I'm with srmmmm on "I'll take mechanical repair requirements any day over rust repairs". Having seen a few Audis, a Trans Am, a CRX and a Jeep "rust away" in NY/NJ.

The $4500 I've put into my X to get from 100k miles to 200k miles (all repair parts/mods/tires/brakes), would have cost around 5X that amount for a non-DIYer.

My X has not rolled into a service/repair shop in the 6 yrs of ownership. Even wheel alignments are done in my garage (Bosch construction lasers and basic trig).

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'03 X5 4.4 Sport, last of the M62s (8-03 build date)
I believe in deadication to craftmanship in a world of mediocrity!