XSeries-forum

Hi, have purchased a 58 X5 E70 Msport less than a month ago, and loving the car so far.

I'm wanting to find out a few answers to some common questions which get asked here regularly I'm sure.

Any advise, experience's will be greatly appreciated please:-

1. AutoBox, Diff oil change or not? Anything to be aware off?
Its covered 160k with service History (last few years by bmw specialist). Not been done at all. BMW state the usual its sealed unit and for life etc. So it it worth changing or not and any one you can recommend in the West Yorkshire region please?

2. Four Wheel Alignment: anyone you guys can recommend a place in the West Yorkshire region please?
I have heard of Garry Tams mentioned a lot on other forums as the best for four wheel alignment in these parts.

3. Side Steps - running Boards or not?
Non installed at present - thinking of buying off ebay around £100+ - any experience or recommendations?

4. Rear boot light has a bit of condensation - how to fix please?

any advice or pointers, links etc will be greatly received and appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Dibs

The rear boot led lights are very prone to failure once water gets in , I did see seals on ebay but mine had a small chip and the led part had already failed to had to get a new light which came with a seal on it .They are handed so get the correct side .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine- ... :rk:1:pf:0

Not sure if its wise or not to change the gearbox oil at those high miles if its never been changed before and you have to change the sump too as that's where the filter lives . I suppose if its going to fail then changing the oil will make little difference , If its changing smoothly then it should be fine

I don’t believe you can fit running boards on an M Sport

Remove rear light, dry out, apply silicone grease (not builders silicone) to the seals and all will be good unless there's a hole / crack in the lens.

Gearbox...lifetime is 100K......Ive never had a problem even on a box with 220k on it... Genuine ZF (box manufacturer) service kits are available on eBay.

As for side steps call your local BMW dealer, give VIN # and ask for a price on steps....they will soon tell you if you cant fit them.

Thanks for the advice and appropriated,

Update: Just had the Four Wheel Alignment done by Garry Tamms (specialist) and can not fault his knowledge on the BMW X5 alignment setting issues etc.. Thanks to this forum for the help in the support.

Only issue pointed out was the the Front Wheel Bearing is playing up so will need replacing soon.

Called local BMW - Parts guys: said - do NOT come as separate part - buy the complete hub assemble at £309 + VAT + 4 bolts @ 3.51 + VAT..

Just checked online and called EuroParts to confirm , and YES it does come as a separate unit and its only £79 inc. the 4 bolts.

Also need to replace the two rear Tyre's since they are worn on inside. So next issue is do i go with the more expense Run Flats or buy the cheaper normal Tyre's?
at present they are run flats 20" 315/35R20's.

Cheers for any advise in advance.

Thanks Marti, Just called local BMW dealers and the parts team confirmed that no Side steps are listed for the M-Sport model with the wider wheel arch kits etc..
he did not recommend it unless you take a hacksaw to the arches..

You would maybe have to fit the se arches as well which hardly seems worth it might as well have bought an se to start with.

And you can't mix runflats and non runflats so you need to have a think which way you want to go plus big differences in tread depth front and rear and the 4x4 system won't like it ,max 3 mill difference is recommended.

Cheers for the advice Leslie,

Will take it on-board and steer clear of running boards for the M-sport version.

Also thanks for the tip about not mixing runflats and normal tires.. i guess these X5's are sensitive to a lot of things, not good for a tough 4x4 then.

Also being reading about poor FM reception on the X5's - shame since i listen to alot of radio on the road.. Basically taking apart & replacing the rear FM module behind the roof spoiler brake light? so looks like not an easy fix..

Unless someone has better suggestion they can share please?

Cheers in advance.

The not mixing runflats and non runflats on a car is a safety thing rather than to do with an x5 as such, the different construction of the tyre can mean they handle different plus you cannot easily spot a flat and that's why they must have tyre monitoring by law as you can only drive a short distance on a runflat until it cannot be repaired (about 50 miles and that's at reduced speed as well). I was told it was also illegal to mix them as my local tyre fitter said they get asked a lot to do this where one needs replaced and have to refuse but a quick google doesn't confirm if its legal or not .
Its not just the x5 all/most modern 4x4 seem to have the same issues now and can't cope with big differences in tread like the old systems could .That's the price of progress ...
My radio does crackle a bit at times I just put it down to being in a bad reception area till now .

Cheers for all the advise.

Right sorted it out with 2 x part worn (6+mm tread) on rears Continentals 315/35/20 110w star rated same patterns etc. and so far so good.
I kept 1 old Tyre since it was in great condition as a back-up..

So thanks for all the support given - Appreciated.

Always good to keep a spare tyre what with the importance of tread depth on these if one needed replaced on a used set to keep everything near the same .