Greydog

Hi John Don't dismiss water entering through the passenger door check the membrane in the door is undamaged and sealed, plus silly one is/was the passenger window fully closed? Dave

Hi Brian Your not the only member from the US with regards to your car it looks great. For help with information here are some sites that will be useful. www.realoem.com this is an online BMW parts website just put the last 7 digits of your Vin number in the search box and it will bring up your model then look for what you need it will give part numbers so if buying spares you know they will fit. Plus small exploded drawings to see how and where they fit. I also use www.newtis.info a BMW online technical information site, the same information used by BMW Dealers, great for How Too's Last but not least www.pelicanparts.com this is an American site with plenty of information and how too's with pictures. Also if you don't have a code reader they are invaluable in sorting issues I use BMW 1.4.0 loaded on an old laptop Great to have you aboard Enjoy the Beemer Dave

Welcome to the Forum Micheal When was the last time the car was serviced? When was the last time the last time the gearbox was serviced? You really need a Garage with the ability/equipment to read the fault codes your OBC faults pictured are not accurate just an indication. Take the car to a BMW Dealer or a BMW Specialist or an Independent with at least Autologic software they will be more able to identify the issues then once you know what it is and the cost to fix you can make informed decisions. As an example transmission could be as simple as it needing a service. Smoke could be condensation/coolant in the exhaust or oil mist through through a clogged EGR filter or a split pipe or something internal in the engine. You certainly wont get the cars worth if you try to sell/trade it with the Dash lit up like a Christmas tree and it not running.right. Dave

Morning Karen I would talk to some of the BMW specialist breakers (oop's think we have to call them re-cyclers now) The M52 engine was used in many other models so there will be a low miles M52 engine out there, they came in 2.0 2.5 and 2.8 any of which will fit and with your sensors and ecu connected have you back on the road Remember you should tell your insurers if you put a bigger lump in. The only thing to be aware of is early engines are single Vanos latter engines were twin Vanos if you go twin Vanos you will need the engine loom and ECU/DME Just had a quick google and there are several M52 engines from £300 up if you added around £1000 for labour (another oop's I am assuming you're not going to do it yourself my daughter will nag me if she see's this) and items like oil, antifreeze gaskets etc and your back on the road for about £1500. If you go with a 2.8 your back with significant power hike and if I read correctly a possible improvement in economy. Hope this helps Dave

I would talk to a couple of garages to get some comparison costs between rebuild or replace with a used/refurb unit. Once you have the costs you are in a stronger position to make a decision Cars tend to have 2 values the hard nosed market value and the emotional attachment value, only you can answer that question. Dave

Give them a call or mail them, I had a Dynavin unit in my 4.4 X5 and it was very good (better than the overpriced OEM kit) plus they were very helpful before and after sale.

Welcome to the Forum Mark Look forward to seeing some pictures when you can Dave

Tough one to give any advice on as neither you or us know what we are dealing with. If I recall split screen function used to be controlled through the navigation program I still think the after market unit is blocking some OBC functions. May be consider going back to OEM or change to another Aftermarket unit but a recognized one like Dynavin

Morning Mark First when you say plugged in a scanner, which scanner a BMW specific scanner will read each module and isolate faults so you know where they are a generic reader will give a list. Within the list some faults will be symptoms of others so fix one the others go away. I did read some time ago that there was a common fault with engine ECU's that caused a misfire loss of power fault. You will possibly need a BMW Dealer or BMW specialist or a garage with a minimum of Autologic software to check, just a thought are you in the AA/RAC I think they use Autologic. Dave

They are all scared of meaty V8's 😈

Hi Charlie Is it OEM? or is it a an aftermarket unit if it is after market it may have issues communicating with the cars OBC which will limit functions without manufacturer information it is difficult to assess

Welcome to you and your Dad Charlie Dave

Niiiiice Enjoy

Wise words from Upt'North also consider this, you say the car is Xdrive that makes a huge difference with tyre choice. All 4x4 cars SUV's Pickups have an issue with different rolling radius tyres across axles and particularly front to rear. If the tyres are different makes at that low mileage something is wrong. First different rolling radius will kill the transfer box on the back of the gearbox (Not Cheap) BMW recommend "star" rated tyres so that front and rear are within tolerance particularly with a staggered set up as this car has. Maybe the last owner changed the wheels for a second hand set? Are they BMW stamped genuine wheels? My neighbour has a 430d x Drive with 20" wheels but his are not staggered. Again as Upt asks if this is a BMW franchised dealer they should know better? If you decide to go ahead I would be asking for a set of matching approved star rated tyres or at least a reduction to cover the cost (£1100 ish) and make certain it has a solid warranty just in case there are transmission issues down the road. As Upt advised plenty out there so don't rush Dave

Morning Ian A little more information for us to make a best guess such as mileage, service history, and what kind of use (short journeys or Motorway) With the limited information first step get the codes read you need a garage with Autologic as a minimum preferably a BMW specialist or if deeper pockets a BMW dealer. Loss of power could be MAF failing, EGR clogged, DPF needing regeneration, Turbo or turbo actuator, swirl flaps failing, sensor failed, Fuel delivery and filter. The list is long and the last thing you want to do is chase the fault changing parts that is a very expensive route to take. Dave

It was 2006 when I took the Subaru to them in Southend they built the whole system headers back and to any casual observer the tail pipes even look OEM just a little bigger. So from outside it looks and sounds stock (with a bit more base) off the line it scares super cars and mid range is epic, even more fun as we are both in our seventies and that really shakes up the Porsche brigade. There have been many debates on the US websites regarding straight pipes H pipes or X pipes let us know what you end up with Dave

Remember you have a diff it will allow rotation if 1 wheel is off the floor. If both are off the floor the opposite wheel will turn, more important is when turning can you feel any roughness or snatchyness? Vibration under load start at the back check the prop centre bearing then slack in the transfer case (front drive shaft to front diff) then all drive shafts and last but not least wheel bearings. Engines get serviced but often the drive train is forgotten particularly when BMW say sealed for life??? I had a vibration at 3k+ it took awhile to track down eventually I found it when I had to replace the water pump (twice) I inspected the engine viscous fan and it had a chunk missing from one of the blades left it off no vibration. So I have fitted an electric fan. Dave

Morning Jonathon I did read some time ago where people got the "rattle" it seemed to be CAT related when temperatures were low and before the car warmed up. But as yours is warm and slowing down? How many miles? Has the gearbox been serviced? A good autobox/ZF centre should be able to tell you if it is Torque converter noise. Let us know the result Dave

Morning Andrew My exhaust (E53 4.6is) is still as fitted when new, 16 years on it's still OK. Dinan in the USA were one of the first to explore upgrades Cams, Super charging and Exhausts. The first I read about were "X" pipe front silencer removal. They say it gives a little power hike and "better" sound (being Yanks I read better as LOUDER). Personally I don't want a shouty car (New RR SC 5.0 New M3/M4 for example) my 4.6 has a nice burble and my neighbours certainly don't think I have come home in a taxi plus I don't wake them up if I leave early. But that's me and my 4.6 my wife's car is a Subaru 3.0 Outback with a Perrin twin turbo engine (450 whp) the exhaust is a 3" stainless system Longlife and it doesn't get shouty until 3k+ Longlife are a respected system producers and as the old saying goes you don't know until you try? Plus these days £200 is not wallet busting when second hand part systems are selling for that much on ebay. Let us know the results if you try it maybe before and after recordings ? Dave

Before doing anything is your battery in tip top condition and fully charged ? 12.8v at cranking 14+v with engine running What makes you think of the drive shaft? do you have noises or vibration? Often these codes are linked, Firstly ABS, 4x4 and Steering Angle have you had the ABS control unit checked? Not an uncommon fault on more than one make/model of car. Steering angle sensor can be re-set by driving forward turning the steering lock to lock. Most common Airbag fault is the occupancy unit under the passenger seat poor earth or bad connection in the plug. Just got one popped up on my passenger door airbag.

Ha Ha that will do it removing the Suspension Inact message is a "check box to disable" you need a friendly soul with INPA or BMW 1.4.0 or similar you can select which check warnings are displayed at start up. I don't understand why people are scared of the air suspension systems and swap them for springs when the air systems are simple to work on particularly the rear only self leveling systems on most X5's. The wife doesn't read the forum then He He Dave Should have said if you find the friendly soul if the look at the LCM module you can see all items in the "Check Control" just un-tick the suspension

Morning Terrence Not a diesel driver but I have owned (and still own) super charged and turbo charged petrol cars so my thoughts would be. Turbo's do wear and whistle as a result, a whoosh on Deceleration could be a waste-gate blow off stopping over boost on the overrun. I thought most these days bypassed any over boost into the exhaust to silence the Whoosh so check the plumbing again. The whistle rising to a screech doesn't sound right to me I would suspect a worn turbo I am afraid. Dave

Morning Chris Welcome to the Forum ask away but most of all ENJOY your BMW Dave

Welcome to the Forum "Upt" Not sure about the "brains" bit but happy to help when we can and squeeze you dry of any knowledge you may have. I have been through the same thought process myself, twice! I brought the X5 to tow a horse trailer, first was at 5 years I went to a Warranty Direct cover as it was soooo much cheaper than BMW. They were brilliant covering some biggies. At 16 years old they no longer offer cover but now do I get rid or keep the car ?? Well there were only 800 odd 4.6is registered now there are only 400 left so do I have an appreciating classic?? As we have other cars I have kept it. As I have invested a lot of time and money learning all it's little foibles and idiosyncrasies it is now like a comfortable pair of boots. Dave

Morning Ali Great Vid thanks for posting it I am sure it will help others. If you are not aware here are some sites that may help you in the future, www.realoem.com a BMW online parts list make sure your buying the right parts. Put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box and off you go. www.newtis.info a BMW technical information site as used by dealers.Last but not least www.pelicanparts.com this is an American site but has great step by step how too's. Dave