Ah thanks very much... Will copy and paste below with some photo attachments in case they are helpful to others in future.... (***Please note I'm not an expert in any sense of the word, just an enthusiastic DIYer... undertake any work at your own risk and have any necessary safety checks carried out...

I've had the 'check numplate light' message for a while and assumed it to be a bulb out... Turned out that this was the case for one side yet the other side wouldn't work even with a new bulb... Searched online for the new part - its the full strip that has the bootlid handle on it and two bulbs (fo...

I had the same dilemma but did mine four years ago and it's still going strong

Have a play around with inpa I remember seeing a section saying 'steering angle sensor brand new? YES/NO  ... But from what I read a brand new sensor will need coding in some way. Lots say NCS expert is necessary but I got lucky as i'm not at all knowlwdgeabke with this side of things. Hope others c...

Hey... just had a quick look on ebay there and the full set of plugs and BERU controller for £120... better than I was expecting. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-BMW-X5-3-0-d-E70-E53-BERU-GLOW-PLUG-CONTROL-RELAY-UNIT-GLOW-PLUGS-SET-NEW/252607705376?epid=1937221823&hash=item3ad097b120 With some in...

Horizon I appreciate your detailed respinse there, thank you. Sounds like a fairly involved job, but doable with some patience. I have never encountered a water pipe manifold before, unless I have and never knew what it was called ha. Thanks for the price info... i'll do some more research on ebay a...

Hey Zed... i've had my INPA a looooong time so i'm guessing it's the old version. (V3???) I did go into two different sections and clear codes.... one was called something like cdx8 or something which gave some info, but thebother was actually called 'steering angle sensor' which gave other info. On...

Thanks for the input... I think you may be onto something here. I actually thought it must be an injector leaking down overnight to get the smoke (still possible I suppose), but the last couple of days it's been starting first time, which is promising... It hasn't been quite as cold either, so this ...

Hi all. Just got the x5 (3.0d) 2004 through the mot by sorting out all issues myself so obviously i'm due some payback. :'( Here's the symptoms... *Smoke on startup first thing in the morning or when left to sit a good while during the day (Been happening for a little while now, but is definitely ge...

Hi there. I dont know what BMW would be using but INPA is a great piece of diagnostic software for home use and is well worth investing in.

Apologies - yes it's an e53 on a 54plate.

I'm interested here... I have 19" standard wheels on the X5 and I know they're staggered... but what tyre sizes are 'right' or best for these on the front/back then? I know my fronts are much more worn than my rears but i would imagine this is the usual occurance with the weight of the engine a...

Quick note to say it sailed through the MOT yesterday and the handbrake has been operating perfectly since filing in the new teeth.

Another year before having to worry about that again!!

Yeah INPA is pretty amazing on these and I got a set from 'bmtechnic' with INPA, TIS' NCSexpert etc but that was years ago... it's been a real godsend though so look them up see if they're still going. I actually decided the yaw sensor was to blame from some reseatch online before i realised i could...

It very well could be thank you very much! I didnt realise that was the system but i've never examined it before... i actually feel much better about it nowas it shouldnt be a big deal to replace that piece.

Thanks again