Noob here..wanted to say "hi" and get some advice purchasing my first BMW!

[pbalias]

Hey everyone....

I'm really glad I found these forums! I've been camping out here a lot over the past couple days as I'm about to purchase my first BMW. The information here is awesome and it has answered a lot of questions for me already.

I'm looking at a CPO 2008 4.8i with 53K miles, build date 10/07. From what I can tell, it's a Premium, Technology, and Cold Weather packaged truck. I don't think it's a Sport, and definitely doesn't have rear A/C controls or rear sunshades, and no idea about any other packages. Dealer is asking $39,888 for it and they don't want to budge.

After searching Autotrader and doing some other research, I *figure* the truck is worth around $38,000 - $39,000 (but I could be wrong). I'm prepared to pay $39,000 as it's the color and motor I want. Actually, I was interested in the 3.0si but after a drive in the 4.8i, I think I prefer the larger motor. I wonder what the true gas mileage is going to be though. A lot of your complaints have to do with poor fuel economy.

A couple questions though that maybe you guys can help me out with:

- At 53K miles, the factory warranty is out. However, I think the CPO program extends the limited warranty 2 more years or to 100K miles. Will this warranty include components in the car that break, like the seat adjustments, faulty nav, peeling steering wheel controls, etc? From reading these forums, it seems like there are common items inside the truck that break/are problematic and I wonder if the CPO warranty will cover them.

I can do the oil changes, brakes, wipers, fluids, etc. myself, so I don't care for the "no-cost maintenance" program.

- As I've never owned a BMW (I'm a Vette guy), what's the reliability of the truck after 50K miles? Can I expect things to start breaking? Are the engine and transmission good for say, 100K + miles with proper maintenance?

- Sometimes the truck will have to sit a week or possibly 2 without me driving it. I've read a lot of issues of the battery going dead if the truck isn't driven. Is this common for all model years or is it specific to a particular?

Are there any other issues associated with this particular year/motored truck that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[X-cellent]

If you can wait you can have my 2008 4.8 when it comes off lease in April...21k miles right now. Buy out (on lease) is right around $43k.

I'm a fanatic and the ONLY issue is that it needs a new rear bumper skin...someone gouged it in a parking lot.

2008 BMW X5 4.8i
Alpine White
Sand beige Nevada Leather
Dark Bamboo wood trim
Premium Package
Premium Sound Package
Rear Climate Package
Sport Package
20” Wheels (style 214) with performance tires
Electronic Damping Control
Sport Seats
Technology Package
Automatic Tailgate operation
Comfort Access system
Running boards
3rd row seat
Heated front seats
Rear seat entertainment
iPod and USB adaptor
Satellite radio
Two sets of floor mats (all weather rubber and carpet)
Original sticker $73,120

30% Tint on all windows
Debadged (sides and rear) with clear front side markers
Otherwise she just gets turned in to BMWFS....

[cmyX6go]

Firstly Welcome.

I can't contribute as far as answering your long term questions. I can tell you that my '08 4.8i was pretty much trouble free but I lease so I'm out before the warranty is up and had pretty low miles when I turned her in.

As far as fuel consumption - I got 13.6 for mixed city/highway. My daily grind is NJ/NY rush. It depends how and where you drive. I bet you can tell how I drive

Good luck - it's a great vehicle.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by pbalias

...A couple questions though that maybe you guys can help me out with:

- At 53K miles, the factory warranty is out. However, I think the CPO program extends the limited warranty 2 more years or to 100K miles. Will this warranty include components in the car that break, like the seat adjustments, faulty nav, peeling steering wheel controls, etc? From reading these forums, it seems like there are common items inside the truck that break/are problematic and I wonder if the CPO warranty will cover them.

Yes, CPO covers that car until 100k miles; you might want to nail down the CPO coverage 'start' date, as you may not have a full 24 months left, unless dlr just did the CPO cert. From memory, and reading here, CPO does not seem to cover those niggling items you listed, though some posters report their dlrs doing good will coverage. The actual list of 'what's covered/not covered' under CPO will make your hair hurt as to what is really 'covered'. Dlr should be able to supply BMW's 'list' for you.
Verbal crap from the sales punque is bs, imo...

I can do the oil changes, brakes, wipers, fluids, etc. myself, so I don't care for the "no-cost maintenance" program.

- As I've never owned a BMW (I'm a Vette guy), what's the reliability of the truck after 50K miles? Can I expect things to start breaking? Are the engine and transmission good for say, 100K + miles with proper maintenance?

Engine, yes...trans, maybe...(pages of Threads on this site on trans issues; some owners are lucky, some are not.) Electronics are potential Achilles heel.

- Sometimes the truck will have to sit a week or possibly 2 without me driving it. I've read a lot of issues of the battery going dead if the truck isn't driven. Is this common for all model years or is it specific to a particular?

I would buy a Battery Tender or CTek brand low amp maintenance charger, if it were mine...

Are there any other issues associated with this particular year/motored truck that I should be aware of?
The E70 owners will chime in, and do some reading on any topic(s) via the Search Tab, upper right side of main page.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Welcome to a great Board and, Good Luck,
mD

[pbalias]

great stuff so far guys/gals...thanks for the fast responses.

[lordshin808]

Originally Posted by pbalias

great stuff so far guys/gals...thanks for the fast responses.

I'm not sure how reliable the X5 is after 50k but I can comment on my experiences with my last BMW. It was a 2000 328ci, bought it was 32k miles and drove it til 170k. yup, drove that sucker for 138k miles.

I did most of the maintenace myself. I had to replace alot of sensors, belts, and suspension parts like:

control arms bushings
belts
radiator
ac compressor
expansion tank
thermostat
camshaft position sensor
valve cover gasket
water pump
oil level sensor
oxygen sensors
belt tensioner
radiator hoses
crankcase valve
transmission failure at 145k, lost reverse

I expect I'll probably have to replace most of these items on my recently purchased 2007 4.8 X5 too. Luckily I have extended warranty to 100k.

My advice is be prepared for alot of repair bills from 75k-125k miles. Even after all I went thru with my 328, I still went back to BMW for my upgrade. BMW makes great looking cars, but they come at a price.

I suggest getting some sort of extended warranty for high mileage BMWs.

Good luck

[THK]

Stay with the Vette. More reliable and won't nickle and dime your pocketbook.

It seems BMW goes out of its way to produce sub-parr sub systems. Read the posts on this board regarding the model you want, put the "i gotta have" in check, then run like hell and don't look back!

[Ck101]

Read my posts, I have an 07 60k e70. It's a disaster zone.

Lots of expensive problems. On top of this tyres walk off these things.Something to do with the camber set up and a bad design.

I believe the q7 is fairly reliable.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Ck101

Read my posts, I have an 07 60k e70. It's a disaster zone.

Lots of expensive problems. On top of this tyres walk off these things.Something to do with the camber set up and a bad design.

I believe the q7 is fairly reliable.

You also have a first year model run--a basic no-no if you want a trouble-free car.

[ukwildcat]

Originally Posted by Ck101

Read my posts, I have an 07 60k e70. It's a disaster zone.

Lots of expensive problems. On top of this tyres walk off these things.Something to do with the camber set up and a bad design.

I believe the q7 is fairly reliable.

I test drove a 2010 Q7 before going with the X5.

It did not help that the Audi sales guy knew nothing about his product, but..
I expected to very much LIKE it, but the moment I sat down in it, I instantly hated it. I also hated how it drove - another surprise. And it's gadgets seemed half-baked. I was very disappointed.

When I got my X5, some of the Porsche people in the office asked how I liked it..

"Well, one week and nothing broken!"
And they said, without pause..
"Well, that's the difference between you and an Audi owner!"

I know we have some Audi owners here, so feel free to chime in.
My best friend had two leased A6s (three years each, so six years worth) until 2007, when he bought an Acura RL.

In the shop four times a year, like clockwork. Usually broken O2 sensors, early tire wear, etc. I dunno about now, but just a few years ago, ONLY your Audi dealer could do a proper alignment, at $400 a pop.

And every time they failed to fix something, they were unapologetic. He exaggerates, but swears he spent more time in a loaner, which was always in very poor shape.

Of course, YMMV, but.. I was not impressed. I can put up with an ignorant dealer for a good product - and certainly BMW has at least their fair share of these dealers as well - but the product itself was underwhelming.

To be fair, it was somewhat less expensive, but it didn't offer as many features, maintenance was not included, etc. etc.

I would wager that, much like BMW, Audi's reliability has improved - probably substantially so. I much preferred the X5 to the Q7 (and I found the Q5 too small).

Both are very popular around here, but I notice most Q owners are new and most X5 owners have had theirs quite a long time (I don't see too many '10s or later).