EVERYTHING WRONG with my MANUAL BMW E53 X5 (Common Problems!)

[@robcooper9265]

Hi, great video! I've also got a manual e53 (rhd) and the faults you are picking up are typical of the ones I have had to deal with. There are two more items that you should probably attend to - 1) Replace the oil filter housing to engine block gasket. These are made out of rubber and go hard after a few years use. The symptoms of the gasket failure is oil all over the side of the engine and front diff. The gasket is only a few dollars (~$10) and will save you many times that in top up oil. It's an easy job that's best done when the radiator is taken out. I smeared a little Red Rubber Grease on the gasket to help prolong its life. 2) Check the rear lower suspension ball joints. These items have a relatively short life. Jack the car up and de-pressurise the rear air springs, then rock the rear wheels holding them top and bottom. If they are worn then you will feel the wear as a knock, this is best done with the wheels on. Looking forward to the next installment!

[@glenglene8473]

your E53 is just like my E83. previous owner neglected it and I have replaced coupe parts every weekend since I got it. This week will be oil pan, engine mounts and transfer case mount.

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Ooooh it's gonna ride better with those new mounts! Good luck!

[@jhncvngh]

Very excited for this series! I'm sure you've heard of it already, but looks like your transmission has fifth gear lean, where the detent for fifth (and reverse) get worn out and won't center the shifter. ShopLifeTV has a great video on this and I'm pretty sure his was even done on an X5 as well. Good luck

[@aidenp5768]

since your using it for towing make sure that the whole hitch is good to go, since one bolt was missing, never know if the ones behind the bumper were tampered with. Switch to 5w 40 also no more 5w 30 at the higher milage and especially for towing.

[@michaelsavage5827]

Hey I have a 2001 BMW X5 3.0 with the Manuel and I had a lot of the same issues when I got mine. Front control arms and ball joints toast, tie rod ends, All 4 wheel bearings, And every ball joint/ control arm in the rear was shot. It has 197k miles now and drives brand new. You don’t need to pull the exhaust to do the clutch on the X5 everything is easy to get to since there is room. Also the transfer case was in fact made in Syracuse and that’s how they came. Probably never been opened and never will.

[@GucciSosah]

I have one also, but I'm thinking my drive shaft is bad

[@michaelsavage5827]

@@GucciSosah front shards or rear? I just repaired my front drive shaft. The splines stripped out in the transfer case since they only engage like 1in

[@GucciSosah]

@michaelsavage5827 I think it's my rear tbh, not to sure yet. Haven't gotten anytime to bring it to a shop yet

[@j.l.4380]

I'm about to go check one out fir sale near me, a 3.0 manual trans 2001 with 175k miles. These comments and this vid are super helpful.

[@rayyoung5360]

COOLING SYSTEM!!! the hard plastic hoses that run under the intake and soft heather hoses. dont mess around just replace them ALL! along with the waterpump (Get one with metal impeller)and a OE thermostat. if you dont get the OE thermostat it will throw codes. while you have the intake off do the crank sensor and the hard plastic lines for the secondary air system. just buy 6mm silicone vacuum hose for the secondary air system. the CCV system is a horrible design and clogs up. illl look in the garage this weekend i think i have an extra set of intake gaskets. oh yea the intake boots split too and cause lean codes

[@Adrian-sw3nv]

Good to see another lefty out there! Have a x5 n62 that’s my current project/headache.

[@chamberlin1]

Nice automotive channel! Subscribed! Just about to start a full top-to-bottom refresh on a 2005 E53 3.0i Sport. It has the rare OEM Aero kit on it (complete), so I figure it's worth saving! Thanks for putting out your X5 videos.

[@Neo-ih2fh]

Hey bro, be sure to change your transfer case actuator gear. There’s a brass one online now, the original is plastic. The 4X4 lights or ABS break and others. Lmk if you need anything g i’ve had my e53 since 88K and it’s now at 130K

[@Neo-ih2fh]

could you also give me the tools you use to read all the codes pls

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Thanks for the tip! Here's a link to my video where I show my 3 favorite scanning tools, with links: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJO0iKSjjMhop8k

[@garymendoza6947]

Really excited to see this luxury hotel on wheels get brought back to life 🙌🏻

[@AntoneJohnson]

Look forward to following this project! Eyeing E53s and E70s for sale in my area, trying to balance affordability with reliable-enough for a weekend DIYer. (M54 or N52; I’m done with V8s after enough busted knuckles with the E60). Lucky to be in CA where rust isn’t usually an issue.

[@Nico_335i_DCT]

Overall a very nice project car Chris. And lucky for us, a lot of DIYs. Have a great week. Dutch regards, Nico.

[@gavinabdul7762]

Great content once again. Cant figure out why your channel not getting more views. Anyways keep it up mate 👍

[@gurkamaldhanda5248]

How can you fix the dead pixels without replacing?

[@PandH24]

Most of the issues you have I do too how are you fixing the cluster new ribbon or screen with ribbon on already

[@TheBimmerBarn]

New screen with ribbon, should be the similar to the E39 cluster which I made a video on! Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKrJfpipqKmMeqM

[@AntoneJohnson]

@@TheBimmerBarn Nice! I had an E38 with a bunch of those dead pixels. Great car but looking at that display felt like the digital equivalent of peeling clear coat and curb rash. 😝

[@921aa]

I'm surprised you didn't find bushings and or control arms worn in the rear. Mine had worn parts on each side causing excessive negative camber.

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Oh I'm sure that they're worn, but atleast they're further back on the list from the front control arms, subframe bushings, radio, etc lol 😅

[@SHWELL11]

Is it a BMW if the Cup Holders work?

[@michaelg.9791]

Just drive the thing around the block & all those lights disappear! They all come on with battery disconnect or low voltage! I had the exact same e53 with auto trans.

[@marcioreis2648]

Good luck, very nice project.

[@broitsconnor2679]

I’m ur FedEx guy lol. Ur dad told me bout the channel haha.

[@edwardsajl]

hi i think you missed the passengers side door car is off.

[@chadriddle3517]

Chris what is the best easiest method to obtain ista + like you’re using in the video? Appreciate the wonderful content

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Hey! I get this question a lot, but when I needed to download it, I literally watched a KZbin video! If you Google "ista + download" you'll probably find some websites or forum threads with links. Try to make sure it's a legit site as some downloads also come with viruses. Good luck, and remember it takes a lot of space on your hard drive.

[@chadriddle3517]

@@TheBimmerBarn appreciate the tips sir . Always love your bmw content! I love anything Bmw

[@grahamepigney8565]

Unless you really need 4 wheel drive (these aren't really 4x4s) then the equivalent Touring is usually much better. Significantly lower running costs, easier maintenance, less expensive tyres, better fuel economy...... When I bought my 3.0D E39 Tourings I considered a 3.0D E53 and the equivalent Range Rover L322 which have many shared components including the excellent and reliable M57 engine. I tow a 1,800 kgs (4188 lbs) caravan with my E39s without a problem.

[@pugs1377]

E53 ar great. Even tho I have an f15 now I still want an enother e53

[@michaelg.9791]

I have one ,that looks exactly like this one with auto tranny. I'm in Texas if you want buy it.

[@nickosso3154]

What software is that?

[@damiansmith3016]

That what I'm trying to find out

[@TheBimmerBarn]

ISTA downloaded online, there's some youtube videos on how to install it on your computer, but it takes up a lot of space. INPA from bimmergeeks is a great alternative, but reads out error codes in german.

[@nickosso3154]

@@TheBimmerBarn thank you very much

[@PlymitBoy]

Hey Bimmerbarn, on my 330Xi's transfer case, it also says Syracuse, NY. I think they sourced these transfer cases from a company called New Venture Gear and you can find more about them here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Venture_Gear