Buying used. What do I look for?

[carvelo]

I'm looking into buying low mileage (<50K) '02 or '03 3.0 liter x5. I've always loved the way these cars drive and look, and only now can I get into one affordably. I'm coming from a Camaro on which I did most of my own work, but I realize that won't be an opportunity I'll have with the Bimmer, so....

What should I look for when test driving one of these vehicles? Is there any cheap thing that tends to break? Particular noises? Burning oil? If there's just a common problem that many of you have come across, let me know so I can address that in my test drive. Thanks for the help!

[gregwx5]

There could be a possible tailgate rattle over bumps..I bought my 03 3.0 with 54k had nothing major mechanically, but had both front calipers sieze at different times, but that was covered under CPO, and I got new front brakes both times so I was actually glad it happened! Get CPO, thats the way to go..ENjoy!

[Ecko]

CV boots (8total) front left outer one in particular goes bad first @ or around 60-80K. Have them checked out you'll know if their bad or not. Water pump has been known to crap out around the same mileage. Other than that, great vehicles

[benathon]

Wait a little more and get a facelifted X...

[E61Silver]

Get a 04 or latter. They made changes fixing some of the problems.

[Tomaz]

Any year X5 could be a good ride. Have your local independent mechanic check it out if your unsure. You can still do a lot of you own work on the car if your handy. Watch out for Katrina submarines. Be patient and wait for the features and colors you want. Welcome to the board.

[Ecko]

Originally Posted by Tomaz

Any year X5 could be a good ride. Have your local independent mechanic check it out if your unsure. You can still do a lot of you own work on the car if your handy. Watch out for Katrina submarines. Be patient and wait for the features and colors you want. Welcome to the board.

Ha, funny you mention those Katrina subs. Some idiot up here where a co-worker of mine brings his BMW's for service bought an 03 S500 for like 12G's. I swear he was only able to drive it from LA back to Atlanta and into the repair shop. It has major electrical issues. I live amongst total idiots here in Atlanta. People around here don't know what their buying. He figured he got a good deal and was gonna push this soaked up whip around town.

[carvelo]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will definitely have someone give it a full inspection before going through with the purchase. I'd love to get a facelifted one, but I think those are out of my price range unfortunately. You can be sure if LA shows up anywhere in the vehicle history, I won't be buying it.

[mtndew06]

Don't forget to sign up with Carfax.com. Before you buy anything run the VIN #....

Originally Posted by carvelo

I'm looking into buying low mileage (<50K) '02 or '03 3.0 liter x5. I've always loved the way these cars drive and look, and only now can I get into one affordably. I'm coming from a Camaro on which I did most of my own work, but I realize that won't be an opportunity I'll have with the Bimmer, so....

What should I look for when test driving one of these vehicles? Is there any cheap thing that tends to break? Particular noises? Burning oil? If there's just a common problem that many of you have come across, let me know so I can address that in my test drive. Thanks for the help!

[detailersdomain]

bushings in the front and control arms, I just had my whole front end replaced,

Bushings, wheel bearings, control arms, right shock, power steering box, steering rack, car was in for warranty approvals....3 weeks, but with only 3k left on the warranty this was like a blessing in disguise.

The wifey wasn't too thrilled about the x being in the shop for 3 weeks but hey its fixed and its drives like a champ now no rattles, no noises etc...

props to Paul Costas at Difeo....but yes you've got to make sure you get a CPO car or something with some warranty left...just in case. Its worth the premium paid, this RO would have been about $4k!!!!