Since the Mrs sold her discovery we needed another 4x4 to tow the horsebox so looked at everything, discovery 3's, l200's, touaregs and hilux's. 

Sorted a deal on a touareg but at the last minute the dealer started messing me about so I told them to forget it. Started looking again and happened upon this x5, 1 owner full history and well specced. Not something I'd considered and the Mrs wasn't really feeling but we went to look anyway and I'm glad we did. She instantly loved it and the spec was even better than listed.

Now the vrs has gone and she's got a little runabout (mini one) this is my new daily.

 

06 3.0d tripronic sport Facelift. 

Spec:

Front & rear park sensors 

Kerb mirror

Satnav 

Bluetooth 

Freeview tv 

Dvd 

Heated electric black leather 

Triptronic 6 speed 

Window tints

Aux ventilation (set the time and it heats the interior on cold mornings) 

The usual light sense rear mirror, rain/speed sense wipers, auto lights etc.

 

Bits done already:

Satnav update to 2017 maps Inc 7 digit postcode and camera alerts 

Team heko deflectors

Black kidney grilles (hate chrome)

Debadged  (again hate chrome) 

New centre caps 

 

Bits to do:

Front & rear badges (to match centre caps)

Towbar (fitted next week)

Gunmetal/anthracite wheel refurb

Remap (not that it needs it) 

 

Pics: 

 

 

Bit of come dine with me at last weekends dressage

 

Be gone chrome kidneys!

 

Hekos on.

 

 

Nav update 

 

Horse duties 

 

1st bath

 

 

Not enjoyed driving a car (the vrs) for a long time but this I love, comfort and power it's just a joy and for a derv the straight 6 doesn't sound bad

Edited 4 February, 20179 yr by SNH

Nice old tanks these and still look fairly up to date too I reckon.

A mate had one and reckons it was the comfiest car he's owned.

3 hours ago, boylers11 said:

Nice old tanks these and still look fairly up to date too I reckon.

A mate had one and reckons it was the comfiest car he's owned.

 

He's right, having come from discoveries and the mk2 octavia it's world's apart. It's like driving your favourite comfy chair. 

Swirl flaps, swirl flaps and swirl flaps! I think this may be the updated M57N engine but they have these swirl flaps on the inlet manifold which have a notorious habit of dropping into the engine and causing many pounds of damage, you can buy blanks from ebay etc. 

Is it the five speed auto or the six speed but can recommend a fluid and filter change on them as they respond extremely well to it. You can wire in a flappy paddle steering wheel with only a new slip ring and a flappy paddle wheel from an E46 M3  

 

Other then that really like this, and the 3.0d is a really good engine, Ive got one in my E39 and it just goes and goes, comfy as you say as well,

 

8 hours ago, sigarland1987 said:

Swirl flaps, swirl flaps and swirl flaps! I think this may be the updated M57N engine but they have these swirl flaps on the inlet manifold which have a notorious habit of dropping into the engine and causing many pounds of damage, you can buy blanks from ebay etc. 

Is it the five speed auto or the six speed but can recommend a fluid and filter change on them as they respond extremely well to it. You can wire in a flappy paddle steering wheel with only a new slip ring and a flappy paddle wheel from an E46 M3  

 

Other then that really like this, and the 3.0d is a really good engine, Ive got one in my E39 and it just goes and goes, comfy as you say as well,

 

 

Swirl flaps already deleted  

It's the better 6 speed steptronic, good to know about the paddles though that'd be pretty cool.

Edited 6 February, 20179 yr by SNH

Detachable towbar fitted today and while the guy was busy I fitted the new carbon look badges, look a lot better than the oe blue ones 

 

Full 21 interior bulb change Inc mirror puddle lights and numberplate bulbs to Leds and what a difference! 

 

 

Gave it another wash.....

 

 

Added a bit of colour to the calipers. wouldn't be me without a bit of colour

 

I've never been a huge fan of these, but this, in facelift shape, looks good!

 

Is it the 204, or the 231 engine in it? Either way, they both map up nicely.

 

That rear brake disk... is that vented? It looks solid to me!

On Sat Feb 18 2017 at 14:33, TriggerFish said:

I've never been a huge fan of these, but this, in facelift shape, looks good!

 

Is it the 204, or the 231 engine in it? Either way, they both map up nicely.

 

That rear brake disk... is that vented? It looks solid to me!

231 it is i'm sure of it. Map up to 260-270 and 550 torque from what I've been reading. Already spoke to Enda at Endtuning about getting it done when we both have a spare morning/afternoon. 

Solid rears and the brakes are my only gripe about it tbh, they stop you but could just do with a bit more as it does motor on and stopping it can sometimes be a bit unassuring lol. 

Edited 15 March, 20179 yr by SNH

First time out with the horsebox after having the towbar fitted and it tows effortlessly. 

Impressive to say the least as I didn't think I'd get much better than the lr as that was fantastic but this being mega comfy too has won me over. 

 

 

Also had a play around with the new p.a  soft software that I've recently installed, managed to clear the paired phones from its memory and got my phone to pair with it which has been bugging me. 

Tried to get rid of the annoying seat belt warning bongs to as when your nipping around the stables/fields it's mighty annoying but that was a no go! 

 

I've had to modify some old e36 clips with the grinder that I can just clip in for those occasions. 

(Seat belts are always worn on public highways before I get lynched).

 

Egr delete, Remap and a pair of 10x19 for the front and a refurb in gunmetal/anthracite when ive located some at a good price are next on the to do list.

 

The joys of countryside living

 

 

Never have i washed a vehicle so much, let alone cleaning behind the plates.

 

It's done some miles pulling the horsebox recently and it's effortless, just bags of torque and comfort aplenty. 

 

Allisport egr delete ordered and hopefully here by the weekend so I can get it fitted.

Allisport egr delete arrived today, worth the wait. 

Excellent build quality and fit.

 

 

Noticeably quicker acceleration, only time will tell if I get a bit better mpg but fingers crossed

No horse events this weekend so me and the youngest went adventuring

 

Finally managed to find pair of rear 10x19 with decent tyres local for the front. 

 

Put to work..

Scenic photo opportunity's can't be passed by

 

Car looks awesome. 

Is that cabin quiet? Is it comfortable? 

1 hour ago, Adam_ said:

Car looks awesome. 

Is that cabin quiet? Is it comfortable? 

Extremely quiet and super comfy which makes for a pleasant driving experience every time you go out in it. Really is a nice place to be sat.

Still can't fault how good it is and how much of a joy it is to drive, effortless towing ability

 

 

Still scrubs up well to say how much abuse it gets. 6k faultless, enjoyable miles since I got it.

 

Edited 25 June, 20179 yr by SNH

On 2017-4-16 at 20:59, SNH said:

Scenic photo opportunity's can't be passed by

 

Looks like clumber Park. 

Certainly is. Only 2 mins down the road from me

Can't believe how comfy this is, made the 5 1/2 trip to Newquay a breeze. 

 

 

Edited 12 August, 20178 yr by SNH

Just noticed photobucket now wants you to pay silly amounts to be able to share pictures so that'll be me done then. Unless there's another hosting site? 

2 hours ago, SNH said:

Just noticed photobucket now wants you to pay silly amounts to be able to share pictures so that'll be me done then. Unless there's another hosting site? 

 

Ive just started using flickr to host my pics it's loads faster than ****ty photobucket.

Try this.....

 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/157012364@N02/o0h5m7

https://www.flickr.com/gp/157012364@N02/A5NsqX

https://www.flickr.com/gp/157012364@N02/0t49rZ

https://www.flickr.com/gp/157012364@N02/05421X