Thought about trading in and changed my mind

[Murph]

My 05 4.4 now with 130K miles is getting a bit older. We've had it for 70K of those miles. It's had a transmission at 90K, new variable intake manifold at 110K, the internal engine usual stuff as well. All covered by BMW incidentally. Anyway, we just had to do front axles, tires, both front door handle carriers and started thinking we should trade it. Well we looked at a few vehicles including a used Volvo XC90. Both my wife and I decided that our now 11 model year old E53 with 130K miles is still more car/SAV/SUV than anything else we looked at including that XC90. We decided to keep the old girl as we still enjoy it and like it. It still looks like new especially after a day of love with my Porter Cable and armful of Griots products inside and out.

We may get another CPO X5 eventually but probably would look towards the 6 cyl ones. Every BMW I've had with a V8 has had some issues going back to my E38 and E39. Every in line 6 BMW in the family has been bullet proof.

That is all...

[bmwman528e]

Lets see those fresh detail pics! I have not had good luck with the E70's. I bought one for my wife thinking it would be as good as the last 4 3.0 E53's I owned and have been disappointed. In the last 2 years we have had to do the Electric Water Pump, Replace the actual Valve Cover due to a failed CCV which BMW only offers as complete valve cover replacement, the notorious lifter ticking problems that sound awful but are just part of owning a N52 engine, Transmission internal seal cracked causing a $1,000 service, steering adjustment function has failed, Rear View Camera is malfunctioning and of course is $500, Rear Air Suspension Bags both replaced, Failed Catalytic Convertors and the list goes on and on..... I don't know if I got the worlds worst 3.0 E70 or if this is common. We are replacing with a GX470 now. The E70 is more spacious and got a pretty solid 23 mpg on the freeway with the 6 speed automatic though and the looks are killer. I think getting a CPO would be good idea with that purchase.

[crystalworks]

N52 was notorious for the problems you listed. In all chassis.

OP the e53 is a great truck. I wouldn't replace with an e70, but would consider an f chassis diesel with the 8spd auto. 30+mpg highway, modern tech, and great looks with the m package. What year XC90 did you look at? The new ones are pretty nice.

[Ricky Bobby]

with your post OP. I was pricing out Ram 1500 diesels, but you don't get half the luxuries you get on a 12 year old X5, and they are still mid to high 30's. Shoot, I can't even get xenons.

Then I'm looking at finding unicorns like a 2006 Touareg V10 TDI which are so rare, and 10 years old now and probably still commanding a premium due to rarity, plus I'd lose the 3rd pedal.

Porsche Cayenne with a 3rd pedal is findable, but commands a premium as well especially in GTS trim - I wouldn't even know where to start on maintaining a beast like that.

Then I look at my almost 13 year old X5, I think to myself, sure a couple hundred bucks in PDR and preventative rust removal (inner door skin bead area), probably won't need another set of tires for 2 years, maybe do the rear suspension parts and water pump this year. Shoot I could put $1,500 into repair and maintenance, and spend the $950 on the running boards I've wanted forever, and I wouldn't even have paid HALF of what I'd pay on a newer car payment on something in the 30s over the course of a year. ($450 on the low end considering something around mid 30s price x 12 month = $5,400 - and I would still have another 4 years of that afterwards)

With the straight 6 and the manual trans, it really is the best of both worlds in terms of BMW maintenance. I'll hang on to no car payment as long as I can, and maybe add another motorcycle to the stable.

[Ven]

RB that's the same position I am in with my E83 N52 6-speed. It is getting new front shocks, preventive Mx Belts, Pullies and new tires next week. I'll keep it as long as it is feasible.

[srmmmm]

I'm not even thinking of trading in at 294,400 miles

$2000 in repair & maintenance for 25,000 miles of driving per year is less than half a new payment.

2002 X5 3.0 294,438 miles
2014 428i 14,700 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

[Spanker]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

I'm not even thinking of trading in at 294,400 miles

$2000 in repair & maintenance for 25,000 miles of driving per year is less than half a new payment.

2002 X5 3.0 294,438 miles
2014 428i 14,700 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

WOW 294k miles...what has been the most expensive repair or most troublesome issues on the chasis?

[Ricky Bobby]

^IIRC it was when his driveshaft let go at 184k or something -

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Spanker

WOW 294k miles...what has been the most expensive repair or most troublesome issues on the chasis?

RB had it right - the front driveshaft. It went out at 136,000 miles. The dealer installed new seals in a used transfer case and installed it with a new front driveshaft. With all the sundry additions for fluids and "stuff" the bill was $4200, but I did get the two year warranty on everything that way.

My unplanned repairs have included:

> Front axles at 60,000 miles (Prior owner didn't maintain CV boots)
> FSR at 78,000 miles
> Two sparkplug coils at 124,000 miles
> Alternator at 126,000 miles
> Front driveshaft at 136,000 (used a salvage transfer case for cost savings)
> FSR (again) at 159,000 miles
> Thermostat at 176,000 miles
> Rear differential seal at 200,000 miles
> Secondary air pump at 224,000 miles
> Rear suspension bushings and upper control arms at 242,000 miles
> Thermostat (again) at 245,000 miles - at least it was warranty this time
> Steering column double U-Joint shaft at 245,000 miles
> Valve cover gasket at 245,000 miles
> Both fuel tank sending units, fuel pump and canister at 245,000 miles
> Aux fan when the harness got chewed up in the mechanical fan and shorted out at 259,000 miles
> Pre-cat O2 sensors at 260,400 miles
> Water pump at 262,800 miles
> DISA Valve and MAF at 263,800 miles