FNG: Taking the plunge - need advise

[DesertRat]

So my wife wants a new to her smaller SUV. We've drove many of the SUV's in the X5 class and have settled on the 4.4i.

Here is the question at hand assuming the condition of the vehicles are are all comparable, clean carfax, etc:

What of the three following cars is the best "value":

1) 2003 with 65k miles for $19k
2) 2006 with 50k miles for $29k
3) 2004 with 38k miles for $28k

Interested what the seasoned verterans have to say.

Thanks in advance,

-DR

[Naz24]

price arent that impressive..

i picked up a 2004 4.4 almost a year ago for 20k with 2 years of CPO left.

go with the 06 out of all of them.. does it have CPO?

[zracer196]

No not at all. No 2003. The 04' model was upgraded a lot (motor, body, etc.). The 06' should have some factory warranty left...See if it has a late 2006 in service date. Maint. included too. Also 05'+ had bluetooth with the NAV system (others had it too).

Wow...The cars are scarce in your area and overpriced! Check these out. I am having mine shipped from Cali to Florida. WORTH every penny for a nice one with warranty!!

I'd go for one of these:

Find Your Car: BMW X5 Listings Near Denver, CO 80263 - AutoTrader.com



Used Cars for Sale: Listings Near 80263 - Cars.com

[DesertRat]

I've been doing the searches on Ebay, AutoTrader, Cars.com and CraigsList. If it is an '06 with with 30-40k miles, folks want low to mid $30k for them. I thought that was a bit stiff but I've only been looking for about a month or so.

I've read several threads (i.e. research) on here and the 2004 -2006 seem to be the vintage of choice. I think I'll concentrate on on those years.



Since my wife will be driving this car mainly on interstate and secondary street in her commute, I fear that the 4.8is ride will be too firm/sporty compared to a 4.4i. Any thought on that.

Thanks again for the inputs,

-DR

[sprocket1200]

yes forget the 03. go 04 or newer. and forget the 4.8 for your wife, you gotta be kidding me, the premium will not be worth it for her. has she even taken one driving course?

[DesertRat]

We went and test drove the 2006 4.4i with 50k miles. Nice ride...we've driven one before. This one had a slight shimmy in the right front when we first got it rolling but it went away after the thing warmed up. I was a little goosey about it. You could feel it in the steering wheel and the seat. Dealer said, "...all BMW's do that when they're cold..."

(This ain't my first rodeo you know. I first started driving Bimmers when they weren't cool (e.g. 1972 & 1976 2002's, 1980 320i, etc...) I've been out of the bimmer world for some time but have always appreciated them.)

So I waived off the deal and will continue the search. Any thought on the "shimmy"?

Thanks in advance,

-DR

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by zracer196

No not at all. No 2003. The 04' model was upgraded a lot (motor, body, etc.). The 06' should have some factory warranty left...See if it has a late 2006 in service date. Maint. included too. Also 05'+ had bluetooth with the NAV system (others had it too).

Wow...The cars are scarce in your area and overpriced! Check these out. I am having mine shipped from Cali to Florida. WORTH every penny for a nice one with warranty!!

I'd go for one of these:

Find Your Car: BMW X5 Listings Near Denver, CO 80263 - AutoTrader.com



Used Cars for Sale: Listings Near 80263 - Cars.com

Thanks for the links. I've increased the search radius and now know what you mean. Denver prices are higher than the rest of the country it seems.

[sprocket1200]

thoughts on the shimmy, yeah, don't buy that car!

you can have cars shipped cheap across the country...