BMW rookie scared, wants 4.4!

[Lak]

WOw, this Forum has been great tons of info and candid responses, I just love it. I also LOVE the X5 4.4 that i am considering on purchasing. Here is the situation: We are looking for a 2nd SUV, as our previous MDX unfortunately had to go to MDX heaven due to an accident (great car, we loved it). Thank goodness for its safety! However, since there wasnt any MDX for sale in my area (they are hard to come by), we took a couple X5s for test drive, and i absolutely love it, especially the 4.4.

This one particular puppy is SOOO NIICE and tempting, its an 02 with 60K miles, no accidents, original owner, black on black, and everything up to date and ALWAYS dealer serviced even after warranty. BUT heres what scares me, i went to confirm the maintenance history of the vechile; kid you not, the file the service guy dropped in front of me was 2 and half inches thick!!! As he was looking through and explaining all that had been done, he said "Oh i remember this guy, he's a good customer, he spent alot of money here"...LMAO, i just find that hilarious, how he said it.

Anyways, everything that could of been done to the X, has been done he said - including replacing the tranny about 6000 miles ago. (Dealer only charged him $5500 for it, guess he really was a good customer). What scares me is that his X spent a total of 134 service days at the dealership since 2002 for 32 seperate services (one time it took 3 weeks to diagnose and fix a water leak). Is this normal? I guess it only comes to 2-3 days average per visit.

He's asking $18,000 for it, which includes the original fat rims with relatively newish tires, and also comes with a set of smaller winter rims (i think 17") and tires that are brand new.

First question: is this a fair price (i think its kinda steep, considering 2011 is just around the corner)

Secondly: is this really for us?? I wish i could say yes, lets do it, but i have reservations regarding maintenance expenses. We want something stylish, reliable, and NICE. I absolutely love it, but dont know if i can afford it at this point in time as being an entreprenuer everytime I would have to dish out $1000 per repair I would be think of how I could of used that money to better and grow my business. Then again, I would be using it partly for business, as well as a family car - so basically it would get used alot.

Anyway, what should I do!!??? I love this PUPPPYY!!! But at the same time I'm scared, like getting into a relationship with a high maintenance girlfriend that always needs attention, needs to go shopping every week, and lots of maintenance - they can make you go broke and go crazy no matter how hot she is .

PS - I heard 03+ models are more reliable...?

[Naz24]

I think 18k is way too much for an '02. But, you should look around more. U can get a 2004 4.4 for around the same price. Also, if u find one on eBay, we have members all over the country who could check it out for you. ( me included).

Go for a 4.4, the service on that one would scare me a bit. Take a look around more--we'll find you something.

[JCL]

Price is reasonable in the Canadian market, not great. Depends on condition.

There are two ways of looking at the future maintenance expense.

a) Everything that can break has already done so.

b) The car has required regular upkeep, and will continue to do so.

I would go with (b), and budget for maintenance if you get it.

[flying]

i just paid 16500 for an 03 4.4i Sport, new staggered tires, a month ago, 1 owner, 79k miles...already about 1800 into preventative/required maintenance..but no complaints, knew that from the get go because I had a pre-buy done on it...service II is around 750 at my bmw mechanic, which is due at 80k..just had it done today

[Lak]

Originally Posted by Naz24

I think 18k is way too much for an '02. But, you should look around more. U can get a 2004 4.4 for around the same price. Also, if u find one on eBay, we have members all over the country who could check it out for you. ( me included).

Go for a 4.4, the service on that one would scare me a bit. Take a look around more--we'll find you something.

Yea, I was thinking of going cross border - i have no problems with that, would make a good excuse to get into plane with a buddy, fly down, and drive the thing back home (Vancouver, BC). My wife would be jealous, haha, i already know her response: "why do you get to do all the fun stuff", haha.

Well, anyway - i will keep my eyes open, check out the local criaglist and Ebay listings for WA, Oregon, Cali, Nevada, Arizona, etc...I wonder what the duty would be at the border to bring it over - I would have to consider that as well.

[Lak]

Originally Posted by JCL

Price is reasonable in the Canadian market, not great. Depends on condition.

There are two ways of looking at the future maintenance expense.

a) Everything that can break has already done so.

b) The car has required regular upkeep, and will continue to do so.

I would go with (b), and budget for maintenance if you get it.

Yes, it seems like prices are all over the place - as low as $9000 for an 01 4.4 with 130K miles on it.

I will still have this one on the back burning, but for know I think I agree with Nazario, perhaps I should widen my search. However, one thing that scares me a little bit, is that when its time to sell it in 3-6 years, american cars here in Vancouver for some reason go for cheaper and are harder to sell it seems.

[JCL]

Yes, resale value will be down when you do sell a US vehicle here.

No import duty if you do bring one in, as it is built in North America, but you have all the taxes to deal with, plus an inspection, border agent fees, and changing small items like the speedometer. If it was a collector car, I could see bringing it in, but not so much for an eight year old used car.

The 3.0s tend to be the same price here, the V8 models haven't held their value as much. If you want a 4.4, you can find them.

There isn't a reliability difference with the year (once you get past 2001) but the 2004+ models have a more efficient engine in the 4.4, a better AWD system, and a six speed transmission.

[calicolorado]

With that amount of money being spent on the car up to this point, it seems like many problem areas have been fixed, including the transmission, which is great. As an added bonus, you have the entire service history of the car in hand, which should set your mind at ease even further. If the car is well kept cosmetically, and at 18 grand with that mileage, it probably is, I'd be tempted to go for it. If it were my decision to make, I might consider a used car warranty just in case, but I don't think it's necessary. The X5 is a very well built vehicle with a robust drivetrain, designed to be driven-that I'm sure you already know...

I bought our '03 4.4i with 71k miles for 18K in September. It was a one owner car (bought with cash) that lived a pampered life in San Francisco and Beverly Hills. The interior has very, very little wear and it drives like a tall sports sedan. In the rain, on a twisty, vacant road, one can slide the car around and steer it with the throttle, I kid you not...

One thing most folks might not realize is that despite the differences in design and power output between the M62 V8 (00-03) and N62 that came in the 04-06 cars, the acceleration numbers are virtually identical, the pre-facelift 4.4 being a few ticks faster (according to Car and Driver). The car you're looking at has 290 horsepower vs 315 in the later car and a 5 vs 6 speed trans. The full VANOS on the N62 and the 6 speed auto likely contribute to it's better fuel economy ratings than the earlier car.

The styling differences follow facelifts and other changes that took place at the same time in the BMW line (E46, E38-E65).

If you like this particular car, the color combo and options, then DO IT! The X5 is insanely awesome.

[Lak]

Originally Posted by calicolorado

With that amount of money being spent on the car up to this point, it seems like many problem areas have been fixed, including the transmission, which is great. As an added bonus, you have the entire service history of the car in hand, which should set your mind at ease even further....].

Exactly what I was thinking, full service history and the tranny already replaced are a BIG bonus. The service agent said that the new tranny is better since it has new fluid and has better, sturdy compenents (interior drum housing or something like that). Not to mention, I would get a set of winter rims and tires (owner said this cost him $2500 via internet, but if went through dealer it would be $4000+, I dunno, but assume he's right).

I guess I would save on the plane and transportation costs if purchase more locally...

[Lak]

Originally Posted by JCL

The 3.0s tend to be the same price here, the V8 models haven't held their value as much. If you want a 4.4, you can find them.....].

I noticed the same, that the 4.4 havent held there value as much here...why do you figure...?

Hmm, I will keep everyone posted, I might go for this one or might just wait and see. After all, it is December, perhaps in early 2011 I will see more options locally and prices going down.

Or i just might say F*it, and go for this one. I'll sleep on it.

Keep the advice coming guys, I really appreciate it all the perspectives!!