new member + buying

[ZsX5o3]

Hi guys, long time reader/researcher first time poster

Little about me.. I first saw the X5 when I graduated from prep school in 2000, and since that day haven't been inspired by any car as much as the X5. So, when it finally came that I could afford a nice car, I began to research the X5. I'm still to this day most impressed/obsessed with the original, prefacelifted design. it is purely an aesthetic preference, as I realize the 04+ models are more technologically advanced and realiable. I decided that I would find the lowest mileage pre-facelifted (01-03) 3.0 X5. I wanted to stay around or under 20k, but I'm seeing so many deals for X5's over the 75k mileage mark, that I'm beginning to wonder if it is worth it to spend an extra 5k for the lower mileage. I was recently offered an incredible deal on an '02 topaz blue 3.0 with sport package, and 75,000 miles. I drive a company car to work, and plan to only use the X5 on weekends, and in the summer. Should I worry about mileage as much? I plan to set up a pre-purchase inspection with a local bmw dealership but even if it received a clean bill of health, I'm most worried about transmission problems. Are there any definitive early signs of this? If I pass, I will be looking at another X in my area in the 30,000 mileage range but much more expensive.

thanks for any input you can offer and for the great forum!

[PersonaNonGrata]

:xoutpost:

I think it comes down to your bottom line. Most people would advise you to buy as new and low mileage an example as you can afford. If you absolutely can't swing the extra money for the 30,000 mile example then your decision is pretty much made up.

Higher mileage X5's can be very reliable with good maintenance. There are number of 125,000 mile and up X5's we hear about on the site. I would recommend a search here for transmission issues. Some people have had them and some have not but I would have to say that there seems to be not than many replacements.

I have an '02 3.0 with almost 80K miles and aside from a variety of common problems there hasn't been any major mechanical issues. (Knock on wood!) Definitely check out the home page here for background info that will help immensely in your research.

[ZsX5o3]

thanks. most people have recommended that I spend the extra money for a super low mileage vehicle, I guess I'm just waiting for someone to finally disagree

[rastaFarai]

LOL. I think I was in the same boat as you a few yrs ago when I bought my 01. I got mine for a great deal, but still high mileage (75k). I guess you could do what I did, purchase an extended warranty for any major mechanical issues. Luckily I haven't had to spend too much $ on it, or at least not the kind of money that would make me feel that i made a bad decision (knock on wood!). LOL. Only major work was the alternator, and even that isn't too bad if you catch it before it happens (unfortunately I didn't so ended up spending about $1200, along with some other work i had done). I had a 97 saab as my interim car and hated when I had to put $200 into it for anything.. but i love my X5, I spend $200 on things i don't need LOL.

So i guess the question is, do you have the $ to keep up with the maint? If not get the 30k car. Thing is a car at 30k might be 30k of hard driving.. the car with 75k might have been pampered and maintained. Luckily I got door #2. Check the service history etc.. Make yourself feel a little better (or worse) about both Xs

Oh.. i'm at 113k and going strong..

[ZsX5o3]

thanks for the informative post. I guess I'm considering I may break even in repairs, getting a higher mileage, lower cost vehicle. I'm still waiting on the service history to be faxed to me, and then I will have the inspection done!

[lo_jack]

You need that service history. Pre face lift X5 3.0s have these problems that almost always crop up:

oil seperator/valve covers
water pump/thermostat
HVAC resistor

Additionally, you could have, in a pre 04 X5:
faulty engine wiring harness
CV joints (that is in every X5)
Fluids (also every X5; no one remembers the transfercase)
automatic transmission failure

Those first three things, unless I absolutely know they were replaced, I am going to do the first 3 days I own the car, on top of the fluids. Having done them already, I know about what they cost and how long it will take. I am pretty sure I could get the first three and fluids done for under a grand in parts and tools. But those need to either be done already, or you will pay for them. I have seen the cost of those first three things from a dealer be in excess of $4k.

I bought my car with 65k on it and now at 85k, all of the known replacements have been done. If I had not had a warranty or been able to do the work myself (I did the later), I would have been out probably 3-5k in repairs and downtime. I would add that straight to the top of the price of a 65,000 miles + car, without knowing the history of it.

If you know those repairs have been done, then the price you are getting quoted would be closer to the true cost.

I bought the lowest mile vehicle with a manual transmission I could find, plus some tools and hoped for the best. I have put in a couple thousand I guess in parts and my time, but I have gotten about 20k miles out of it so far with nothing but the known defects and normal maintainance. But I know people who have had way more problems with their similar year/mileage X5s, and there are some are on here as well.

Without a warranty or time/know how to work on the car, you are looking at all those higher mileage cars hiding another couple and potentially a few thousand dollars on top of the price and 'normal' maintainance. To some people (like me) that says opportunity. For others that spells disaster, and generates threads like "I hate BMWs" or "X5s are junk."

[ZsX5o3]

thanks. I have asked specifically about those problems but still waiting on the service records. Also I don't think they're specific to the X5 as my dad had the crankcase problem on his e39.

[lo_jack]

Originally Posted by ZsX5o3

thanks. I have asked specifically about those problems but still waiting on the service records. Also I don't think they're specific to the X5 as my dad had the crankcase problem on his e39.

Apparently not, but the early X5 version of the evap system is known for needing replacement, moreso in colder climates. Personally I think they designed that system to be replaceable, but most people aren't used to crankcase vent systems requiring maintainance.

[E61Silver]

Older X5 have lots issues, buy a new 335

[Werewolf]

Upkeep on the x5 is the key.

Buying an older x5 with more mileage might actually be cheaper than one with lower mileage if the older one is current on service schedules.

At 70-80K miles, I would expect some suspension items to need repair
CV boots
control arms


If you want to go cheap and will keep the car a long time, I would get a x5 with a stick shift. why?
- low purchase price
- sidesteps issues with the automatic transmission
- more fun to drive