Considering a 4.4i V8 - Page 5

ispencer · #41 02-28-2016, 04:58 PM

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.

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sew · #42 02-28-2016, 05:16 PM

FWIW I agree and (suspension aside) just from the bodywork pictures alone I wouldn't have bought it. I have no issue with paint chips and supermarket dents, they're part of life, but that damage is not good and is expensive to repair. To me having an honest, straight, accident-free body is the most important thing by far. Anything else can be fixed, but if the body bad the car is a gonner.

upallnight · #43 02-28-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

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.

crystalworks · #44 02-28-2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

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 · #45 02-28-2016, 06:07 PM

Quote:

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 · #46 02-28-2016, 07:44 PM

Quote:

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.

edogg · #47 02-29-2016, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

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.

To build on this excellent advice...finding the right combination of options is worthwhile.

I'd look for the sport and cold weather packages. The sport package adds a tighter suspension and 3 spoke steering wheel, among other things. The cold weather package adds seat heaters, which are fantastic in the winter (or even just not summer). The panoramic sunroof is something I'd didn't think I would care about but now that I have it, I love it.

Nav and DSP audio should be lower priority. The nav system works well but the map DVDs aren't cheap and really out of date by now. And DSP audio doesn't sound much better than regular and makes it harder to do upgrades.

When I shop for a used car, I stick with origins in western states. There's a low risk of flood damage, it doesn't really hail, and salt is hardly used on the roads so you shouldn't have any rust problems. I'd avoid Midwest or New England cars because of the potential winter rust.

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TiAgX5 · #48 02-29-2016, 08:50 AM

Agree.

Sport/Cold/xenon/DSP/Sport Seat packages should be looked at. You can get options that cost thousands new for a few hundred now that it's used.

Sport pkg also has a lower ride height.......

X53Jay4.8is · #49 02-29-2016, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Agree.

Sport/Cold/xenon/DSP/Sport Seat packages should be looked at. You can get options that cost thousands new for a few hundred now that it's used.

Sport pkg also has a lower ride height.......

Now that is one sharp 4.4 with the sport package.Your rotor hubs are shiny/ polished appearance. How did you do that?