Considering a 4.4i V8

[sew]

@OP
The E46 M54 car you have experience with is a wonderful car. Our local dealership and independent BMW specialist both say it's the best model/combo that BMW has EVER made. Sadly, IMHO, the same cannot be said of the E53 M62 (or the E53 generally for that matter). Brilliant cars when they work, but very complicated and expect massively increased maintenance costs compared to the E46.
We have just bought another E46 M54 as a result of excellent experiences with that model.
Just my tuppence worth...

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1955 Riley RMH Pathfinder
1974 MG Midget Mk IV
2000 X5 4.4i E53 M62
2002 330iAT E46 M54 (wife's)
2002 3330CiA E46 M54 (new purchase)

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by sew

@OP
The E46 M54 car you have experience with is a wonderful car. Our local dealership and independent BMW specialist both say it's the best model/combo that BMW has EVER made. Sadly, IMHO, the same cannot be said of the E53 M62 (or the E53 generally for that matter). Brilliant cars when they work, but very complicated and expect massively increased maintenance costs compared to the E46.
We have just bought another E46 M54 as a result of excellent experiences with that model.
Just my tuppence worth...

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1955 Riley RMH Pathfinder
1974 MG Midget Mk IV
2000 X5 4.4i E53 M62
2002 330iAT E46 M54 (wife's)
2002 3330CiA E46 M54 (new purchase)

It is true that the E46 is bulletproof to a E53. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the E46 was made in Germany vs E53's South Carolina. Plus the E46 would consistently make the car and divers top 10 list.

[ispencer]

Just got home from looking at this 2003 X5 4.4i. It's not the car, so search continues.

Overall, it had some good things going for it. It has a new gearbox, or so the seller claims, and it ran very nice. Engine sounded good. The interior was nice, not perfect, but just some wear to the drivers seat and carpets were dirty. A good cleaning and detailing and the interior would come back to life nicely. IT didn't have any rattles in the rear hatch and was nice and quiet when driving.

Negatives were broken door handle carrier on the drivers side (he had a new part), damage to right front fender and door (he told me it had not been hit before on the phone), a nice dimple on the bonnet from slamming it down on a tool or something left sitting on the engine, and the steering didn't feel quite right. It was very hard to steer, mostly noticeable from a dead stop turning left or right, not as bad in motion. It was like it had a tight spot in it as you made a full rotation with the wheel. But what's more, it felt like maybe something in the suspension was not right either... definitely didn't drive as nice as my 3.0i. Oh yeah, It was also going to need a complete brake job and soon.

I just didn't love it. The brakes are no problem... I would most likely do that on anything I buy anyway... but the steering and suspension concern me. Not to mention the damage to the fender and door. I can buy one without any damage if I keep looking.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by ispencer

Just got home from looking at this 2003 X5 4.4i. It's not the car, so search continues...

I also agree with you assessment and reasons for declining an offer. Looking at the pictures it doesn't have the sports package or other options that would be nice to have. Not sure what he was asking, but I wouldn't have been interested either unless it was "giving it away" cheap.

[ispencer]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I also agree with you assessment and reasons for declining an offer. Looking at the pictures it doesn't have the sports package or other options that would be nice to have. Not sure what he was asking, but I wouldn't have been interested either unless it was "giving it away" cheap.

Agreed. Thank you.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I also agree with you assessment and reasons for declining an offer. Looking at the pictures it doesn't have the sports package or other options that would be nice to have. Not sure what he was asking, but I wouldn't have been interested either unless it was "giving it away" cheap.

Yeah lets be honest lets at least go for the right mix of makeup on the X5. If you are going to do 4.4L sports package is where it starts. IS models are nice if you can reach there. What i mean by reach there is that they carry a higher premium than than the 4.4s. There are lot better 4.4 examples out there even across state lines. Your in Ohio I would think about searching for a clean southern X5 that has not been exposed to the the elements of the north. You would be surprised where rust, corrosion, etc. finds homes in these X5s.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

It is true that the E46 is bulletproof to a E53. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the E46 was made in Germany vs E53's South Carolina. Plus the E46 would consistently make the car and divers top 10 list.

That's because BMW is out sourcing jobs to America for the CHEAP labor. Workers at BMW South Carolina factory makes about 1/2 what similar workers in Germany makes.