2003 4.4i from CarMax

[calicolorado]

Thank you to everyone at Xoutpost for helping me with my search for an E53 V8. I spent alot of time here searching before pulling the trigger on our new car. After researching and searching for the perfect X5 for a few months, I found my treasure at CarMax. I was apprehensive about this at first because I have only bought cars through a private party or new, and I have only great news to report with my new (to me) car.

I believe dealership used car inventory (including CarMax) needs to be thoroughly checked out before committing, and each car should be taken to a third party before that. The five day, no questions asked return policy was reassuring and we had the X5 checked out by Bavarian Autotechs in Fullerton the second day we had it.

Having researched as many mechanical issues as possible on Xoutpost.com, I knew some of the problem areas including the only defect on our car-a climate control panel with buttons that stuck. They also adjusted the tailgate, which had the typical knock/rattle sound occasionally.

So, it's a 4.4i, bought new in New Jersey for cash. It moved to San Francisco, then Beverly Hills, and was sent to CarMax sometime this year. 70K miles, Titansilber on Black with Comfort Seats, Cold Weather Pkg (F/R heated seats and wheel) and Navigation. Very, very nice condition, probably owned by a member of the Soprano family, so we call it Carmela...

It has every option except the Sport package, which I initially said I had to have, until I drove this car without it. Tires will be less expensive, ride less firm, and I won't have to swap wheels when we head to the cabin in winter.

This thing is a hot rod, and I will never tire of the lusty sound of the V8. I cannot believe a 4900-5100lb vehicle can handle like this. What a car!!!!

[cfmistry]

Congrats! Your car is very similar to mine. I absolutely love the way it drives, looks, and feels. Repair bills may be high but so is driver satisfaction.

[FSETH]

Congrats! We bought our 02 4.4 from Carmax in 2007. It was a pleasure buying from them. They actually shipped the car from another location for free.

If you got a warranty on it, I would recommend paying the $50 co-pay to take the vehicle to the BMW dealer of your choosing for warranty repairs. I like Carmax, but don't trust them enough to work on mine. They goofed a couple things up when we initially bought ours. We had them replace a headlight and they put in the light from a non-sport package and when they did an oil change, they didn't use OE oil and filters. Doesn't seem like a big deal, but it would have been bad to follow the dash indicators for the full 15,000 mile interval on a non-OE filter. Other than that, I was happy with Carmax. Good luck!

[X5rolls]

In this case, CarMax should be called SAVMax. Congrats.

[calicolorado]

I'm glad to hear others have had the same nice experience with CarMax. They have a very good business plan and it leaves customers happy and reassured. We bought the warranty, which will last until 125,000 miles and has a low deductible. Their policy lets us use BMW dealers or independents which is what we will do, so for that, I'm stoked. If anyone is in the north Orange County, CA area, Bavarian Autotechs is the best. My in-laws have taken their BMWs there for years.

[nikon24]

Calicolorado, you won't regret getting the extended warranty from carmax. I had my X for 1.5 months when the trans pan gasket started leaking and the right air strut started to leak air. They have already paid over 2000.00 in repairs and didn't hassle a bit. So far, no problem. And congrats on the X

[Hal88]

I have the same X5 like yours, except mine it's an 01 with 125k on the clock, love driving that thing.....it also came from Jersey btw.
Enjoy.

[Hit Redline]

Not sure what you paid but you probably could have had my 4.6 for the price you paid at carmax for the 4.4. Anyway good luck and enjoy.