BMW X5 E53 Common Problems - BMW X5 1st Generation (2000-2006) Issues

[@ktm640lc4BGD]

I bought my 4.8iS in 2014 with 130k km, until 2023 and 300km I had to deal with the drive shaft (rebuilt for 200 eur), leaking valve cover gaskets (50 eur per head), valve stem seals (around 500 eur in parts, 3-4 days of labour, special tools required - 250 eur from ebay), front axles (100 eur per piece), broken door handles (40 eur piece), oil leak on an alternator housing gasket (25 eur + 8 hr labour), expansion tank (40 eur ebay) and some other minor issues. I did all the work by my self and for a 2.5 ton sport car with 300k on odometer i am satisfied. It is a great car for a DIY person, not for someone who takes a car to a dealer for a brakes replacement. Small tip: I am using 6.5L of 5W30 LL4 castrol oil + 1.5L ATF LiquiMolly instead of motor oil only. That is an old school trick to keep the engine clean (detergents in ATF) and rubber gaskets do not get so hard over time because of the chemical properties of the ATF. Some people use it 100% for 20 min to flush the engine, some use 1/5th non stop. I went with the second option because I consider that better in the long run. I have this car 10 yrs now, and I plan on driving it for the next 10 if possible.

[@ktm640lc4BGD]

and yes, a 90 degree thermostat is a MUST... it drops the pressure from 2.5 to 1.5 bar and cooling system will last waaay longer without leaks...

[@Smith-Secured]

Thank you your a GOAT OG at this, I just bought my 4.8is and it’s a demon

[@riseinmylevis]

Self DIY😅 Not long brought mine with two previous owners with all service history. 2006 4.4L V8 Sport. I absolutely love this monster but since having it I’ve experienced some minor problems. Radiator needed changing and that was a self easy change. Then after a few months of having it lower headlight went, changed that then the other blew and now it’s not working lol. I’m experiencing the angel lights are flickering when ignition is turning on. Not only that, I’ve found a Parasitic power drain on the battery and drew me towards the cd changer, when unplugged there’s nothing on the multimeter. I’ve also noticed the monitor sometimes changes to a weird colour and can’t be changed to its basic two colours. Doesn’t always happen. The front and middle lighter sockets don’t work and the fuses aren’t blown either. There’s got to be some electrical issue somewhere. It’s driving me nuts 🤦🏻‍♂️ HELP 🤣

[@buddyrojek9417]

Thanks . I will pass them up in the year 2024

[@andrewlloyd4702]

January 2023 I bought an Estoril Blue X5 2005 4.8is, 95k on the clock, new this car cost 70k, since I bought it I've.... Converted it to run on LPG and it's fantastic, no loss of power or performance, much better on LPG, and only £1 a litre! New tyres, new rear lights, tinted the rear windows, new front discs and brakes, new battery, new ignition coils, new xtrons head unit, new id4motion instrument cluster (£1200), serviced the front and rear diffs, serviced the atf and atf filter, (automatic transmission fluid) at the moment I'm packing up the original instrument cluster to go away for servicing, next on my list is either new alloys or keep it original and get the wheels refurbished, not decided yet, then a new pair of upgraded headlights, oh, I'd like to upgrade the gear shift lever too, and today looking at getting a DIY Lanogard treatment for the chassis. Any comments ir questions, please feel free, in my opinion the X5 V8 is fast becoming a classic and sought after car, and I think it will only go up in value. If you want a cheap reliable suv get an e53 X5.

[@allworldmusic8270]

One of the problems with overheating is the electric fan which went on mine, if your engine runs hot a in traffic and slow speed this is probably the culprit.

[@thetoughcookie3665]

Rear subfame bushings went bad after 400+tkm on my E53. Tiny leak was also on valve cover gasket at same km. Though it's a diesel, but I think your video exaggerates a bit.

[@andrzejkulakowski]

It's one of the kind really

[@agostinhojosealexandre5594]

Long live the (BMW X5 4.8is) king

[@CoachVFitness]

Great vid