E53? Anyone?

[Exodus_2pt0]

With our first child on the way I think it's time to get my wife out of her sunfire. She has adopted my love of German auto's so I showed her an X5, and she took the bait.

Anyone into these? What to look for, reasonable prices, ect. A quick search has me thinking they are a little hard to find. We would be looking for an early one, 99-early 2000's to keep price down.

Let me know what you know!

[zig553]

I'm also curious about this, general consensus on google says to avoid BMW like the plague and buy a 4runner(which was one of my choices for SUV). I've managed with an e30s maintainence, how bad could an early 2000s X5 be?

[freeride53]

i hear they're pretty good. i know someone who has a v8 and tows with it all day.
curious to see how it fairs with some light off road duty.

i would totally buy a v8 when im out of college...but i also like the stick which comes on the 6.

[mikeedler]

a 15 y/o BMW is probably not the best choice for your wife. E53s are o.k., but they are getting pretty old now, and 4wd is not cheap to repair.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Not too worried about repair costs since I get labor for free. ;) Only thing that does concern me is the lack of numbers. I imagine it may be hard to find used parts, which does play a role in our decision.

Honestly the reason I am considering one is because of the age. We can pay cash, go cheap on insurance, and have a semi-modern, safe vehicle for her. (And the little one) She almost got T-boned by some impatient asshole the other day, and those J-body's do not hold up well on side impacts.

What are the problems with the 4wd, and does the 5 speed suffer the same issues? Automatic is not a possibility for her.

[dirty30]

E53 is a shit pile. Put your wife in a 4runner if you want a cheap SUV.

[Savagefurai]

So im totally prepared to get flamed for this but;

I drive a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee - and I love it.

It semi modern and quite powerful, although gas consumption is fair at best.
For the WJ platform, avoid the early models ( 99-01) and go for a later model. Less problems.
Its comfortable, looks great, easy to maintain and parts are cheap and readily availible.
Plus, if 4wd isnt a must, you can find 2wd ones as well.

'Murica.

That is all.

[JGood]

I had a 02 4.4 for a while, I LOVED driving it. But I sold it because I couldn't afford to maintain it, and it was rather useless as an SUV. I put a LOT of money into my cars, but that thing was just ridiculous. If it has to be five speed, then you'll only be looking at the 3.0's, since 4.4 only came in auto. That cuts out a lot of the major expenses (m62 and the auto trans it uses are $$$$). And it's not the labor cost that gets you, its parts cost. $200 window regulators that break constantly, for example.

The pre-04 (non x-drive) AWD is awful. Two open diffs, and an open transfer case. It's basically 1 wheel drive. The cargo area is non existant. My e34 sedan probably has more trunk space.

I replaced it with a $1k 90 Volvo 740 wagon that I'm much happier with.

[Exodus_2pt0]

^ Thank you. Considering it will be pre 04, looks like we'll steer clear.

Savage, I too love the Jeep. However, fuel economy is a must, so a no go.

4 Runner is a possibility. Any other suggestions are welcome!

[JGood]

I had a 5.0 97 Explorer before the X5, I honestly miss that thing so much. It's a well built vehicle. The whole drivetrain was solid and capable, it was built well mechanically, and the interior was comfy. Parts are cheap and readily available. But there's no getting around the 17 MPG.

Any reason you're set on an SUV? Not to keep bringing up the Volvo, but my wagon with snow tires outperforms any of my SUV's in the snow, and has a ton of cargo room. I haven't had to purchase a single part for it, it starts and runs without fault every time.

[E30 Wagen]

If you want safety just get a Volvo or a Saab.

[TobyB]

Dale's burned itself down just sitting in the parking lot.

...'course, he DID buy another!

t

[Rodoni]

I wanted to get a X5 so bad after I sold my last e36 M3. They were just so expensive for how old they were IMO. 15k for an early model with 120k+ miles? F that.

I settled for a 03 ford explorer limited with a v8. Fully loaded with 119K for 7300. Nicest car I've owned. It's got 144k on it now and all I've had to do was change the oil. It pulls hard, has a folding 3rd row that you never see unless its up, the best AC I've ever experienced, and 4wd. (Mine is AWD with 4 hi and low as needed). Best 7300 bucks I've ever spent.

4.8is or bust IMO.

[hendrixvodu]

Get an ml320 I love mine has normal German car problems but you won't spend you life replacing suspension like in an x5 . My mother has an 06 4.4 sport package and she loves it I let her drive my ml and she was really impressed how nice is was

[Vtec?lol]

DO NOT CONSIDER AN ML. ^^^
Those things are tanks but if you think the x5 is expensive to maintain.

I actually had the pleasure to drive (ride in) an X5 with a 6spd. If you can find one, do it!