Greydog

That is a worry A BMW specialist saying that ?? The gearbox is made by ZF not BMW and ZF recommend service EVERY 60k depending on use. So my question would be why do BMW sell the fluid? if its sealed how do they put it in??? The scan may have shown nothing and hopefully he cleared the memory, and it was only a glitch but if it returns find someone who actually knows these gearboxes to help you Your gearbox is a ZF GA6HP19Z Google it or watch this ZF video

Hi Tony A BMW Dealer will sort the Recall no problem if the car has a solid history a Warranty should be no issue I would push for a minimum 12mnths. For a dealer getting a paint man in again shouldn't be a big deal Good Luck with the negotiations Dave

Morning Tony The E70 is a manufacturing designation that identity's the Generation and type for example 1st Generation X5 was designated E53 manufactured from 1999 until 2006 (the X stands for AWD) 2nd Generation X5 designated E70 manufactured from 2006 until 2013 3rd Generation X5 designated F15 manufactured from 2013 until 2018+ (still available in some markets) 4th Generation X5 designated G05 manufactured from 2018 on (current model) Engines available 3.0i 4.4 and 4.8i 4.4 twin turbo for the M petrol engines and a 3.0d. The 3.0d is available as 3.0d, 35d, 4.0d, and the 5,0d M. As far as trim is concerned BMW tend to have a base model and then the Customer decides on trim and equipment A quick look at the add you attached your car seems well equipped with most of the Bells and Whistles

Hi Mike There is a Register of BMW Specialists try a Google search you should find one close to you, generally they will be around half the Main Dealer costs in terms of hourly rate and most of them are ex BMW Technicians who have the knowledge and the kit to do the job. Dave

So, you have a car that seems to think there is an issue, and a Diagnostic result which says there isn't? The best Diagnostic would be BMW ISTA/INPA which is BMW Dealer level access. Autologic is very good as are iCarsoft for BMW and some Foxwell systems though I have no experience of them other than what I have read. If I had a Fault showing with the transmission I would investigate and find the cause (i do have the software on a laptop) When a fault occurs the ECU records it, and it is held in the memory so a diagnostic should show "Fault Not Present" even if it is clear at the time of the scan. A dealer would record the fault for reference then clear it, if the fault was a spurious fault (caused by low voltage for example) once cleared from the memory it shouldn't return. If it does, then more investigation is needed to determine why. It could be low fluid level, or dirty fluid due to lack of service. Dave

When they did the scan did they clear the fault? Or has it returned? Or since your Diagnostic is it all clear ? Was the scan carried out using a BMW specific system that was capable of reading the Transmission ECU? Dave

Morning Tony I have owned 3 AMG estate cars and you don't need snow just some wintery rain and they can become an "entertaining" drive Here in the UK most of the X5's have the staggered set up, my own X5's an E53 4.6is and the E70 3.0d are both on 20" staggered rims 9j Front 10j Rear. Pictures of the car in the add, the wheels look like Type 212 Alloys which could/should be 9j x 19" all round that makes tyres less of an issue regarding rolling radius. Plus your chosen Michelins are an OEM fitment. Oh by the way that is definitely an E70 X5 in the pictures ENJOY Dave

Hi Mike It depends on whether you can DIY or whether you use a transmission specialist or a trusted garage I would think the correct ZF fluid and filter would be between £150 and £200 depending on where you buy if your DIY skills are up to it a Couple hours maybe 3 of your time. If you're paying someone, I would expect around £400 + VAT all in, by comparison a Box rebuild could be £2k + Or you could do nothing, and it may just not get any worse. In your position I would get a Diagnostic Scan done then you would have better information. Dave

Morning Tony Welcome to the Forum As you're in the States which engine 3.0i or V8 4.4 or 4.8 The E70 is a great car are you buying privately or from a Dealer? Obvious things to check are first the service history carefully often Gearbox and Diffs are missed on service as BMW used to claim they were sealed for life (that translates as the end of their Warranty responsibility) ZF who make the Box say service fluid and filters every 60 to 80k. Suspension bushes have a life of around 80k in my experience causing uneven tyre wear. So check tyres carefully, on the subject of tyres make sure they are same manufacturer and correct sizes like most all-wheel drives a difference in rolling radius front to rear will cause transmission damage (Transfer box) very quickly. Don't be put off if you are a DIY capable guy all these are recoverable for a very reasonable cost and these are good negotiation points. All engines should be smooth and quiet with plenty of power the V8s cold start clatter can be a sign of chain guide wear (big job so run away) When you test it make sure absolutely everything works as it should so push every button at least a couple of times and ensure it all works. My 2003 4.6is has 164k on the clock and everything works as it should I also have an E70 2007 3.0d which is the same everything works. To drive they are smooth on the road and capable off road and in adverse conditions I tow a horse trailer occasionally plus am of the beaten track often during the winter due to my hobby. So if the car is what you're looking for ENJOY it Dave

Hi Mike I would still test the battery even a new one can fail or if there is a charging issue be low on charge. BMW always used to say Gearbox is sealed for life what that actually means is 3 years or 60k the end of their warranty responsibility, so I very much doubt it has been done. ZF who make the box state change Fluid and Filters every 60 to 80k dependent on use. Dave

Morning Michael Welcome to the Forum You say a New Battery was fitted so a couple of questions first 1. Is the battery correct for the car ? 2. Was the battery correctly registered to the car. If the battery is incorrect or not registered correctly it may not be charging correctly and low voltage is a possible trigger for the message, you are seeing. Another could be lots of short journeys where the battery can't recover. After start it needs at least 20 mins driving to bring it back to full charge. Test the battery at the charging points under the bonnet you should see 12.5v to 12.8v with the engine off 14.5v to 14.8v withe engine running. If all is OK with the battery, what miles have you covered and when if ever was the gearbox serviced. Good Luck Dave

Hi Kevlar Welcome to the Forum If you are not aware take a look at www.realoem.com put the last 7 digits of your Vin in the search box it will call up your Model then search the sections for what you need. When you have the part number then you have 2 choices BMW through your local Dealer or the used market from one of the Specialist dismantlers like Quarry Motors (Google is your friend) and Ebay Good Luck with the hunt Dave

Morning Chris Welcome to the Forum Take a look at www.realoem.com if you aren't already aware it is a BMW online parts list. Just put the last 7 digits of your Vin into the search box it will bring up your model the search the body and trim sections to see if there were any as OEM If not you're at the mercy of the aftermarket suppliers. My personal feeling is they will mask a problem does not fix it, a good body shop will probably repair for not much more than the cost of a good arch kit. Dave

Morning Sounds as though you either need the help of a Garage or you're on a steep learning curve 😁 If you are serious about keeping the car, get a copy of BMW 1.4.0 (only about £25) get it loaded on a laptop and then you will be able to run Diagnostics on the car and know what is happening. A Check Engine Light is just that a good reason to get diagnostics run. Brake lights a common problem is corrosion around the bulb mounting and holder, a good clean and a smear of electrical contact paste often sorts it. The folding top needs investigation to identify what is sticking and repair it (it won't get better on its own) Climate control it could be the FSR (Final Stage Resistor) or simply the Air Con needing re-charging Did you get the grinding noise sorted ? and the cracked air hose ? Dave

Afternoon Peter Welcome to the Forum I am not really up to speed with the later systems but if I recall from my brother inlaws 540 touring you should have some Icons at the bottom of the screen I thinks the clock one let him choose route information and colours. Have you tried selecting them and seeing what they do? Dave

Fingers and toes let us know how it goes Dave

Morning Atto Not come across this one before Sadly, it seems BMW (and their lamp designer/suppliers) have surpassed themselves I am told by a contact in BMW that the way to fix it is a new headlamp unit???? Which is Bonkers BMW can you seriously be suggesting a failed bulb should cost many hundreds of pounds to replace I think I would be tempted to see if the headlamp unit can be dismantled or not. More internet searching called for me thinks. I would also be talking to BMW UK to see if they will offer any help/solution plus a letter to Angela Rippon at Rip Off Britain. I don't know how an MOT examiner may view it ? some can be fussy about bulbs out on marker lights. Good Luck Dave

Morning True Welcome to the Forum Unfortunately, NO it means most probably someone has stuck some M badges on or changed the steering wheel and gear knob You can check if your car was ordered with any M accessories which were normally spoilers and wheels at that time by using a BMW Vin Decoder site and looking at the Build sheet. Dave

Hi Andrew It is there you will have to get under and look for it Did you ask the Parts guy why they sell the Oil for the diff if you can't put it in?? Here is an attachment that should help also take a look at www.pelicanparts.com go to their BMW Articles section they do some terrific "How Too's" with pictures. It is an American site but apart from the steering being on the wrong side everything else is the same. BMW E60 E61 Diff Oil Change.docx

If he did let's hope, he used the correct Fluid

Morning John Exhaust heat shield loose ? Underbody engine cover loose? Brake pad rattle (make sure anti rattle springs are there) Dave

Morning Andrew Just to make life interesting for us DIY people BMW had 2 Diff types fitted to the E61 one with 2 plugs (Drain and Fill) and one the just has a Fill hole 😁 If my old brain is switched on you need a 14mm Hex drive to undo the plug. If your diff has two plugs its straightforward remove the drain plug and fill plug and let the oil run into a catch pan. As a minimum replace the sealing washers on the plugs better to fit new plugs, refit the drain plug torque should be 60nm (44ft/lbs) refill until oil starts to dribble from the fill hole and fit the Fill plug (same torque) wipe any spill away job done. If your Diff has just the one fill plug, you need an extra piece of kit a Vacuum pump to suck out the old stuff before refilling in the normal way. Goes without saying the car needs to be level when filling. Dave

Hi Maze If BMW found oil sitting on the engine tray it would appear there is a leak somewhere? If the Gearbox Drain was loose, I would start there make sure it is tightened correctly (correct torque) and not leaking then check the Transmission fluid level and top up if required that could well be your drivetrain issue. As for oil in the engine tray if someone was clumsy topping up that could account for it, or an oil feed or return at the turbo's could be at fault. Catalyser's can be blocked but as yours is also your DPF you would have all sorts, other issues not the least of them poor running. BMW would also have picked it up on the health check (you can measure the amount of soot held in the DPF) they would have recommended a Regeneration cycle, I am sure. Dave

Hi Anthony Welcome to the Forum I have read that the AD Blue should automatically reset try putting some more in as the writer reported that literally 1/2 half a litre more and everything reset as it should. Seems they are sensitive beasts X5's Dave

Morning Maze Welcome to the Forum First is it Oil or Diesel (neither is good) the smell should tell you. Who checked for Oil Leaks and what did they check? Did they check the turbo oil feeds and returns for example. Has the fuel system and emissions system been checked including the return system. Has your car had the EGR recall? Finally, the Drive train warning can be triggered by sensors on the Engine, Gearbox, and Diff You don't say how many miles the car has covered and what it's history is. Get the engine sorted first then depending on the result (is the Drivetrain warning gone) check the rest. A diagnostic scan with a BMW capable scanner would be a great help. Dave