Help needed about to Purchase 1st X5

Mr_byers · #1 07-27-2016, 11:05 PM

Hello all. I have owned bmws but this will be my first X5. I am considering 3 X5s. 2 are local which i have driven. 1 is out of town which i haveny driven.
. 2001 x5 131k miles 2 owners. Near perfect condition. Local car. New tires brakes valve gaskets a/c fan suspension parts. Drives great. Has sports package with 18" wheels sport seats etc..
2. 2006 X5 3.0 134k miles. 3 owners. New brakes on front. New upper and lower control arms and bushing on front. Needs a new head liner. Tires have 20k miles. Non sport. Pano roof. Have driven this car.
3. 2004 x5 4.4 4 owners 154k miles. Minor accident i have been told on carfax. Havent driven. 90% on tires.

As I read 3.0 seems to be underpowered but maintenance is less than the 4.4 v8.

Please provide opinions as I am making a decision by this Friday July 29.

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Joshdub · #2 07-28-2016, 12:56 AM

Which one do you like the best?

The 3.0 is generally cheaper to run and maintain.

Mr_byers · #3 07-28-2016, 06:54 AM

I like the 01 over the 06 because of the sports package but in reading forums the 04 and newer has an xdrive system. Not sure is that an overall better system than the 01 or not. I'd prefer the v8 but the maintenance concerns me.

jopecasa · #4 07-28-2016, 07:28 AM

I like the V8.....and whatever options it came with it.

See if you can test drive it then let us know what you think.

Good luck and don't rush buying......there's always an X5 for sale!

upallnight · #5 07-28-2016, 07:32 AM

[QUOTE=Mr_byers;1083920]I like the 01 over the 06 because of the sports package but in reading forums the 04 and newer has an xdrive system. Not sure is that an overall better system than the 01 or not. I'd prefer the v8 but the maintenance concerns me.[/QUOTE]

If you are not a DIYer and maintenance is a concern of your, a used X5 is probably not the right vehicle for you. The xdrive uses a plastic actuator gear that is known to strip out. A new actuator gear is around 30 bucks or less on Amazon, but most dealers will not repair the transfer case, they will sell you a new transfer case and the cost is around 2 grands plus labor.

Door handle carriers are a known problem on all X series. Cost at the dealer is around 200 bucks plus about 2 hours labor so depending on what the dealer's labor rates are it can be a 500 to 600 bucks repair. There are cheaper door carriers but that what they are cheap. They either don't fit correctly or they will break in a couple of months and you will need to replace them again.

The aux fan is another problem area. You can drive the X with a broken fan, but the AC won't work. It's a 4 hours job to replace the fan since you need to remove the front bumper cover in order to get it out.

On the I6 engines, the CCV is a problem if you do a bunch of short drives in the winter months. The CCV eventually become clogged with sludge and may leave to hydro locking the engine. You don't want to know what it will cost to repair or replace the engine.

If you do decide to buy an X5, make sure you get both sets of keys, since a new key is only available from the dealer. A new key is around 200 bucks.

OptimusPriM5 · #6 07-28-2016, 08:01 AM

on #2 if it has the pano roof similar to its v8 brethern better hope that stays functional or is functional. That cartridge to fix that if broken aint cheap...and Im not talking hundreds you need to add another "0" on there.

Again I agree dont rush. Not sure your search criteria or "must have" list but theres always tons of e53's for sale, these from the short descriptions and no pics or price dont sound like theyre anything unique IMHO.

good luck

Mr_byers · #7 07-28-2016, 08:06 AM

I do appreciate the update here. I am replacing my 540i. I do minor diy but have a great indy shop. I have been car aearching for months and most x5s ive seen locally arent in good condition. If v8 is much more to maintain i will go with 6 cylinder. The 8 maybe more fun but if it stays in shop longer i will pass. Any specific thoughts on 8 vs 6 specifically

[QUOTE=upallnight;1083923]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_byers

I like the 01 over the 06 because of the sports package but in reading forums the 04 and newer has an xdrive system. Not sure is that an overall better system than the 01 or not. I'd prefer the v8 but the maintenance concerns me.[/QUOTE]

If you are not a DIYer and maintenance is a concern of your, a used X5 is probably not the right vehicle for you. The xdrive uses a plastic actuator gear that is known to strip out. A new actuator gear is around 30 bucks or less on Amazon, but most dealers will not repair the transfer case, they will sell you a new transfer case and the cost is around 2 grands plus labor.

Door handle carriers are a known problem on all X series. Cost at the dealer is around 200 bucks plus about 2 hours labor so depending on what the dealer's labor rates are it can be a 500 to 600 bucks repair. There are cheaper door carriers but that what they are cheap. They either don't fit correctly or they will break in a couple of months and you will need to replace them again.

The aux fan is another problem area. You can drive the X with a broken fan, but the AC won't work. It's a 4 hours job to replace the fan since you need to remove the front bumper cover in order to get it out.

On the I6 engines, the CCV is a problem if you do a bunch of short drives in the winter months. The CCV eventually become clogged with sludge and may leave to hydro locking the engine. You don't want to know what it will cost to repair or replace the engine.

If you do decide to buy an X5, make sure you get both sets of keys, since a new key is only available from the dealer. A new key is around 200 bucks.

OptimusPriM5 · #8 07-28-2016, 08:09 AM

One more thing...no matter what you decide on INSIST on a PPI by whomever you trust thats knows BMW's and even better if they know E53s

upallnight · #9 07-28-2016, 08:28 AM

V8 engines have known problems.

1. Valve stem seals wear or become hard and are no longer able to seal oil from entering the cylinder. Blue smoke at idle.

2. timing chain guides. You'll know when the guides are starting to break and at that point you wish you brought the I6.

3. ZF transmissions (slow the car down as if coming to a stop, but before stopping give it some gas. Do the car feel as though it been rear ended?)

All of these repairs are in the couple of thousand dollars or the might as well buy another car since it's going to cost the same amount category.

X53Jay4.8is · #10 07-28-2016, 08:40 AM

[QUOTE=Mr_byers;1083928]I do appreciate the update here. I am replacing my 540i. I do minor diy but have a great indy shop. I have been car aearching for months and most x5s ive seen locally arent in good condition. If v8 is much more to maintain i will go with 6 cylinder. The 8 maybe more fun but if it stays in shop longer i will pass. Any specific thoughts on 8 vs 6 specifically

The 540i is a far more durable vehicle (made in germany vs made in South Carolina) than the X5. I have a 4.6is and love it but their are more things to deal with on the X5. Another know problem the AC evaporator is known to leak at some point. Big job to get to it

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