The Used E53 Odyssey - Replacement after Total Loss

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by ylwjacket

She is leaving campus, and all of a sudden there is white smoke coming from under the hood. It has not overheated, but she pulls over immediately, and looks underneath. There is coolant near the expansion tank, and she is disabled. I am not anywhere nearby, so we have it towed to a shop near home.

We recently moved about 40 miles away from the indy we've used for 6 years, so we figured we'd give a new place near home a try - bad idea.

So, the new radiator was installed w/o bolting it in. So, it wobbled around in there, and kicked the new upper hose off. The fix at this place, to pay a diag fee, order screws, refill coolant, etc: $285. What robbery.

Service advisor also gives the following news:
- valve cover gasket - $380
- oil pan gasket - $1050
- transfer case shot - replace with used unit w/60k miles - $2600

The advisor (she) then rants about BMW's are crap, and I should sell it immediately. She tells me basically that I should buy an American car because they are so much more reliable. Why the heck did I decide to try this place.

We remember that we did get a 90 day warranty, that covers transmission, engine, seals and gaskets. We didn't know it had a $1500 max payout. Warranty company agrees to pay $1500 towards repairs.

Our net: $2600.

At this point, I am hating myself for not checking it better prior to purchase.

200K+ for an X5 and for your daughter to drive is a risky proposition. Bad proposition.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by ylwjacket

Well, the thinking was that the last one was solid with 178k miles, and I think would have gone another 100k had she not wrecked it.

OTH, I bought that one CPO, with about 40k miles on it, and I had maintained it since then.

The hope was that we could find one with some minor needs in the price range, that fit the other criteria, and not have to do too much to it.

We'll see how it plays out. The kid is already saving for a potential engine or transmission replacement. In her mind, if the engine or transmission goes real bad, she'll replace it with one with half the miles, and drive it all through college, and even beyond.

She really loves this car, and wants to keep it a long time.

I hope not to deal with that, but we'll keep our fingers crossed.

The key here is you know the maintenance and care from 40K to the 178K miles and that says a lot. You buy a 200K unit and you have no idea how it was maintained. The signs of maintenance, or signs of neglect were already there once you checked out the 200K unit that you purchased. Now with the right kind of work the 200K X5 can be made solid for some more miles to come but unfortunately it is probably going to exceed your price you paid for the vehicle.

[PR1AWRet]

They had to fix it when you looked at it the first time, that should have shied you away from it. I've done the same thing with a 68 GTO. You know, probably just needs a tune up. Ended up being a hole in top of piston. The freeze plugs were rusting out and started leaking as I get it on base.

[ylwjacket]

That's what she wanted.

Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny

What made you want a gray interior though? In my mind that's the least attractive interior color, haha. Black always looks more modern and it always looks clean.

[ylwjacket]

we'll see how it goes. it may exceed what we paid, but we didn't pay very much. we figured with this one, we could put a little into it, and still come out ok relative to all of the other ones that we looked at.

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

The key here is you know the maintenance and care from 40K to the 178K miles and that says a lot. You buy a 200K unit and you have no idea how it was maintained. The signs of maintenance, or signs of neglect were already there once you checked out the 200K unit that you purchased. Now with the right kind of work the 200K X5 can be made solid for some more miles to come but unfortunately it is probably going to exceed your price you paid for the vehicle.

[PR1AWRet]

Paid 5K for mine knowing about the "LITTLE" things wrong with it. Loved the green/gray and new sand interior. Drivers seat had some wear. 5K later it's solid, parts not labor.

[ylwjacket]

We stayed away from the 4.4 because I didn't feel like doing those guide rails. plus, she doesn't need that much power.

That said, I had a 2000 4.4 back in the day - special ordered. That was a great car.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by PR1AWRet

Paid 5K for mine knowing about the "LITTLE" things wrong with it. Loved the green/gray and new sand interior. Drivers seat had some wear. 5K later it's solid, parts not labor.

So for 10K you now have a 15 year old car that is probably worth 5k or less.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by upallnight

So for 10K you now have a 15 year old car that is probably worth 5k or less.

But it feels better to drive than any other 15 year old car in the $5000 price range... there is a lot to be said for enjoyment value vs. actual monetary value. The heart wants what the heart wants. If he drives it for 5 years it's paid for itself in terms of savings over buying a new $10,000 econobox car (plus whatever interest would be paid on the loan if financed). And, let's be honest... even most things in the $20-30k range offered these days aren't as fun to drive as a well maintained E53. Some will be more practical, most more reliable, most less attractive, all more expensive, etc.

Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny

Properly maintained, these go past 200k miles easily, especially the 3.0-powered ones. I have a 4.6 with 214k miles, and aside from having to replace the chain guides/valley pan/OSV I haven't really had to do too much. My total cost for all that work was $800 because I did the work myself.

What made you want a gray interior though? In my mind that's the least attractive interior color, haha. Black always looks more modern and it always looks clean.

The V8 powered X5's definitely seem to be more expensive to maintain for even a seasoned DIY'er. For one of my kids, it would be an M54 powered truck as well. And I disagree on the grey interior. Black is good, grey is okay, sandbeige least desirable (the base faux leather, not the nappa), and truffle is best.

[Anhelenuk]

I agree with crystalworks mine 2002 has features that some cars only are getting now not to mention driving pleasure or passing power. I figured if it lasts past three years it will be free to me compared to leasing mid level sedan.