New owner of an '02 X5 4.6is

[Carsly]

Have been looking for a while after selling my E60 at the end of last year and though I had targeted an '04-'06 X5 4.8is they proved tougher to find than I thought given my tight search parameters on price, mileage, service history and purchase location.

I did, however, manage to find and work out a deal on this sharp ride, a Black Sapphire Metallic 2002 X5 4.6is. Owned by 2 brothers-in-law since new, Manhattan garage stored and used as an occasional weekend car the X5 was serviced 2x/year at an indy and the service records, carfax and my own inspection showed nothing major amiss. Had BMW NYC do a PPI that also turned up clean. Did I mention it only has 36K miles?





Two weeks in I've done a thorough cleaning of the interior (was a bit grimy from Manhattan garage soot), put on new wiper blades, new high beam bulbs, replaced a couple of broken clips for one of the door window shades and replaced the tires with new Conti DWS and had the coolant and brake fluid flushed. Both door regulators on the passenger side are sticky leaving me with a nice project when the weather warms up.

For now I'm trying to figure out the best bluetooth phone option and how to source and connect a backup camera. Tips are, of course, welcome.

I've had an '05 X3 3.0i and an '08 550i, looking forward to running this rumbling beast for quite a while.

[Cisc0]

And dammmmmm that's a great find @ 36k miles.

[epdarks]

36k miles??? You must have the only 4.6 that's still on the original transmission!

Low mileage is good, but a manhattan car was likely used for a bunch of short trips. It's still a 10 year old car and you may want to think about some preventative maintenance.

Or just fill it with gas and drive the piss out of it!!!

Congrats and enjoy.

[upallnight]

Nice, PDC, Sport package, Nav, Sport Seats (probably Heated) Nice. And it's a 4.6IS Very Nice.

[pnoyako85]

Great Car!....i see your local to some of us..hope to meet you one day when we do a local NJ Meet....

[Carsly]

Originally Posted by epdarks

36k miles??? You must have the only 4.6 that's still on the original transmission!

Low mileage is good, but a manhattan car was likely used for a bunch of short trips. It's still a 10 year old car and you may want to think about some preventative maintenance.

Or just fill it with gas and drive the piss out of it!!!

Congrats and enjoy.

what do you think? flush tranny and diff? I've heard the "lifetime" fluid in the differential is tough to replace.

[epdarks]

All of your fluids are ready to be changed. Trans fluid is your call. Cooling systems are weak but can't confirm if its from mileage or just age.

Suspension bushings should get an inspection. Check guibos and driveline. Could maybe use an alignment? Tires dry rotted at all? Check brakes.

Honestly, the truck could be perfect. But almost none of them are. There's always things that need attention and $$$.

[Carsly]

Good tips, thanks. Had the CV boots checked, air suspension and had BMW measure brake rotors and inspect pads, I was ready to replace the brakes but they are well within spec. Had the alignment done and just put on new tires. The ones it came with were about two and a half years old but were summers and I didn't know if any had been plugged and a couple had sidewall chunks missing (curbage) so played it safe and replaced them.

Auto trans fluid and oil change will be next up. I'm all about preventive maintenance. Was even thinking of replacing the alternator as those are prone to fail as well.

Appreciate the advice, like any older BMW repairs can get quite pricey.

[RickM5X3]

Nice work!

[Roadkill]

Holy sex bone. I just dry jizzed. What an awesome find! Enjoy and love that car because you are very lucky to have found it.