Looking at X5 Ownership

[Red911t]

Good afternoon all....I am looking into X5 ownership. Currently have a E46 330cic with every option, low mileage (51k) and in very good shape but have a second kid coming and need to scale up. This car would mostly be for personal daily use, but also some weekend hauling and maybe roadtrips. We have an XC90 that my wife drives the kiddos around in.

Long story short - I've been test driving E70's, both the 35i and drove a very clean 50i yesterday. Most of the 35i's I've seen in the low to mid $20's...the 50i I drove yesterday had 79k on the clock and was listed at $19k. NADA says it should be around $17.5k It was a CPO car with BMW care tacked on, so a ton of dealer history in servicing and the rear airbags were recently replaced.

Here's my question - this car is likely not an ultra-long term option - will likely have a corporate car in a few years, so what I get now is more a short-term play. I don't want to get smacked with depreciation so I am ruling out $30k cars and looking more at that high teens to low $20k range...am I nuts to consider the 50i with a really strong service history? I've owned two different E46s so I know BMW maintenance (though potentially not x50i maintenance )

Also, I saw a 4.8i fully loaded that was intriguing but would assume any advice on the 50i would apply to that as elk?

Talk to me people...thanks in advance!

Tim

[Entropy]

Do you do your own repairs? I wouldn’t suggest an E70 to anyone who doesn’t DIY everything from oil changes to cooling system repairs, etc.

However, if you DIY your repairs, it’s not all that expensive to keep on the road.

[ard]

Welcome to BF!


First, do you really need two SUVs?

Next, the 50 is a massively expensive engine to own. There are a good many documented issues- oil leaks, coolant leaks, valve stem seals... increased wear due to oil/injector issues BMW partially addressed with a recall...service history doesnt reduce the odds of these issues. (Unless they have all been fixed already). Do also keep in mind that "BMW dealer maintenance" is pretty minimal.

(Beginning to see why the V8s are sub $20k?)


If you could find a car with more 'runway' (ie the CPO isnt almost gone) that will be a good idea.

[ard]

I will add that owning an E46 (or E39) may lull you into a false sense of "Used BMWs arent that costly to own"....

[AlpineX]

Stick with the 6 cylinder: minimize your financial repair liability and maximize your resale appeal. The 35i is worth less on paper than the 5.0 so I'm not sure about the cost comparisons. Years and mileages mean a lot for coarse tuning. I would stay away from fancy suspensions if minimizing liability.

Great car for kids, maybe not as much room in the cargo area as you think it should have, but there is a giant space under the floor if not equipped with 3rd row or spare tire.

[Red911t]

Thanks for feedback guys. I'm not afraid to turn my own wrench - Have a '69 911T that I keep up myself (hence the user handle) - but would also be using this car daily and thus can't get too deep into the weeds on a project that will leave me stranded, so I'm leaning towards a six cylinder version instead of the 8.

Generally from what I've seen v8s are cheaper than the 6s obviously due to higher all in cost on maintenance there.

From being on the various 3 series forums, a lot of those folks warn against the 335d engine but it seems like people on the X forums really favor the X35d - but both use the M57 engine, correct?

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by Red911t

Thanks for feedback guys. I'm not afraid to turn my own wrench - Have a '69 911T that I keep up myself (hence the user handle) - but would also be using this car daily and thus can't get too deep into the weeds on a project that will leave me stranded, so I'm leaning towards a six cylinder version instead of the 8.

EDIT: years/mileages matching on low mileage units, v8s that are cheaper than the 6s obviously due to higher all in cost on deferred maintenance there or factor B/C as you can never truly compare without completing all due diligence. Exceptions apply.

From being on the various 3 series forums, a lot of those folks warn against the 335d engine but it seems like people on the X forums really favor the X35d - but both use the M57 engine, correct?

The 335d and X5d both use M57, which is a great engine. the emissions packaging installed between the two varies with the X5 allowing a 2nd channel of cleaned EGR gasses back into the engine, while the 335d does not have this feature (Low Pressure EGR). Additionally, the X5 is significantly larger which makes it easier for the engine to WORK which the M57 loves. The E90 is light enough, add rwd, and you almost have to tiptoe this car around town which the engine likes less.
Another major issue for the M57 in the US was that it was cutting edge technology for light duty diesels (been around in trucks longer), so everything related to servicing, and manufacturing were essentially on maiden voyage. Now that we are almost 10 years in, it is getting easier to keep these up and reliable.

Some more food for thought: 2012-13 have the best chance of getting a car that feels "loaded" as the convenience package is essentially the: Technology, Rear Climate Package, Premium Package and standalone Comfort Access of the 2010-11 years. 2011 is LCI for E70 and first year of combox for additional streaming features. 2010 is first year of CIC headunit. Check out comfort seats, uncommon option that totally transforms the car IMO. Identify these by the pivot point 2/3 up the backrest, same as 7 series.

Working on a car for fun can definitely be fun and rewarding. Working on a car because you rely on it to get you around is a little closer to work... (Spoiler alert!: You'll still have to work on the 35i)