I ask b/c i've been looking for a winter beater/SUV that i can tow a jet ski with ... AND in a stick AND < $10k.

I didn't even realize it, but you can get e53s in a standard. I saw one for $3500 w/ 130k on it .. the m54 motor.

The only two BMW options are this and the e83 x3 (which seems to have lots of problems)

So .. should i stay away from the e53 .. or could it be a solid purchase?

the x3 and x5 of that generation share the same drivetrain, so issues will be present in both. I recently bought an e53 x5
3.0i, i have worked on it at least 1 weekend a month since August last year...and it still needs work.

SFCM3 wrote

the x3 and x5 of that generation share the same drivetrain, so issues will be present in both. I recently bought an e53 x5
3.0i, i have worked on it at least 1 weekend a month since August last year...and it still needs work.

Wow. Care to include some of the maintenance items you worked on? How many miles did you buy it with?

How much did you buy it for and how much have u dumped into it?

pjr710 wrote

Wow. Care to include some of the maintenance items you worked on? How many miles did you buy it with?

How much did you buy it for and how much have u dumped into it?

paid $5800 , 2005 3.0i Sport Model Alpine3 on brown leather 140k miles. So far i have replaced:

1. stereo headunit
2. window regulators front left and right
3. water pump, Tstat, hoses, belts and tensioners
4. oil filter housing gasket
5. vanos high pressure line
6. front left and right axles
7. many bulbs all around the car that were out
8. fuel pump


Thats just the stuff that was bad, i have also installed a reverse camera (for wife), 4.8is style body kit, roof spoiler, refurb headlight lenses, repaint lt front fender, remount front bumper. I dont really want to know how much i am into the car for at this point, and i am not done yet as the Steering Angle Sensor has also gone out, brakes need to be done, maybe front control arms as well.

I have taken this car on a few roadtrips already without issue, longest being 1000 miles total.

All makes sense. So are you happy w it otherwise?

pjr710 wrote

All makes sense. So are you happy w it otherwise?

Yes...and no. I always liked the first generation X5, especially the 4.8is. They just looked really good to me. But looks aside, once i started driving the car i was suprised that the ride is ALOT stiffer and bouncier than i had anticipated. I thought maybe something was wrong with the car in the beginning, but after speaking to various other owners, thats just how the e53 rides(like a pickup truck). I also hoped that in buying what appeared to be a very clean example i would have to minimal work on the car, which hasnt been the case. But that being said, theres a reason i went for an older car, and that is relative ease of repairs. I am very familiar with older BMW's, so i wanted to stay in my comfort zone as i like to DIY almost all my repairs.

If i could start over, i probably wouldnt have bought an e53. i just dont seem to have the time thats needed to complete all the repairs. I am just too anal about my cars, if i were to ignore the small stuff and just drive it i would be happier, but thats not the case. The next owner is gonna get one hell of a good car.

Thanks very helpful.

You have to just do what i do .. buy everything from FCP euro then keep the car long enough to get your moneysworth .. which is a lifetime lol.

Everything you said makes sense. I really like the fact it has 5spd as an option.

The only alternative is a n55 x3 or x5 with paddle shifters .. but those are 3x expensive.

The e53 does rides a bit rough even in non-sport trim. I knew that going into buying my e53 and opted for the non-sport, but added 19" staggered wheels - very happy with that combo.

If you don't let things slide and do your preventative maintenance, the M54 e53 is a very reliable car and surprisingly isn't a money pit - I've spent more money maintaining my M coupe in the last 8 years than I did on the entire life of the e53! I bought (ordered it to my specs) brand new over 15 years ago and still got it today with over 140k miles and counting. If you (SFCM3) paid $5800 for one that needed lots of work, may be I can ask for a bit more for my tastefully modded single owner car??? Not that I am considering selling mine right now...but if the price is right

pjr710 wrote

Thanks very helpful.

You have to just do what i do .. buy everything from FCP euro then keep the car long enough to get your moneysworth .. which is a lifetime lol.

Everything you said makes sense. I really like the fact it has 5spd as an option.

The only alternative is a n55 x3 or x5 with paddle shifters .. but those are 3x expensive.

If you look for a 2004+, then it gets the 6spd upgrade as well as x-Drive

The E53 i bought was very clean looking, and they even detailed the engine bay to hide massive oil leaks.... if the issues were obvious, i would have walked.

SFCM3 wrote

The E53 i bought was very clean looking, and they even detailed the engine bay to hide massive oil leaks.... if the issues were obvious, i would have walked.

Damn that’s shady. This is a struggle of buying used.

Especially bmws you just don’t know what kind of owners and care it had.

An old X5 with a stick sounds like an awesome car I'd never want to own.

The 6 Cylinder engine is bullet proof with some maintenance. I would be more worried about suspension and transmission.

The E53 gonna be my next winter, daily car as 3.0i, lifted and off-road tires 😎

LOW4LYF wrote

The 6 Cylinder engine is bullet proof with some maintenance. I would be more worried about suspension and transmission.

The E53 gonna be my next winter, daily car as 3.0i, lifted and off-road tires

Why worry about the transmission on a 5 or 6 speed manual? The only weak point is the automatic

Again, what's the worry on the suspension? My original 140k miles suspension is still driving as straight and somewhat tight as it did off the lot. Sure, it can make use of a new set of strut/shock, but it isn't sloppy or bouncy at the moment. The only weak point is if you get one with air suspension, which isn't on my stripper X

LOW4LYF wrote

The 6 Cylinder engine is bullet proof with some maintenance. I would be more worried about suspension and transmission.

The E53 gonna be my next winter, daily car as 3.0i, lifted and off-road tires 😎

off road tires with the m54 with be so slow...its already slow with the 18" wheel setup and normal tires. I originally wanted to go with some beefy offroad wheel/tire setup, but after driving a lil while decided it wouldnt be for the best.

XMetal wrote

Why worry about the transmission on a 5 or 6 speed manual? The only weak point is the automatic

Again, what's the worry on the suspension? My original 140k miles suspension is still driving as straight and somewhat tight as it did off the lot. Sure, it can make use of a new set of strut/shock, but it isn't sloppy or bouncy at the moment. The only weak point is if you get one with air suspension, which isn't on my stripper X

Did not catch he wants a stick, should be no issue with stick.

E38 E39 E53 share a lot of suspension components which are very know to fail.

My E38 needs some suspension parts replaced, first shop quoted me 3K, the other 2K.

SFCM3 wrote

off road tires with the m54 with be so slow...its already slow with the 18" wheel setup and normal tires. I originally wanted to go with some beefy offroad wheel/tire setup, but after driving a lil while decided it wouldnt be for the best.

Fine with me, gonna be my dog, lake and woods car...My E91 325XI was also damn slow...lol

Stay the F away.

My 2001 X5 was the worst car I ever owned. Left me stranded numerous times and needed to get towed. Owned since brand new, soon as 100k hit it just fell apart. The front end was replaced 3 times as well under warranty before then. Not to mention the electrical problems every time it started raining. Trunk would unlock all the time and brake lights always went out due to moronic socket design.

I had a 3.0, my friend had the V8, his was even worse.

My recommendation is avoid like the plague.

High mileage e53s require a lot of maintenance to keep on the road. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a DIYer and enjoy wrenching.

Check out Xoutpost forums (e53 majority) to see what common problem areas are and what to expect.

tom @ eas wrote

High mileage e53s require a lot of maintenance to keep on the road. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a DIYer and enjoy wrenching.

Check out Xoutpost forums (e53 majority) to see what common problem areas are and what to expect.

Absolutely correct... But that counts for almost every high mileage BMW?

I have 266000 miles on my E38 Sport and no repairs except maintenance so far.

LOW4LYF wrote

Absolutely correct... But that counts for almost every high mileage BMW?

I have 266000 miles on my E38 Sport and no repairs except maintenance so far.

They don't build them like they used to. E38s are built like tanks.

tom @ eas wrote

They don't build them like they used to. E38s are built like tanks.

E38 and E53 share a lot of components. Those cars are very similar, the E53 has just AWD issues on top plus more weight.

tom @ eas wrote

They don't build them like they used to. E38s are built like tanks.

i think the e53 X5 is built from old WW2 tanks, i mean it weights over 2tons...