Looking at a 2002 X5 4.4i sport

[azn1028]

finally found a nice one i'm going to look at tomorrow. anything in particular to watch out for??

any info would be great.

thanks

[FSETH]

Here is a start.

-smooth shifting transmission
-engine oil leaks (valve cover gaskets)
-coolant leaks
-check all power windows
-check for torn CV boots

Good luck! I also have an 02 4.4 sport package and love the way it drives.

[AW8]

I've written a word or two re buying E53's and based on me ending up with a 2002 4.4i Sport

Click on this link

http://www.x5drivers.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=11192#p11192

The starter list by FSETH is good advice as is listening for and feeling for bush/suspension rubber wear, checking tyres and brake discs/pads plus dash display and all electrics including all toys.

The wrong car can cost thousands to sort so beware of the bargain car in need of tlc unless you are able to fairly accurately assess costs involved to get it to standard aceptable to yourself.

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.

[GmX5]

Things I would look for:

-Wear on brakes
-CV boots
-soft upper and lower radiator hoses. These usually get changes when water pump and thermostat get changed (if the job was done right) so its a good indication of whether those things are old/new...good place to start.
-Smell for coolant under the hood after you drive it. Could be coolant leaking from various places (valley pan, radiator, reservoir tank, hoses..etc)
-wear on drive belts (another indication of maintainance and well being of car)
-If you could get the thing up on a lift and possibly remove the engine cover that would be good.
--under---could find a leaky powerstearing hose
--top (w/engine cover removed) worn out pcv vent hoses...these things turn into putty after a while.
--look for any white residue running along the radiator (coolant). I had a leak in my '01 and it started at the top of the driver's side of the radiator...I guess this is a common leak area if you have one..
--check to see if the Auxillary fan works. This is the fan in front of the radiator, you can see it if you are looking at the car from front outside. Turn on the AC and it should kick in, if not then there will need to be some maintainace done and its not cheap. So def. look at the Aux fan

Good luck man and congrats...I hope my list didnt scare you...just want you to be able to negotiate if things need to be replaced..

[realchef]

My friend has been handling cars for 20 years. He is now a SA at the BMW dealer here in town. His general advice is that condition and maintenance over-ride age. Any maintenence should have records or they don't count. Age will dictate your perspective.

Ask a dealer to read the key. They can tell you the dealer based history.

Good Luck. Never been a better time.

fwiw: personally, paint seems to be a good tell of the owner's overall approach to the car.