happy with it. As usual the seller skips on maintenence when they decided to sell. I changed battery, coils, plugs, MAF sensor, fuel pump, vacuum pump, and flushed brake fluids, coolant and engine oil.

It runs like new now. Paid $15k for a 110k miler and put in another $6k and it as good as new

The 4.0L V8s in the X5 5.0i have been recalled by BMWNA and I got about $9k updates/upgrades while sat at my dealer for 2 weeks. Never had an issue to be honestly besides the recent coolant smell and possible leak(???). Yeah recent gas price hike doesn't help either cause these beats do drink heavily specially when having fun in Sport mode. But they also perform like nobody's business...

[slowbutsure]

Hello! I usually hang out at the auto section of this site. I do have a 2005 e320 diesel which I love but I need a SUV diesel that can tow. saw one for $11k. I was thinking of doing a emissions delete so I would not have any problems with the engine but may run into problems here in california. Any body from california that can chime in? the car already has 150k miles with good service records but I"m concerned about future engine problems. Should I just forget about it?

here is california rules. thanks in advance.

"Diesel Smog Check in California
Diesel Smog Check - Since 2010 California has required all diesel trucks and diesel passenger cars which are 1998 model year or newer, and weight 14,000 GVWR or under, undergo a biennial smog inspection similar to their gasoline counterparts.
California certified smog check stations are allowed to perform a diesel engine smog inspection if they possess OIS Smog Test equipment. The diesel smog test will not include the emissions test portion of the regular inspection. There will be no tailpipe emissions inspection either.

Diesel cars and trucks are not driven on a dynamometer during the smog test either.

The diesel smog test will focus on a visual inspection of your vehicle's emissions/smog components, a system check of the On Board Diagnostics (OBD II) system, and a smoke check for visible smoke from the PCV system or smoke plume observed 3 to 15 feet from the tailpipe(s) that lingers for more than 3 seconds. Diesel cars and trucks which fail the diesel smog test will have to get their vehicles repaired at a diesel vehicle repair shop before retesting.

Diesel smog inspections are required during a diesel vehicle's initial registration in California and once, every two years, thereafter. The diesel smog check cycle will continue for as long as the vehicle is registered in this State.

Number of incomplete monitors allowed to pass on diesel powered vehicles:

Old standard: any two for 1998 to 2000 model years
New standard: zero for 1998 to 2006 (OIS test)
Old standard: any one for 2001 & newer model years
New standard: any two for 2007 and newer (OIS test)"

[Attacking Mid]

Originally Posted by slowbutsure

The diesel smog test will focus on a visual inspection of your vehicle's emissions/smog components, a system check of the On Board Diagnostics (OBD II) system, and a smoke check for visible smoke from the PCV system or smoke plume observed 3 to 15 feet from the tailpipe(s) that lingers for more than 3 seconds. Diesel cars and trucks which fail the diesel smog test will have to get their vehicles repaired at a diesel vehicle repair shop before retesting.
"

Not going to be able to delete based on the above. While there will be some repairs along the way to the emission systems, they are somewhat offset by the otherwise excellent reliability of the diesel engine. At 150K, that vehicle is going to soon trip the DPF counter. It is not a CE light, so won't cause an inspection problem. It's a nuisance light that alerts you that the predicted life expectancy for the DPF has been reached. There are numerous X5D's going many more miles without issue on the original DPF.

I towed our lighter travel trailer with my E53 3.0, but went to the X5D shortly after getting a bigger/heavier trailer. I've been very happy with it as a tow vehicle. Be sure to get the BMW wiring harness and tow module regardless which hitch you install.

AM.

[slowbutsure]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

Not going to be able to delete based on the above. While there will be some repairs along the way to the emission systems, they are somewhat offset by the otherwise excellent reliability of the diesel engine. At 150K, that vehicle is going to soon trip the DPF counter. It is not a CE light, so won't cause an inspection problem. It's a nuisance light that alerts you that the predicted life expectancy for the DPF has been reached. There are numerous X5D's going many more miles without issue on the original DPF.

I towed our lighter travel trailer with my E53 3.0, but went to the X5D shortly after getting a bigger/heavier trailer. I've been very happy with it as a tow vehicle. Be sure to get the BMW wiring harness and tow module regardless which hitch you install.

AM.

Thank you! As much as I would like to test this out, I prob won't because of the potential problem.