It's only a matter of time before your star, which is definitely on an arc of the asending variety. Is noticed by someone in production of mainstream television . I've followed your stuff from the earliest videos . You have a quality which remains hard to put a finger on . It's not just one thing . This channel is going to get bigger probably way more than you ever envisaged at the start. In my opinion which I'm sure ,a lot of people will agree, is you will not even need the mainstream . Finesse and quality and sheer hard work will do . I do not believe in lucky breaks and overnight success stories . The mainstream will need you before you need them . I believe success is only a matter of time . I wish you well . From a fellow Progressive Jaguar Infatuation Syndrome sufferer. Keep up the good work
@@ilynpayne7491 no dude it depends on how you drive and how you treat it. If you treat it well it'll treat you better! I've had my 06 x5 for 7 years and I've repaired the sunroof once and the front passenger electric buttons once. Other than that only regular maintenance and i change oil every 4 to 6 months. Such a luxurious and comfortable suv!
The V8 head gasket and valve stem seal failures are limited to the N62 V8's which started production in October 2003. The previous engine M62TU44 and M62TU46 in the iS never had that issue, but they do have the potential to destroy timing guides at around 90 - 120,000 miles unless there had been exceptional over oil servicing throughout its life - same goes for the E38 and E39 Saloons with their M62TU44 and TU35 engines. I recently got my third 2002 E53 X5 4.4 V8 with low miles, but only the regular 15,000 service intervals were done according to the books. To ensure long term reliability, I spent 1500 for timing guides, full gasket kit and all new cooling hoses, water pump, thermostat etc. I know this will save the potential for big headaches down the track. Some people report problems with their X5's, but really they can blame themselves for their failure to maintain them correctly. Here are some tips if you've recently purchased one 1. If you hear rattling on start up, don't just turn the radio up and forget about it.. It's probably the main chain tensioner wearing out, a cheap as chips part that can be swapped out in 15 minutes, but left unchecked for months or weeks on end could see timing guides collapse and even chain breakage and ultimately a dead engine. 2. Definitely have the transmission serviced as suggested here (I suggest every 20 - 30,000), it is not a lifetime fluid fill regardless of what BMW claimed. Only allow a genuine ZF or BMW filter and ZF lifeguard fluid be used in the transmissions, aftermarket solutions kill the transmissions. I found the ZF regional HQ service centre who provide a very affordable highest quality service. 3. Make sure the cooling system is using blue coolant only and that it's functioning perfectly and all hoses etc are fresh. Most BMW parts have date stamps on them so you'll have a good idea of how old some bits are. The transmission thermostat is often overlooked even for what most would consider a full cooling system refresh. If yours is over 15 years old (there's a date stamp on it) change it, it's cheap and your transmissions' life counts on it. 4. Buy yourself a set of 4 cheapie eBay door handle carriers, and keep them ready for that day when one fails. You can almost count on doing the drivers door every 3 - 4 years. Search here on RUclips, there's so many DIY tutorials on how to replace them, it's quick and easy to do with minimal tools. 5. If you have a bit of IT aptitude, get PASOFT 1.4 BMW scanner and software. It is cheap and can diagnose 90% of problems without needing to go to a dealer. Hope this helps someone enjoy their X5 more.
Besides routine maintenance I've had to replace the starter, oil gasket and belt, the electrical box for the daytime bulb, the amplifier (everything works however no sound) the amplifier baffles me and is costly, and the vehicle has had quite a few recalls. The vehicle is 8 yrs old with a little over 70,000 miles. Purchased at 4 yrs old with with close to 50,000 miles.
Or just buy a Lexus and never worry about crazy amount of maintenance and repair bills for the next 10-15 years. A Lexus gets you home. A BMW gets you towed.
Jake de Kleuver I have a 2006 X5 3.0i USA model which I shipped to Accra, Ghana when it was just 6 months old. I must confess I woke up from my slumber as far as its care was concerned only about 3 years ago and that was when I came to the realization Jake has so succinctly highlighted! Approaching it’s 14th year with a little over 80k miles, I don’t have the slightest desire to let it go, a consideration I gave some 8 years ago when a plethora of problems (most of them due to negligence on the part of mechanics and dealerships!) eroded any tinge of my affection for X5 culminating in my replacing the automatic transmission (leakage was ignored by ???) 3 years ago: the moment of rude awakening! And that happened to be the turning point of sticking to it till... And thanks to, my oh my, the initiator of this incredible channel and to you e53 enthusiasts my X5 shall surely continue to dominate its younger siblings and rivals within my network....You guys have more than encouraged me to continue to own it. Cheers buddies!!
Every 20-30 000km for transmission oil change is way too soon, 80 000km is surely enough. As long as it's done on low miles, don't bother if it hasn't.
Totally agree . I find the Top Gear challenges silly and the presenters annoying Pratt’s . Keep your excellent reviews coming. Always look forward to them.
After a horrendous experience of owning a Disco 3 money pit I am now on my 2nd X5 and they have not missed a beat I am now only ever driving one of these they are great.
I bought a 2005 X5 Feb. 2020. I paid $3700 us dollars. I had a complete tune up done, new battery installed, new tires, new BMW emblems, and had some body work done. Best vehicle I've ever known! Enjoyed your video, good job. Mike from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Indeed true. I had a 2005 530d with full maximum interior spec. back in 2005. Any model later was cheap made and got worst with each new model!!! Useless brand today indeed!
Bought a new 3.0i in 2003 and the engine still runs smoothly with very little oil leakage.The first 8 years it was basically oil changes and tires, and in the past 8 years, I've spent about $11,500 in repairs and maintenance (not including tires). As others point out, there are things that will break, including stuff like window regulators, pixel display strip beneath the instrument cluster with dead pixels, side view mirrors stop retracting, coolant system/radiator issues, etc. You can read about them on other sites like repairpal. Overall, though, I still enjoy this vehicle and like the sculpted looks of it more than any other SUV on the road. It is very solid.
I bought one very, very cheap as the owner was leaving the country and wanted to get rid asap. Thought it would be a good starter car for my son who isn't old enough to drive for another couple of years. Problem is, it is so nice, I want it! Just parked in the garage, gathering dust...
I have a 2003 X5 with a 3.0 I. Purposely avoided the V8. She runs great after all this time. All you have to keep an eye on is your airbags, rear suspension bushings, and Axle boots. always change your oil don't let valve cover leaks get on your AC pump or your axle boots. and don't be a moron by jabbing your buttons really hard inside your car. mine still the original buttons from 2003 and they still work great 17 years later
I owned both the (e-53) and the e-46 3 series.. They were fabulous vehicles. They were sporty and elegant and I would prefer them over the new ones today because they were not over teched and a joy if properly maintained. I think by the mere fact that these generation BMW's are reviewed the most times of any generations before and after, is a testament to their quality both in engineering and design. These were the real ultimate driving machines that put BMW squarely on the map. Good review.
I own a BMW x5 2005 e53 4.8is, I've had it converted to run on LPG and it's so much better than petrol and no loss of power or performance, new rear lamps, tinted windows, new batter, ignition coils and plugs, new xtrons head unit, new id4motion instrument cluster £1200, 4 new 20 inch tyres, new pads and discs, new timing chain etc £4100, new front and rear components, ie steering etc, oh and the oil leak has been rectified, as you can appreciate, my wife and I have lavished money on this awesome car, it's a future classic and will only increase in value. You can't beat the x5 e53 4.8is.
@@albertal3 ; the 3 litre straight 6 is BMW’s masterpiece. As a matter of interest it was the first commercial product they manufactured and was fitted into the Fokker DVll in 1917. So basically, it’s an aero engine. My 95 E36 328i still makes me smile every time I put my foot down.
I purchased an 03 BMW X5 4.4l petrol in 2017.. it had a profound affect on me..I loved everything about it.. amazing car.. sadly she is no longer with me and I miss her every day. No other car has touched me since.. soon I will purchase another X5 and she will stay with me forever.. it’s something that I will do.. love X5 BMW ..👏👍🤝
@@brianmuponda1166 bin it and get an X5 I have a 2006 e53 diesel it’s way more reliable than my wife’s sdv8 vogue Range Rover and the velar is horrendous reliable issues my uncle hates his
I just bought an 05 4.4 yesterday and fitted 2.5” mufflers on it. Kept the centre muffler. Has rebuilt gear box, new torque converter, cooling system done, new timing chain guides, new belts, tensioners and new hoses, plugs and I drives like a new car. A steal at $6500 with only 106,000 miles. It’s also in the rare M blue colour. Sport pack. Ah they so good and so fast for a big heavy car.
I own a 2001 BMW X5 3.0i. It is one of the most solid vehicles I have ever driven, and I have driven alot of different brands. The I6 is a powerhouse and moves it very quickly. The cooling system overhaul at 100k is a necessity as well as all the fluids and suspension too. Buy one, put some preventative maintenance into it and ride in a great, safe and stylish vehicle.
Good point about the key. Also worth noting the key can actually be separated with a blade and the Panasonic battery replaced for about $15. These rechargeable lithiums are getting up to 19yo now!
First thing to do when buying used X5 (or any other BMW) is to replace ground straps. Believe me. It could be dangerous. You could lose power while overtaking on a highway or any other critical moment. BMW & bad ground = bad experience. I've been there so I know what I'm talking about. I love my X5. It's a workhorse. I love joyriding it but I also love when I put 400 kilograms of cargo in it. Never dissapoints : )
A review so genuine, I can relate. This man speaks the truth: the E53 X5 was not just "sports activity" but rather a symbol of status, as mentioned in 1:27. Brought home in 2005 by my pops and still driving it to this day, I've gone through coolant tubing replacement, transmission and transfer case replacement+rebuild and a handful of switching out burnt bulbs (mostly myself). Funny how he didn't make a jab about BMWs and turn signals because that's a very common issue, yet a simple job. But nothing speaks like nightmares when it comes to leaking valve cover gasket (very common in M62s), oil top ups every couple months, economy and servicing. Rear bushings are not that big of a deal unless you're hauling heavy loads all the time or have 2-3 fully grown adults sitting in the rear. In roughly 100km, the car uses 13L of petrol because you're rolling 2 tons on the road. But don't forget, you're also driving AWD and 8 cylinders. Was the V8 a mistake? Can't say because the E39 also had a M62 motor inside it. But it certainly does sound good, at the expense of your wallet of course.
Love the e53, when i first drove one it blew away my expectations of what a big vehicle can do... as far as its off road abilities, a good set of tires (think bfg ko2’s) and turn off DSC and it will do wonders. Its basically a land rover discovery 2 made from the BMW parts bin. Also older models had a NVG transfer case which is what you want going off road.
Looks-wise this is one of the nicest SUVs even today. I continuously find myself wanting one, but always settling for something a bit more practical in terms of maintenance cost. If I had space for a nice weekend car, this would be it.
I am proud to be an x5 owner ,2005 3.0 diesel,purchased it off my boss for $7k. The suspension has been changed from airbag to standard springs and shocks purely for financial reasons,the only costly fault that my boss encountered was an engine reco because the pcv valve was blocked.so guys remember for the price of a new pcv valve it is cheap enough to replace every third service,but in saying that the engine failed at 350,000 km because of the pcv valve, i have 420000 on the vehicle and it drives and tows like a dream,little heavy in the steering department but in my opinion it hugs and sticks to the road like shit to jocks,all in all I am so happy because at 110 km an hour on the highway it burns between 5.6 and 6.5 litres per 100km,that's just amazing in itself. An (I drive) was also fitted to the vehicle and the power and torque on take off is instant when the right mode is set .I'm loving it
I own a 2001 BMW X5 4.4i V8 with sport package. It has over two hundred and three thousand miles and is by far the BEST SUV aka SAV that I have ever owned.
Looked back through your vids and found this, ended up picking one up, 2002 one owner car with full history, always garaged and only 38k, must watch you way to much Matt, classic FM, mats on mats on mats etc so far so good!
Great cars, I had a 200,000 mile 06 3,0 diesel sport which we took on a 3500 mile road trip around Eastern Europe.... 4 passengers, 2 dogs and a load of luggage... super comfy and it averaged nearly 40mpg amazingly!
I purchased a '06 4.4i this past spring for $6k. Absolutely fantastic vehicle to drive. Terribly expensive as well. I've already had to sink $6,400 in repairs in less than a year. Brutally fun!
Got a 2005 E53 diesel with 156,000 on clock. Had all new discs/pads/sensors/tyres,manifold,turbo downpipe,rear bearings/bushes,brake servo,glowplugs,rear shafts,steering angle sensor,prop centre bearing and I fitted a android unit. Spent a few quid on it admittedly BUT,it's the best car ever. I've had 4 jags (2 xfs) 2 Mercedes,3 audis, rover 75,3 monkeys and for an all rounder this E53 is still the best.
Hi .l bought a X5 2006 67000 miles for £6750 and agree with all you have said. It’s a very reliable suv, with a great shape.I prefer it to the next models, I get 32/33 mpg average and 38 /40 on a long run. And I feel very safe, it’s very comfortable,definitely worth getting.Mal
I've got '2006 E53 3 liters petrol engine for 3 years now, and had changed rockers gasket twice regularly engine service every 10,000 km. And just service gearbox oil and filter early last month at 122,000 km. on clock I owned this machine for 3 years and never have any other problems annoying me at all. After gearbox service she's runs like new again. Proud of E53 ❤❤
I have a mint condition BMW X5 4.4i V8 and it is a beast. I really don't care if it can't go off road well. Its luxury. With a 0 60 time of 6.5 seconds.
I have a 2003 X5, Awesome ride!!! Thank GOD I found an awesome mechanic to help with any trouble. Lol Still a beautiful vehicle! Had to get a brother.....so i got an 2007 E46. Never in my life did i think i would own BMW's. Great cars and i owe it all to my mechanic.
I've got a BMW X5 2005 e53 4.8is 98k on the clock and I've converted it to run on LPG, 96p a litre! and it's so good, I've tinted the windows, 4 new tyres, fitted an xtrons head unit and I've fitted an id4motion instrument cluster, which is absolutely stunning, my car has rear seat tv screens, parts are cheap, the steering is so light, the engine is incredible, and I've just ordered a new gear shift lever to upgrade the look. Best used car I've ever owned. And the e53 is the best X5 ever.
I have a 2006 4.4 sport and it’s still my favorite car. Even more so than my E36 M3’s and even over my 99 CLK430. It’s just such a tight suspension even at the 170k miles here in treacherous Los Angeles. I do maintain it well as I own my own auto repair garage, but I do admit I refer to it as my x-wife 😂 … the repairs and maintenance are endless but it’s also the fun part of owning one. It’s loving a woman despite her many faults lol
If you get one in good condition then yes, it is a very good car. Owned one few years back, bought a pre-owned E53 3.0d post facelift version and it was great. I got one which was in very good condition, previous owners had taken good care of it, had maintenance history, they never used any shady shops or mechanics, any cheap parts/oil/etc. And that used X5 served me very well, I only had some minor issues, some typical E53 issues - locks freezing over during winter and thus doors not closing after opening them anyone? Fun to drive through morning rush hour to work while steering with one hand and keeping door closed with other :) Luckily fixable thing. Never happened to me but some had issues with locks, where that lock backplate is made of an alloy which can break and thus locks will malfunction. In any case, if you get one in good condition - good car, will serve you well. If not, dang, that'll be one expensive ride...
I am still driving E53 V8 4.8L, still working perfectly on the road. Definitely a masterpiece in SUV history. However, still cost money on maintaining.
I have a e53 x5 Lemans blue performance ac schnitzer model that is one owner from New and came tuned with 285bhp with a ac schnitzer exhaust and inlet manifold and mahhoosive 22" ac schnitzer wheels and still maintain its the greatest car/suv I've owned. I also had it dyno tuned once more by a specialist who's got it to 348bhp and I'm still returning 27mpg and its so capable performance wise even by today's standards and goes to show how well built the 3.0D engine was built! I don't think bmw realised what they had built with the e53! Great Channel and great content by the way 👍
Such a good looking car still. Used to have an 05 4.4. Drove brilliantly. Much better to drive than the E70 I had after which was riddled with faults, heavier and thirstier.
We have a 2005 BMW X5 Sport. It is very nice to drive. A very nice ride, very solid feeling. The steering is a bit stiff for me. But I don’t have difficulty driving it. Its a great comfy ride.it is a beautiful looking vehicle. Ours is a V8. The gas mileage isn’t terrible! Ours is the same color as yours. I love that color. Awesome paint job! We have not had any problems with it at all!
Decent car E53. My brother has this and has never moaned about it and he has always had older cars. I think the E70 looks better in my opinion and I have it in a Alpine white MSport guise LCI and it’s look great with 20 “ black wheels. Anyway with the diesels expect the DPf codes come up, glow plug controller issues. If the E53 has no air Susp that’s a godsend as I had to replace both airspring in mine at £200 a corner and they can fail if the car is even lifted on a MOT believe it or not. Apart from it chewing tyres if alignment is out these cars can last over 200k in diesel form. I think the E53 from 2006 with msport and piano roof auto with FSH and 80-90k miles should last long with TLC. Make sure you oil change every 5-10k and fuel filter every 5k. The diff and transfer case needs doing at 60-100k as well. I would do the auto after 100k. There is a gear in case actuator which goes in both E53 and E70 and you will hear groaning at short speed turns. Changing it out yourself will be £11 but add labour 1hr. Saves changing while actuator at £200-300 or transfer case at nearly £2000. Both cars make sure you stick to Bmw star marked tyres as the transfers case can f*** up due to differing circumferences of tyres if you run a staggered setup. Many more knowledgeable after driving this and E70 for 5-6 yrs.
E70 looks more contemporary and generally lacks character... or to be simple, bland and boring, which is just a sign of the times as now as is the case for 90% of car shapes. The best era for distinctive and unique car designs was early 90s through to late 90s / early 2k period then all the car designers started running out of ideas. That said, E53 oozes character there's nothing that looks anything like it yet it still looks boss and is relatively timeless in appearance. Another perfect example of this - E39
3.0i with PRINS LPG and everything you've said is bang on ... Had to replace passenger lock and the rear bushes now starting to clunck but she's a dream to drive, heavy, quick when you want it and the 6cylinder does sound quite nice too. I will be watching your reviews carefully for when I next change my car ... BANG ON every time, thanks
Obviously x5 was much nicer looking than the ml. It came out second it had an advantage there. Also, this x5 during these times were some of the most beautiful SUVs in history. Most beautiful midsizr at least.
I like your reviews even when I'm not that keen on the car in question - a sign of the quality of your work. Good practical advice, and good knowledge of the range beyond the individual vehicle you happen to be in that day is what marks out your reviews.
Great review! the channel always has top quality reviews feels like your just sitting in the passenger seat listening. But I got to say the comment of it being terrible off road is miss leading they are actually quite capable for 90% people off roading the AWD system is impressive all though its not a land cruiser off road, with the "RIGHT" tyres like a All terrain tyre it goes just about everywhere you need it to. 😀
One of the last fairly good bmw. Used to have one, facelift, the review is spot on except those seats. These sport seats are nightmare on long journeys. Maybe its better when they have adjustable lumbar but I had mine without that and i feel the pain always when I see them :D otherwise great car. Styling is timeless also. Great review as always !
Just bought one based solely on your review. I kinda knew you'd like it and didn't wana do too much research you know.. Busy guy anyway it's Black 3.0 diesel sport with pan roof beautiful thank you for your service 🙏 Update: 1 year later I've spent around £2k doing most things myself. It's a love hate relationship.
@@pictlandpickers1171 I spent what I paid for it fixing it £2800 or something like that. Including but not limited to Rear Diff /manifold/suspension / stat Then the gearbox went and threw the diff out again then I sold it. Range rover next 🤣
BMW's still look good 20 years later. One key point that adds to the design and is rarely ever mentioned, is the quality of the paintwork that lasts. Also they are incredibly well put together, thanks to their life long quest against Mercedes which benefit past and future owners.
I had been looking at getting a 2006ish Disco 3 HSE TD5 for towing around UK (when I eventually get back there!) but just found this about the E53, which i hadn't really considered. Don't want anything newer than 2006 so your, as usual excellent, review of the E53 has made be start comparing options, just as I had crossed off the XC90 option following your review of that. Keep up the good work and ignore the trolls.
I’ve owned a 2005 4.4i m sport for the last four years covering around 40,000 miles. Coming from the bmw e46 (330ci), and being 6’2”, it felt like a larger, taller version of the coupe. A perfect blend of sportiness when needed/ desired and space for transporting mountain bikes to and from trails. Happy to report 20-23mpg, even in hilly Yorkshire and the sound of the v8 when the car is left in ‘manual mode’ makes the eye watering petrol bills totally worth it. Great video!
I am BMW tech , i went on the launch of this X5 , back in the day , I will say now i am not a BMW fan , On the launch all cars had standard Road tyres on , and completly standard cars . it had rained for a week at the time of the dealer launch down in the Bracknell area . we where split in to teams of three , with a Pro off road driver , the first thing we did was to drive across a fresh ploughed field with standard road tyres . all vehical s 25 in all did this easy , then we went on the OFF road track where the vehical was often only on one front wheel and one rear wheel . Every one was shocked at the angles this car could drive up and down and deep mud it went though on standard tyres , the course was that slippy and the slopes and steep bends and curves you would struggle to walk it . I aint saying it will beat a range rover , but with the right driver instruction it will take you off road . and is capable than the average driver will push it too . dont get me wrong the suspension on the front is not super strong but is adequate to do a little off roading , I know as we pushed it to its limits with BMW UK . IT was impressive , may be your driving off road was not the best .
It is a great car but the reliability is questionable, now i'm speaking of clogged drains for sunroof that will eventually rust, doors/trunks that will rust, air suspension in general with all the bushings, as you mentioned dead pixel displays and door handles, head gaskets, and MANY leaks, quite a lot of cooling leaks. Mine is a 3.0d 2006 my that has been around me since 2010. The powertrain is pretty decent tough. Now at 200k on the clock
My one of these kept on throwing electrical control boxes which cost a fortune, a gearbox repair cost me £2.2k and i eventually gave up repairing it. Fabulous car to drive just horribly unreliable in my case. but now i'm tempted again!
Just brought an 05. Love it! Being a mechanic myself nothings a real problem. I did get the 4.4 v8 version. I enjoy it.Fits a decent DJ rig in the back. Just drove it to a wedding over the weekend. Traveled beautifully over the hills out country. Your absolutely right. I looked at an 08 not a fan. I always had a soft spot for the 05. Finally got one cheap for what it is. Part of the reason I did go for this model is due to the fact that it shared the same DNA,engine and other components with Jaguar and Range Rover etc Plus after I did a flush fluid and filter change in the auto in my 08 Holden commodore which uses the same automatic transmission I became even more curious about the BMW X5 so after a bit of research I was sold on it. I did however discover the tyre air pressure level indicator as it came in during the return trip. I actually didn’t check the Tyres upon leaving. The light came on a third of the way during the journey. Wasn’t deflated enough to affect anything however I did blow up the offending tyre at the next town which wasn’t far and reset the light warning system. A great idea as I’d never actually seen that activated before.
@@HighPeakAutos Thank you. I do love the sound for sure. I have a few V8 engine vehicles from the 70s & 90s so have always been a fan. I was aware of some of the problems the pre face lift models had so was glad when I stumbled upon this one. Thank you once again for your very informative videos. Have a very Merry Christmas to you and your family. I bid you compliments for the season. All the best. Dale
These are beautiful SUV's but make sure you have an Oil Change EVERY 6 months and get it serviced NOT by the main dealers but a BMW Specialist. I use Lewis Motors in Blackpool and they are spot on with every fault and will not rip you off !
Yesterday I saw the movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard ", and I was immediately reminded why I always dream of this car. It just has that classy, elegenat, professional look. The movie itself came out 2017, and they nevertheless still used those older BMW E53's. That means those cars really are in class of their own. And each time I'm reminded of those cars, I get obsessed about buying one. But then I remember that I can't work on cars myself and reliability is always a concern with BMWs, which is why I always get scared about buying one. Maybe I'm just overthinking this, I don't even know... But I can always dream, right?
..Really enjoyed that..cheers! My 05 3.d is fabtastic,i even camp in mine (bit cold tho at mo) Bmw specialists look after it, Over 500nm torque &45mpg long runs to cornwall 😇 happy dayz
Last year I bought 2006 e53 3.0d, and it’s just great! About door handle - the handle it self isn’t great bcoz of it’s shape. It has to be pulled up, and they won’t break off. But noone really points out u don’t just pull straight. Lift up and all is good. I haven’t problems with winter aswell - xdrive does it’s job pretty good. Can’t say anything bad about this car so far. It’s pretty reliable❤ and very confy with full pneumatic suspension. But to prevent it from air leaking, you have to atleast once weak wash it and all will be just fine
X5... a dream come true to me. One must definitely buy it, but spend your money on quality spare parts instead of a ricer-mods and enjoy it`s rigidity and ride comfort! Every variation of this car is worth of every penny spent on it.
Another great video Matt. Those cars always seemed very ostentatious to me back in the day, but they're aging well. Almost subtle compared to a lot of what's on the road now. Keep 'em coming!
Great channel and presenter. Balanced, honest and informative , coupled with a great manner and some well punctuated humour! A fantastic change from the worn out adolescent humour of the top gear crew. Well done you deserve to do well !
Love the X5, if you know how to turn wrenched they are pretty cheap to upkeep. As far as off roading goes, put some good tires on it and it does great on all kinds of trails. Got an E70.
These are great vehicles, from a time before BMW went nuts will all the tech. Owned one for a few years now and it’s still going strong as a family wagon at 16 yrs old & 240,000 odd k’s. Used in the winter time with snow chains to access the ski fields here in the NZ southern alps, not as terrible off road as the reputation suggests but certainly no Land Rover. Go for the 3.0 petrol for reliability
Still have my 2001 X5 3.0i w/sport package, factory black chrome exhaust tips with shadow line trim pushing 252k miles on original engine and trans, smooth as silk. It needs some work on suspension but other than that, still drives better than most SUVs. New BMWs are hideous next car will be a Tesla. Don't buy the V8, the i6 is the best option used I can confirm, and plan on working on it yourself which is overall satisfying
Don't need to see the video: we bought a knackered one for very little money, and it just kept going forever, with very little maintenance. And with snow tyres it gets anywhere in the winter as well. It was in a crash with a 1 series, and all it had was few more scrapes. The 1 series was a write off. It's so solidly built it's amazing.
I don't understand the need for a hard ride for a car that will never see a track or go off road. It should float so you climb out after 500 miles as calm as you did at the start.
You don't need to change timing chain like everyone keeps saying with service intervals should last megga miles e70 e71 last 200k with history and dpf drive in 3ed gear for ten mins at 17 18plus rpm just under 2000 rpm and light goes out and make sure your Glow plug s are working or it will come on
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It's only a matter of time before your star, which is definitely on an arc of the asending variety. Is noticed by someone in production of mainstream television . I've followed your stuff from the earliest videos . You have a quality which remains hard to put a finger on . It's not just one thing . This channel is going to get bigger probably way more than you ever envisaged at the start. In my opinion which I'm sure ,a lot of people will agree, is you will not even need the mainstream . Finesse and quality and sheer hard work will do . I do not believe in lucky breaks and overnight success stories . The mainstream will need you before you need them . I believe success is only a matter of time . I wish you well . From a fellow Progressive Jaguar Infatuation Syndrome sufferer. Keep up the good work
I totally agree 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for your comment! It means a lot 👍🏻
@@HighPeakAutos Best of luck to you sir
Me too. From the beginning and I totally agree with the comment. Got the Spain comment as well - A fellow Toro Bull.
@urbex2007 conspiracy theories are all the rage these days
It's so crazy how the X5 E53 still looks bossy 20 years later. This is surely one of BMW's top masterpiece.
You are correct sir!
I agree!
But you'll be wasting tons of money in maintenance
ilyn Payne how so?
@@ilynpayne7491 no dude it depends on how you drive and how you treat it. If you treat it well it'll treat you better! I've had my 06 x5 for 7 years and I've repaired the sunroof once and the front passenger electric buttons once. Other than that only regular maintenance and i change oil every 4 to 6 months. Such a luxurious and comfortable suv!
The V8 head gasket and valve stem seal failures are limited to the N62 V8's which started production in October 2003. The previous engine M62TU44 and M62TU46 in the iS never had that issue, but they do have the potential to destroy timing guides at around 90 - 120,000 miles unless there had been exceptional over oil servicing throughout its life - same goes for the E38 and E39 Saloons with their M62TU44 and TU35 engines.
I recently got my third 2002 E53 X5 4.4 V8 with low miles, but only the regular 15,000 service intervals were done according to the books. To ensure long term reliability, I spent 1500 for timing guides, full gasket kit and all new cooling hoses, water pump, thermostat etc. I know this will save the potential for big headaches down the track.
Some people report problems with their X5's, but really they can blame themselves for their failure to maintain them correctly. Here are some tips if you've recently purchased one
1. If you hear rattling on start up, don't just turn the radio up and forget about it.. It's probably the main chain tensioner wearing out, a cheap as chips part that can be swapped out in 15 minutes, but left unchecked for months or weeks on end could see timing guides collapse and even chain breakage and ultimately a dead engine.
2. Definitely have the transmission serviced as suggested here (I suggest every 20 - 30,000), it is not a lifetime fluid fill regardless of what BMW claimed. Only allow a genuine ZF or BMW filter and ZF lifeguard fluid be used in the transmissions, aftermarket solutions kill the transmissions. I found the ZF regional HQ service centre who provide a very affordable highest quality service.
3. Make sure the cooling system is using blue coolant only and that it's functioning perfectly and all hoses etc are fresh. Most BMW parts have date stamps on them so you'll have a good idea of how old some bits are. The transmission thermostat is often overlooked even for what most would consider a full cooling system refresh. If yours is over 15 years old (there's a date stamp on it) change it, it's cheap and your transmissions' life counts on it.
4. Buy yourself a set of 4 cheapie eBay door handle carriers, and keep them ready for that day when one fails. You can almost count on doing the drivers door every 3 - 4 years. Search here on RUclips, there's so many DIY tutorials on how to replace them, it's quick and easy to do with minimal tools.
5. If you have a bit of IT aptitude, get PASOFT 1.4 BMW scanner and software. It is cheap and can diagnose 90% of problems without needing to go to a dealer.
Hope this helps someone enjoy their X5 more.
Besides routine maintenance I've had to replace the starter, oil gasket and belt, the electrical box for the daytime bulb, the amplifier (everything works however no sound) the amplifier baffles me and is costly, and the vehicle has had quite a few recalls. The vehicle is 8 yrs old with a little over 70,000 miles. Purchased at 4 yrs old with with close to 50,000 miles.
Or just buy a Lexus and never worry about crazy amount of maintenance and repair bills for the next 10-15 years.
A Lexus gets you home.
A BMW gets you towed.
Jake de Kleuver
I have a 2006 X5 3.0i USA model which I shipped to Accra, Ghana when it was just 6 months old.
I must confess I woke up from my slumber as far as its care was concerned only about 3 years ago and that was when I came to the realization Jake has so succinctly highlighted!
Approaching it’s 14th year with a little over 80k miles, I don’t have the slightest desire to let it go, a consideration I gave some 8 years ago when a plethora of problems (most of them due to negligence on the part of mechanics and dealerships!) eroded any tinge of my affection for X5 culminating in my replacing the automatic transmission (leakage was ignored by ???) 3 years ago: the moment of rude awakening! And that happened to be the turning point of sticking to it till...
And thanks to, my oh my, the initiator of this incredible channel and to you e53 enthusiasts my X5 shall surely continue to dominate its younger siblings and rivals within my network....You guys have more than encouraged me to continue to own it.
Cheers buddies!!
Every 20-30 000km for transmission oil change is way too soon, 80 000km is surely enough. As long as it's done on low miles, don't bother if it hasn't.
@@ritak8715 You should ask the BMW enthusiasts on several forums about the amplifier.
In my opinion your a better presenter than them fools on BBC top gear . Keep them vids coming
Thanks for watching!
You're probably right!
Yes, I agree he is a breath of fresh air 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊.
Totally agree . I find the Top Gear challenges silly and the presenters annoying Pratt’s .
Keep your excellent reviews coming. Always look forward to them.
Thanks!
After a horrendous experience of owning a Disco 3 money pit I am now on my 2nd X5 and they have not missed a beat I am now only ever driving one of these they are great.
They are brilliant cars
I bought a 2005 X5 Feb. 2020. I paid $3700 us dollars. I had a complete tune up done, new battery installed, new tires, new BMW emblems, and had some body work done. Best vehicle I've ever known! Enjoyed your video, good job. Mike from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
I just love the old school BMW interiors, especially the E39 5series ... and that sound the doors make when you close them, it‘s just so satisfying!
I agree! A satisfying 'clunk'
Indeed true. I had a 2005 530d with full maximum interior spec. back in 2005. Any model later was cheap made and got worst with each new model!!!
Useless brand today indeed!
@@HighPeakAutos Even more like a 'thump'
I know right.... that old school door rubber *"Thump!"*
MrJeronimo94 , yes like a safe door!
Bought a new 3.0i in 2003 and the engine still runs smoothly with very little oil leakage.The first 8 years it was basically oil changes and tires, and in the past 8 years, I've spent about $11,500 in repairs and maintenance (not including tires). As others point out, there are things that will break, including stuff like window regulators, pixel display strip beneath the instrument cluster with dead pixels, side view mirrors stop retracting, coolant system/radiator issues, etc. You can read about them on other sites like repairpal. Overall, though, I still enjoy this vehicle and like the sculpted looks of it more than any other SUV on the road. It is very solid.
Thats not bad going! :)
Since I saw the X5 in Charmed series I loved it at 2000's earlies... 10 years later, I bought one of them. It's one of the most iconic auto from BMW.
Same that's why I want one too lol prue car
I bought one very, very cheap as the owner was leaving the country and wanted to get rid asap. Thought it would be a good starter car for my son who isn't old enough to drive for another couple of years. Problem is, it is so nice, I want it! Just parked in the garage, gathering dust...
I have a 2003 X5 with a 3.0 I. Purposely avoided the V8. She runs great after all this time. All you have to keep an eye on is your airbags, rear suspension bushings, and Axle boots. always change your oil don't let valve cover leaks get on your AC pump or your axle boots. and don't be a moron by jabbing your buttons really hard inside your car. mine still the original buttons from 2003 and they still work great 17 years later
I owned both the (e-53) and the e-46 3 series.. They were fabulous vehicles. They were sporty and elegant and I would prefer them over the new ones today because they were not over teched and a joy if properly maintained. I think by the mere fact that these generation BMW's are reviewed the most times of any generations before and after, is a testament to their quality both in engineering and design. These were the real ultimate driving machines that put BMW squarely on the map. Good review.
Ha, have an e46(04’ 330 ci smg), but had to get a bigger car so I found an e53(05’ x5 4.4), and I love it
I own a BMW x5 2005 e53 4.8is, I've had it converted to run on LPG and it's so much better than petrol and no loss of power or performance, new rear lamps, tinted windows, new batter, ignition coils and plugs, new xtrons head unit, new id4motion instrument cluster £1200, 4 new 20 inch tyres, new pads and discs, new timing chain etc £4100, new front and rear components, ie steering etc, oh and the oil leak has been rectified, as you can appreciate, my wife and I have lavished money on this awesome car, it's a future classic and will only increase in value. You can't beat the x5 e53 4.8is.
had a 2002 E53. I loved that car, and I never got points on my licence because I couldn't afford to do more than 65mph (3 litre petrol)
Any problems whit that engine? How about consume?
It's only my opinion but I think that the three liter is one of the best engines made by BMW
@@dantelickc No ran like a dream, fuel co assumption was about 28mpg on the motorway and around 19 in town.
@@albertal3 ; the 3 litre straight 6 is BMW’s masterpiece. As a matter of interest it was the first commercial product they manufactured and was fitted into the Fokker DVll in 1917. So basically, it’s an aero engine. My 95 E36 328i still makes me smile every time I put my foot down.
@@dantelickc I'm getting 18mpg
I purchased an 03 BMW X5 4.4l petrol in 2017.. it had a profound affect on me..I loved everything about it.. amazing car.. sadly she is no longer with me and I miss her every day. No other car has touched me since.. soon I will purchase another X5 and she will stay with me forever.. it’s something that I will do.. love X5 BMW ..👏👍🤝
After all these years I still think this is the best looking SUV ever made.
Kev199117 best ever
well, we have the Velar now :)
It is.
@@brianmuponda1166 bin it and get an X5
I have a 2006 e53 diesel it’s way more reliable than my wife’s sdv8 vogue Range Rover and the velar is horrendous reliable issues my uncle hates his
The quality of the review itself stood out for me, really good quality, and the E53 still looks so good today
Just got a 2005 4.4l earlier this month and I just love it. The V8 sounds sooooo good!!
It sounds the best!
@@HighPeakAutos Agreed.....bought a 2006 4.4 here in the US a month ago.......sounds and drives like a dream........+++
I just bought an 05 4.4 yesterday and fitted 2.5” mufflers on it. Kept the centre muffler. Has rebuilt gear box, new torque converter, cooling system done, new timing chain guides, new belts, tensioners and new hoses, plugs and I drives like a new car. A steal at $6500 with only 106,000 miles. It’s also in the rare M blue colour. Sport pack. Ah they so good and so fast for a big heavy car.
Smart move.
Me too 2005 in silver, it's a beast , awsome motor
I own a 2001 BMW X5 3.0i. It is one of the most solid vehicles I have ever driven, and I have driven alot of different brands.
The I6 is a powerhouse and moves it very quickly.
The cooling system overhaul at 100k is a necessity as well as all the fluids and suspension too. Buy one, put some preventative maintenance into it and ride in a great, safe and stylish vehicle.
What's your kms lifespan at?
Good point about the key. Also worth noting the key can actually be separated with a blade and the Panasonic battery replaced for about $15. These rechargeable lithiums are getting up to 19yo now!
First thing to do when buying used X5 (or any other BMW) is to replace ground straps.
Believe me. It could be dangerous. You could lose power while overtaking on a highway or any other critical moment.
BMW & bad ground = bad experience.
I've been there so I know what I'm talking about.
I love my X5. It's a workhorse. I love joyriding it but I also love when I put 400 kilograms of cargo in it. Never dissapoints : )
i have an E53 . i love it but the reliability is somewhat good . The M54 is a good engine but the plastic parts in the cooling system is bad
A review so genuine, I can relate. This man speaks the truth: the E53 X5 was not just "sports activity" but rather a symbol of status, as mentioned in 1:27. Brought home in 2005 by my pops and still driving it to this day, I've gone through coolant tubing replacement, transmission and transfer case replacement+rebuild and a handful of switching out burnt bulbs (mostly myself). Funny how he didn't make a jab about BMWs and turn signals because that's a very common issue, yet a simple job.
But nothing speaks like nightmares when it comes to leaking valve cover gasket (very common in M62s), oil top ups every couple months, economy and servicing. Rear bushings are not that big of a deal unless you're hauling heavy loads all the time or have 2-3 fully grown adults sitting in the rear. In roughly 100km, the car uses 13L of petrol because you're rolling 2 tons on the road. But don't forget, you're also driving AWD and 8 cylinders. Was the V8 a mistake? Can't say because the E39 also had a M62 motor inside it. But it certainly does sound good, at the expense of your wallet of course.
Thanks for watching :)
I remember this vaguely from my youth, I agree total game changer in the car industry for a sporty SUV!
Love the e53, when i first drove one it blew away my expectations of what a big vehicle can do... as far as its off road abilities, a good set of tires (think bfg ko2’s) and turn off DSC and it will do wonders. Its basically a land rover discovery 2 made from the BMW parts bin.
Also older models had a NVG transfer case which is what you want going off road.
Looks-wise this is one of the nicest SUVs even today. I continuously find myself wanting one, but always settling for something a bit more practical in terms of maintenance cost. If I had space for a nice weekend car, this would be it.
I am proud to be an x5 owner ,2005 3.0 diesel,purchased it off my boss for $7k.
The suspension has been changed from airbag to standard springs and shocks purely for financial reasons,the only costly fault that my boss encountered was an engine reco because the pcv valve was blocked.so guys remember for the price of a new pcv valve it is cheap enough to replace every third service,but in saying that the engine failed at 350,000 km because of the pcv valve, i have 420000 on the vehicle and it drives and tows like a dream,little heavy in the steering department but in my opinion it hugs and sticks to the road like shit to jocks,all in all I am so happy because at 110 km an hour on the highway it burns between 5.6 and 6.5 litres per 100km,that's just amazing in itself.
An (I drive) was also fitted to the vehicle and the power and torque on take off is instant when the right mode is set .I'm loving it
I own a 2001 BMW X5 4.4i V8 with sport package. It has over two hundred and three thousand miles and is by far the BEST SUV aka SAV that I have ever owned.
Good to hear! The V8's sound great don't they
I love my x5
Looked back through your vids and found this, ended up picking one up, 2002 one owner car with full history, always garaged and only 38k, must watch you way to much Matt, classic FM, mats on mats on mats etc so far so good!
I reckon this car will soon become a collectable classic - for all the reasons you mention.
Great cars, I had a 200,000 mile 06 3,0 diesel sport which we took on a 3500 mile road trip around Eastern Europe.... 4 passengers, 2 dogs and a load of luggage... super comfy and it averaged nearly 40mpg amazingly!
snakeflipz You can’t beat them for that kind of trip
I’ve just bought a 2006 E53 X5 off the back of this video and love it so far!
Good stuff! Get the gearbox serviced it is hasn't been done already - you'll thank me later :)
I purchased a '06 4.4i this past spring for $6k. Absolutely fantastic vehicle to drive. Terribly expensive as well. I've already had to sink $6,400 in repairs in less than a year. Brutally fun!
They sound great though!
Got a 2005 E53 diesel with 156,000 on clock. Had all new discs/pads/sensors/tyres,manifold,turbo downpipe,rear bearings/bushes,brake servo,glowplugs,rear shafts,steering angle sensor,prop centre bearing and I fitted a android unit. Spent a few quid on it admittedly BUT,it's the best car ever. I've had 4 jags (2 xfs) 2 Mercedes,3 audis, rover 75,3 monkeys and for an all rounder this E53 is still the best.
Had one for 14 years and did 210,000 miles, was like an old pair of slippers.
They're great cars aren't they
I'm right there with you. Mine 17 years old and she's great with 259000
Whats it like to run a car to that sort of mileage?
@@harithahmed104 it still runs very good and still looks new. So I guess my answer is GOOD.
@@albertal3 wow!! That’s quite a testament for a vehicle guys like Scotty Kilmer says is crap. I love the x5 and am looking for one now. 👍
Hi .l bought a X5 2006 67000 miles for £6750 and agree with all you have said. It’s a very reliable suv, with a great shape.I prefer it to the next models, I get 32/33 mpg average and 38 /40 on a long run. And I feel very safe, it’s very comfortable,definitely worth getting.Mal
I've got '2006 E53 3 liters petrol engine for 3 years now, and had changed rockers gasket twice regularly engine service every 10,000 km. And just service gearbox oil and filter early last month at 122,000 km. on clock I owned this machine for 3 years and never have any other problems annoying me at all. After gearbox service she's runs like new again.
Proud of E53 ❤❤
I have a mint condition BMW X5 4.4i V8 and it is a beast. I really don't care if it can't go off road well. Its luxury. With a 0 60 time of 6.5 seconds.
Love the sound of the turbo when the windows are wound down....
I have a 2003 X5, Awesome ride!!! Thank GOD I found an awesome mechanic to help with any trouble. Lol
Still a beautiful vehicle! Had to get a brother.....so i got an 2007 E46. Never in my life did i think i would own BMW's. Great cars and i owe it all to my mechanic.
Good choice!
Amazing how far you have come, your videos just seem to be getting better and better!
Thanks for saying that :)
I've got a BMW X5 2005 e53 4.8is 98k on the clock and I've converted it to run on LPG, 96p a litre! and it's so good, I've tinted the windows, 4 new tyres, fitted an xtrons head unit and I've fitted an id4motion instrument cluster, which is absolutely stunning, my car has rear seat tv screens, parts are cheap, the steering is so light, the engine is incredible, and I've just ordered a new gear shift lever to upgrade the look. Best used car I've ever owned. And the e53 is the best X5 ever.
I have a 2006 4.4 sport and it’s still my favorite car. Even more so than my E36 M3’s and even over my 99 CLK430. It’s just such a tight suspension even at the 170k miles here in treacherous Los Angeles. I do maintain it well as I own my own auto repair garage, but I do admit I refer to it as my x-wife 😂 … the repairs and maintenance are endless but it’s also the fun part of owning one. It’s loving a woman despite her many faults lol
I prefer the X5 to both my ex-wives! 😂
If you get one in good condition then yes, it is a very good car. Owned one few years back, bought a pre-owned E53 3.0d post facelift version and it was great. I got one which was in very good condition, previous owners had taken good care of it, had maintenance history, they never used any shady shops or mechanics, any cheap parts/oil/etc. And that used X5 served me very well, I only had some minor issues, some typical E53 issues - locks freezing over during winter and thus doors not closing after opening them anyone? Fun to drive through morning rush hour to work while steering with one hand and keeping door closed with other :) Luckily fixable thing. Never happened to me but some had issues with locks, where that lock backplate is made of an alloy which can break and thus locks will malfunction.
In any case, if you get one in good condition - good car, will serve you well. If not, dang, that'll be one expensive ride...
Must say I totally admire the honesty of his reviews despite being a car dealer.
Thanks for watching
I am still driving E53 V8 4.8L, still working perfectly on the road. Definitely a masterpiece in SUV history. However, still cost money on maintaining.
Love these reviews . I genuinely look forward to the next one . Nice approach , calm and stylish
Thanks! Appreciate it :)
I have a e53 x5 Lemans blue performance ac schnitzer model that is one owner from New and came tuned with 285bhp with a ac schnitzer exhaust and inlet manifold and mahhoosive 22" ac schnitzer wheels and still maintain its the greatest car/suv I've owned. I also had it dyno tuned once more by a specialist who's got it to 348bhp and I'm still returning 27mpg and its so capable performance wise even by today's standards and goes to show how well built the 3.0D engine was built! I don't think bmw realised what they had built with the e53!
Great Channel and great content by the way 👍
Thanks for watching. I love the Le Mans blue colour. Good choice!
Such a good looking car still. Used to have an 05 4.4. Drove brilliantly. Much better to drive than the E70 I had after which was riddled with faults, heavier and thirstier.
I agree! I still love them and the V8's sound great
We have a 2005 BMW X5 Sport. It is very nice to drive. A very nice ride, very solid feeling. The steering is a bit stiff for me. But I don’t have difficulty driving it. Its a great comfy ride.it is a beautiful looking vehicle. Ours is a V8. The gas mileage isn’t terrible!
Ours is the same color as yours. I love that color. Awesome paint job!
We have not had any problems with it at all!
Pleased to hear it!
Decent car E53. My brother has this and has never moaned about it and he has always had older cars. I think the E70 looks better in my opinion and I have it in a Alpine white MSport guise LCI and it’s look great with 20 “ black wheels. Anyway with the diesels expect the DPf codes come up, glow plug controller issues. If the E53 has no air Susp that’s a godsend as I had to replace both airspring in mine at £200 a corner and they can fail if the car is even lifted on a MOT believe it or not.
Apart from it chewing tyres if alignment is out these cars can last over 200k in diesel form.
I think the E53 from 2006 with msport and piano roof auto with FSH and 80-90k miles should last long with TLC. Make sure you oil change every 5-10k and fuel filter every 5k. The diff and transfer case needs doing at 60-100k as well. I would do the auto after 100k. There is a gear in case actuator which goes in both E53 and E70 and you will hear groaning at short speed turns. Changing it out yourself will be £11 but add labour 1hr. Saves changing while actuator at £200-300 or transfer case at nearly £2000.
Both cars make sure you stick to Bmw star marked tyres as the transfers case can f*** up due to differing circumferences of tyres if you run a staggered setup.
Many more knowledgeable after driving this and E70 for 5-6 yrs.
E70 looks more contemporary and generally lacks character... or to be simple, bland and boring, which is just a sign of the times as now as is the case for 90% of car shapes. The best era for distinctive and unique car designs was early 90s through to late 90s / early 2k period then all the car designers started running out of ideas. That said, E53 oozes character there's nothing that looks anything like it yet it still looks boss and is relatively timeless in appearance. Another perfect example of this - E39
3.0i with PRINS LPG and everything you've said is bang on ... Had to replace passenger lock and the rear bushes now starting to clunck but she's a dream to drive, heavy, quick when you want it and the 6cylinder does sound quite nice too.
I will be watching your reviews carefully for when I next change my car ...
BANG ON every time, thanks
Chris Munro Thanks for watching. I’ve had loads of 3.0 and they’re the cheapest and best way into an X5
Whats better? 3.0i or 3.0d?
Obviously x5 was much nicer looking than the ml. It came out second it had an advantage there. Also, this x5 during these times were some of the most beautiful SUVs in history. Most beautiful midsizr at least.
I like your reviews even when I'm not that keen on the car in question - a sign of the quality of your work. Good practical advice, and good knowledge of the range beyond the individual vehicle you happen to be in that day is what marks out your reviews.
Thanks!
I like the design of E53 X5 - The P38A and E53 are just a couple of my all-time favorite SUV's of the 90s ;)
I agree :)
Best car I’ve owned 145000 miles and still drives like new service regularly can’t go wrong great review
john barker If you look after them, they hold up pretty well
Agreed, this year looks better than the version that came after
Great review! the channel always has top quality reviews feels like your just sitting in the passenger seat listening. But I got to say the comment of it being terrible off road is miss leading they are actually quite capable for 90% people off roading the AWD system is impressive all though its not a land cruiser off road, with the "RIGHT" tyres like a All terrain tyre it goes just about everywhere you need it to. 😀
One of the last fairly good bmw. Used to have one, facelift, the review is spot on except those seats. These sport seats are nightmare on long journeys. Maybe its better when they have adjustable lumbar but I had mine without that and i feel the pain always when I see them :D otherwise great car. Styling is timeless also. Great review as always !
Just bought one based solely on your review. I kinda knew you'd like it and didn't wana do too much research you know.. Busy guy anyway it's Black 3.0 diesel sport with pan roof beautiful thank you for your service 🙏
Update: 1 year later I've spent around £2k doing most things myself. It's a love hate relationship.
What have you fixed?
@@pictlandpickers1171 I spent what I paid for it fixing it £2800 or something like that. Including but not limited to Rear Diff /manifold/suspension / stat Then the gearbox went and threw the diff out again then I sold it. Range rover next 🤣
BMW's still look good 20 years later. One key point that adds to the design and is rarely ever mentioned, is the quality of the paintwork that lasts. Also they are incredibly well put together, thanks to their life long quest against Mercedes which benefit past and future owners.
I had been looking at getting a 2006ish Disco 3 HSE TD5 for towing around UK (when I eventually get back there!) but just found this about the E53, which i hadn't really considered. Don't want anything newer than 2006 so your, as usual excellent, review of the E53 has made be start comparing options, just as I had crossed off the XC90 option following your review of that.
Keep up the good work and ignore the trolls.
Love my 06 3.0i, solid feeling starts when open the door, super smooth engine, it is hard to find those feeling in today's models
Great car
As an owner of this vehicle my answer to all of you is: YES!
I’ve owned a 2005 4.4i m sport for the last four years covering around 40,000 miles.
Coming from the bmw e46 (330ci), and being 6’2”, it felt like a larger, taller version of the coupe.
A perfect blend of sportiness when needed/ desired and space for transporting mountain bikes to and from trails.
Happy to report 20-23mpg, even in hilly Yorkshire and the sound of the v8 when the car is left in ‘manual mode’ makes the eye watering petrol bills totally worth it.
Great video!
Pleased to hear it. Love the V8 noise
IVE just been offerd a 2003 4.4i in mint green 1 owner 53000 miles,no advisorys ever never ever ,it has 12 months mot , £3500 ,bolton .
Frank Stephenson now has a you tube channel....such a cool car and a cool guy..... happy 60k mate...
I switched to X6 after selling my 06 X5 i3, oh man I should've just kept it 🤦♂️
I am BMW tech , i went on the launch of this X5 , back in the day , I will say now i am not a BMW fan , On the launch all cars had standard Road tyres on , and completly standard cars . it had rained for a week at the time of the dealer launch down in the Bracknell area . we where split in to teams of three , with a Pro off road driver , the first thing we did was to drive across a fresh ploughed field with standard road tyres . all vehical s 25 in all did this easy , then we went on the OFF road track where the vehical was often only on one front wheel and one rear wheel . Every one was shocked at the angles this car could drive up and down and deep mud it went though on standard tyres , the course was that slippy and the slopes and steep bends and curves you would struggle to walk it . I aint saying it will beat a range rover , but with the right driver instruction it will take you off road . and is capable than the average driver will push it too . dont get me wrong the suspension on the front is not super strong but is adequate to do a little off roading , I know as we pushed it to its limits with BMW UK . IT was impressive , may be your driving off road was not the best .
It is a great car but the reliability is questionable, now i'm speaking of clogged drains for sunroof that will eventually rust, doors/trunks that will rust, air suspension in general with all the bushings, as you mentioned dead pixel displays and door handles, head gaskets, and MANY leaks, quite a lot of cooling leaks. Mine is a 3.0d 2006 my that has been around me since 2010. The powertrain is pretty decent tough. Now at 200k on the clock
My one of these kept on throwing electrical control boxes which cost a fortune, a gearbox repair cost me £2.2k and i eventually gave up repairing it. Fabulous car to drive just horribly unreliable in my case. but now i'm tempted again!
Right up there with the best car I ever owned. Did everything very well Diesel and had no reliability issues.2005 140000 miler !!!
Pleased to hear it
Just brought an 05. Love it! Being a mechanic myself nothings a real problem. I did get the 4.4 v8 version. I enjoy it.Fits a decent DJ rig in the back. Just drove it to a wedding over the weekend. Traveled beautifully over the hills out country. Your absolutely right. I looked at an 08 not a fan. I always had a soft spot for the 05. Finally got one cheap for what it is. Part of the reason I did go for this model is due to the fact that it shared the same DNA,engine and other components with Jaguar and Range Rover etc Plus after I did a flush fluid and filter change in the auto in my 08 Holden commodore which uses the same automatic transmission I became even more curious about the BMW X5 so after a bit of research I was sold on it. I did however discover the tyre air pressure level indicator as it came in during the return trip. I actually didn’t check the Tyres upon leaving. The light came on a third of the way during the journey. Wasn’t deflated enough to affect anything however I did blow up the offending tyre at the next town which wasn’t far and reset the light warning system. A great idea as I’d never actually seen that activated before.
Well done. I love that era and the V8 sounds lovely
@@HighPeakAutos Thank you. I do love the sound for sure. I have a few V8 engine vehicles from the 70s & 90s so have always been a fan. I was aware of some of the problems the pre face lift models had so was glad when I stumbled upon this one.
Thank you once again for your very informative videos.
Have a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I bid you compliments for the season.
All the best.
Dale
Some free advice. This X5 will be the old G wagon. Everyone will start looking for one in 5 years. Classic looking car
Maybe...
G wagon?
These are beautiful SUV's but make sure you have an Oil Change EVERY 6 months and get it serviced NOT by the main dealers but a BMW Specialist. I use Lewis Motors in Blackpool and they are spot on with every fault and will not rip you off !
My brother had one for 6 months. Drove beautifully but reliability was an absolute nightmare and wasn't cheap to run either.
Ryan
Probably the 4.4/4.8 the 3.0i was reliable, I own one so I can tell you that much.
@@aidenp5768 I have a 2006 Bmw x5 4.4 paid $2k feels incredible
Yesterday I saw the movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard
", and I was immediately reminded why I always dream of this car. It just has that classy, elegenat, professional look. The movie itself came out 2017, and they nevertheless still used those older BMW E53's. That means those cars really are in class of their own.
And each time I'm reminded of those cars, I get obsessed about buying one. But then I remember that I can't work on cars myself and reliability is always a concern with BMWs, which is why I always get scared about buying one. Maybe I'm just overthinking this, I don't even know... But I can always dream, right?
Did it get wrecked in the movie?
@@HighPeakAutos There were several of them and some definitely got shot up and fell into a river
Just bought one of these 05 3.0D 2 days ago, owned a 4.4 V8 L322 RR and a 4.6V8 P38. This car is great and I love it Already
..Really enjoyed that..cheers!
My 05 3.d is fabtastic,i even camp in mine (bit cold tho at mo)
Bmw specialists look after it,
Over 500nm torque &45mpg long runs to cornwall 😇 happy dayz
They're great cars. I've always liked them
Last year I bought 2006 e53 3.0d, and it’s just great! About door handle - the handle it self isn’t great bcoz of it’s shape. It has to be pulled up, and they won’t break off. But noone really points out u don’t just pull straight. Lift up and all is good. I haven’t problems with winter aswell - xdrive does it’s job pretty good. Can’t say anything bad about this car so far. It’s pretty reliable❤ and very confy with full pneumatic suspension. But to prevent it from air leaking, you have to atleast once weak wash it and all will be just fine
I hope you will come across an old Alfa 166 V6 or 159 V6 one day to review.
X5... a dream come true to me. One must definitely buy it, but spend your money on quality spare parts instead of a ricer-mods and enjoy it`s rigidity and ride comfort! Every variation of this car is worth of every penny spent on it.
it should be in your life if you love cars
Another great video Matt. Those cars always seemed very ostentatious to me back in the day, but they're aging well. Almost subtle compared to a lot of what's on the road now. Keep 'em coming!
You're right, they were ostentatious back then, but now they look conservative. Funny how thats changed
My 05 X5, kicks ass off road.
my 4.4 has been a real good car had it for 10 years
Great channel and presenter. Balanced, honest and informative , coupled with a great manner and some well punctuated humour! A fantastic change from the worn out adolescent humour of the top gear crew. Well done you deserve to do well !
Thank you! I appreciate the compliments :)
I loved my X5 3.0D, still, regret selling it.
Was it really good? Manual?
Nice honest review on the E53. I thought I knew everything on these, but the key fob is a new one!
Love the X5, if you know how to turn wrenched they are pretty cheap to upkeep. As far as off roading goes, put some good tires on it and it does great on all kinds of trails. Got an E70.
These are great vehicles, from a time before BMW went nuts will all the tech. Owned one for a few years now and it’s still going strong as a family wagon at 16 yrs old & 240,000 odd k’s. Used in the winter time with snow chains to access the ski fields here in the NZ southern alps, not as terrible off road as the reputation suggests but certainly no Land Rover. Go for the 3.0 petrol for reliability
I agree - I've always liked them
Still have my 2001 X5 3.0i w/sport package, factory black chrome exhaust tips with shadow line trim pushing 252k miles on original engine and trans, smooth as silk. It needs some work on suspension but other than that, still drives better than most SUVs. New BMWs are hideous next car will be a Tesla. Don't buy the V8, the i6 is the best option used I can confirm, and plan on working on it yourself which is overall satisfying
Don't need to see the video: we bought a knackered one for very little money, and it just kept going forever, with very little maintenance. And with snow tyres it gets anywhere in the winter as well. It was in a crash with a 1 series, and all it had was few more scrapes. The 1 series was a write off. It's so solidly built it's amazing.
Pleased to hear it
I don't understand the need for a hard ride for a car that will never see a track or go off road. It should float so you climb out after 500 miles as calm as you did at the start.
I love these,some people say they're ugly but they are like a Tonka toy for grownups.
Good review, this is very fair. I have my 2005 E53 from new, it’s terrific.
What engine does it come with? M54?
You have great presenting skill, I can tell that a lot of preparation goes into your reviews. All the best, I enjoy your reviews thoroughly.
Thank you! :)
Great review, I really wish we got e53 diesels in North America. They seem to be best x5's, especially with the manual.
West Van Garage Thanks for watching! It’s a shame because I agree, it’s probably the best engine for the X5
You don't need to change timing chain like everyone keeps saying with service intervals should last megga miles e70 e71 last 200k with history and dpf drive in 3ed gear for ten mins at 17 18plus rpm just under 2000 rpm and light goes out and make sure your Glow plug s are working or it will come on
"You could get an X5 stuck on a bowling green."
haha Its true!
Would greatly depend on what tyres are on it
It's the tyres more than the drive system tho.
Hardly surprising as it is not a 4X4 as most (including reviewer) think but an all wheel drive with 62% rear bias.
Russ Cattell It was a joke to be clear
Thanks for this intro,taking delivery of my 2012 x5 Monday, feeling a bit anxious, as my Hyundai ix35 has been really good.
Toyota RAV4: Crossover
Lexus RX: Luxury
BMW X5: Sports
Porsche Cayenne: Performance