Owning an E70 X5///M

[Gordvisr]

Mid 2022 my wife was looking into trading her E90 for either a X3 or X5. So along the searching she had some luck on her side and we got the oppertunity of buying either cash. You know how it goes most of us like browsing Autotrader etc and when i was searching i always found my way to the E70 X5///M. This was the one standing out. The night before, my head wanted to explode, do we or do we not. Weighed out the pros and cons and decided to bite the bullet. Some wont believe what we paid for it and yes it did have some work but the base was solid and mileage was just a tad above 155K. So the journey started and in SA there is not a lot of owner info around or about this car, hence me starting this thread.

 

[Gordvisr]

 

[Gordvisr]

From info i could gathered we are the Third owner of the car, First owner kept to the Service and Maintanance on the car and a lot of updates too, one that stood out mostly and what concerned me most was the crank assembly was replaced under Motorplan, I can assume with the updated version as the early S63 engines had some tolarance or clearance issues which caused engine failure. The car Exchanged owners somewhere in 2021 and after that up to we took ownership, maintanance or service info was not found. The car was tuned not sure with what, the evidence is still in the engine bay but disconnected and the downpipes are modified. So on my list was to get the car serviced as soon as possible and then tackle all the other odds and ends back on track.

 

[Gordvisr]

So first off we had a smoking issue but only on long idle. With past experience in smoking engines all pointed out to me that it has to be the turbo's. So did some homework firstly at agents for new units to have a base. One Unit was a tad over 52K. So searched the net to find out that the oem unots is built by Garret, Phoned their suppliers and Quoted me just below 20K a unit. By searching this forum and advice from fellow fanatics i have taken off the units and sent them to Gabby from Fastec. Both complete cores were replaced with OEM units, together with the Shaft repairs on Exhuast housing side and both cost me less than one new unit from Garret Suppliers.
Below some pics when removing the turbo's

 

[Gordvisr]

The "unit" not sure what make or who or what but scared to connect it and damage the engine so it will stay like that.

 

[Gordvisr]

All seals and gasket were bought from agents, while awaiting the "new" units. I have used Real OEM site to know which gaskets to get.
What i found also and this could be a turbo killer of sorts , below is a pic of one of the old rubber seals connecting the air intake tube to the intake of the turbo, these seals goes hard and shrink and then does not seal properly whoch can lead to failure of turbo's

 

[Gordvisr]

After recieveing the units , assembling time, not too difficult but patience is key.

 

[Gordvisr]

After replacing the units car was booked at agents for oil service , replaced cabin filters and a recall on aircon switch/wiring that they have replaced. The same day we took the car down to KZN to spent the weekend and clear the head.

 

[Gordvisr]

About a month ago the car started with a missfire, with all the reading etc before buying the car, my head messed with me and sent the car to agent for diagnosis. Asked to replace all plugs and test coils and injectors. So we replaced coils. Two weeks later ant the car did the same with reduced power warning. So then again my head messed with me either pumps or one of the injectors. So bought one new HPFP pump just to come to the conlusion that it was again two failed Coils. The pump i replaced had a ticking noise and the other did not, after replacing the coils sound was gone.

 

[Gordvisr]

At times there was a strange sound coming from the engine bay that was not easy to trace as when trying to find out where it comes from it went away. So last week after the daily school trip the sound was back but this time more horrible. Traced it back to the turbo Auxilary cooling pump. Had it replaced with a new unit. The shaft had play and the sound was because of the impellor rubbing on the casing.

 

[Gordvisr]

The pump location #16 on the attached diagram.

 

[Gordvisr]

So after 8 Months and about 8000km later, from a guy that was not realy into getting an SUV this car is on another level. Moms Taxi, Dads "///M5". We are using it as our daily flipping coins or ching chong cha on whos driving it when. Will have updates as we go along.

 

[Thami4u]

So after 8 Months and about 8000km later, from a guy that was not realy into getting an SUV this car is on another level. Moms Taxi, Dads "///M5". We are using it as our daily flipping coins or ching chong cha on whos driving it when. Will have updates as we go along.

I like this car a lot. I've been window shopping for a few weeks now and watching YouTube videos. Underrated ///M car.

 

[individj]

well congrats and well done on having the balls to get one of these....def will follow your posts and hoping for many trouble free miles...shes beautiful.

 

[Gordvisr]

Thanks Gents

 

[F21GP]

Congrats, hoping you have many happy and safe miles with her. The fact that you can work on the car is a bonus, the overtaking ability of these on the open road is amazing. My favourite colour for the e70. Enjoy mate


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gordvisr]

Thanks @F21GP, yes in the beginning a bit scared, you know because of all the horror stories you read about these cars, but most of these are from forums overseas, different climate and all and not sure how maintenance was carried out on them and then the Tuning, how good or haw bad.
Yes the first Bunch of S63 had there issues, looking at mine's history from the agents you could see that but the owner followed and did the recalls/repairs when it was due. The only bit that might be difficult should we get there is removing the engine. I do not have the current tools to be able to do that but lets hope we do not have to go that route. Motor sound perfect no strange mechanical noises. And yes overtaking is no problem for this beast, and the often robot to robot had its surprises too and some strange faces afterwards. Still haven't tried the launch control function and don't think that i will.

 

[NBN]

How’s parts and maintenance on these cars ? My cousin had one of these and it was plagued with battery and electronic issues , he took a huge bath when he decided to sell it

 

[Gordvisr]

Some parts i got at Goldwagen and some at agents. So far a bit on the high side as maintanance was not really done the past two years or should i say there are no evidence of it. On the electrical side currently radio sound is not working, PDC at rear is not working and sunroof on the one side is hooking on something. Will get to those when all the maintanance goodies is sorted out 100%. If i had to finance it, i would not have bought it, having payments and maintanace cost could have killed me.

 

[Gordvisr]