2005 4.8is purchase

salotto1 · #1 03-02-2009, 11:07 AM

hey guys, just joined last night, thinking of getting rid of my 2002 m5 for the 4.8is.... found this one http://web.dealer123.com/web/br/?id=344307 has 42k miles... warranty expires on april 8th, 2009 BMW has no record of brakes ever being replaced... at 42k miles shouldn't they be due?
also do they all come with self-leveling suspension?
does anyone have ability to run the car history VIN through BMW.. i just tried with 2 dealers, 1 gave me nothing, the other said everything looks fine and no problems with car.
Appreciate any help i can get... if i get rid of M, i figure the 4.8is the next best thing!

thanks
bob

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BMWLOVER · #2 03-02-2009, 07:39 PM

Yes all 4.8is come with self-leveling suspension. It can be adjusted from a button by the headlight switch.

jst2878 · #3 03-02-2009, 08:48 PM

check the vin at the bmw dealership in SC. looks nice. I got my 4.4 with 42k for 29...your getting the better deal

TaMbALoLoNg · #4 03-02-2009, 08:58 PM

If your getting this car from a reputable Lexus dealer, they can take care of those minor issues you are worried about. The car should be pre-inspected before they put it on the lot, you can demand a carfax or history from them if you want. I dont think Lexus is going to ruin their name by trying to sell a lemon. It's well priced and seem to be a sweet deal. beside you still have a little time on the warranty to get the new breaks.

X5 Meister · #5 03-02-2009, 10:52 PM

Still drooling. Wow what a car. That is one freakin nice ride. Has the BEST interior option (IMHO) of any X5... with the cream two-tone leather interior and dark wood. (I only hate how BMW decided to make the entire seat in the same color (back of it should be black IMHO)).

Completely loaded except for heated steering wheel (can do that yourself) and no load floor (personally don't like it). Carfax looks fine. Go to a BMW dealer with the VIN (looks like stuff was done in Florida at a BMW dealer... call up that dealer for the info) and get all the maintenance work printed out. Brakes look like complete shit... never seen so much rust on them. I'd have a BMW dealer inspect the car and tell you (definitively) if they can also change the calipers under warranty given they look so bad.

Problems:
1. Brakes
2. Check tire condition. Might be bad by now. Could be a good negotiating tool.
3. Not CPO, so you better start pricing extended warranties.
4. Regular warranty expires very very soon. If you get it, take it for service the next day and then again and again to get EVERYTHING fixed that you can get fixed plus have them run a recall check. Also one reason why you want maintenance records from BMW is to find out when was last oil change. You'll want to get that done before warranty expires if you can.
5. No extended maintenance. Strongly consider that as well.
6. Lexus dealer. Personally I hate the idea of buying a used car from a different brand dealer (I wouldn't buy a Ferrari from a Lexus dealer) because frankly I don't think they prepped it at all for sale; just washed it and put the tag in the window. Case in point, the brakes. (e.g. I've seen plenty of X5's on other dealer lots where the steering wheel finish is peeling CONSIDERABLY (a known problem) and always thought to myself...you couldn't change a $50 part that the customer would obviously be staring at during a test drive??? Come on...)

mrbmwx5 · #6 03-02-2009, 10:57 PM

get it,get it ,,,you will love it

HuskerX5 · #7 03-03-2009, 01:18 AM

Just a thought...a fellow CCA member went to our local dealer and told them he had found a nice Imola 2005 4.8is at a Mercedes dealership 300 miles away. http://tinyurl.com/bzml2o He wanted to get the rig BMW CPO certified and could they do that if he brought it in. What ended up happening is, the BMW dealership bought the X5 and had it shipped up to them and sold it to my buddy for the same price and then was able to CPO certify it an additional 2.5 years or 100k miles. Certification was approx. $2400 for my 2005 4.4i in Oct of last year and is good until Nov 2011.
Part of the certification is replacing anything that is 50% worn including tires, brake components etc. Further, he was able to take advantage of very low BMW Financial interest rates. The key component here is, the BMW dealership must own the vehicle for it to be certified. They were more than happy to help with everything knowing they would have another unit moved that month, a happy client and another vehicle to service until warranty runs out. He picks it up this Friday.

Just a suggestion....otherwise, search the independent providers of warranties and see what they offer for pricing.

X5 Meister · #8 03-03-2009, 01:50 AM

Pretty amazing story. FYI, I now the 4.8is didn't qualify for the 0.9% financing, but for what it's worth, it expired today. Wonder what BMW will come up with next!?

salotto1 · #9 03-03-2009, 10:12 AM

great posts guys, thanks
typically the brakes look rusty after a wash and they dry.. my M5 does that and it wears right off once driven.
To have BMW purchase the car then certify it was never thought of, thank you for that great idea... just go to my dealer & ask them?
appreciate the help, will keep everyone posted

Also found one much further away for $36k but only 10k miles on it!

jpm4.8is · #10 03-03-2009, 01:12 PM

Hope everything works out well, you are not gonna regret getting the 4.8is

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