high mile X5's

[Rev Engineer]

So I'm on the market looking for an older 01-02 higher-mile x5 in the $10-12k price range. Having owned numerous BMW's over the years and never having owned one with less than 100k, I haven't though too much about the concerns related to owning an x5 with high miles. But after reading some of the posts on this forum and seeing most members steering people towards newer, lower-mile X5's, I'm starting to wonder if I should be considering the x5 to replace my 170k 98 528i. I love my e39, but I need something to tow my e30 m3 track car and I don't have enough room in the driveway for a tow vehicle in addition to my e39. Seems like the x5 is the logical choice?

Are fears of owning a high mile x5 worse than other BMW's like the e39? I'm an avid DIY'er and do not have any problems doing regular maintainance and beyond. Aside from the transmission, are there any other high-dollar items that tend to fail on high-mile x5's?

[RichiRich]

I'm sure that you will get some nightmare's on this thread......but let me start it off on a positive note..... i'm 3k short of a buck and she is treating me well. I treat her well also though!!

Quite a few of us are pushing or have passed 100k and yes some things tend to go.....thermostat, window regulators, waterpump, ..all the usual suspects...... if that is what you want then go for it..just do some due diligence before you pull the trigger..

Rich

[wallyx5]

I am getting close to 238,000 mile on my X5, and it has been very good to me. I am still on the original transmission and the engine has been excellent. By the way I have a 2001 3.0. I am 4 for 4 on the window regulators and little stuff like cv boots replaced. My cats finally wore out on me so I am in the process of getting those fixed in a week or so. Really nothing major yet... But you sound like you can handle repairs, so I would say go for it. The X5 is a excellent choice.

[Weasel]

It will mainly be he same items that wear and break on most other BMWs like the E39 you have (I have the same one for my mother)

The only other things to keep up with that are different vs other BMWs are the front outer cv boots, transfer case etc. The 04 and up E53's have x-drive which has a clutch pack in the transfer case that can wear over the high mileage. And the )# and earlier E53s have the straight through transfer case, which only wear to worry about is the front output shaft splines can strip out in some cases, though not really common. The only thing that hastens these t-case issues is tire size/diameter difference from front to rear axle. Easy to keep a handle on as long as you're conscious about it.

Grab a good one and enjoy the hell out of it! (and I'm sure that E30 m3 is a monster on the track!!!)

[mtX5]

Originally Posted by wallyx5

I am getting close to 238,000 mile on my X5, and it has been very good to me. I am still on the original transmission and the engine has been excellent. By the way I have a 2001 3.0. I am 4 for 4 on the window regulators and little stuff like cv boots replaced. My cats finally wore out on me so I am in the process of getting those fixed in a week or so. Really nothing major yet... But you sound like you can handle repairs, so I would say go for it. The X5 is a excellent choice.

238,000 miles!! wow i hope my X lasts that long.


but to the OP, i think you should be fine with a higher mile X5 as long as it was well maintained. many issues should have already been resolved, and there might be a few more on the way..

but looking for a well maintained X is key

[X5 Meister]

Agree with the guys and as usual Weasel knows best... only thing I'd chime in with is that while yes it would be preferable to get a well maintained one, the older a car is, and to a lesser degree, the more miles it has, it just gets that much harder to find.

In my experience, others may or may not agree, cars with over 100,000 miles (for some reason a 'magic' number like the '50,000' mile market) tend to have been let go by their owners because they were costing too much to maintain, either in terms of money or time, and still be practical. Buying one from a dealer with such high mileage might not offer any benefit either, and finding one from a private party will likely involve a lot of legwork. I'm not saying that these cars can't last 100,000 miles and beyond and still perform well, it's just that a car with that kind of mileage has literally been on the road a looooong time which means more likely to have had an accident, breakdown, overheating, etc. stuff you may not know about until it is too late and you've spent a nice chunk of change.

[Paydirtdog]

I have a 2001 3.0 with 115,000 and it's had no major work, just CV boots and water pump. I would think a car like this should go 250,000 with no problem. To think you spend 50K + on a car and can't get over 200,000 would be pretty sad.

[mrbmwx5]

3.0i engines are forever young.I'm at 150k miles + and it still run like a beast.

[x555a]

Originally Posted by wallyx5

I am getting close to 238,000 mile on my X5, and it has been very good to me. I am still on the original transmission and the engine has been excellent. By the way I have a 2001 3.0. I am 4 for 4 on the window regulators and little stuff like cv boots replaced. My cats finally wore out on me so I am in the process of getting those fixed in a week or so. Really nothing major yet... But you sound like you can handle repairs, so I would say go for it. The X5 is a excellent choice.

238,000 miles and no major problems thats awsome good luck with the next 238,000

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

I am at 109K and rolling strong.... I have a E32 740iL with 300K, both no major repairs done yet. If you can find one at a price you like I say buy it. On the average you only hear the war stories on this site... If I was going by the opinion of this site when I purchased my X5 I never would have brought it, but it is a dream to me.. But since you already know you want it for towing, make sure the X you get already has the tow package on it before buying, hard item to get