New X5 Owner - Nervous

[sandplasma]

I had been looking for a 2000-2003 BMW X5 for a while and all I could find was grey or beige leather non sport. I wanted a black leather sport package with low miles. Most I've looked at have upwards of 160k miles. Anyway I finally found a black leather sport with 112k miles. I test drove it and everything seemed fine.

Now I take another look at the title and it says Miles 60,327/Actual with a purchase date of 06/14/13. The X5 itself read 113k. The guy also gave me a bill of sale that says 113k. I think he purchased it from an auction or something because the owner on the title says Zeus motors.

It has a few scratches here and there but its in good shape. The only thing that I'm worried about (besides the miles, running a carfax soon) is that the engine makes a noise like its ticking but its not a tick. It only makes it when I turn it on and its idling. It goes away when the rpms increase but its pretty annoying. Ill change the oil and see if that gets rid of it but I doubt it, will probably have to take it in.

Any ideas?

[Ricky Bobby]

I'd pass on it, go on to the next one. Sport packages aren't as plentiful, but be patient and the right one will pop up (took me 6 months to find my sport package 5 speed that was in good shape)


Wait, you already bought it? Even with the questionable mileage / history and shady dealer? no PPI?


Bold, friend. Very bold.

[sandplasma]

Yeah, I had my friend look at the title and he told me it looked good so I went ahead with it. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed.

[Ricky Bobby]

ever hear of a deal that sounds too good? I hope you don't have major issues but if you only paid 5k, that's like less than half of market value of an '03 4.4 with 112k on it.

is the tamper light on on the cluster? were you able to get the car registered (i.e. was the title legit?)

[sandplasma]

The title seems legit , the guy asked me to call him if they gave me any grief at the DMV. I bought it two days ago and will be registering today after work. No lights on the dash at all. Forgot to mention it is a 2001.

I called the guy and he told me that it sais 60k miles on the title because that's what the previous owner had when he registered it. Seems fine, I guess I'm more worried about the noise now. He also mentioned that he took it to his mechanic and he was told that it may be the chain.

[Ricky Bobby]

timing guides/chain perhaps, I have M54 so I couldn't tell you but I recall the 4.4 guys talking about the guides/chains etc at higher miles. Go to a mechanic you trust, pay him for the hour and have him look it over and give you recommendations, if it only needs some things than for 5k its a great deal! Pics too when you get a chance and welcome!

[tmv]

I wish you best of luck. I read all of your post and still have no idea what engine is in your X5.
RB is talking about the "tamper dot" next to the trip mileage. It's not actually a light. Like this

[sandplasma]

Oh, I think I did see that dot. What does that mean? Possibly has a different dash? My friend has 3 carfax reports left. Need to see what the report says before I go register it. Maybe I can use that against the guy if it reports higher miles.

Its a 2001 BMW x5 4.4L with 113k on the dash. I know the GPS doesn't work and the key has been opened to insert a new battery it seems. Not sure if that would turn the tamper dot on.

My brother who owns a bmw 325 was showing me how to program my key so I could open doors with it but he accidentally programmed his to unlock my x5. not sure if that would cause it either. probably not. I need to look into it.

[OptimusPriM5]

Originally Posted by sandplasma

Oh, I think I did see that dot. What does that mean? Possibly has a different dash? My friend has 3 carfax reports left. Need to see what the report says before I go register it. Maybe I can use that against the guy if it reports higher miles.

Yes, someone replaced the cluster at some point and did not have it synced with your DME (sorry not sure right acronym)

EDIT: I reread your initial post so they are saying from mid June til you bought it someone racked up ~50k miles??? Likely you wouldnt get an issue on carfax for discrepancy but that depends on tolerances of Carfax program if its smart enough to pick up on that.

And what did your "friend" mean by the title looked "good" THE mileage discrepancy would have thrown a huge flag for me right away.

[Ricky Bobby]

This sounds like it's going to get interesting real quick.