New member about to buy x5

jddny · #1 07-09-2013, 04:50 PM

New to the group. Thinking of buying a 2001 X5 4.4, 134K mi., looks and runs great. Mechanic inspection tomorrow. My question...assuming it checks out mechanically, what can I expect in ongoing maintenance? Also what iphone kits can anybody recommend? Want to have iphone music capability thru stock stereo. Thanks
Doug
NYC

tmv · #2 07-09-2013, 04:59 PM

Is this your first bimmer? Maintenance record is key. Cooling system overhaul, suspension components. I'm not very familiar with the M62 though.

KyleNatolix5 · #3 07-09-2013, 05:04 PM

E53 is pretty expensice vehicle to maintain, BUT take care of your your truck and I can guarentee she will take care of you. They make plenty of kits to play music through your speakers. The bmw auxiliary kit is about $45. Then they have kits to control your iphones music via the steering wheel controls. I believe those are around the $200 area.

jddny · #4 07-09-2013, 05:17 PM

Thanks! I'm paying cash for the car rather than buying a newer car, putting the same $6000 as a down payment. I am totally ok with using the $500/month i would of had as a monthly payment into repairs/maintenance instead.

bcredliner · #5 07-09-2013, 05:35 PM

Be sure to ask the person doing the inspection if the front and rear suspension has already been addressed. And it there is any indication of other wear items that are usually addressed around 100,000 miles have been addressed. If he knows X5s he will know where to look. Depending on what has already been done will make a big difference in how much future costs will be.

If you want to keep the stock stereo but upgrade to link iPhone music and some of the other features, I would consider the Dice media bridge. You will have bluetooth, USB, Aux, plus Sat radio depending on the model you choose, all operated by existing controls. If you decide you need better speakers to support your music there are sets that plug and play in existing locations. I have had one for a few years and it works great.

jddny · #6 07-09-2013, 05:53 PM

I'm guessing the suspension hasn't been addressed as I asked the seller about major repairs he's done and he only mentioned a transmission back in 2006. What does the suspension typically cost to rehab(

jddny · #7 07-09-2013, 09:21 PM

Hey. I'm curios. How fast should the car be from a dead stop. Just drove it and it felt a bit sluggish.

KyleNatolix5 · #8 07-09-2013, 11:44 PM

It should not be sluggish, your driving a 4.4 liter v8 SAV. From a stop, if you floor it, you defenitley should feel the power, but smooth power.

Any how, is any oil burning? the valve stem seals are a expensive repair and the truck is around the miles that BMW says to expect them to need replacing.

bcredliner · #9 07-10-2013, 11:11 AM

Would you DIY the suspension?

jddny · #10 07-10-2013, 11:19 AM

No, I would not! I am not mechanical at all. Would pay a garage to repair it. Any ballpark idea what suspension and valve repairs mentioned in this thread would cost? Thanks a bunch! You guys are awesome on this forum. I am definitely gonna buy an x5. This one may or may not be the right one. Also has a glitchy electronic display on the dash......odometer, etc readable but blurred. I'm not adverse to buying a car that needs repairs so long as I know what I'm getting into and get a fair discount for said repairs. This seller seems cool in that regard. They bought a 2013 to replace the car and I'm sure they tried to trade it at the dealer and were offered a very low trade since they opted not to trade it