2001 X5 4.4L with 200kmi, stay away or take the plunge?

[MaicoDoug]

I'm new here from Bimmerforums, and glad to be catching the E53 fever.

Actually today I looked at a 4.4l, 2001 X5 with 200.084 miles. The rear is squatting, self leveling system needs work, maybe just a fuse. Very worried about the V8, since my E39 '01 530 is doing great w/ 200kmi with much service. My intsrest started in basicly something that will run over a 30 pound raccoon w/o destroying the front bumper cover, like what happens when you drive through the "war zone" that is called hwy 30 between College Station & Huntsville, here in mid Texas. With 120 miles per day driving, I'm hoping to put another 200kmi on something under $10K that will drive over road kill and keep going.

For the X5 I looked at the salesman started at $6100, then without provocation other than handing me my requested CarFax printout, he lowered it down to $4900. It's been entirely maintained by the dealership. It did get a new hood, right fender, headlight at 146Kmi. sport package, nice wide wheels, no door dents, good body but hood alignment looked like it was hit. Cold start shows the vanos clatter, warning lights: steering angle sensor, brakes & something else. Been on the lot since last September, never cleaned out from the customer drop off. Dealership will loose if I get my lowball price, but I don't want piss them off. Maybe I'll simply go through the used car manager, give him my price.

Has the sport package (option# 0330), moon roof, also this weird code (code 0649) that says "100% options" does this mean 100% loaded? The rear gate looks good, opens & closes easy. Has those snowflake looking wheels.

I know of the timing chain guides needing work, but at this high of mileage, I really don't want to put more than 10 hours a month, though I have done the vanos on my M54 (E39 530i), driveline, steering rods, brakes, water pump... all the easy stuff, but don't have a lift, only a good floor jack & stands.

Tell me if I am crazy to even consider this. A M52 (inline 6) would be much nicer for the gas mileage.

Well this is one for the best thinkers and philosophers. I drive 120 miles a day, have totaled one car already hitting wildlife. Just last $800 dollars for a new windshield, not $2200 for a whole new bumper cover. Just by hitting a 30 lb raccoon at 70mph. It's not worth it to keep driving a low slung front end like my E39 has. So I'm becoming interested in an '01 X5, 4.4L with exactly 200K, sitting back on it's rear axle with the dreaded suspension issue. It does have nice wheels & a decent body. I'll try to post a picture. Oil was just touching the bottom of the dip stick, coolant Res was all crusty and dry, drivers seat is cracked, dirty, but could look very nice with some cleaning.

My thoughts are in the numbers right now. I need to put another 200Kmi on my next roadkill war wagon. Just don't know whether to spend the $$ up front and get a beater like this, or pretty much triple the cost into payments and go with something with half the mileage. If I go with this one (w/ 200Kmi), it will require most likely a new ride height air compressor, may a bag or 4..., brake pads, maybe rotors. Not much as far as dealer installed major fixes are listed in the (for the most part) dealer maintained car. It's in the dealer's back lot squatting. Then in no time, that hose under the manifold (if anybody can replace it, I can.), new chain guides, but to change one the engine needs to be lifted? Is what I read-

So any input on your take on this roadkill/gas mileage/ and throw the odometer to the wind type commute I have going on would be really nice. My 530 has been very nice to me & looks extremely sharp, just need something to get down the road with with more clearance for roadkill. Need a X5 with a big cattle bar! I think it's called a "predicament"?

Thanks for your expert advice in advance.

Doug

[upallnight]

The good thing is you own a BMW before.
The Bad thing is you own a BMW before.

BMW have changed quite a bit on these BMWs from earlier BMWs. Coding which were unheard of when I own an E34 is quite common on these later BM Trouble U. Even something as simple as replacing a battery on some model years will need to be coded.

Parts were never cheap on a BMW but more so on these BMWs. If you could manage the repair yourself and you have a AAA card I would say go for it with the caveat that unless you stay on top of repairs and maintenance perhaps a X is not the right SUV for you.

[TwinTurboGTR]

I'm a little confused. You live in TX and mentioned 200,084 miles but then mentioned 200KMI, so is the mileage in miles or kilometers?

If they lowered it down to $4900 right off the bat, they may be desperate to get the car off the lot. If the rear is squatting, it may be a fuse, or it may be the bags, or the compressor, etc. SAS will need to be coded if you confirmed thats the problem and does cost some dough. VANOS could be easy or could be a nightmare.

Ultimatly it is up to you. You seem to know the flaws and how to fix them, so you should know a ball park price on how much it is going to cost to fix and how much labor it is going to take you.

Is $4900 fits the budget and you can handle the problems... pull the trigger, but only after investigating further and trying to get the price down to $4K... otherwise move on. I know there are a few here for sale in the 140K mile range that are at $6500 approx, and they seem to be in good shape.

[romeokc10]

I think you should spend the next day or two and read some of the most common problem threads here on the site, unfortunately that list is quite long...lol! Look at this way, you're thinking about buying a 13 year old vehicle that has very brittle plastic throughout the car, 200K miles on it, and you want to use it as a daily 120 mile plus commuter, I'd pass. The words E53 X5 and reliable can't be used together in the same sentence, if you're driving that much daily I would go Japanese. The money you're going to spend in gas alone is a turnoff, doesn't matter if it's a 6 or 8 cylinder.

[jsoto]

I would not buy one unless knowing the full maint. history
Does you record show dealership maintained up to the mileage of the car ?

The 2 big things would be timing chains and tranny.
Right behind that, cooling system overhaul, pricey water cooled alt, and the list goes on.
If you can DIY, then you're at least covered on the $ there. Both drivers side f/r wheel bearings started making noise on mine. One had more SLOP than the other but I ended up doing both.

See the recent thread on leaky oil cooler. Been there, done that. Same for the $200 PS hose.
2 ! I also have replace the pedal 2X....

My maintenance folder is about 3-4 inches thick on my M54. Half of that is just proactive stuff, but the other half....it's been spendy items.

[MaicoDoug]

Thanks all who have replied. Yall got me smiling on this end, sort of~

TTGTR, so sorry, I mean miles, not kilometers, my bad.

Upallnight: an AAA card? Yea and an AA card wouldn't hurt either!!

I know that I have to pay now or pay later. Perhaps better said....pay now & pay later.

There was one 2002 on the lot w/ manual transmission & 3.0L I6, but a mechanic bought it. Nada says that the average trade in value is $3500. I'd still be interested IF I could get them to do some service for a decent price. The dealer here in Bryan Texas has treated me very well regarding a project that included some service added on to the purchase price of my '01 530i Sport, stuff they would of done if it were even close to being "certified". They charged me their price on parts. So maybe I still have a chance if somehow I could finagle a couple of thousand worth of service included. This X5 has been theirs throughout it's lifetime and not an auction car as I was told upfront. They did at least provide a 4 page service history (BMW), + the CarFax report, which did show the hood, fender, trim, headlight being replaced. Thinking I will simply talk to the sales manager like I did when he sold me my 1st E39, tell him I need something for 4 years, another 100,000 miles & see if he'll agree to something w/ a maintenance agreement possible.

Well guys, I'm just rambeling at this point.

I think I'll keep looking, but also will show good faith towards the dealership & let them know what I'm thinking. Maybe not on this exact X5. Darn, it's looks nice, tires must be 16" wide, w/ the nice rims.

Coding everything I have been lucky to avoid. Not such a fan of giving them much of my $$ except for the entire propeller shaft replacement. That, I was glad to pay for.

I guess my E39 has been pretty nice to me. I need to re-assure myself that the 2nd front end going on will be new OEM parts, like I was told. I'll tell them that I want to see the parts as soon as they arrive before they install them. I'd like to keep it off the roadkill highway & in town for the wifey to bend heads with (I'm a lucky man in that regard, but higher maintenance though).

I'll let 'yall know what the entertainment value of any of this could be. Extended warranty cost, -vs- post purchase maintenance, preventative included, & maintenance financed up front with parts at their cost. The'll likely call the security guards on me. We'll see.

Thanks again everyone. I'll be back here soon hopefully with a clearer picture.

Doug

[JCL]

Find a six cylinder if you want an X5 at higher mileage.

This one is worth half of the discount price you mentioned, and even then only if you can do all the repairs yourself. And after that, it isn't a good candidate for significantly more miles.

[davintosh]

What JCL said; better machines with fewer potential gotchas can be had for the same money. Shop around. Or if you're up for a project, offer them half of that $4900 & see if they bite. Chances are, if they can't sell it outright, it'll go to auction and they'll be lucky to see $2500 for it there. And they are painfully aware of that.

I feel your pain on the raccoon roadkill; I hit a big one a while back with my e32, and it nearly destroyed the bumper cap on it. Sounded like I hit a rock.

[tmv]

MaicoDoug, I recognize your screen name from the E39 sub-forum on bimmerforums.
I would not buy a 200k miles X5 and hope to put another 200k miles on it. By no mean to say that it's not possible, but it will need lots of maintenance and parts/components replaced. It's better to pay a little more for a lower mileage one. The I6 has the same engine (M54) as your E39 530, not the M52 as you mention.
I would NOT buy that particular 4.4i you're looking at.
I would look for an I6: better mpg (as you want) no air suspension problem, easier to maintained... and a MT if you can find one. Driving 120 miles hway a day is quite healthy for the engine.
Good luck!

[Riggodeaux]

Hate to say it, but it sounds like a money pit to me. You could be spending $4900 to buy $5-10k+ in problems. Plus, if you are looking for a commuter vehicle to go 120m r/t 5 days a week, in balmy Texas, I can't say that an older E53 with 200k+ miles on the odometer [getting maybe 20 mpg on premium, at best] is what comes first to mind. I've been very pleased with my X5, but know from personal experience how 'what I like' often trumps 'what I need.' If your heart is set on an X5, keep looking. I suggest a newer 3.0L, preferably with a stick, and without the leveling, etc. options which are just more stuff to break ......