Should I buy an older X5? Answer NO

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I'm forever steering people away from them when I know they don't have the same kind of mechanical aptitude as me. Toyotas and Hondas are wonderful for most people.

AM.

Agree with this as well. I also give the same guidance to friends/family. If you are not able/willing to wrench, or pay big repair bills, buy a new BMW, cpo BMW w/ extended coverage warranty, or buy any of the more reliable, less fun to drive, import brands.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I'm fairly handy with a wrench, and I like BMW's, so owning older ones isn't a huge problem for me. However, I'm forever steering people away from them when I know they don't have the same kind of mechanical aptitude as me. Toyotas and Hondas are wonderful for most people.

AM.

When I sold the X I asked the lady if her son works on cars, she replied No. I then went on and told her that BMW are not cheap cars to fix. I told her that perhaps a later model car with a warranty will be a better fit, but that perfect interior and shiny body had her hooked.

[Attacking Mid]

I recently sold my e46 with 250K+ miles. I even put such warnings in my listing! I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of interest the car generated and by the TYPE of buyer it attracted.... several younger BMW enthusiast types who seemed to fully understand what they were buying. It sold to the first person to see it at full asking price.

AM.

[Spanker]

Can I have yours? I can come for it tomorrow pronto! I'll even bring sammiches...

[computergui]

Like a lot of others on this thread, the addiction/sado masochism in me is strong. I own a 95 540i with 360K that is probably good to half a mil. I recently picked up a e53 4.4 that the previous owner practically begged me to take. I've spent the entire summer making it road worthy and it's certainly a hoot to drive. That said, I've spent the last few weeks watching youtube videos on how to properly rebuild a ZF5HP24.

[amancuso]

Mine has had relatively few issues over the 2.5 yrs I've owned it. Expenses have been high because I have no time to do the work myself.

Issues:
rear air bags
air compressor
valve cover gaskets
alternator bracket gasket
Valve stem seals.

Do I care? No. The car rewards back in spades. If I was on a budget I wouldn't buy this car. I'd buy a 4-5 year old Civic, and even those aren't without their issues (look up AC problems).

[srmmmm]

I think I take the award for ultimate crazy though with 368,400 miles on the original transmission fluid...just waiting for next summer's boat towing


Ultimately though, my annual maintenance, even performed by my gracious local BMW dealer, has cost less than new car payments would be on a similar vehicle. I just wish the leather on the driver's seat didn't give away how much butt time its had. Overboost can attest to that.


2002 X5 3.0 368,400 miles
2014 428i 65,500 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

I think I take the award for ultimate crazy though with 368,400 miles on the original transmission fluid...just waiting for next summer's boat towing


Ultimately though, my annual maintenance, even performed by my gracious local BMW dealer, has cost less than new car payments would be on a similar vehicle. I just wish the leather on the driver's seat didn't give away how much butt time its had. Overboost can attest to that.


2002 X5 3.0 368,400 miles
2014 428i 65,500 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration

Your car looks fantastic, even with that kind of mileage. We should all hope to get that kind of service out of our BMW's.

[StephenVA]

No love for our SAVs. Been to shows and people walk by like it was a minivan. Love mine, get comments every time I park it. At work they think it is new, but then it only has 63K on it. Soon to be 64K....
Most people equate clean with a new car, as theirs are NEVER clean once off the dealer's lot.

[onthefence]

Originally Posted by Boston01X5

expect something to go wrong or a new problem every month.

Can you post a list of repairs you've needed in 18 months?
Time to determine if you're clueless or legit.