New guy looking to buy an e53 - Page 2

Crowz · #1 03-20-2019, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmepilot

Thanks, but I can find an e46 much closer, if not buy my old car back if it's still alive. Her golf clubs will fit in an e46, but it's still a little tight. Most likely she'll have other teammates traveling with her to practice as well.

If you do decide on a e46 I have one of those I'd sell. 5 Speed manual and new clutch and suspension.

Gets 41 mpg

Only flaw is the clear coats starting to come off. Paint guy keeps giving me the brush off on getting it repainted.

rmepilot · #2 03-20-2019, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I have a nice 5MT e46 I'd sell in Colorado. Although maintained well, it's a 20 y.o. car with 251K miles, so that may be older than you're looking to put your daughter in.

An X3 with MT will likely be easier to find, and frankly, I bet she'd like it more. Especially if you can find an LCI (07+) version with the N52. The 06 pre-LCI is desirable over the older ones mostly due to BMW FINALLY painting the bumpers instead of adorning the vehicle with big ugly black plastic!

Good hunting,

AM.

For argument sake, which is the preferred of the following options?

A) 2003 X5 5MT 200k @$4k

B) 2006 X3 6MT 146k @ $6k

C) 2008 X3 6MT 110k @ $6.5k

All vehicles seem in good shape for their age and taken care of, but tbd...

CleanIsFast · #3 03-20-2019, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmepilot

For argument sake, which is the preferred of the following options?

A) 2003 X5 5MT 200k @$4k

B) 2006 X3 6MT 146k @ $6k

C) 2008 X3 6MT 110k @ $6.5k

All vehicles seem in good shape for their age and taken care of, but tbd...

Without knowing anything else besides what you provided.

I'd consider B and C. Just because they are less miles, minimal price difference and later model years. 04-06 will be LCI for X5, so better headlights and option for aux retrofit.

motordavid · #4 03-20-2019, 08:18 AM

All good info above...I would find some other brand of manual trans car/semi-beater, for your D to learn on.

E53 manuals are like unicorns, though I have our '01 since new.

Other than the higher up seating position, they are heavy, lumbering cars esp for a new driver/slow speed steering/learning the pedals situ, imo.

I am going to teach our 16+ yr old Grand D to drive our VetteVert 6 Spd, so I get your goal.
GL, mD

rmepilot · #5 03-20-2019, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

All good info above...I would find some other brand of manual trans car/semi-beater, for your D to learn on.

E53 manuals are like unicorns, though I have our '01 since new.

Other than the higher up seating position, they are heavy, lumbering cars esp for a new driver/slow speed steering/learning the pedals situ, imo.

I am going to teach our 16+ yr old Grand D to drive our VetteVert 6 Spd, so I get your goal.
GL, mD

There are a few around and I'm going to look at one in Phoenix next week. I just have to weigh the shipping cost into the purchase price.

Bottom line, if I don't like the way it drives, I'll look into a different vehicle. With that said, if she can learn on a X5 MT, she can probably drive anything in the future. Plus, I don't have to worry about any of her friends asking to borrow her car...

CleanIsFast · #6 03-20-2019, 10:44 AM

If you are looking for a manual SAV, consider the E83 as well. They came in manuals too

https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/207991

That one is overpriced by a lot but you get the idea.

I'd consider the E83 maintenance woes to be less than E53. Having owned both, the E83 was very reliable! Same motor as the E53 3.0i as well (up until 2006 I believe)

rmepilot · #7 03-20-2019, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

If you are looking for a manual SAV, consider the E83 as well. They came in manuals too

https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/207991

That one is overpriced by a lot but you get the idea.

I'd consider the E83 maintenance woes to be less than E53. Having owned both, the E83 was very reliable! Same motor as the E53 3.0i as well (up until 2006 I believe)

I'm looking at the e83 as well, just have to find the right one. The goal is to have something by this summer.

EDIT: This is awesome. I've been a member here for over 10 years and now have 6 posts, all in the same thread...