Looking at buying a X5....Need the experts opinions

baoconnor · #1 03-25-2009, 10:36 AM

I've been lurking on this forum for a few weeks now and am seriously considering an X5 purchase. I want a 4.4 motor. The 3.0 will probably be underpowered (IMO) and the 4.8 would be sweet to have, but I'm afraid it would kill me in maintenance costs. I also want to get an 06. At this point hopefully the majority of issues have been worked out and this should be the most reliable year.

So, here's one I found that I'm interested in:
2006 4.4 sport & premium package with 31K miles no nav asking $27,900 (clean title)
Trade in value is $26,525 in excellent cond and $25,225 in good cond

This is not at a $tealership, but a 3rd party lot, so it's not a CPO. It's an off lease vehicle and would still be under warranty for the next year or so. Unfortunately it's out of town and all I have to go off of is pictures right now and it appears to be in great condition.

Just to give you a little history of my auto experience, I've never owned a BMW before so some of the reliability issues concern me. Of course those that have had problems are always the most vocal and you rarely hear from those without problems so who knows what to make of that. I've always owned Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus and have been extremely satisfied with their reliability but of course gave up a true driving experience. My last 3 autos have been a Lexus ES300, Lexus IS300 and a Lexus LX470. I'm used to the more expensive luxury car maintenance costs, but I've found that if you can find a good mechanics shop you can make maintenance more affordable.

So, what do you think of the price of the x5 I'm looking at assuming it's in good shape?
Anything I sould look at in particular when inspecting it prior to purchase?
Do BMW dealerships have access to maintenance records to ALL BMW $tealerships or just their own?

For anyone in Omaha/Lincoln, NE, any thoughts on Markel BMW or BMW of Lincoln from a service perspective? How about the Sports Car garage in downtown Omaha?

I will say this forum is outstanding and I keep finding more and more information that I could use in x5 ownership.

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Brian

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cobra94563 · #2 03-25-2009, 11:11 AM

Hi,
I just just bought an '05 4.4. Prior to my purchase I considered one in another state, too. Pictures looked great. I was able to have a friend check it out. Mechanically, if it's under warranty, you should be OK. But prior accident history and general wear and tear, it's hard to tell the condition until you really see the car.

Assuming it is consistent with a 31k car, I think you can find get a car closer to the trade-in value, so that is what I'd target. (I paid less, but it was not fully reconditioned.)

I would be mostly looking for accident and/or poor mechanical history, and general wear.

baoconnor · #3 03-25-2009, 12:01 PM

Cobra, thanks for the thoughts. I will definately will pull a carfax and get dealer maintenance records if possible. Good to know what price I should be targeting. I'll assume that the price advertised is the starting point of negotiations. Sounds like a price around trade value would be a good deal for me a somewhat profitable for the Dealer.

E61Silver · #4 03-25-2009, 12:16 PM

I had a 05 4.4 and loved it, the V8 gets about the same MPG as the 3.0.

The sport package may cause the ride to be a little firm.

anerbe · #5 03-25-2009, 12:57 PM

you may be able to do better if you keep looking - i bought my 06 4.4 (Prem, Nav, CWP w/ rear heat seats, no Sport) w/ 42K miles CPO for $26.5 w/ 0.9% financing

Zagros · #6 03-25-2009, 04:09 PM

I currently own an 06 4.4. I probably paid too much for it...but that's besides the point.

One piece of advise is to avoid the ride height adjustment option. I've owned serveral BMW's (this is my first X) but I knew something was wrong after a couple of weeks of driving it. It took a few visits to the dealer to get it fixed. It was something to do with the struts, not exactly sure what it was. It affected the tire pressure monitor, and the 4x4 light kept coming on, and there was a loud "clunk" when I hit a bump, as opposed to that solid sound I was used to hearing from a BMW.

It feels great now, and the suspension seems to be working properly but that would be a very expensive repair if you aren't under warranty.

I have 20" rims as well. Although it looks great, I probably would have settled for smaller rims. The ride is a bit rough, and I was lucky enough to get a screw in the side wall on the back tire about a month after I had it. Replacing two 315/35/20's totally sucks!

Good Luck.

N S · #7 03-25-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zagros

I have 20" rims as well. Although it looks great, I probably would have settled for smaller rims. The ride is a bit rough, and I was lucky enough to get a screw in the side wall on the back tire about a month after I had it. Replacing two 315/35/20's totally sucks!

Good Luck.

Which 20" rims? Want to trade for my 19" rims?

baoconnor · #8 03-25-2009, 11:13 PM

Yeah, I was planning on avoiding air suspension. I had that on my LX470 and it would go up and down for no reason at times. Thanks for the advice.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

Zagros · #9 03-26-2009, 05:22 PM

It's the Star Spoke 87's. I think I'll keep them considering I just had to put tires on the back. I had to buy the damn tires from the dealer too... no one else had them.

x5pdx · #10 03-26-2009, 08:27 PM

If you don't want to do your own maintnce.... my oil changes cost $100 (up from $20 in my old Accord) and the ceramic front brakes just cost me $550 (up from $129 in old car). I went to an indy mechanic. Stealership would have cost me more. Don't want to think about my staggered tires b/c I would be crying too much.

If you can, get a CPO'd car. I ended up spending an extra $3k on extended warranty. Good luck.

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