x5 01 120,000 miles - $9900 Buy?

Sfield079 · #1 01-25-2010, 02:08 PM

I drive a 03 sequoia now and I am giving it to the family and I need a rather in expensive vehicle that can get me around for another 1 - 3 years if it works out. I was at a dealership just looking around and i saw a BMW x5 2001 3.0L I6 for 9,900. It has 121,000 miles on it and it had only been at the dealership 2 weeks. A old couple had traded it in for a 08 highlander.

The outside looks brand new and the inside looks pretty spectacular as well with everything working and the only stain or scuff was on the passenger side seatbelt. The previous owners put in some serious effort/work to make sure the car stayed well maintained because it is absolutely immaculate. It looks brand new at 120,000 miles

The service engine light was on and the drivers side handle is broken. It drives pretty good but I could feel a little bit of sputtering and the service engine light was on. The steering was also stiff.

I don't have a lot of money i can spend at the moment. I was willing to go as high as 14 - 15k. I was thinking this may be expensive if things start to go real bad with the vehicle. The owners had bought it as a lease orginally brand new then purchased it off of the lease. Money is tight which is why I am attracted to the price and look and feel of the suv.

I am considering getting them to get it down to 9000 sinee after 120,000 miles it would be more likely to be problematic and getting car repair insurance incase something does go wrong within the next year. I think city its 15 mpg and high way 20 or so?

Do you guys think I should get this vehicle? The last BMW w had was a z3 and I wish everyday we never sold it.

Pictures below.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...ff=national#16

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ard · #2 01-25-2010, 02:17 PM

1. Are you a DIYer or will you rely on paid mechanics and/or BMW dealers?

2. NEVER buy a car witht he CEL lit. I would insist that they have a BMW DEALER pull the codes and declare the issue fixed. Insist on seeing the paperwork. You want to make sure they don't clear the codes, then show you a clean scan. The BMW GT1 scanner can review the old history.

3. You will not be able to buy an extended warranty this is not a scam with 120k miles on it.

4. Did they tell you it was an "older couple"? Assume everything they say- EVERYTHING, no matter how inconsequential- is a lie. Only believe written documents.

5. Do they have service records??? Has the transmission EVER been serviced? Any new fluid?

I'd pass, but that's me....

ABMW · #3 01-25-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sfield079

I drive a 03 sequoia now and I am giving it to the family and I need a rather in expensive vehicle that can get me around for another 1 - 3 years if it works out. I was at a dealership just looking around and i saw a BMW x5 2001 3.0L I6 for 9,900. It has 121,000 miles on it and it had only been at the dealership 2 weeks. A old couple had traded it in for a 08 highlander.

The outside looks brand new and the inside looks pretty spectacular as well with everything working and the only stain or scuff was on the passenger side seatbelt. The previous owners put in some serious effort/work to make sure the car stayed well maintained because it is absolutely immaculate. It looks brand new at 120,000 miles

The service engine light was on and the drivers side handle is broken. It drives pretty good but I could feel a little bit of sputtering and the service engine light was on. The steering was also stiff.

I don't have a lot of money i can spend at the moment. I was willing to go as high as 14 - 15k. I was thinking this may be expensive if things start to go real bad with the vehicle. The owners had bought it as a lease orginally brand new then purchased it off of the lease. Money is tight which is why I am attracted to the price and look and feel of the suv.

I am considering getting them to get it down to 9000 sicne after 120,000 miles it would be more likely to be problematic and getting car repair insurance incase something does go wrong within the next year.

Do you guys think I should get this vehicle? The last BMW w had was a z3 and I wish everyday we never sold it.

You're answering your own question. Money is tight, and BMWs are not inexpensive vehicles to maintain when things start to fail, especially when you're dealing with electronics. 2001 was not long ago, but things have gotten much better since that date, in terms of quality.

120k is also not a tall order for the vehicle per se, but you'd be far better off purchasing another Toyota, Nissan, or even a late-model Hyundai (Santa Fe, for example), given that money is your primary concern.

It makes no sense to buy a vehicle for $9k, then rationalize it by spending another $4k in repairs. You'd then have $13k into the vehicle, and it would still be worth $9k max, retail!

If you have $13 or $14k, get a lightly used, Japanese product that will last 200k miles with minimal expense. You can probably find a very well equipped 2004+, 4-runner, with 60k miles, and zero issues for $14k.

That makes FAR more sense. If you're stuck at the $9k level, buy a 2004 or 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. Hyundai quality, in my book, is superb. I've purchased two of them over the years as "gifts," you could say, and their quality is second to none, when compared to Toyota or Honda products.

Either way, I'd avoid the $9k money-pit. It's paint may look fantastic, but it's already sputtering and has a check engine light on. In the back of your mind you must know it's not a wise choice, given your criteria of saving money.

Good luck!

Yii · #4 01-25-2010, 02:31 PM

If your willing to spend 14k or 15k you could probably find a 50k 05 or 04 model x5 with about 50 or 60k on it. i was able to find mine for 18k with about 50k mileage. Its been running pretty good so far nothing serious. i wouldent purchase that x5 with 120k millage for 9.9k IMO.

Sfield079 · #5 01-25-2010, 03:02 PM

Yea I knew the truth i just wanted to hear differently lol. Thanks guys

primetime · #6 01-25-2010, 03:24 PM

Sounds like you already made up your mind and going to pass on it..But just point of info the Steering felt stiff because all Bimmers have tighter steering, requires a little more elbow grease, but is worth it because the handling is excellent..