Mad_Max

Finally got around to scanning it again, glow plugs 1 and 5 had errors....... funny that they didn't show when I scanned the car before I bought it. But will look into it another time, far too much on the go atm lol. Oil and filter changed today, so one less thing on the list to do. Do either of you have any part numbers or an idea where to look in the ETK for the CCV/PCV/CVV (whatever it's called)? Having trouble finding any listing for it at all, let alone part numbers to cross reference. This is probably next on the list before trans service, transfer case service, then diffs. Everything else I've seen under in so far has been in damn fine condition given the k's it's done. Apart from a few little creaks inside the cab when not on a decent surface, I can't fault this thing at all, and am sure with some TLC it'll do me the next few years easily. Oil and filter changed today, I noticed earlier that the whistle I have when cold is a lot less noticeable than it was since changing the air filter, so perhaps the old one might've been that restricted (or a cover isn't quite fully sealing but is closer now) - so may just be air getting into a random tiny gap causing the noise. Will be interesting to see how a cold start goes tomorrow with the whistle.

Yeah I did see them, bit more than I'd want to spend at this stage. I have been looking at some of the android units and some seem to be ok, little bit of work to get them set up and working properly but should be doable. Had a look, while they look like a decent unit, yes they can get hella expensive, and I didn't see too many positive reviews of them - but that might've been the older versions, not the latest ones. Will keep both the Dynavin and Avant systems in mind, seems the first thing I need to do is pop mine out and see what plugs it has as that could be an issue as well......

You were dead right, bonnet sensor is unplugged and alarm hasn't played up since, so will be swapping it out with another one and see if that fixes the issue. Oil, air and fuel filters turned up today, air filter already changed - what a PITA! Thankfully, somewhat slim hands helped lol. But what a difference, only taken it for a short cruise but immediately feels more responsive and economy seems to have improved as well, old one was black as hell....... shop vacc'd the area once the filter was out to clean up all the debris before fitting the new filter. So oil and fuel next, then trans, diffs and finally transfer case and I think that's about it short term. Now just need to find a 12v power supply in the roof that I can use lol.

Yeah got one on the way, removed the inner trim on Thursday night to confirm it was the carrier. Doesn't look too hard to do thankfully so will get that sorted. I've got 2018 version of INPA, probably should scan it and see if it comes up with anything, just been too busy lately to spend time sorting it lol. Yes was thinking that's what it is, a few times I've unlocked it and wiggled the bonnet sensor and it's behaved itself afterwards so will unplug it for now and see it that stops the alarm. Other than that, oil, air and fuel filters have been ordered, oil purchased, new wiper blades and headlight bulbs sorted, so just about ready to rock when I get a day to spend on it.

Oh good s**t, yeah just in time for the weekend too...... so given that today is POETS day, crack a beer and celebrate the hard work, well done.

Damn, might start looking into a tune as well now hahaha. Yeah finding someone down here that will service it properly and not charge what it will cost to replace it is the issue, but will have a hunt around as there may be someone in Dunedin that will do it (given I'm up there often enough). Surprised no one mentioned replacing the drivers door carrier assembly...... as that decided to give out last night.... the rain sensor seems to have stopped...... and the alarm has started going off at random times for no apparent reason........ just hoping this isn't the start of a nightmare ???. I'm still stoked with everything else, managed 7.8l/100k coming back from Dunedin last night with a bootload of stuff which I think is reasonable, so if this is the worst of the issues this thing has, it was well worth the money spent.

Cool, CV boots aren't a major item so that's not worrying. Hopefully being an '06 with the M57TU issues like gearboxes are well sorted by now lol. What's it like decatted and tuned? I was playing with the idea of a tune for it but have heard the boxes can't handle much more than 500nm torque so that kinda put me off the idea. There wasn't any error codes for glow plugs when I first scanned it but might be worth scanning again to double check. I'm thinking I'll change the CCV/PCV anyway as suggested, just for peace of mind. I'm half thinking about putting a water trap on the fuel line as well, for added insurance, though that may be further down the track. Right, off to start gathering filters and fluids, and might attack it all this weekend (if it ever stops raining hahaha).

Thanks, yeah was thinking the smoke on start up was glow plugs but it starts just fine so I'm not panicked. Will check the manifold first chance I get, would that possibly also be the source of the whistle? Seems like a plausible explanation as the whistle gets noticeably quieter when it's warmed up. I did read online? operating manual? that apparently the diesel smell is normal on start up, and given I'm in Southland 5 degrees ambient air temp is basically summertime lol. The smell has been far worse when air temps are way down which is why I was suspecting the auxiliary heater. But will investigate the manifold first of all. Will add PCV/CCV to the list, definitely a good idea to do it given the unknown history, thank you. And fuel filter will be getting done regularly, they are cheap insurance along with oil and air. Ok good to know, it hasn't gone over 1/2 so not a major concern, will keep my eyes on it.

Yeah exactly why I'm planning on doing it sooner rather than waiting for the service indicator. I scanned it with INPA before buying it, all stored fault codes seemed to be mostly lights and the steering angle sensor but I didn't spend a lot of time checking everything. Will have to have a play with the OBC menu as it's locked atm. Seems to be just a puff of diesel smoke from what I can tell, and it's definitely only on a cold start. It's got service history from Greys in Christchurch until late 2013, then an indy in 2014 which is when I think the original owner sold it, hence why I'm leaning towards changing everything I can. Yep definitely has an auxiliary heater, I was wondering what that box was for lol just haven't had a lot of time to research things yet. That's some great info thanks @NRJ, thinking I might play it safe and swap out the oil feed line while changing the oil just in case the turbo isn't quite getting enough oil, better safe than sorry, and check the manifold at the same time. And will check the suspension out when I can get it to my local and throw it on his hoist, though dare say everything that's ever needed done on this thing has been done by the first owner. Yeah thinking do as @Eagle suggest and check temp through the OBC as the gauge itself could also be faulty, and if that's reading less than it should, a new thermostat will hopefully sort that. It's done some 355k so high mileage, however the first owner was driving from Mandeville to Queenstown and back (150k each way) 6 days a week so a lot of hot running, there's not one sign of any oil or fluid leaks anywhere and it drives and handles really well so I'm pretty confident that, apart from a few minor issues, it should last a few years yet, as long as I look after it.

So having picked this thing up a couple of weeks ago, it's time to go right through it and service everything so I know everything it up to date. It'll be getting a fresh service, new air, fuel and oil filters, new oil etc. What other things should be on the list? Would it be a wise idea to change transmission and transfer case fluids? Diff oils? A few issues that I have noticed - first, on cold start, there is a very small cloud of smoke from the exhaust - only happens on cold starts, doesn't smoke at all when driving. I'm thinking this is normal? Temp gauges normally sits between 1/3 and 1/2, which seems a bit odd to me (should normally be around the 1/2 mark I thought), handbook claims this is normal - is the thermostat worth replacing? I also get a diesel smell when it's cold, I've been lead to believe these things have a small auxiliary heater that runs off diesel to get heat flowing in the cabin quicker - is there some way of eliminating that diesel smell? A filter or an exhaust somewhere that could be blocked on that system? The last worrying thing is a whistle from the turbo - definitely worse when cold. I'm hoping some new oil will sort this, what else should I be looking for before panicking? I'm assuming the standard leaks and potentially bad gaskets/hoses? Any common problems people are aware of? All in all, it drives well, has a ton of power, there's no real vibrations or noises (other than those noted above) so I think it should last a while with some TLC.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I've searched and got lost in the stack of audio/ICE threads...... Having just picked up an '06 E53 X5 3.0D, I've noticed it has a horribly massive blind spot when reversing, big enough to run over a child, a dog, a small town...... never felt the need for one before until now........ Are there any plug and play factory based units that will support an aftermarket camera being retrofitted? I don't care if sat nav ever works, more than happy to use my phone for navigation, and can wire a camera in piece of piss. Bluetooth would definitely be handy but I have a decent work-around to that if that's not possible to incorporate. I'd rather not go down the path of replacing the whole unit with some el-cheapo Android unit, if that's the only solution then I'd just get a camera kit with a small screen to mount somewhere and be done with it (just not that keep on having something attached to the windscreen or in an oddball place to look at), ideally I would prefer something in dash that keeps all the functionality of the factory MID and stereo system, that isn't a PITA to rewire absolutely everything, doesn't cost my left testicle to install and keeps the factory appearance.

Na man, Barra the world is the new way, much more power and a lot more reliability for less work ????. Either way, good luck on your journeys, should be a fun project.

Technically did it yesterday, picked up the new one...... whilst on the hunt for a Touring, stumbled across a (relatively) local '06 X5 diesel...... pretty damn straight and tidy, been well serviced and maintained. Higher k's but couldn't say no at the price I got it for lol. Couple of minor issues to sort but nothing needs done right now apart from a good clean inside. Good timing too, as the Primevil daily is now pretty much undriveable hahaha.

Na its just a little crooked, about 3mm too low on the right hand side lol

Do I want? Oh hell yes................ Can I afford at this point in time? Ah F**K no, damnit. Hahaha

No, not quite how it will work. Customs Duty is only collected if the duty on the $NZ value including shipping is $60 or more. They still calculate how much the duty is first to see if you're liable. If the duty is under $60, you'll pay GST only. However, if the duty is more than $60 you'll be [paying GST on everything including the customs duty. For arguments sake, you get parts sent over, total landed cost including freight is $200 and deemed not to get the customs duty charged, you'll pay GST on $200. If total landed cost including freight is $500, and a duty is charged, you'll pay GST on the landed cost plus the duty. Again, it's a tax on top of a tax.

Why aren't they coming off the diff? Are you having trouble getting the bolts undone? Cost of a courier each way I'll happily send you my E sockets that will do it, 3/8" drive, if that'll make life easier for you.

Unfortunately the E34 that I was hanging to see (and most interested in) has been sold to someone else before I got a chance.... So the hunt is still on if anyone knows any others popping up for sale.

Will call late this afternoon/early evening, thanks Brent

Just FYI, bit of a watch but it's interesting to see the results, done by an independent guy that has no affiliations with any company.

Definitely. When's the best time to call?

Agreed completely @coop, while it's rare at the moment that I'd need to tow a car, there are other tow vehicles much more suited to doing that that would be used if I get a 3 series. Hence why all that is being considered and thought of before any purchases made. What's legal and what's common sense seem to be a couple of different things these days

Comes down to what "proof" you can provide. For example, my family has just sent part of an inherited estate over to me here in NZ, from Aus. We have had to show the IRD the will which names me as a beneficiary to prove that these items are in fact either a "gift" or were already owned by me while I was in Aus (and were left in Aus) and therefore should be free of any taxes - they still make you put a $$$ value to the items. Importing a car that I owned in Aus many years ago, I had to sign all sorts of declarations from the IRD that I wasn't going to sell it within 12 months, or GST and import duties would be payable based on the market vale of the car, regardless of what I sold it for. If the IRD doesn't agree, you pay tax - and if they don't agree with the value you list, they will adjust it to what they want to, and charge GST on that. Makes it bloody hard for those of us with family and friends overseas who send us presents when the IRD can pick and choose what they deem to be a "gift".

And to complicate it even more, even if you get the tax back from the country of origin, the GST component will still be based on the total original price, good luck getting it adjusted to the price + freight before any tax is added in the country of origin.

Hahaha brute force for the win!!