Am I crazy if I buy an x5 v8 with high mileage?

[Miyanc]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Toyota Sequoia would be my choice, you can get it with a V8. The only thing to look out for is to make sure the lower ball joints have been replaced with Toyota ball joints. Not some cheap fleabay crap or Amazon crap.

Like I said, and I know its not a great sample size, my brother bought a 2006 sequoia. He has spent over 5k on the ac. replacing just about every part possible. during this time he drove it without ac for over a year. I know he has spent more on other stuff, I have only specific stuff on the ac. I have another friend who had an axle fall off. Not sure the year and specific thing that broke, just that he was driving down the road and then he was sliding.

Even before I posted, I knew the purchase of these cars would be potentially an issue. Any idiot should be able to figure that the moment you go to buy a used one. First question should be, Why is this only $5k. 12 years ago it sold for $75k.

I would think none of you, even the most enthusiastic, bought an x5 to fix all the things that brake. Enhance or update maybe, not throw money at it. All of us are aware that these vehicles require time and money in the costliest of ways. Knowledge is key. I bet we could look at each vehicle talked about in this forum. Those purchased with perect maintainance, perfect condition, nothing wrong and had some huge issue or many issues. I also bet some will read purchased with no records and in fair to poor shape and ran like a top. My search is for the insight to stay in the middle. I wont be getting the $16k 4.8 with all the options, low mileage and a parts/maintenance list 10 pages long OR the POS without history.
What I want is a v8, hopefully with enough recent maintenance history to prove some of the know issues have been handled. I want enough knowledge to be able to ask and look for those issues. Maybe use them to bargain. Then like all of you, I will enjoy it for as long as I can until i choose otherwise or the cost of ownership exceeds my abilities. Doing the work and figuring the issues, for the most part, wont matter. I enjoy fixing stuff and tweeking. It will not be a daily driver. I don't currently have a car and do just fine. I have a take home vehicle and my wifes car.

[X53Jay4.8is]

I Think smokeyyank summarized it at best. I too have a 4.6is and love it but its the only BMW that I have had that has required so much attention. I do all the work myself which cuts down on the repair costs. If you want a reliable vehicle for the off road and scouts then go with the Toyota.

[Miyanc]

I am 100% aware of more reliable and cheaper to fix vehicles. My question isn't about apples to apples vehicle comparison, except within the v8 x5. In other words. 4.4, 4.6 4.8. including n62/m62 and year. I understand this may be subjective from a forum/diy point of view. I am ultimately getting one of them (x5, lr rr, lr lr3 maybe a toureag). I am looking at these vehicles because of there stellar track record for longevity and thriftiness. I have considered the acura, volvo, infinity, porsche, even mazda suvs. I currently own a mercedes r350 2008. I was warned off it, for cost of ownership and its been great. I did the brakes and oil changes. many light bulbs and the only issue was the fan belt that blew up when a pully failed (100% my fault because I could hear it going and didnt replace fast enough). I tried to get a bmw x5 when we got the r350. Its my wifes car and she choose the r350.

Of course I would prefer to buy one for $3000 and have it last 2-3 years( better description then mileage because i wont put much on) without major issues. I am more realistic then that. At this point I am just looking to try and avoid as much as I can. I see one listed that says valve cover gasket replaced, window regular and ac blower. 4.4 2005 143k. when and if i drive it I want to have as much info as possible to ask and review.

So keep it coming. and thanks.

[smokeyyank]

Originally Posted by Miyanc

I am 100% aware of more reliable and cheaper to fix vehicles. My question isn't about apples to apples vehicle comparison, except within the v8 x5. In other words. 4.4, 4.6 4.8. including n62/m62 and year. I understand this may be subjective from a forum/diy point of view. I am ultimately getting one of them (x5, lr rr, lr lr3 maybe a toureag). I am looking at these vehicles because of there stellar track record for longevity and thriftiness. I have considered the acura, volvo, infinity, porsche, even mazda suvs. I currently own a mercedes r350 2008. I was warned off it, for cost of ownership and its been great. I did the brakes and oil changes. many light bulbs and the only issue was the fan belt that blew up when a pully failed (100% my fault because I could hear it going and didnt replace fast enough). I tried to get a bmw x5 when we got the r350. Its my wifes car and she choose the r350.

Of course I would prefer to buy one for $3000 and have it last 2-3 years( better description then mileage because i wont put much on) without major issues. I am more realistic then that. At this point I am just looking to try and avoid as much as I can. I see one listed that says valve cover gasket replaced, window regular and ac blower. 4.4 2005 143k. when and if i drive it I want to have as much info as possible to ask and review.

So keep it coming. and thanks.

If you're dead set on a semi reliable cheap german SUV 3.0 X5. Yeah it's a 6 banger but a lot less headaches with those.

Really you'll have a two choice if you want an X with a V8.
-Buy one cheap that needs or will need work and either spend a lot of time in the garage or have deep pockets to pay someone else to do it.
-Buy one that is more that has a lot of the service done and hope it was done right, fix things as they come.

Between the 4.4,4.6.4.8 I'd vote 4.6 only because they are a M62 IMHO easier to deal with than a N62 and they are rare.

Things to check when looking. I highly suggest doing a PPI if you find one worth it.
-Any leaks. There's bound to be 1 or 10. A good flash light is a must.
-Make sure you can cold start it to listen for any rattles on start up.
-Then drive it to operating temperature and make sure it shift through the gears just fine and can downshift fine. A big problem on the ZF tranny is harsh downshifts.
-After you drive it, pop the hood and see if there is anything smoking or funky smells.
-Check all the basics, AC,heat, Windows, seat adjustments, steering adjustments.
-Dead pixels will probably be there but an easy fix
-Crawl under and check the Guibo for any cracks.
-Look at the brake lines to make sure they aren't rusted

[Miyanc]

The other thing I would like to point out is that this forum ( and many others) didnt get started because people shied away from these vehicles. For whatever reason we bought, we were given or in my case are interested in and the bmw x5. That's not to say your advised is bad, heck I argue with myself all the time about which boondoggle I will settle on. 2 minutes online and everyone in the world will advise against ever owning a land rover even with a full warranty, yet I would consider it. some of these vehicels were sold for almost 100k 10-12 years ago and I can find them for $4000. That tells most smart people all they need to know. I am just not that smart.

[X53Jay4.8is]

A/C evaporator leaks ( common in E53 and E46 BMWs). The whole interior dash and components must be removed to access. If you have a high mileage X5 and you do this repair you might as well change the blower motors in the casing also.

[Miyanc]

Does the rarity of the 4.6 make parts harder to find or more expensive . At least more so then other BMW parts?

I also find it curious that so many, on a fan site, are pushing against something like this. It's either warented or bravoto.

If I am going to buy the v6, I might as well get a land Rover or a Volvo. The experience I would be looking for is the pedal power. I am sure BMW fans can hold to the 3.0 being a better vehicle and maybe it is, but not for what I am looking for.

I started this crazy search with an Audi Q7 or Porsche cayene at the top. Both are much harder to find and probably even more expensive to fix. They are all in the reliability toilet flush.

[smokeyyank]

Originally Posted by Miyanc

Does the rarity of the 4.6 make parts harder to find or more expensive . At least more so then other BMW parts?

I also find it curious that so many, on a fan site, are pushing against something like this. It's either warented or bravoto.

If I am going to buy the v6, I might as well get a land Rover or a Volvo. The experience I would be looking for is the pedal power. I am sure BMW fans can hold to the 3.0 being a better vehicle and maybe it is, but not for what I am looking for.

I started this crazy search with an Audi Q7 or Porsche cayene at the top. Both are much harder to find and probably even more expensive to fix. They are all in the reliability toilet flush.

Not at all. I've never had an issue sourcing anything. For me rmeuropean is my best friend. Plus they are right down the street for me.

Well I think most will say to stay away because they seriously are either a labor or love or you pay to play. There's a fair handful that have discovered that the hard way.

Its an i6, v6s are an abomination.....jk. But seriously. So in hindsight I should have went with a 3.0 if I was looking for a secondary/family hauler/not having to work on it a lot type suv. But that 4.6 "pedal power" SOLD!

It is awesome being able to just punch it and it just MOVES especially being a big body vehicle.

4.6 or bust, still my vote.

[Miyanc]

Oh and my brother bought a 4 runner with low mileage a couple of years ago and has done nothing but dump money into it. He actually drove it without ac for a year.

[andrewwynn]

I’ve worked on about a dozen brands of cars since the age of 5 or 6. BMW is by far my favorite to work on. It's a big part of why I plan to only drive X5s forever.

They are an absolute joy to drive. I use winter tires year 'round and the cornering force for such a big car is ludicrous. I can literally corner better in the wet than my Camaro Z28. (I rarely use brakes for cornering).

My car just turned 17 and has about 2kg out of 2500kg total rust. Most of that being on the rear subframe. It's a marvel of engineering in so many ways it just amazes me. The reliability speaks for itself in how many of the complicated systems still function such as auto leveling headlights rain sending wipers, self leveling airbag suspension etc.

It has a few badly designed items like the self destruct mexhaism in the door handle carriers and the rear brake lines are apparently damaged by the factory as they are bent and the rust prevention coating is cracked. (not that they could have prevented that it takes 15+ years before they also self destruct)

I love your reasoning of why V8 vs the more reliable M54 motor and I would make the same call having the choice. I chanced into my 3.0i and it worked perfectly and was the perfect stepping stone into my next X5 which will be either a V8 or one of the crazy fast sixes that exist today