I Bought a $1,500 BMW X5, and I'm Taking it Off-Roading

"Jake Thiewes" (outmotorsports)
06/24/2019 at 09:02 • Filed to: Truck Yeah, BMW, BMW X5, E53, Off-Road

I went off-roading in the Shenandoah Valley last year with some friends. We decided to go again this year, but add a Top Gear-esque “challenge” element to it.

Challenge Rules:

$1500 purchase price. Ish.

All wheel drive required

Vehicle may not be equipped with Low range

No sharing what you bought ‘til you arrive in August

Well, I’m sharing with the fine people of Oppo because I can’t contain myself. I’d been looking around and had cash burning a hole in my sock drawer. I didn’t really want a first-gen CR-V or RAV4 as those are the predictable options for the challenge. Talked to a lot of lousy sellers, looked at a few lousy cars, and this X5 popped up on Facebook Marketplace a week ago. It is uh, still kind of lousy, but it was located just 10 minutes away and I liked the paint color so that’s a start.

Anyway. It’s a 2001 X5 with the M54 3.0L I6, paired to a GM 5-speed automatic. It has 195k miles, is painted Topaz Blue and has a once-tan leather interior.

What’s Good About It?

A surprising amount, actually. I bought it from a guy who clearly flips cars on the side, but got in touch with the actual previous owners via LinkedIn. The husband was all too happy to share every detail over the phone, and it turns out they bought the X5 in 2003 and owned it all this time. He did a lot of work on it himself and in recent years, replaced the cooling system, alternator, VANOS, valve cover gasket, spark plugs, window regulators, and an O2 sensor. So, it’s been cared for to a point.

The pixels on the radio/info display died, so they replaced the unit with an Eonon Android head unit, which is delightfully cheap and terrible, but allows Bluetooth streaming from my phone.

The transmission shifts well, now that I’ve installed a MAF. The car came to me with a completely broken MAF, which made the engine run rich and sent the TCU into a tizzy. It decided “full line pressure” for every shift was the best idea. Thankfully it’s calmed down now and is super smooth given the mileage.

Some friends came together and helped me clean everything, inside and out, and it actually looks pretty decent now.

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What’s Less Good?

It’s got the “trifecta” of dash lights for Brake, DSC and ABS. This is commonly attributed to the ABS computer. The previous owner claims he already had it rebuilt, but it may have been poorly done. Who knows. We fixed some wiring at the front right wheel speed sensor, and the sensor itself, and it’s still throwing the same “Inlet Valve: Front Right” error.

I was dealing with a bunch of random K-Bus issues (think Canbus, but pre-Canbus). The turn signals, high beams, and fog lights would work but not indicate in the gauge cluster. Keyless entry didn’t work but central locking did. At random times, the door ajar and seatbelt chimes/lights would sound, regardless of door and belt status.

Turns out the K-Bus issues were due to a pinched wiring harness under the handbrake. I wiggled it and now everything works. Probably need to unplug the connector and clean out some gunk in there.

The Service Engine Soon light is on for an O2 sensor and the fuel tank check valve. I’ll fix the O2 with a new Bosch unit when I have a minute, and plan on ignoring the check valve.

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Onward!

Our trip is over Labor Day weekend, so I still have some time to wrap things up. I drove it 70 miles yesterday and it handled the drive well. The rear turn signals stopped working last night, so once I fix those (bulbs?) I can get it through Virginia safety inspection and be actually legal on the road.

See more at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a site created to not only share the pursuits of LGBT motorsports competitors, but to encourage others to get behind the wheel and participate as their full selves.

DISCUSSION (20)

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 09:50

This is super relevant to my interests. I love the idea of doing your own Top Gear style challenges, and I have a soft spot for the early X5s. I think it’s going to be a surprisingly capable and reliable off-roader.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 09:50

This is amazing. Can’t wait to find out how the trip went and who got what.

Do you plan on modifying it for the trip? A lift and offroad stuff?

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 09:56

This is good oppo! A buddy and I want to do something very similar to this, after watching Top Gear, reading Akio’s stories and now yours! The X5 is certainly an interesting choice.

On a semi-related note I am about to road trip a ‘02 525i from California to Michigan, as my girlfriend inherited it. It similarly has the M54 and 5 speed and it also happens to have approximately 195k miles on it! Haha.

Jake Thiewes > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
06/24/2019 at 10:05

I may throw some all-terrain tires on it. The standard wheels are 17" and apparently some super common OEM truck tire size will fit under the X5 with no modification.

Otherwise no, I’d love a push bar and some big round auxiliary lights but they’re not in the budget. Super excited to see who’s bringing what.

Cash Rewards > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 10:23

There’ s a strong chance this is a small world, and I checked out a Miata for sale at your residence once...

Jake Thiewes > Cash Rewards
06/24/2019 at 10:37

Spoiler: the driveway pic is at my friend’s place. But he did sell a Miata in the last year so you could be right!

HammerheadFistpunch > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 11:10

Sounds like a fun challenge, looking forward to seeing the results.

Ready for an adventure! > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 11:11

I had a 2002 e46 - the taillights just needed a good ground wire added...you prolly know this already though...

Jake Thiewes > Ready for an adventure!
06/24/2019 at 11:16

It’s got aftermarket tails with little adapter harnesses. I may just have old bulbs. I do have a set of stock tails for it now so I may try swapping those in as well...

CompactLuxuryFan > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 11:33

That looks like an awesome find for $1,500! The paint looks immaculate (from here). Good luck! Sounds like a ton of fun, and you have awesome friends!

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 11:41

This is awesome. Sounds like a great adventure.

Cash Rewards > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 11:51

He was a very nice guy. Had a roommate with a BMW set for NASA track days.

Good luck with the x5, always had a soft spot for those!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 11:59

This is awesome! We’re doing our third “cheap car challenge” over Labor Day as well. Format is a little different (larger budget, buy day-of) but same idea. I look forward to reading about yours!

Jake Thiewes > Cash Rewards
06/24/2019 at 12:19

That green BMW used to be mine, actually! They’re all good friends who live together.

http://outmotorsports.com/2019/01/woulda-coulda-shoulda-longest-spec3-build/

Tapas > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 12:34

Love the color and clean up !

CaptDale - is secretly British > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 15:08

Funny, this is what I want to do with my Audi.

OmerCarrothers333 > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 19:43

teh hotness

someassemblyrequired > Jake Thiewes
06/24/2019 at 21:52

I am reminded of the old adage that the cheapest BMW is the one you lease new...

In WA state the SES light can’t be on and pass emissions for post 96 cars, not sure what the rules are in VA , but you may need to tackle the check valve to sticker it. Pretty sure it’s a $20-30 part if that’s the case.

Jake Thiewes > someassemblyrequired
06/24/2019 at 23:04

This is car #19 (ish?) I’ve owned in VA, they can pass state safety inspection with the CEL illuminated. If the vehicle is garaged in the northern part of the state, it must also pass emissions which is the typical OBD-II scan tool requiring “Ready” status. This vehicle is garaged in a location that does not require emissions testing, so it’ll be fine as-is.

functionoverfashion > Jake Thiewes
06/25/2019 at 09:17

I just sold my 2003 bmw wagon with the same exterior and interior colors. I think I’ve only ever seen one X5 in that color, which I love(d).

Good luck on the trip! It sounds like you’re right on top of the issues, a lot of the same stuff as my E46's had, really. Or that they would have developed with a bit of neglect on my part haha