Greydog

Apparently the BMW V8's are really suitable for LPG so no problems with Valves. I haven't looked at the LPG prices £1 a litre I will check that out Thanks. The 4.4 covered about 20k in my hands with no faults or issues about half dragging a Horse Box and I would still be driving it but for a hundred foot Cedar tree that blew over and squashed it in Jan, Hey Ho. Still the 4.6 is a great car and so far very reliable (touches wood) tempting fate now. For what its worth the MPG of the 3.0litre and the 4.4 aren't that different but the V8; was cheaper to buy thats how I ended up with the 4.4 that and the sound. Good luck with the hunt for a car

I ran a 4.4 X5 LPG for just over 2 years and it was great. I brought the X5 to tow a Horse Box the LPG was already fitted, having run several V8's I budgeted or around 15mpg average. The LPG Tank was 85 litres this meant filling up cost about £40 (60 ltr @ 69.9 p/ltr av), towing we got around 180/200 miles and Motorway without the horse box 250 miles. So about the same mpg but at almost half the cost Bargain. When we got the car the LPG system was a bit hit and miss (BRC) I found an LPG installer close to us (Billingshurst) Paul the owner was great he inspected the system upgraded the injectors reprogrammed it and tidied up the installation. He also registered it on the LPG site, I am currently waiting for Paul to convert the 4.6

If your oil is at max when cold it may be a little high when hot ? as you say what to do the only way I know to let oil out is the drain plug, not very helpful sorry. The brake pad warning may take much longer than 470 odd miles that is my experience, as it depends on your driving style and what sort of trips you do, 200 miles up or down the M1 wont wear the brakes much.

Glad it worked out for you, I would still rub it in "gently" every time I was in the dealership

Glad its sorted, Enjoy

So what was the problem?

Not a diseasal owner but my son had this issue with his Nissan pick up turned out to be 3 injectors were not holding pressure. When the engine was cold it started first time, when it was hot it would crank for ages and sometimes not start at all. He had all the injectors refurbished and his truck starts first time everytime again. Low fuel rail pressure was the diagnosis that led to the solution. I hope this helps, a leak down test should confirm things.

Have you got the correct contact ring with the steering wheel and is the loom fitted between the gearbox and steering column. I take it your car is Auto?

It depends on whether your Navigation is CD based Mk3 or DVD based Mk4? Is your Nav computer working? Just wondering why no disc? If you look at the front of the Nav unit a Mk4 will have a DVD logo clearly visible. The Mk3 CD based unit will only have UK maps and cant be upgraded to allow Post Code search etc due to capacity, as far as I am aware. The DVD based systems will be full European maps plus can be upgraded to Post Code search speed cameras etc. If your buying OEM Nav Discs make sure they are the "High" version not Professional if your looking to upgrade there are a number of sources but I would take care the DVD Nav units don't like copied or cloned discs and some it is claimed have contributed to failure of the DVD Laser head. The Mk3 (up to 2002) and Mk4 (2002 0n) Nav computers were used across the BMW range, all models including the Mini. So your disc wont need to be X5 specific. As for the CD Changer cartridge my first X5 had spare Nav computer and CD Changer loose in the boot when I brought it. The Nav computer has a new home already but if you want the CD changer your welcome to it it is complete but I don't know if it works, it.s been sitting in the garage for 3 years or so. You cant be to far away in Hampshire, PM me if your interested.

Hi Wow just reading your post the dealer sounds an arrogant ****!! They (Dealer & BMW) have not full filled your original order yet he gives a "take it or leave it" option with the threat of lost discount if you reject the car, words fail me. I have read on other forums that heated rear seats are a fairly easy retro fit (well on the E53) as all the looms are there it's a case of getting the seats switches and relays. The big issue would be finding seats which match your interior (colour and condition) but why should you risk warranty etc. A question I would ask is, why can't your dealer get the seats direct from BMW and retro fit them ?? After all it is a !Removed! up by them (Dealer and BMW) all they would be doing is full filling your original order. I personally would put as much pressure on the Dealer as possible including being prepared to walk away with your money, plus seek compensation for delay, distress etc etc, and remember it's the end of the month and they won't want a big hole in their sales target and fat commissions (probably the reason for the cavalier take it or leave it).

Could be exhaust sensor pre-cat or after act if you have them

Have a look at this it may help to decide what or where the noises are http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E31/BMW_M60_M62_M62TU_Engine_Scary_Noises.htm

Checked under the spare wheel? Checked the Cubby on the right side? and might sound daft but checked both back seats are located and locked in place?

Hi Neil My 4.4 started to develop problems with the Nav and TV module, the remedy would have been to replace both units. Even sourcing from Ebay the cost looked to be in the order of £500, the cost of replacing with an aftermarket unit was around £400. I looked at both units as I wanted to retain as much as possible the OEM look. I used a Hualigan unit which looked good the only fiddle was a long interface cable loom is required if you have the 16.9 screen with Nav etc which I did. It runs from the boot to the front of the car worse for me as I had LPG so the OEM radio connections are under the tank in the boot. Once fitted the headunit is a straight swap, I found extension adapters for the Antennas and used the cars built in antennas to keep the OEM look as much as possible. The unit gave Bluetooth (Phone and A2DP) CD/DVD, Radio, DVB TV, Ipod connection, SD card, USB the list goes on. So how did it compare? well generally the unit performed really well easy to use with a simple user interface. Downside? the radio receiver was not the best with flaky reception in some areas of the UK and you loose the OBD for temp, fuel. etc. As I understand it these units have come a long way in just the last 3 years so may be the radio issue has been fixed now? Plus some one will come up with an interface I am sure to let the unit communicate with the I-bus so the OBD function can be retained My current X5 has the OEM set up and it all works so no need to consider a change or an upgrade but if there were problems or issues where cost of repair outwayed the cost of a replacement then I wouldn't hesitate. Likewise if I had a Business CD radio set up with no screen it really is plug and play. Hope this helps

Take care taking the outer cover off the clips can be broken easily !! The rest is fairly straight forward some have just "reshaped" the trigger arm on the limit switch. Good Luck

Do a search on You Tube there are several Videos on how to dis-assemble and fix the door mirrors A fiddly job mine was one of the mounting pins broken I drilled it and glued a replacement in place been fine for 6 months. If one mirror is broken it affects both

We initially were looking for a large 4x4 to tow a horse box, so looked at quite a few in our local area. Range Rover, Discovery's, Toyota Amazon, X5 plus many others. We narrowed the list and I went online and searched and researched the forums just looking for the common faultsand read the buyers guides. We settled on a 4.4 X5 with LPG and my advice is this. Mechanically check the history if its BMW you can talk to them and verify (I did) don't assume that if the book is stamped that a full service has been done it may have just been an Oil Change ( I budgeted for a service after delivery and used it to negotiate) Take the car for a really good test drive while your doing it make sure all gearbox functions (Sport Manual) work as they should smoothly any strange noises or vibration walk away. Make sure all accessories work, and I do mean all these are complicated cars and fixing things can be costly and drive you insane (just read some of the forums) If the seller tries to tell you "its a simple fix" ask yourself why they haven't done it? Check the tyres carefully they are not cheap to replace so get on your knees and make sure wear is even. When we brought the first X5 the Garage offered "to service the car before delivery" I suggested they knock the price down and I would get it done at a BMW specialist with this and a few other bits and bobs we got £800 off the asking price. The car was brilliant (not perfect) but did everything we wanted and more until January when a 100' Cedar fell on it, definitely broke it!! After our initial X5 experience we replaced it with another this time a 4.6is still very happy with our Beemer. So do your research take your time and be prepared to walk away if its not right or working. Good luck and enjoy driving it (by the way there is very little difference between 3.0i and a 4.4 in mpg)

I know, can I get the wife to hoover it properly??? even brought an extension lead, the things I have done for that woman!! I have learned that close supervision hurts!!!

A friend has a 2010 M3 and has the same issue you have??? In my E53 I use an FM transmitter for my I-pod which works OK but obviously no control from the headunit. Considering my cars technology is 11 years old that is to be expected and if I wanted too can be upgraded. Frustrating as our neighbours son has a 2007 Peugeot that has BT streaming as standard????? BMW strike again!! John with the M3 suggested looking at this thread he found http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e70-forum/92049-easy-bluetooth-a2dp-streaming-music-mod.html

I thought you had A2DP in your model? I am sure I have read somewhere that there is an option in the Bluetooth menu for Audio try doing a Google search?

We were looking at the weekend 2145 Mirrors out 1938 mirrors in is what we were told, that is about 7ft and 6ft 6 in old money. So its a couple of inches wider than the E53 mirrors in or out.

Sounds like a result. While your waiting for the kit to arrive have a look on ebay for a storage holder for the tow hook when its not in use mine has a clamp that holds it on the left side of the spare wheel well. Also I would check out you tube for fitting videos I did that when upgrading to bluetooth some excellent how too's on there. Good luck Dave

As I understand it most of the wiring is done and in place there should be a black connector up against the front of the spare wheel well. There is a little black relay/box that disconnects the rear parking sensors when the electrics are plugged in it should be in the kit for Witter or Westfalia or any decent manufacturer. There should be a removable center piece in the back bumper on the E53 so no cutting required. Both mine were fitted when I brought the cars as towing was the reason for having the X in the first place.

I brought the X5's to tow a horse box so both have had tow bars fitted the first had a fixed Witter tow bar the current one has the OEM removable one. I believe it's made by Westfalia, I prefer the removable having had both, its tidier when not needed. Tow ball height has been fine on both cars ( I have to admit I never gave it a thought until this post? ) What I can vouch for is the X makes a very competent tow car in my experience.

You are right the design is rubbish, it should have had doughnut at each end with a full length drive sleeve in the Transfer box. I hope you get it sorted without to much financial pain. Welcome by the way