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

[Miyanc]

Ok so I have been back and forth with what I want and should buy. First let me say it's not a daily driver. This will be a second car for transporting myself and scouts on trips,limited back and forth around town. I have a take home vehicle I drive to work. I have debated(and depending on what's available when I buy). But usually fall on BMW X5 or Land Rover . I am only looking to spend 5-7k . In my area I have found many that look good from far and over the next few weeks may start getting abetter look.
I actually like both these cars for different reasons. BMW for driving experience and Land Rover for rugged and maybe more luxury.
If I get the X5 I want a V8. The newer the better 2004 to 2008. I realize even with proper maintenance these vehicles can get squirrelly. At 150-200k anything and everything can go south and quick. I am not shy on doing my own work. I am not sure I have the tools for the heavy stuff.

As a secondary vehicle I just need it to be reliable enough. Forums by design highlight what wrong with things.

My biggest question is what is the general opinion on year and which model V8. I get he n62 vs m62 and see it discussed. I am going to assume all 3 (4.4, 4.6, 4.8) will have push enough. Years to avoid or features, packages to get or not. I will look for the best I can get in terms of condition and service.

Thanks in advance

[EODguy]

I can tell you that my X5 is a 2005 4.8iS full option and it is great but....

You will find that the late 04 to mid 06 4.8 n62 can be a PITA for "certain" issues popping up. I still wouldn't want lamb roller unless it was an old defender 90 (last LR you could fix with gum and baling wire)

Go with the X but check these posts to lessen your chances of putting some mechanic's kid through an Ivy League school.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...e53-today.html

[andrewwynn]

It would have scared me a year ago but after dealing heads and doing a full vanos/timing chain swap on the M62, it wouldn't scare me. The cars I've helped with have been M62 but I've also worked on N62: that one would be more work with the far more complicated valve train to work on.

The M62 is a fun engine to work on *almost everything is very well designed for repair.

*The exhaust manifold nuts are stupid difficult to get to and the coolant crossover is blocked by the heater core valves other than that it's very straight forward stuff just follow the steps like a giant Lego toy.

The problem with the age is two fold; worn vanos and "Bavarian roulette" with the timing chain guides.

Having worked on 4-5 M62 with blown timing chains/guides here's what I've learned:

The guides get brittle from age and heat: they will work perfectly well up to over 200,000 miles some times—until they don't: my theory is that once brittle you hit a strong bump that the weight of the chain will pull the chain off the guide and then "slap" back onto the guide causing a piece to break off. Depending where that piece breaks it will cascade fail quite quickly from that point especially if it compromised the oil supply.

Once the first part fails it needs immediate attention: if the chain derails you go from a relatively simple chain guides replacement to pulling heads and replacing valves. It's twice the work and 50-100% additional cost. (DIY cost): either job is not worth shop costs.

It's about $1000-1200 including parts and tools to do the timing chain job including vanos refurbish tool which is amazing. It takes me a better part of a week to do the job but I've heard of a pair of guys doing in a weekend.

I have a pair of E53 '01. I've been looking into trading one 3.0 in for a V8 model to bump the power but would like to find something closer to 120,000 miles.

[andrewwynn]

The N62 has a horrible quirk that may also exist on M62: the alternator bracket has a $3 "o-ring" (shaped like Micky mouse) that takes about 4 hours to replace and is no fun. When it blows it will squirt oil as fast as you can pour out of a bottle (literally not an exaggeration). It can be DIY and you should be prepared for that to happen on >150k miles. If I bought one older than 150 I would change preemptively. The one I helped replace was hard as clay.

[Miyanc]

Eodguy, how many miles? If you don't mind me asking, how many miles did you buy it and how long ago?

I love all the fan boy haterade. I bet the Land Rover peeps have cute catch phrases for you guys as well. I guess the funny part is the years you discussed, 04-06, didn't BMW own lr? Also didn't it use the 4.4 BMW engine and doesn't BMW have parts/tech taken from lr? It's one of the reasons I will probably go X5. I am hoping to gain all the BMW driving experience, handling and giddy up, and also have enough walnuts to handle off-road if needed.

[Miyanc]

Andrewynn,
I am not sure which part your selling. N62 or m62, also you state you have 2 e53 3.0 and maybe looking for a V8 but offering knowledge on the day of the V8.

When and if I get a particular model, I will be looking for all those tips like Mickey's o ring. I bet there are many. I have an 89 mustang many years ago. Back then(maybe they still do) I bought many mustang mags and did 100 different things to it. Some big and many small. No forums like this then and I have done the forum thing on many of my other vehicles. Knowledge is King.

[EODguy]

Below is a repost of all my data, apparently I have the only White 4.8iS on the forum (so far). I am the 3rd owner and got it about 5 months ago for $4,000 USD but after complete suspension, brakes, headlights and all filters/fluids, etc. I'm at around $9,200 USD including the car as of last week.

193,486 km

VIN: WBAFA91025LD77347
Type code: FA91
Model: X5 4.8IS (EUR)
E-F-R series: E53d
Series: X
Type: All-Road
Steering: LL
Doors: 5
Engine: N62/S
Displacement: 4.80
Power: 265 (360 hp)
Drive: ALLR
Transmission: AUT
Paint code: 490 - SONDERLACKIERUNG
Upholstery code: V9GE - EXCLUSIVLEDER WA
Prod.date: 2005-01-13
S2KD BMW light alloy wheel, V-spoke 168
S4NA Interior mirror with digital compass
S9AA Outer skin protection
S205 Automatic transmission
S216 HYDRO STEERING-SERVOTRONIC
S221 2-axle self-levelling suspension
S226 Sports suspension settings
S249 Multifunction f steering wheel
S255 Sports leather steering wheel
S261 Side airbags for rear passengers
S302 Alarm system
S321 Exterior parts in vehicle colour
S328 Footplate, aluminium
S352 Insulating double-glazing
S358 Climate comfort windscreen
S386 Roof railing
S402 Panorama glass roof
S412 Luggage-compartment floor, extendable
S413 Luggage compartment net
S417 Roller sun visor, rear door
S423 Floor mats, velours
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430 Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S437 Fine wood trim
S441 Smoker package
S442 Drink holder
S456 Comfort seat with memory
S459 El. front seat adjustment w. memory
S461 Electric seat backrest adjustment, rear
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S502 Headlight cleaning system
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521 Rain sensor
S522 Xenon Light
S524 Adaptive Headlights
S533 Air conditioning, rear
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S548 Kilometre speedo
S601 TV function
S609 Navigation system, Professional
S612 BMW Assist
S620 Voice control
S638 Car telephone Professional
S672 CD changer for 6 CDs
S677 HiFi system Professional DSP
S775 Headlining anthracite
S785 White direction indicator lights
S818 Battery master switch
L822 GULF VERSION
S823 Hot-climate version
S825 Radio control Oceania
S840 High speed synchronisation
S845 Acoustic fasten seat belt reminder
S853 Language version, English
S861 Data record without EOBD
S864 Dealer List Overseas
S876 Radio frequency 315 MHz
S880 Operating instructions, English
S887 Operating instructions, Arabic
S925 Dispatch protection pack
S938 Individual series
S993 model year code in VIN

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Miyanc

Andrewynn,
I am not sure which part your selling. N62 or m62, also you state you have 2 e53 3.0 and maybe looking for a V8 but offering knowledge on the day of the V8.

When and if I get a particular model, I will be looking for all those tips like Mickey's o ring. I bet there are many. I have an 89 mustang many years ago. Back then(maybe they still do) I bought many mustang mags and did 100 different things to it. Some big and many small. No forums like this then and I have done the forum thing on many of my other vehicles. Knowledge is King.

I've seen big problems with the valvtronic system on the N62, but if you get a plant without that issue i don't think i would shy away from it, but it's something to know about (there was a recall for intermediate levers; when it costs $750 for each of the two eccentric shafts, even DIY it can get very pricey very fast).

The M62 is a more DIY friendly power plant no doubt about it but the N62 is a very neat design that i wouldn't mind owning as long as the valvetronics is working properly. Ive set the timing about 6 times on the M62 and have dissected that motor down to the block a few times now, so it doesn't scare me at all to deal with a pretty low-level re-build. I would strive to avoid removing the heads and would love to find an M62 based X5 that JUST blew it's chain guides; it takes about $5k off the value which brings it down to 3-digit prices; about $1000 to $1200 and you can have an amazing truck if you can spend the 30 hours or so to rebuild the engine.


I will add that I chanced into the e53; i was looking for about 4 different vehicles when i picked up my E53 at auction with 128,000 miles. I think the auction price 3 years ago was about $5500 after about $800 boost from a bit of a bidding war. that's almost exactly 90% off the sticker price.

I've loved the X5 since inception just from the style and the classic design that is almost timeless. It was not on the short list because it's not on the 'top ten reliable' cars. I was thrilled to discover the car on the auction lot because it was exactly designed for me, it's the perfect car for me; drives like a sports car holds 1100# of tools which i keep in bins so i can empty in minutes to have a family car with little effort.

There are myriad small problems that keep creeping into the maintenance schedule but over 3 years we've averaged about $80/mo on the younger car and $40/month on the older (miles) car, which is amazing. That includes the front CV axles and lower arms on the younger car and all rotors on both cars.

re-building the rear brake lines meant about $70 in parts and tools, another $60 or so for the pressure bleeder which I already owned; a FAR CRY from the $1100- 1500 quote i've seen from dealers for the same job.

I rebuilt my alternator for $20 vs $300 part, most broken door handle carriers can be wired back together for free; the $130 door actuator can be re-built with $12 worth of motors (i will be doing that refurbish soon); if you start to dry-lubricate your window tracks you can avoid self-destructing the window regulators something that is very common on this car.

look for the recent thread somebody that JUST bought E53 and asked advice what to get out of the way re: preventive maintenance it will give you a good idea.

When i bought mine i put in mind a budget of $800 to $1000 to fix whatever the P.O. chose not to fix but rather trade in; the SES light was on; tuned out to be caused from a weak cam shaft position sensor. $90 part (OEM came with german instructions). bullet dodged. I also had a non-functioning AC; after vacuuming out and re-charging (or attempting), discovered the low pressure sensor was unplugged; car was nearly 100% after that fix.

I've been planning my next stepping stone since the week i bought mine; i should be good with X5 for a decade or two, no plan on using a different make or model car quite possibly for the duration (i'm over 50 now). I fully expect to get over 250,000 miles on my current X5, 200 to 225 on wife's, and i keep my eyes open for a good stepping stone off this car all the time; maybe a 2006 (still E53) with M62 and low miles or like mine used as a commuter car).

Maybe you can borrow one or do a 24 hour test drive; you may get just as hooked as myself. There is a reason they say "ultimate driving machine" it's not the ultimate cushion your butt while you drive in a cloud machine; if you like to have the sensation of driving, bmw rocks, always has always will.

[smokeyyank]

I can only speak to the M62. I bought my 4.6 almost 2 years ago with 133k has 140k now. Obviously not my daily but I work on this more than I do my jeep that I drive every day. Truthfully, a reliable secondary vehicle isn't a BMW or LR, if you want that get a Toyota, honda.

You will almost have to fix stuff right off the bat. I've had to replace battery, tires, coils, valve cover gaskets, tranny service, spark plugs and a bunch of other random things. I will eventually do timing chain, tranny rebuild and t case if I decided to keep it. hint hint I know someone selling one....

Issues
M62 timing chain guides

N62 Valve stems

Pick your poison, I'd rather deal with a M62 personally.

Both can and will have tranny issues.

00-03 can also have issues with the transfer case. Don't think 04+ had the same problem.

Yes, the 4.4 was used in LR and other parts as well big difference is the Brits sucks at electronics.

What I will say is the thing is a BLAST to drive. As much as it will piss me off sometimes the torque is fn addicting. I knew going into X ownership it would be a labor of love or deep pockets. I think as you are prepared to tackle the big issues, either DIY or paying ALOT, I'd look for something else.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by smokeyyank

I can only speak to the M62. I bought my 4.6 almost 2 years ago with 133k has 140k now. Obviously not my daily but I work on this more than I do my jeep that I drive every day. Truthfully, a reliable secondary vehicle isn't a BMW or LR, if you want that get a Toyota, honda.

You will almost have to fix stuff right off the bat. I've had to replace battery, tires, coils, valve cover gaskets, tranny service, spark plugs and a bunch of other random things. I will eventually do timing chain, tranny rebuild and t case if I decided to keep it. hint hint I know someone selling one....

Issues
M62 timing chain guides

N62 Valve stems

Pick your poison, I'd rather deal with a M62 personally.

Both can and will have tranny issues.

00-03 can also have issues with the transfer case. Don't think 04+ had the same problem.

Yes, the 4.4 was used in LR and other parts as well big difference is the Brits sucks at electronics.

What I will say is the thing is a BLAST to drive. As much as it will piss me off sometimes the torque is fn addicting. I knew going into X ownership it would be a labor of love or deep pockets. I think as you are prepared to tackle the big issues, either DIY or paying ALOT, I'd look for something else.

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.