Advice on a used X5?

[george graves]

Besides the Gm trannys that you need to watch out for - any advice? My friend is looking for something under 50k miles. Clean.

I assume that BMW has a pre-owned purchase plan (for a few grand more I assume) - What are the options on that kind of plan?

Oh and were did the "private party" "where to buy a e30 links go???? - you know cars.com, roadfly, ect...I can't find it in the FAQ section????

Thanks!

...

[JeffG]

i'd recommend your friend buy a pre-owned X5. good deal for the customer in the long run. it will be expensive if it has no warranty, i'll tell you that right now.

[grapedrink]

Freaking awsome trucks. I plan on getting one in a little bit. Get the V8 as the difference in gas mileage is not that big.

[AndrewBird]

My sister worked on a survey line and only talked to people about their BMW's and their experience with them.

Based on that, I give you this advice: go look at the one you are considering, put a rag in it's fuel neck, light the rag, run and never look back.

[Charlie]

Everyone that has bought the 6 cylinder model has hated it. No power and a real shitty front suspension. The people that buy the 4.4 V8 on the other hand don't seem to squawk as much.

I'd say it's a no-brainer for a truck that size. Depending on your price range, look at the X3 as well. Nearly the same size truck but a good bit lighter.

-Charlie

[vlad]

Depending on your price range, look at the X3 as well. Nearly the same size truck but a good bit lighter.

-Charlie

I agree. My sister just leased an X3 3.0L fully loaded for $315 a month no money down, they had some sort of a promotion going on... for the money, it is one of the best deals I've seen. I used to lease 3.0L X5 in 2001 for my wife and it was $650 month back then. X3 is great, has all the room that you need, good quality materials inside, pretty quick and handles nicely

[Charlie]

I agree. My sister just leased an X3 3.0L fully loaded for $315 a month no money down, they had some sort of a promotion going on... for the money, it is one of the best deals I've seen. I used to lease 3.0L X5 in 2001 for my wife and it was $650 month back then. X3 is great, has all the room that you need, good quality materials inside, pretty quick and handles nicely

BMW has to be running some fantastic dealer incentive on leases for the X3's. The sales manager was practically begging my dad to take a lease on his X3 3.0 sport package a year and a half ago when he bought it.

Real fun vehicles, I could definetly see one for a DD.

-Charlie

[Court M3]

BMW has to be running some fantastic dealer incentive on leases for the X3's. The sales manager was practically begging my dad to take a lease on his X3 3.0 sport package a year and a half ago when he bought it.

Real fun vehicles, I could definetly see one for a DD.

-Charlie

Just purchased a certified Pre-Owned X3 2.5i and it makes a great daily. All me need to do is purchase tie downs for the bikes and we are off!! Not a bad deal.

[bmwmike]

only reason i could see to buying a X5 3.0 is the manual trans. Thatd be pretty cool in a truck. Ive rode in the 4.4 and it was very quick. Not sure what to watch out as far as maintenance but I dont think one would be too bad.

[grapedrink]

only reason i could see to buying a X5 3.0 is the manual trans. Thatd be pretty cool in a truck. Ive rode in the 4.4 and it was very quick. Not sure what to watch out as far as maintenance but I dont think one would be too bad.

STAY AWAY!!! I have driven many different X5s and the 3.0l Manual is at the bottom of the list. They are horrible trucks with the manual trans. You get very poor gas mileage with it (worse than the 4.4l)

[2002maniac]

My sister worked on a survey line and only talked to people about their BMW's and their experience with them.

Based on that, I give you this advice: go look at the one you are considering, put a rag in it's fuel neck, light the rag, run and never look back.

yeah BMW's suck...

[AdamF 88iS]

STAY AWAY!!! I have driven many different X5s and the 3.0l Manual is at the bottom of the list. They are horrible trucks with the manual trans. You get very poor gas mileage with it (worse than the 4.4l)

I'll agree with this. BMW is under some illusion that people actually take X5s off road, and the manual trans ones are geared extremely short because of this- handy if youre trying to go up some insane incline, but annoying on the street. Imagine having about a 4.44 gear in your M20 car. Thats how they feel.

The V8s have a couple of additional breather hoses that the other M62 cars don't. These hoses get oil soaked and cause a huge vaccuum leak. Other than that they are no more or less troublesome than a 540i would be in general. Just like any other newer BMW, you have to take care of it and it will last.

[EtaSport]

My dad just got a 2002 3.0 pre-owned. It is so base, people i've talked to asked if it was a specially built one or something. No auto climate control, no good lights, no leather, only power driver's seat, no park distance, no nothing. I guess less stuff to break.

Its not bad, gets around 24-26 highway, 22 city. 13 pulling. I think if I got one its be a 4.4

[SchnellerVert]

Have a thick wallet for the gas pig. I love the looks of the X5 4.8 but could never afford to feed it.

[herragge]

My uncle had the 4.4 and he loved it. However, when someone mentioned the gearing, yes it does feeling almost neck breaking sometimes. The V8 is quick, and for an SAV it handles quite nicely. Tires are a bitch just to let you know if your not used to changing tires out every 3 summer seasons. The stock michelins on them are very grippy and high performance and are quite expensive when they need replacing which is noticeably sooner than all seasons of course.

He has now recently upgraded to the 4.8is. ;) Holy shit. What a car. Fast a hell, good looking, wide stance and in Lemans Blue!! I love it.

Good truck. Uncle hasn't had any major problems with it. Interior is lacking, some of the materials were lacking and the finish had worn off and one of the wood trims and cracked but other than that, mechanically are quite sound vehicles.

Good luck on your purchase.

Mike