purchase advice 2000 X5 with a few issues

[haye_paul]

Greetings, I am looking at, and will most likely buy, a '00 X5 with 53K, owned by a friend, and wondering its value in this depressed economy where used cars are going cheap?? The car looks very good, inside and out, no accidents, but has not been garaged the past 18 months

It has the following known issues

1) driver window reg sticks down if fully lowered (best place to buy part and approx cost of install from indie)?
2) top windshield seal deteriorated, cracked
3) left turn signals not working (unbelievably bad engineering to access the bulbs from what I can see)?? any advice welcomed
4) service engine soon light on (assume fluid changes but could be more even though it runs fine
5) dead pixel problem instrument cluster, about 35% bad pixels (big expense?)
6) hazing of headlight plastic much worse on left side.

Tires 2 almost new and 2 @ 65%, new fr brake pads, and new battery

I have a cherry 94 325is with 64K for 5 years (20K miles) and have only spent a total of ~ $500 on maintenance including the 60K service I did myself to include water pump, thermostat and housing, all syn fluids (manual trans, dif, eng oil, and brake). Best most reliable car I ever owned for 20K miles

I realize the X5 will cost much much more and am trying to estimate cost of ownership per year for a frugal DIU'er who takes very very good care of vehicles. Will $1500 per year come close?? Any idea how much to bring it back to pristine??

When should the auto trans fluid be changed and can it be done at home? If I pay to have this done what will it cost??

Thanks, I welcome any educated imput,

All the best!

[haye_paul]

Sorry for double posting but I was so busy this AM that I thought I had not submitted it. Any additional imput greatly appreciated. These cars are a bit intimidating for their complexity and potential cost of repair. I have been reading the list and now understand that most of my issues are common and will try to search for specific info on how to fix.

[roadfrog]

As a new owner, I'm still eagerly learning the ins/outs of X5 ownership. I can tell you that I HAVE learned a few things that permit me to be more at ease. For one thing, some of the costs quoted in posts reflect exhorbitant BMW dealership pricing and maintenenace intervals that pretty much involve "checking" things. Eliminate the "checking" aspect of these service intervals and costs go WAAAAY down. It would appear that X5's have some exotic issues, but I can tell you that it is not unique among vehicles (my Powerstroke diesel F350 is a good example).

You mentioned transmission fluid. According to BMW, that is a "filled for life" fluid that "requires" no service. Whether you change it or not is up to you. Personally, I would not be in a hurry, but will do it myself when the time comes (it's easy).

At 100k, the long life plugs will require changing. The coolant should also be changed out (I used Zerex G05 which is phophate, amine and nitrite free).

The check engine light could be an issue and needs follow up. Could be as simple as a bad battery or as bad as a ......well... pick your worst scenario.

Before I bought our X5, I Googled and Ebay'd several components (alternator, filtes, brake pads, battery, etc), to dtermine potential maintenance costs, and was pleasantly surprised to find that they were not more costly than most other vehicles I've owned. HOWEVER, buy from BMW and their 300% gouging, and that goes out the window.

Good luck with your decision. So far, I have not regretted mine.

[Werewolf]

Unless you got a super-duper deal from your friend (which would probably not make him your friend anymore) I would pass

2000 was the 1st manufacture yr for the x5--so you're getting a model with a high likelihood of electronic gremlins and such.

Do a search for common x5 problems and if they have not happened yet, budget for them

Ask your buddy for service records and pull the OBDII codes with a code reader to see if there are any problems.

Re: your known issues
1) driver window reg sticks down if fully lowered (best place to buy part and approx cost of install from indie)? guess $300 parts plus labor - You're in Hawaii right? so your choices are limited
2) top windshield seal deteriorated, cracked - never heard of this before. Sounds expensive for the labor
3) left turn signals not working (unbelievably bad engineering to access the bulbs from what I can see)?? any advice welcomed - common problem, cheap fix is bulb plus cable DIY like 40 bucks
4) service engine soon light on (assume fluid changes but could be more even though it runs fine)
This means you will need a Service Inspection II (normally at 60k) - this is the bigger more expensive maintenance item - figure 600-1k
5) dead pixel problem instrument cluster, about 35% bad pixels (big expense?) - no idea
6) hazing of headlight plastic much worse on left side. - can fix with sandpaper DIY but it takes time

[jst2878]

dont get it. its actually the second year of production but the gremlins do exist and at approx 2000 a year in maintenance should do the x justice. i would not make this move

[TheKingSim0n]

Unless your getting it under $6,000 USD then Id recommend not buying it.

1) If the window regulator is bad its going to def cost you more then 400 to replace.
2) Windshield cracked, its going to cost at least 400 or more to replace, if its minor then try having it tinted....
3) Left turn signal not working at ALL? Not front or back? If so then check the fuses.
4) SES Light means a BIG no no. Id connect an ODB II and read the codes the car gives you. It can be anything from putting in the wrong gas type to ... engine going out....
5) Cluster, Dead pixels is a HUGE issue. To replace the cluster will cost you over $1000 USD at the dealer and if you go ahead and send it in to be pixel fixed to one of those MID Pixel Repair places your going to wait a long time and it might not fix all the pixels....
6) If its the OEM Year 2000 headlights then id recommend you changing them with the HALO styled headlights from ebay. There not that much, maybe around $200 USD.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[haye_paul]

Thanks guys, you have really put it into perspective, and those are only the known issues, there are likely a few more I have missed. I agree the price should be $6K or less depending on what codes show up on the OBD2. I now realize an E53 X5 is an entirely different machine than my E36 325is with regards to cost of ownership.
Will let you know if I get it and how the repairs go... Aloha

[jst2878]

Originally Posted by haye_paul

Thanks guys, you have really put it into perspective, and those are only the known issues, there are likely a few more I have missed. I agree the price should be $6K or less depending on what codes show up on the OBD2. I now realize an E53 X5 is an entirely different machine than my E36 325is with regards to cost of ownership.
Will let you know if I get it and how the repairs go... Aloha

one thing in your favor is your climate in hawaii. x5's operate better in warmer environments, unlike the northeast NA

[chigga]

X5 4.4i's are definitely alot more in terms a maintenance and up keep especially on the early years. I have a 00 myself, since i've had it i've probably spent about a good $3G's on maintenance. Which is decent. I also own a 325i and a 320i both 04', barely had do to anything but oil change.