Is it wise to buy the 2006 BMW X5?

I have taken interest in the 2006 X5 with manual transmission. Is it a no go? Titus

Hello Titus, the first generation (1999 - 2006) E53 BMW X5 with a 3.0 litre turbo Diesel engine comes with mixed fortunes, nevertheless it is a good buy... with terms and conditions. As you may know, the E53 X5 was an offspring of the BMW Land Rover marriage when technology, electronics, components (transmission and engines) as well as feature designs were shared between the Range Rover P38, L322 and BMW X5.

Whereas the X5 is not a tough as nails off roader such as the Range Rover, it is a sports activity allwheel drive which will give you good handling.

Styling & design: The BMW X5 E53 was attractive during its generational lifetime because it has bold muscular looks which match its athletic engine performance.

The 2004 midlife improvements gave the E53 an attractive chunkier front grille, corona rings in the head lights and bolder lines, modified and colour coded front and rear bumper bodkits as well as adaptive lights and the 4.4L / 4.8L V8 petrol engines.

Compared to the second generation E70 BMW X5 the E53 arguably has a more athletic looking front end but less impressive clumsy looking rear end design. But you will quickly forget the rear end looks when its crunch time and the X5 remains planted to the ground while driving fast along the winding asphalt highways.

The E53 interior was inspired by E39 5 series BMW but improved to provide comfortable higher multiple adjustable command sitting positions. The rear seats of the E53 X5 are lower and give a poor all round view. The seats are comfortable with Montana leather.

The buttons, switches and controls are logically laid out but the message centre and infotainment will take you a little while to figure out if you are not a technophile. The E53 is a safe vehicle to drive in the unlikely event of a crash. It scored full marks during the prestigious EURO NCAP crash tests thanks to the supplementary restraints, driver assist technology and safety body crash cell.

Performance, handling & maintenance: The 3.0 litre diesel M57 engine you are considering provides a good balance of thrilling performance and excellent fuel economy. The manual gearbox will give you a more intimate and engaging experience as you can determine a more suitable balance of gearing and engine torque curves for a thrilling performance.

The petrol power plants offer three options: the moderate 3.0 litre engine, the impressive 4.4 litre V8 and brutish beastly 4.8 litre V8.

However, the petrol engines fall short when it comes to fuel economy. The 3.0 litre turbo diesel power plant covers that gap excellently as it provides a good balance between performance, torque, fuel economy as well as lower C02 emissions.

BMW Diesel engines are reliable if looked after well and fueled with cleaner detergency fuels such as Shell Fuel Save Diesel. Their common rail fuel pumps and diesel injectors are sensitive to dirt build up and can become high maintenance if you neglect periodical fuel filter renewal.

The E53 independent suspension and strut design works well with the precision steering, ABS anti-lock brakes and Traction control prevent bouncing and excessive body roll during extreme driving.

Wider low profile wheels make your ride stiffer and uncomfortable. The E70 second generation BMW X5 has improved handling because it is wider and comes with improved driver assistance technology.

Availability & reliability: The presence of fewer 3.0 L diesel E53 could be because most of the ex-Japan used BMWs come with petrol power plants. The few diesel powered E53s are ex-UK which tends to be a more expensive market.

There is a general apathy and phobia for diesel SUVs on our market, partly because of their sensitivity to fuel cleanliness and the huge repair bill when they fail. Nevertheless even the petrol powered E53 can be a nuisance if you neglect its service or repair needs.

The E53 gearbox is not a lifetime no maintenance component. You need to renew the oil and filter kit between 80,000 - 100,000kms. Manual gearbox is almost maintenance and trouble free if you look after the clutch by skilful use.

Clutch replacement is costly but should not happen soon if you use it well. Your challenge will be if you have bought a car with fraudulently rolled back mileage. You may need to carry out precautionary long life service of manual gearbox oil and fuel filter.