We bought a pair of e53 in 2015 with 113 and 128k miles. Very happy with the purchase. We now have like 172 and 176k miles. The car with 113 averaging about $70-80/mo in parts. The 128 one averaging about $40-50. (younger one needed control arms and CV axle first year).

The 128 has sport suspension and air springs in the back and night and day difference I personally wouldn't buy a spring only but very happy with spring fronts.

If you find something in the low 100s it should be ok. The problem is now the e53 is getting old enough that age alone is starting to be a problem. Plastics wear out from time especially with the moronic thinking of EU imposing rubber that decomposes. Not sure if that asinine situation infected the USA yet. We usually get about ten years before any of that sort of insanity leaks over here.

Prepare for $800-1200 injection of parts and $80-100/mo and you should be able to find a great car. I'm done looking I only plan to drive X5 for the rest of my life. I'll stepping stone into a newer model with about 100,000 miles each time and hoping to get one more e53 before I have to jump to the e70.

I've pre-approved wife can switch to the second generation X3 vs X5 when her time comes to upgrade.

We should get about 3 more years out of our cars which is amazing. they were 14 years old when we got them and they are doing ok after four years and should last 3-4 more.

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2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)