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  #11  
Old 07-28-2016, 09:00 AM
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How did you find your 540i? E39 I assume? The pre-facelift 4.4 is pretty much the same engine, and have the timing chain guides that can break.

The later 04 4.4 has the possible valve seal problem mentioned above. There are ways to check for it on a test drive posted around the net.

If I read your posts right you are tending towards reliability, and the 3.0 in general is better in that regard. Sort of like 530i vs 540i.

The 3.0's are also the only variant available with a manual transmission and standard coil and gas strut rear suspension in lieu of air suspension, in both standard and sport versions. A bit less to worry about with these.

I never noticed any major difference with the earlier 4wd system and the later Xdrive system, I wouldnt mind either IMO.
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  #12  
Old 07-28-2016, 10:05 AM
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You'll be fine with an X5 if you're a DIYer.
I6 will have about the same gas mileage as the V8, as it has to work harder to move the E53. It's by no mean under power as the gearing ratio helps a lot.
Big maintennace ticket for I6 is the cooling system and DISA valve. For V8, it's the timing chain guide and valley pan gasket for pre-facelift and valve stem seal for facelift. Other stuffs are about the same for I6 and V8.

Good luck with your decision.
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  #13  
Old 07-28-2016, 10:26 AM
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[QUOTE=Mr_byers;1083908]2001 x5 131k miles 2 owners. 2006 X5 3.0 134k miles. 3 owners. 2004 x5 4.4 4 owners 154k miles. Minor accident /QUOTE]

I would avoid #1 - At less than 800 miles per month, that's probably a lot of short trips which are murder on these engines because the oil does reach operating temperature often enough, contributing to serious CCV problems. Its total mileage is also at the point where the front drive shaft splines are prone to failure as well. I would also avoid #3 - 4 owners and an accident are two big red flags, V8 maintenance issues aside. Vehicle #2 would be the one I'd consider the most.

2002 X5 3.0 306,200 miles
2014 428i 20,200 miles

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

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  #14  
Old 07-28-2016, 03:34 PM
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If I had to pick, probably #2...though, I might keep looking.
They pop up here on this Board, on occasion, and they often have a board history/known owner.

#2 does not have Sport, which imo makes the X more 'fun' in terms of handling vs non sport, and usually with 18's or 19's wheel wise, etc.

Our 2001 3.0 has run well for nearly 15 yrs/110,000 miles, but I have known it since day 1. It is Sport, 5 speed manual, 19s et al.

While reliable, (we get in ours and do a few 1300 mile trips per summer to NJ/NY from western NC), it is starting to niggle me a bit, and I know there are some items just waiting to go sideways. Not pushing my luck, but who knows...there a couple of Indies here in western NC, but both are jammed as in weeks out full, and their pricing has become dealer like as the mkt will bear it, and both pitch "you need this and that, and this" lately, and that parts chasing/labor margin game is wearing thin on me.

My DIY skills/energy/initiative were very good back in the days of rebuilding Holley and Carter 4 bbl carbs and putting in an Isky cam, etc, but these days I do oil changes and easy stuff, but not garage wrenching anymore. Your good Indie will be helpful, but I concur on the PPI before you spend a dime. If seller won't allow, walk away...

I would still keep looking as there must be hundreds/thousands of 3.0 E53s running around R-D area.

GL, mD
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  #15  
Old 07-28-2016, 03:47 PM
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If you do decide to wait and keep looking and expand your search Id be happy to give anything in the DMV (DC, MD, and VA) a walk around for ya. Ive done it before on other boards.

Good luck
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  #16  
Old 07-28-2016, 04:24 PM
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Keep looking.

I really don't see a point in getting the I6 (I have one) unless it has a manual transmission (I have one). At this point, they cost the same, get the same mileage and will both eventually break. You are going to be battling time and entropy either way, you might as well have more fun...more torque is more fun.

If I were looking for an X5, I would get a 4.4 with a bad trans and swap in a G420. Then it's a 540xi with an 8" fording depth. That's just me though, I guess.
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  #17  
Old 07-28-2016, 05:36 PM
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BMW know how to make a good I6 - they have been at it for a while now!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_IIIa

Any car you get will require some form of maint. - even a new one. Your call on how deep you want to climb into it or much you can afford to throw at it.

It's a real shame you folk don't get the TD over there - more torque than the V8, the simplicity of the I6 and better economy than either of them.
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  #18  
Old 07-29-2016, 10:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wpoll View Post
BMW know how to make a good I6 - they have been at it for a while now!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_IIIa

Any car you get will require some form of maint. - even a new one. Your call on how deep you want to climb into it or much you can afford to throw at it.

It's a real shame you folk don't get the TD over there - more torque than the V8, the simplicity of the I6 and better economy than either of them.
It's not that the I6 isn't a great engine-it is--but we are talking about ~$8000 or less 10+ year old X5s. The 4.4 has more juice, and at this stage you aren't buying them for ultimate dependability, gas mileage or any of that. At least, I hope not.

And yes, I know I6s are how BMW came to be. Fokker D.vii was the best plane of the war and everyone knew it...but only if it had the BMW engine in it. The MB engine was garbage.
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  #19  
Old 07-29-2016, 04:37 PM
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Just picked up the 01 inline 6. Really glad with the decision
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  #20  
Old 07-29-2016, 06:23 PM
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Thanks to the group. This 01 is in very good shape. Good maintenance and a few recent good repairs like valve cover gasket, a/c fans part of cooling system pushed it over the edge. Looking forward to a few trips and being a part of this forum
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