Greydog

I wonder if when you spoke to Aviva (remember they use call centres) if the person you spoke with was a bit slow and confused Alpine for "Alpina" and thought you were doing a power upgrade? Just trying to think why they would refuse cover

Sounds like a pre-cat back fire There are EGR breather tubes that run at the back of the engine above the gearbox if one is split or perished it could cause issues? Blocked CAT will cause to much back pressure never experienced it myself but I have read symptoms are poor performance hesitation etc. It may also cause misfire in the exhaust due to trapped un-burnt fuel? Oil leaks on the valve covers are almost mandatory on the BMW V8 !!! I don't know if you are aware of www.realoem.com enter the site put in the last 7 digits of your VIN and it will bring up your cars build spec, then search the EGR drawings it will give you an idea how they are routed. Same for all the systems on the car, as far as the CAT goes other than change I don't know what to suggest 2nd hand maybe?

After the doors are locked the X5 shuts down all systems takes about 15 mins the indicator lamp beside the gearchange is last. The draw then is tiny to maintain clock and other memory function items I believe. Not sure if the cigarette lighter stays live on the E70, or you could take a live feed from the charging point under the bonnet. Most of the cameras have motion and vibration sensors to turn them on when the vehicle is parked. So I would say it is a question of (1) how much power does the camera take when recording (2) how long is it on for after being triggered? (3) how busy is it where it is parked. My friends Discovery is wired to the cigarette lighter live via its own fused spur and survived 2 weeks at Heathrow long stay.

With the X5 E53 it isn't a horrendous job, un-clip the trim under the headlamp undo 4 screws (use a magnetic socket) and slide the headlamp forwards. The first time I thought what a faff but it saves the skin on your hands and is a five minute job.

If it was meant to be easy it wouldn't be an X5 ??? Still could be worse it could be a Toyota or a french poo I have read you have to take big bits off to remove the headlamp on those

Have you checked your power steering fluid? If you could hear the noise when stopped I would not think its wheel bearings as they wouldn't be turning the power steering pump would though. I would check and top up the power steering pump and get it checked for leaks (it shouldn't lose fluid it;s a closed system)

Have you tried unplugging the Vanos solenoids I had a sticky one, if I started cold it gave a 5 sec rattle but if I turned on the ignition let all the lights cycle out on the dash no rattle. Changed the drivers bank solenoid and no issue for the last 18 months (that's tempting fate)

Bummer Does the emissions pump run on start up? It is designed to push extra air in to balance rich mixture when the engine is cold, normally only runs for 3 or 4 mins (on mine anyway) Probably going over old ground but thinking out loud. Have you checked the MAF, check the plug clean the contacts, have you isolated the LPG system pulled the fuse to make sure its not part of the problem? When were the plugs last changed? Check the Vanos solenoid plugs. Sorry I cant be more help other than throw in my thoughts on where I would look

Welcome and enjoy your new car Remember that many people on forums are looking for answers to an issue, what isn't compared is the number of issues against the number of the model manufactured. Things I would check when you have the car First. Check at cold start up there are no noises or rattles the engine should be smooth and quiet. Check the service history and any receipts for work you can check MOT online and see any advisories. Second. While the engine is starting to warm up check all the electrics work. I mean everything, press every button and make sure it operates as it should check the operation of the air suspension check auto lights and wipers along with all seat functions. These are complicated beasts and there are no "cheap" fixes with these cars. Third. Test drive, I dont know what you are/were driving but the steering may feel a little heavy (they all are) gear changes should be smooth both up and down the box test kick down then test the sport and manual functions on the box. Give it a good hard run and when slowing from 70mph if there is any vibration in the brake pedal it most likley will be the Brake reaction bushes (common) the X5 bushes are one of the parts which wear quickly about 80k is their life. Tyre wear is another indicator of bush wear. Hopefully all is good, now drive and enjoy. I woould as a precaution have an oil and filter change and get the gearbox serviced. BMW say sealed for life but ZF who make the box advise a service at 80 to 120000 km (50 to 80000 miles) Hope this helps

Got to be something in the fuel system? Fingers crossed its a simple cheap fix.

You need either someone with BMW 1.4.0 software on a laptop or get a copy yourself (Ebay) you will be able to read the codes and see what the issue is. As the car runs smoothly on Gas but not on petrol it points to be something on the fuel delivery side. Fuel filter is OK so next likely suspects in no particular order, Fuel Pump, MAF, excess fuel return system, Injectors, fuel rail pressure.

I would get the battery checked BMW's are power hungry beasts if your battery is below its best low voltage can throw up all sorts of spurious unrelated faults. Starter motors on the X5;s can be a pain they begin to draw excessive current causing starting issues and throwing unrelated fault codes. I would start with a battery check simple things first

Sounds like a fuel delivery problem or injectors. As it only happens before the engine is fully warm does the emission air pump run?

From your description it sound s like the hesitation only occurs when the engine is cold as LPG only activates after a set engine temperature is reached. You say once on LPG it runs fine with no hesitation? Then if you switch back to petrol its still fine? How much fuel is in the tank? Do you know when the fuel filter was last changed? Try taking off the fuel cap sound s daft but if its vent is blocked it can cause issues

I would check all the connections and plugs to the Headlamps especially the earths, get some contact cleaner and spend a little time making sure all the plugs are clean and seated properly. If the lights are HID Xenon don't forget the ballasts (normally mounted under the headlamp)

Is that all lights or just headlights? How handy are you with a muti meter? If all lamps relays and fuses have been checked and are OK then you need to get the codes read which should give a clue. My thinking would be check 1. Bulbs 2. Fuses 3. Relays. 4. Switch 5. Light Control Module. If these are OK get the codes read

Mine is an E53 the voice control is a silver unit fitted at the top of the rack in the left cubby in the boot above the Nav unit it is a silver box about 10cm square and has a Blue plug. Yours is E70 so I believe its part of the bluetooth/telematic unit in the boot have a look at www.realoem.com enter the last 7 numbers of your Vin it will bring up the build spec for your car. Look under Communications. If you have a BMW specialist or a friendly dealer near by have a chat they may be able to upgrade the software, just a thought

I like your thinking that everything should work, however voice control (Mercedes and BMW) I believe is designed to be recalcitrant and disobedient !! You know its working correctly when the command is "Call Home" and the answer is " Navigation Off" or "Radio 2" My last Merc had problems similar to the one you describe, the Dealer could never find a fault yet if I unplugged the voice control unit and reconnected it it would work sometimes for months. The telephone function is the most useful. In the X5 I had problems but changed the unit with one from Ebay no rebellion in the last 6 months

Not for me where would the dogs go

Have you tried a different phone to discount a fault with the car? I have an X5 (not Idrive) all was well until my Asus Padfone upgraded to Android 4.4.2 then it would pair but drop calls no access to phone book etc. I did a lot of reading online and it seems it was a common issue (not just BMW) it seems the bluetooth signal is reduced in power to save energy. I found that if my phone was in the boot close to the bluetooth antenna all was good move it to the front and the problem returned. I moved the bluetooth antenna up behind the rear seat and all has been OK since.

Main fuse box in the glove box I believe there are 2 fuses for the drivers seat 1 for the passenger seat There is a legend on the fuse board that will tell you which ones

PM sent

Rear light housing on the X5 is a known problem they suffer with corrosion problems I would take out the lamp unit and make sure all is clean and dry. It may take a bit of fine emery cloth to clean it all up then retry (don't bolt it all in place) if its working take out the lamps and protect the surfaces with a smear of vaseline then put it all back together.

Diesel versions seem to see the greatest benefits from a remap, I have read that the best result with the 3.0i will be 10 to 15bhp with a similar lift in torque. Would that be noticeable in daily driving? I have run both 4.4 and currently 4.6 V8's and talking to a guy who has a 3.0 the mpg isn't enough to worry about (he was getting 20.8 mpg over 3k driving my computer in the 4.6 said 19.7 over a similar distance) considering the use mine gets towing, light off road use etc. So if it was my money I would trade the 3.0 for a face lift 4.4 you would get the 6 speed gearbox and 320bhp as standard. If you get one that's LPG converted filling it up for £40 is a hoot (my 4.4 was LPG)

I know there was a change to the headlamps after the "facelift" not sure about the rears though. You could try realoem.com put in the last 7 digits of your vin then check the part numbers for the rear lights, then change the manufacturing year and see if there are any the same.