Greydog

Got to be something in the fuel system? Fingers crossed its a simple cheap fix.

You need either someone with BMW 1.4.0 software on a laptop or get a copy yourself (Ebay) you will be able to read the codes and see what the issue is. As the car runs smoothly on Gas but not on petrol it points to be something on the fuel delivery side. Fuel filter is OK so next likely suspects in no particular order, Fuel Pump, MAF, excess fuel return system, Injectors, fuel rail pressure.

I would get the battery checked BMW's are power hungry beasts if your battery is below its best low voltage can throw up all sorts of spurious unrelated faults. Starter motors on the X5;s can be a pain they begin to draw excessive current causing starting issues and throwing unrelated fault codes. I would start with a battery check simple things first

Sounds like a fuel delivery problem or injectors. As it only happens before the engine is fully warm does the emission air pump run?

From your description it sound s like the hesitation only occurs when the engine is cold as LPG only activates after a set engine temperature is reached. You say once on LPG it runs fine with no hesitation? Then if you switch back to petrol its still fine? How much fuel is in the tank? Do you know when the fuel filter was last changed? Try taking off the fuel cap sound s daft but if its vent is blocked it can cause issues

I would check all the connections and plugs to the Headlamps especially the earths, get some contact cleaner and spend a little time making sure all the plugs are clean and seated properly. If the lights are HID Xenon don't forget the ballasts (normally mounted under the headlamp)

Is that all lights or just headlights? How handy are you with a muti meter? If all lamps relays and fuses have been checked and are OK then you need to get the codes read which should give a clue. My thinking would be check 1. Bulbs 2. Fuses 3. Relays. 4. Switch 5. Light Control Module. If these are OK get the codes read

Mine is an E53 the voice control is a silver unit fitted at the top of the rack in the left cubby in the boot above the Nav unit it is a silver box about 10cm square and has a Blue plug. Yours is E70 so I believe its part of the bluetooth/telematic unit in the boot have a look at www.realoem.com enter the last 7 numbers of your Vin it will bring up the build spec for your car. Look under Communications. If you have a BMW specialist or a friendly dealer near by have a chat they may be able to upgrade the software, just a thought

I like your thinking that everything should work, however voice control (Mercedes and BMW) I believe is designed to be recalcitrant and disobedient !! You know its working correctly when the command is "Call Home" and the answer is " Navigation Off" or "Radio 2" My last Merc had problems similar to the one you describe, the Dealer could never find a fault yet if I unplugged the voice control unit and reconnected it it would work sometimes for months. The telephone function is the most useful. In the X5 I had problems but changed the unit with one from Ebay no rebellion in the last 6 months

Not for me where would the dogs go

Have you tried a different phone to discount a fault with the car? I have an X5 (not Idrive) all was well until my Asus Padfone upgraded to Android 4.4.2 then it would pair but drop calls no access to phone book etc. I did a lot of reading online and it seems it was a common issue (not just BMW) it seems the bluetooth signal is reduced in power to save energy. I found that if my phone was in the boot close to the bluetooth antenna all was good move it to the front and the problem returned. I moved the bluetooth antenna up behind the rear seat and all has been OK since.

Main fuse box in the glove box I believe there are 2 fuses for the drivers seat 1 for the passenger seat There is a legend on the fuse board that will tell you which ones

PM sent

Rear light housing on the X5 is a known problem they suffer with corrosion problems I would take out the lamp unit and make sure all is clean and dry. It may take a bit of fine emery cloth to clean it all up then retry (don't bolt it all in place) if its working take out the lamps and protect the surfaces with a smear of vaseline then put it all back together.

Diesel versions seem to see the greatest benefits from a remap, I have read that the best result with the 3.0i will be 10 to 15bhp with a similar lift in torque. Would that be noticeable in daily driving? I have run both 4.4 and currently 4.6 V8's and talking to a guy who has a 3.0 the mpg isn't enough to worry about (he was getting 20.8 mpg over 3k driving my computer in the 4.6 said 19.7 over a similar distance) considering the use mine gets towing, light off road use etc. So if it was my money I would trade the 3.0 for a face lift 4.4 you would get the 6 speed gearbox and 320bhp as standard. If you get one that's LPG converted filling it up for £40 is a hoot (my 4.4 was LPG)

I know there was a change to the headlamps after the "facelift" not sure about the rears though. You could try realoem.com put in the last 7 digits of your vin then check the part numbers for the rear lights, then change the manufacturing year and see if there are any the same.

If you have BMW 1.4.0 software on a computer you can read the codes and it will tell you what sensor is causing the problem. Or you can download the Carly BMW app and with a Bluetooth OBD dongle do the same. Either piece of software will allow a lot of other tests and diagnostics

Have you checked Realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your VIN in. I think most X5 E53 were pre-wired so check under your seats for the loom/plugs. If you don't currently have heated seats you may need more than just the seats, there were also some changes in plug configurations so be prepared for a little head scratching

If they are tightened with the suspension extended when they become loaded it twists the rubber inner which can cause them to fail prematurely. You could try slacking off and re-tightening but from my experience at least one of them is likely to be damaged hence the vibration. I just bit the bullet and had the arms re-bushed, I know you can get poly bushes which are far easier to fit (once the old bush has been pushed out) and more forgiving on fitting. I just went with standard bushes

Sorry missed a bit if someone has fitted a Grom or similar unit to allow Ipod connection it normally plugs into the CD changer plugs in the boot if you use the mode button you should see Radio, Tape, CD, as you press through the menu. The ipod replaces CD if a Grom type unit has been fitted. There is an Aux connection normally in the loom behind the head unit most people put the connection in the glove box. You can also have the BM54 Radio unit in the boot upgraded to allow Aux input Me I like everything OEM so I use an FM transmitter for the Ipod connection which works fine for me. BMW bluetooth isn't the best (polite description) so wont allow streaming many fit a Parrot or similar to get full functionality. Me I dont stream music from my phone so the basic bluetooth is fine.

Hi and Welcome I hope you enjoy your new toy. Assuming its the BMW OEM system you have then the head unit is literally that, all the parts Radio, TV unit, CD player, Nav unit are located in the boot. First check the on screen menu does it show Computer, Navigation Aux Vent Television and Telephone Select telephone if it says something like phone not active or phone not connected in the centre console you should have a pairing button (voice symbol) if you have blue tooth. Press and hold turn ignition on and the screen should show pairing mode. Check your hand book for the pass key you need it to connect. If its not there it should be on the label on the unit in the boot. If there is no pairing button (not the one on the steering wheel) then you may have phone preparation only. TV all you need is Video interface cable and a digital tuner (ebay is a good source) and its plug and play in the boot. Nav first check the unit in the boot if it has DVD on it it is MK4 and will have full European maps. if not it is MK3 and CD based try http://www.satnavupgrades.co.uk Rusty is well recommended I hope this helps

It could be a sticking caliper, however my money would be on the brake reaction arm bushes (the big one that goes to the front of the car) When you had them replaced they need to be tightened with the suspension under full load. If they are fitted and tightened with the suspension extended it will cause premature failure (I did it wrong first time)

I have a friend who has a 530d he had a similar problem he discovered if he turned the key to ignition on waited 30secs all dash lights out it started. He had gone through a similar saga changed most things ie, fuel pump relay, cam sensors, crank sensor etc and the fault persisted. Finally when at the garage he demonstrated his start technique while the garage monitored the fuel pressure, while he was at ignition on they could see the fuel pressure rising. The conclusion was the fuel pump was on its way out taking some time to reach pressure. Not cheap to fix but it did cure the problem,

What system was in your car originally? Did you have the Radio/CD in dash with the Nav in the rear, or the screen up front with the radio,nav,CD in the boot? I am pretty sure the BMW Nav unit wont work with the Eonon headunit as the nav unit software is designed to work with the BMW I-bus and nothing else. Doesn't your Eonon unit have built in GPS? You should only need the 5m cable extension if you had the upfront screen with everything else in the boot, then it connects to the Radio (17 or 40 pin) plug in the boot the radio, nav unit and CD become redundant. You could fit the GPS antenna that came with Eonon or use a SMA extension cable with a SMA to SMB connector in the boot to connect to the cars antenna

Reading the excerpt I downloaded it could be interpreted as washers or self leveling, what it is clear on is if they are fitted they have to work. It also seems clear that one or both must be fitted with HID dip beams. Your E70 should be compliant with constriction and use regs (well we would hope so) the original poster states that the previous owner fitted the HID's and a different front bumper. All E53's as far as I know had headlamp washers, not all had HID lamps so more precautionary advice for the original poster it would be bad to get to MOT time and get caught out. My E53 has both as standard. Personally non original lights and bumper would bother me, but then I am an old f^^t. Be boring world if we all liked the same stuff wouldn't it.