Can’t see any reference to anything trailer related other than the wiring option - and that just adds a pigtail without anything else. BMW Dealerships in North America allegedly won’t install tow bars without that option. S823 - Hot climate - option actually gives you the larger 850W electric fan th...

The other thing you can do to check is run your full VIN against a tool such as mdecoder on line. It will give you your ‘as built’ spec from the factory. That might give you some clues as to what the car left the factory with.

Walk away! Glow plugs will need all replacing plus the controller. Doing only a couple and not replacing the controller is wasted effort as the rest will go usually shortly after. If the engine bay was dirty then there’s a real chance of a plug snapping. I had two go on my X6 and the repair bill at ...

Hello and welcome. ZF recommend that all transmission fluids are replaced every 8 years or 50,000 Miles - so yours need doing. The oil change kit for the gearbox should include a new pan and filter assembly (comes as part of the ZF kit). The standard pan is plastic and on mine is hidden behind a met...

So with yours predating this, they’ve charged you for irrelevant work? Given none of the ‘failures’ listed applies, something is very amiss here. I would be having serious words with them, their MOT team and DVSA who run the MOT System. That sort of evidence is either showing faulty training and kno...

As long as the garage you are using aren’t trying to ‘add value’ when there really isn’t anything wrong. I’ve had this twice recently, including a main dealer, when there was actually nothing wrong.

Is the wheel arch liner the next item behind? Just wondering if wind blast might be an issue? The M50D and towing increased equipped cars have radiators behind at least one, and from memory, only one ‘open’ grille is fitted to whichever side has the rad. It might not be a problem. Realoem shows you ...

You’ll need some coding done to add your VIN and mileage or the system will create an anti-tamper dot to show all is not well. A good independent will do it. Vehicle information is held in several places and the cluster is a computer. I don’t recall ever seeing a report on here for an E53 X5 with a ...

Apart from foiling the wheel arch with mud over (a long) time, I can’t see an issue. As you say, BMW use them in the M50D and any E70/71 with the ‘increased towing capacity’ option. If there’s nothing sensitive behind the trim then fine.

There’s a list of the most common failures here: https://lifeonfour.co/engine-problems/audi-4-2-tdi-diesel-engine-problems/ Turbocharger would be a good bet as that will dump raw oil into the exhaust side. Definitely one for the dealer to collect, or the AA/RAC to transport to them if you have cover...

Any sign that it’s had a remap? That can be hard to find, but might be a reason for no check engine light. If done properly, that wouldn’t happen. It’s running fine from what you’ve reported which is key. :thumbsup: I can’t remember whether the E53 has the same as later models where if the car is co...

One of the challenges of the BMW TIS is it tends to give an answer, but it may not be for the specific model or market. Some markets have different emissions limits or the text may refer to the petrol models even though the parameters used are for diesel power. In any event, the MOT Centre should no...

I agree, sounds as if something is leaking. A dye trace is probably the only sensible way to find it. Do you run it all year around? One of the issues with modern refrigerants is they must have lubricant added during regassing and it’s key to keeping the seals healthy. Advice I’ve had ever since my ...

The manual will confirm for the light, but whatever test kit they plugged in is looking at the wrong car. That definitely isn’t right. Possibly your best way to challenge it will be to go to a BMW Dealership and get them to run diagnostics. Warn the MOT Centre that they will pay the bill if the fail...

Definitely no DPF until the later E70 version. Yes you can retrofit one. An MOT Centre should know the E53 doesn’t have (or require) one. ‘Check Engine’ lamp seems to exist, and is triggered by emissions. Have a look in your Owners Manual. It is mentioned in the BMW Technical Instruction System. I c...