R3v talk me out of/into getting a 4.4l E53 X5.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Not to be a downer, but I'm betting they removed the front DS either because the t-case is lunched or maybe the front diff. Hopefully it's just the problems with the t-case you already knew about.

+1
I recall Volvo owners of early V70's that were AWD would get the DS removed to save the cost of replacing/repairing the transfer case/front diff.

[LateFan]

^^ uh oh...

So is the diff up against the pan on the driver's side? Then how does the passenger driveshaft get to the wheel? Is there a notch in the pan? Does it hold less oil?

So many questions.



And why does this one have E30 lower control arms?

[nando]

Not to be a downer, but I'm betting they removed the front DS either because the t-case is lunched or maybe the front diff. Hopefully it's just the problems with the t-case you already knew about.

[Pantless Spency]

Bought it 280 miles away from home on a Saturday lol. I contacted the guy he said he would ask his cousin as he was the only one to actually work on the car.


Really not that big a deal, I can get another one.

[Stanley Rockafella]

You bought it thinking it had the front DS?

It would appear that way.
Then again, I'm not sure why someone would get a PPI (I presume this stands for "Pre-Purchase Inspection") after they purchase a car

I just sent the car in for a PPI with my local guys I trust. She needs some love! Front driveshaft is missing as well LOL.

[parkerbink]

You bought it thinking it had the front DS?

[Stanley Rockafella]

I'd skip the front DS. It's just added complexity and weight that'll cause you slower 0-60 times and increased fuel consumption.

[LateFan]

She needs some love! Front driveshaft is missing as well LOL.

I did some reading - pretty smart system. And for more than ice - it seems to be about dynamic handling in all conditions.

But yeah, you sorta need the driveshaft for it to work well....

Funny thing to leave out of the FS info from the seller.

[z31maniac]

nah. Don't go all mechanical hypochondriac - the issue doesn't appear until about 100k miles, so a 60k interval is already pretty conservative.

I don't think it is. Like I said clutch plate LSDs usually have a 30k recommendation to change the fluid.

But I pretty much change on "time" now. I had the oil changed in the E82 3 months ago. I've put 1000 miles on it. I'm not going to leave it in there for 1.5 years to get 5-6k miles.

[Pantless Spency]

yikes.





I may have pulled the awd fuse on mind and laid a 100ft smokey. may have

LOL. I have a shitbox s13 for those sorts of cravings.

[Julien]

From my understanding ( I’m no x drive expert)
But when you hit a certain low speed the actuator kicks the transfer case into 4wd driving the front driveshaft to the front diff.

I just sent the car in for a PPI with my local guys I trust. She needs some love! Front driveshaft is missing as well LOL.

yikes.


I may have pulled the awd fuse on mind and laid a 100ft smokey. may have

[Pantless Spency]

From my understanding ( I’m no x drive expert)
But when you hit a certain low speed the actuator kicks the transfer case into 4wd driving the front driveshaft to the front diff.

I just sent the car in for a PPI with my local guys I trust. She needs some love! Front driveshaft is missing as well LOL.

[LateFan]

yeah they did but they were pretty hard to find with that combo. we had a 6 speed but it was an xi - still a nice DD. With a 3 stage swap and my custom tune ours was surprisingly quick for a 3600lb wagon.

2006 to 2013 I think? 99% of them are auto/xdrive though :(

Julien's looks really good as well.

Would you say these are more or less complicated in packaging / engineering / maintenance than an Audi A4?

How is the 4WD engaged? Is it all-the-time like a quattro system, or more like the Volvo or VW Haldex system that kicks in? My A4 Avant is the best ice car I've ever driven, but what a complicated packaging mess. Four systems have to come out to get to the thing you need to replace.

[Pantless Spency]

Most people suggest every 50k

[nando]

nah. Don't go all mechanical hypochondriac - the issue doesn't appear until about 100k miles, so a 60k interval is already pretty conservative.