Hi All new to forum. Read most of it though, and have questions

[SlickGT1]

Hi All,

So new to the forum, but I feel like I already know some of you. Thanks for all your threads on this forum.

I had a baby 6 months ago, and now realizing that I cannot deal with a sedan. I have a 2001 Lexus GS430, really well moded, especially in the handling dept. So I am really into a performance car.

I have been considering Sport Utes to replace my lovely Lexus. I have narrowed it down to a car that I have always wanted, but didn't have a need for. So, I am currently looking for a 2006 X5 4.8is. I am very particular, and only want a black on black one.

I know what you guys are thinking, get ready for the repairs. I know, I have been reading the forum for about a month now. I am really mechanically inclined, with enough tools to build and rebuild a car if I need to. I am not so much concerned about something breaking, as I am concerned about buying something messed up. I want to make sure I get a car that will make it home, lol, at least.

So on to the questions.
I have not been seeing a lot of people post up about buying a 2006 4.8is, so here is my plea for advise from the experts.

1. What do I need to look for? I know valey gasket, cv boots, ac, rear bags. What else?

2. Transmission. How can I check if it is slipping? I've never had my auto slip, so i want to induce some stress on the test drive to check for slip. Power Brake?

3. Most important. Those with kids. How does the average carseat fit? Does it press up against the fronts. I am 6'1", so I don't exactly sit close to the wheel.

4. Can someone point me, where I can find the height, and wheelbase dimensions for the car? Specifically, I need to know the highest point, and how far apart the front wheels are from the rear. I am finishing building my garage, which is under the house, which has a severe pitched driveway, which I need to make sure the car will clear without hurting its top against the brick. If someone is in the Brooklyn NY area, and wants to meet a cool guy, and test fit their x5 into my garage, please contact me.

Any advice and experience you guys can provide, specifically about the 2006 (last production year for the model, which you all know, which is why I want that one), will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.

[JCL]

Welcome to the forum!

1) I would look for service records to see if there are repeat issues. Cooling system, valve cover gasket, looseness in the front suspension, typical BMW inspection items. Crash damage/repair history.

2) I would check for crisp shifts, with no flaring (slipping as the shift is made, indicated by rpm change). Check how smoothly shifts happen in a variety of conditions. You aren't trying to make it slip by abusing it, that will just cause the torque converter to mask any shifting problems. Drive it normally.

3) There are normal size car seats, and some very large ones. Normal car seats fit fine. With one carseat, you will probably have it in the centre position anyway.

4) See this 2004 product catalogue. Same dimensions for 2006, just some option differences.

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e5...%20Catalog.pdf

And for general E53 items, this folder:

Index of /pdf/e53

If I was to buy another E53, it would be a 2006, for the reasons you list.

Good luck

[romeokc10]

Sounds like you're looking for something reliable and luxurious for your wife to drive, I would stay with the Japanese. You don't want your wife and newborn stranded by the road or constantly having to take it to the shop for repairs, you'll end up throwing money at it for repairs anyway. But then again you said you can handle the repairs, so get your tool box ready and get ready to get your hands dirty...LOL!!

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by romeokc10

Sounds like you're looking for something reliable and luxurious for your wife to drive, I would stay with the Japanese. You don't want your wife and newborn stranded by the road or constantly having to take it to the shop for repairs, you'll end up throwing money at it for repairs anyway. But then again you said you can handle the repairs, so get your tool box ready and get ready to get your hands dirty...LOL!!

Thanks for replying guys.

Romeo, I don't know how you assumed that. I guess you must have missed the point about me modding my cars for handling, me wanting to buy a performance truck, and me wanting to make sure my baby fits fine in the back seat.

I haven't taken any of my cars, for the past 10 years to a shop other than inspection sticker.

I also have a bunch of backup cars. I have a 2011 Ford F-150 Quad Cab, a 2008 Lexus IS250, and a beater 2005 Camry. I guess I should have stated that I don't just have one car.

I had a 98 318i, 220,000 miles before it got totaled. That was a reliable car. Only issue is I had to replace almost all the bushing on that car at about 190,000 miles. I loved it.

Had a 98 328is. This one was extreme fun. Idiot for selling it. Alpine white on black. Never had an issue at all with it. Man I miss that one the most.

I also have AAA Platinum, lol. I have only used it to get my friends out of trouble though. So maybe I'll get some use out of it with the X5

Oh and my wife doesn't really drive. She has a licence, but hasn't been behind the wheel in about 5 years now.

Do these 4.8is' really suck that much as far as dependability? I mean, do the engines just stop working or something? If the running gear keeps working, and gets me home, all other issues don't seem to be such a big deal. Park in garage and fix. Am I really looking for trouble buying this?

I don't want another Ford Probe if that is what you guys are saying. I used to fix that shit at least once a week. That car was a goal of mine to make it run perfect. It usually did, but every other day some new shit would break. Is this the case with the X5?

[Wolf539]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Do these 4.8is' really suck that much as far as dependability? I mean, do the engines just stop working or something?

There's a number of very vocal people on this forum who given the opportunity will bash the living crap out of X5's. I guess I can understand given the fact they feel that in their case they got a raw deal or a lemon. However, there's also a lot of less vocal people who love their X5, drive the heck out of it, and have had no real problems to speak of. I've replaced one O2 sensor; that's it. YMMV!

[SlickGT1]

Thanks Wolf. I was thinking the same thing. Didn't BMW make like a million of these things. If 100 people bitch on the forum, that is nothing. And how many people don't even bother with forums, and don't have problems.

Shit, I was going to work today, and I saw five x5s standing at a parking lot by the coffee shop. I mean if they were that crappy, wouldn't I not see so many of them.

[SlickGT1]

Thanks Wolf. I was thinking the same thing. Didn't BMW make like a million of these things. If 100 people bitch on the forum, that is nothing. And how many people don't even bother with forums, and don't have problems.

Shit, I was going to work today, and I saw five x5s standing at a parking lot by the coffee shop. I mean if they were that crappy, wouldn't I not see so many of them.

[wullaby]

I think if you spent money fixing a non bmw (spark plugs, cv boots etc) you wouldn't complain, but when its on a "BMW" all of a sudden people think it's falling apart. It's a matter of perspective. Besides, i'd rather drive my 2003 X5 with 90K miles than a brand new leased ford focus! I have had to replace the key, o2 sensors on one side, brakes, cv boot, tires, but nothing that out of the ordinary so far and most of these are wear items that would need replacing on any brand you buy.

[X5_Rob]

My '05 4.4 has had a cracked coolant tank replaced under warranty.. That's it. Runs like the beast it was supposed to be. Most folks on this forum are typically trying to fix or mod something so there tends to be a lot of talk about what broke or isn't working correctly. I own a motorcycle as well and same thing happens on our Yamaha forum. Not to many people log in and post "just wanted to let everyone know I got to work today again for the 800th time with no issues". It's typically the one time event that we can't fix right away thay gets posted... As it should. This is a community of owners trying primarily to help each other out. Alright enough soap boxing. Love my X.. Buy the 4.6 if it passes your due diligence checks. You will be a happy X owner like 99% of the rest of us!

[SlickGT1]

Thanks everyone again. I figured as much. I have also made up my mind, and looking solely for a 2006 4.8is Black on Black.

I am having one hell of a time finding one at a dealer for anything close to auction prices. I really want to get from a dealer, at least this way there is a face responsible for the sale. Some of these dealers are smoking crack though. I see one with 50k miles for $30K, and then I see one with 82k miles for the same $30K. WTF. The 50k mile car has white interior, which is a fail for me.

Where else can I check?

I am looking at:
1. Manheim Auctions - but that is a serious waiting game
2. Cars.com
3. Autotrader
4. FleaBay
5. Craigslist

Yea, I know, most of these have the same cars. Crap.