Ok got another X bug and itch again.

TwinTurboGTR · #1 06-25-2012, 03:13 PM

So as most of you know I have a 01 X5 4.4i. Yes it has some work on it and yes sometimes it is a real pain in the ass, but you know what, it still turns heads, still runs excellent (91k on the clock). But I also have an 06 Audi A6 4.2 s-line. Now I love this car. It is awesome to drive, looks great and love how it looks after I deleted the front license plate mount in the front. But there are problems, nothing mechanical on the car it self. I just get frustrated that I can't work on this damn thing. Every little thing, it must be hooked up to a VAGCOM system and then go through all these procedures. It is just a real PITA! I want to be able to have a little wrench time to balance my life out. I mean Holy Chi*st, doing an oil change requires rocket science knowledge and computer engineering. Just to get the Service indicator light to reset, needed to be hooked up to Vagcom to clear the system, reset the light, then diag test??? 45 minutes!!! It is just nuts. The last straw was the tranny fluid. So I know the fluid isn't cheap, but when it cost $198.00 for a gasket??? That is just ridiculous. I love the car, but I HATE working on the car. At least with the E53, I love driving it enjoy working on it. Just not those dumb ass window regulators, but besides from that, I love it. I found an 06 e53 4.4i. 95K on the clock, fully loaded with NAV, cold weather package, Xenons. The price is a bit high at $16K, but I am sure I can get it down. My only concern is, just like anyone else would have would be the tranny and chain guides. I can't figure out how many owners yet, but those are the 2 main concerns. I am going to assume it was an off lease, then a CPO and now to this dealership. So we will see.

It is in Silver on Blk which looks nice. I would prefer to have black, but beggars can't be choosers. I'd also like a 4.8i, but for what people are asking for them they can keep 'em. I want to stay under 100K on the clock and a south of a 15k sticker price. I know it will be hard, but not impossible.

SO here we go!!!

Just want to get some opinions on it. I am also wondering if I could do a straight up trade with some cash back. I'd doubt that would happen. No hurting in asking, worse that can happen is no.

Phr3d · #2 06-25-2012, 05:20 PM

Not understanding what that '06 brings to your party and being a fan of pre-facelift, I'd hafta' vote no.

tmv · #3 06-25-2012, 05:47 PM

I would wait for a 4.8is

Roadkill · #4 06-25-2012, 05:53 PM

The N62 doesn't have the same chain guide issue as does the M62...........at least not yet.

switchman · #5 06-25-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan e39

The N62 doesn't have the same chain guide issue as does the M62...........at least not yet.

Yeah,,,have 81k on the clock and no issue with n62 motor.

JWMich · #6 06-25-2012, 06:03 PM

The '06 4.4 is nice - you'll like it. But get the sport package - the better seats alone make such a big difference I can't imagine not having it. $16k is about the ask for similar examples in my part of the country, so that doesn't seem crazy out of line. Of course, you'll be able to do some better after negotiations. Good luck.

SlickGT1 · #7 06-25-2012, 07:56 PM

Hold out for the 4.8is. You like working on cars, that's the one to work on. I absolutely love how great it is to work on it. It also doesn't have the crazy clutch fan. And the electric fan pops out in 2 seconds giving you 8-9 inches of work space infront of engine. So shit like belts, tensioners, t-stat, whatever else is a pleasure to get to.

Add on top that it is a monster. It hauls ass, handles crazy, has a much more pleasant ride with the air auspencion. It absolutelly eats bumps. The exhaust itself makes me drool every day. I can keep going. I know it will cost a lot more. I was there. But keep looking. I got mine with 75k, black on white, loader less running boards, PPI, post sale inspection through manheim, delivered from florida, registered and tagged, $500 to my dealer, for $26,011. My dealer got me all the service records from BMW too. Yea I had random bullshit issues, but all in all, I would not get a 4.4i after having this.

Don't forget, that's 8.725% sales tax in the above too.

My friend has a BMW shop. He does swaps into E30s mostly. But every time we wonk on this car he swears it's built like an M car. As in it's meant to be worked on quick and easy.

bastereo · #8 06-25-2012, 10:50 PM

Not the question you asked. But if you want the vag com, look into Ross-tech. They have a hey nice vw/audi software package that would do most everything you ever need.
Its doesn't take but a minute to reset the service light. Assuming you remember to start the laptop at the same time as the oil change...

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

TwinTurboGTR · #9 06-27-2012, 09:40 AM

Ok, so took a look at that 4.4i yesterday and needless to say; you MUST look at the machine first. NEVER EVER BUY BLIND! So the pictures did not look bad. I was probably a Pre-Owned lot owners worse nightmare. SO Upon first sight, the X was dirty. Caked with mud and dirt. So I thought, "Hmm, it just rained, a lot of pollen, probably that." No it was mud, someone went off roading with it. Saw the rep, asked for the usual. Carfax, service records, etc. Only had carfax though. Ok no problem. 2 Owner but the X disappeared from existence for 4 years. Between 2008 to to now. That's not a good sign. SO start doing some visual.Look under the X, there is a piece of sod on the stiff plate and the bottom was orange brown, not black. Always good. Rear diff leaking some fluid and looking under the X, Ah haaaa, crusted coolant under the bell housing. Bad VPG. So not a look up top, Engine was pretty clean, if spraying Armor All all over fancy crazy like means clean, Power Steering hoses were mush and fluid all over them. Fluid it self looked pretty clean. Ok so time to start it. Now this X comes complete with what looks to be fully loaded. Nav, Cold weather pkg, rear heated seats, panoramic roof. But just not sport pkg. So I turned the X over and started right up. Things seem to be ok. Then I hear a pop and interference. Driver front speaker is shot. Then noticed windshield was replaced, that would need to be replaced again because the glass was etched. Started messing with the OBC, "Check side light" appears. So turn on the headlights, and hazard flashers and go outside. Passenger Xenon is out, Halos don't light up, and drivers side fog lamps don't work. Then I noticed.. it is hard to explain it sounded like a hit and miss motor sound coming from the rad. Almost as if pressure was getting lost somewhere.

So the X was offered for $18K with 95K miles. He asked what I would offer, I said $13K. He said no and said best he could do was $16K. Now I also saw this X listed on another site at $14K, but didn't ask him about it, bc with the amount of problems, I should just run from this X. Found a few more in the color I wanted and lower mileage and lower in price, so going to check those out. I love the chase.