Replacing 525it with X5 3.0--Please Help

[raysay]

My wife is making SUV noises again. She has a super nice '02 wagon w/31K miles, and wants an X5. I need to be under $30K, and there appears to be a fair number of X5's in the area w/ sport/premium/xenons/under 40K miles that fit. Are the problem areas for the E53 very simialr to her E39? She has had zero problems, but I keep hearing that the E53 is a bit more of a problem. She is happy w/ the power of her 2.5L (184hp), so I assume the 3.0 is enough power for her. I drove a 3.0 w/ 18's and sport and the ride felt a bit choppy, while the sport on her wagon is a very controlled comfortable ride. Are most of you happy w/ the 3.0, or is the 4.4 the way to go? Is it smarter to pay a bit more money, and go for an '03, or is it the same car but a year newer? Any and all feedback is much appreciated before I go much further in fulfilling the wishes of her ladyship.

[JCL]

You will get lots of varying opinions, but here is mine....

From the 525T, go directly to the X5 3.0. Performance will be very similar. Besides, you will have the smoothness of the I6, just as she is used to. In the '02 and '03, the 3.0 is also better on fuel.

The '02 and '03 are very similar. You've got to go newer to get X Drive, everything prior to that change is pretty minor. I would pay a bit more money and look at an '03 purely from a newness standpoint, but I would also consider an '02 in excellent condition.

I think the sport rides rough, and so decided against it. Ordering again, I wouldn't order sport. I like it on my Z4, but this is not a sports car. Some others wouldn't consider any X5 without sport. Drive it yourself, and let her drive it; then decide. You can always add 18" wheels to the non-sport if that is important to you.

Good luck with your decision.

[raysay]

JCL, thank you. I like the idea of not getting sport (smoother ride), but putting 18" on. Any idea why the V8 seems to be more problematic than the I-6? Is the new I-Drive system a big leap forward?

[China Man]

if having factory warranty remaining is an issue, you might consider an 03 MY X5 ... on top of that, the 03's came with 4yr/50k mile maintenance , so chances are an 03 that you purchase will still have the maintenance program left on it ... all you have to pay for during that period is gas and tires ... unless, of course, God forbid, you crash it

anyway...good luck in your search! We're here to help if you have any questions....

[raysay]

Paomien, thank you. I'm looking at a loaded (no nav or heated seats) '03 w/56K, but comes with a 6yr/100K factory warranty AND maintenance for $30K. The warranty/maintenace addition tends to overcome my concern about a high mileage '03. What do you think?

[China Man]

Originally Posted by raysay

Paomien, thank you. I'm looking at a loaded (no nav or heated seats) '03 w/56K, but comes with a 6yr/100K factory warranty AND maintenance for $30K. The warranty/maintenace addition tends to overcome my concern about a high mileage '03. What do you think?

no nav or heated seats, so it has premium package, rear climate package, xenon, premium sound, PDC? I'm assuming it's a CPO-ed car, since it has the 6yr/100k warranty and the maintenance ... check the service history on the car (any BMW dealer will be able to do that with the last 7 digits of the VIN), doesn't seem like a bad deal.. again the nice thing of having that maintainance until 100k is the free brakes and inspection services... do you have pics of the car?

btw, the name is Jon

[JCL]

Originally Posted by raysay

Any idea why the V8 seems to be more problematic than the I-6? Is the new I-Drive system a big leap forward?

I don't think the V8 is more problematic. It just uses more fuel, isn't as smooth as an I6 due to the inherent balance of the six cylinder, and is faster. I just like the sound of a BMW inline six (and a Jag inline 6....).

I-Drive is not on the X5, it is on the newer 3/5/7 car models (computer interface). X Drive is the BMW name for a more sophisticated four wheel drive system that came out on the X5 in model year 04. Realizing that neither system is for off road, the X Drive is more capable, but the pre-04 system isn't bad. All things being equal, it would be good to get the one with X Drive, but that may push the budget, so don't sweat it. My '03 does fine in very bad weather, and with snows on it does great. If you want to read about X Drive, go to the BMW site and see the feature article. The latest models have the same system as the '04.

On another note, in a later post you mention one X5 with no heated seats. They are probably the option we could never do without. All 3 of our cars have them, and once you have them you never go back. For my wife, they are the only option that matters. Depends on whether you or your wife has them now I suppose.

Also, the maintenance and extended warranty is a good idea. There are lots of things that can go wrong, these are not simple cars. I haven't had any problems to speak of, but if buying used I would want an extended warranty.

Jeff