Making a Purchase on 2008 BMW X5 4.8i. Am I Doing it Right? Opinion Needed!!

[JoshLee89]

Hello Everyone.
I'm new to the Forum and I am about to make a purchase on Blk/Blk 2008 BMW X5 4.8i Fully Loaded.

I loved my 2009 Infiniti G37S Coupe so much, but I had to sell it because I was needing more usable space.

Here is just one pic


Anyways.
There are two cars in the market that I am currently interested. "1" is very close to me, and "2" is far away (need to fly over, and drive back 15 hours)

Car #1

2008 BMW X5 4.8i
Black / Black
Sports pkg with 20" wheels, Premium pkg, Cold Weather pkg, Technology Pkg (Navigation, Back-up Camera), Premium Sound (iPod, HD Radio, etc), Head Up Display, Comfort Access, Running Board, Power Tailgate, Rear Climate Control, Rear Window Sunshade

It has 47k Miles, 1 Owner, Clean Carfax. Warranty 3k miles left or 5 Month left. (And I'm going to extend warranty before I hit 50k miles)

This car is located in one of the biggest BMW Dealership near me, so price seemed little too high for me, but after test driving (felt very good, well taken care of by original owner), negotiating, I came down to price of $43,000 OTD. (7% Tax so 40,186 w/o the Tax)

Service Record showed nothing except Maintenance Program, and few electrical issue (Permanent Bulb Failure etc, but now fixed of course)

How does this deal sound to you guys?

Car #2

2008 BMW X5 4.8i
Black / Black

Same as Car #1
"Sports pkg with 20" wheels, Premium pkg, Cold Weather pkg, Technology Pkg (Navigation, Back-up Camera), Premium Sound (iPod, HD Radio, etc), Head Up Display, Comfort Access, Running Board, Power Tailgate, Rear Climate Control, Rear Window Sunshade"
+ OEM Aero Dynamic body Kit, Ventilated Seats, and Heated Steering Wheel, 3rd Row Seats, Rear Seat DVD Entertainment System

It has 38K miles, 2 Owners, each owned for 2 yrs 2 month. Warranty Expired.

I never seen this car in person since it's 800 miles away, but it seems pretty clean, well maintained. but I would never know.
This one is located in the dealership with only 25 Cars, vs. +600 cars as in Car #1's.

It is priced at 41k at the dealership, and I would need to pay Tax in my state so 43.8k + (either Plane Ticket, or Shipping cost About $500)

So my ultimate question is, which car would you recommend for me (Car that will give me less headache)? What do you think of the Prices that I mentioned? Can I go Lower?

P.S. I personally like the Car #2's options like Aero Pkg, etc, but I'm worried that it might be the car that would give me problem since, I never seen or driven the car, Out of Factory Warranty, Don't know how reputable that tiny dealership is, and if I decide to fly over there, more than 90%, I am committed to buying the car regardless of condition, etc cause I put time and effort to go there, making bad decisions under pressure.

Please give me any comments or your opinions.

[AaronSD]

FWIW, I purchased an 08 CPO 4.8, 31k miles, same options as you mentioned above sans the 20" wheels WITH a maint package and 9% sales tax OTD in Beverly Hills for $42k. Prices for the miles seem a bit high for no warranty or CPO. I definately would not buy a car without seeing it either, nor fly to get a car without securing it with a deposit and a receipt in hand. Good luck.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by AaronSD

FWIW, I purchased an 08 CPO 4.8, 31k miles, same options as you mentioned above sans the 20" wheels WITH a maint package and 9% sales tax OTD in Beverly Hills for $42k. Prices for the miles seem a bit high for no warranty or CPO. I definately would not buy a car without seeing it either, nor fly to get a car without securing it with a deposit and a receipt in hand. Good luck.

I bought my fully loaded CPO '08 4.8 from Beverly Hills BMW as well in October of last year--only 16K miles for $48K. I think you could go lower miles but of those 2 I would go with #1---that second one has changed hands too many times in a short period--possible issues with it.

[kimg9582]

My vote would be #1 Car.
Pros:
- warranty
- local (see it, touch it, no need for more travel expenses)
- one owner

Since it's also a little cheaper, you can use that money and add the aero kit.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by kimg9582

My vote would be #1 Car.
Pros:
- warranty
- local (see it, touch it, no need for more travel expenses)
- one owner
Since it's also a little cheaper, you can use that money and add the aero kit.

No used car buying maven here, but ... Selection Numbah One.
GL, mD

[PAX5]

You should be able to get an '08 e70 4.8i in the mid to high 30K's, depending on equipment and mileage. If from a BMW dealer, make sure that you ask to see the CPO list (see attached). CPO has about a $1200 value ... Make sure it is signed off ...

Also:

1. make sure you get 2 key fobs (new is $200+ and the dealer has to de-program the lost key's ability to start the car, but the mechanical key part will always be able to open your door ... If you have comfort access (option), expect to pay for re-programming. This is not part of the CPO, but you can negotiate it as part of the purchase ...

2. Double check and ask for records that show that the car has received the latest software updates. This is especially true for a car that has a rear entertainment system and/or a tech package/tow package (camera needs to be programmed), or battery replaced. Reprogramming is expensive; several hours at $100+/hr and not part of the CPO ...

3. Try to find an '08 with a production date of May/June or later ... because of software reasons stated above.

4. if car requires R(un) F(lat) T(ires), make sure that it has matching sets with matching production dates on side wall.

5. check for rattle and clunking noises from rear hatch.

6. check steering wheel for peeling trim

7. Go through the i-drive menu and check the "Service Requirements" and "Status". Verify each date and mileage.

8. If you must have an extended warranty, get the BMW one (expensive), not an aftermarket. In this case you truly get what you pay for ... but, if you make sure that all the known issues are taken care of BEFORE you pay for the car, chances are that you will be able to pay for any repairs from the money you save by not buying the extended waranty and by staying in touch with the members of this forum!

GLWP

[95wildtt]

Always, always go with a car you can touch, drive, and take to a friend/mechanic (for a look over) and most importantly take back to the dealer where you bought it if, and when, something comes up that needs work.

I've been buying used cars for MANY years, and just about every make, and you should always go with your gut and the local dealer option!

Bought my 2008 X5 4.8i with the exact config as your #1, plus Aero Package about 18 months ago and LOVE IT! It's had a few issues, but the X is just awesome! Mine was NOT CPO, as they had put NRF tires on it, had 49K miles and was in GREAT shape.

If you are mechanically inclinded/interested, I would suggest getting a service manual and possibly look at the tools for coding your X as well. Always better to do the work yourself than take it to the stealership where they will most likely mess something else up.

Last advice, save this Forum, there is a bunch of awesome advice from some great folks.

Best of Luck, and enjoy!

[BGM]

Originally Posted by basora

You should be able to get an '08 e70 4.8i in the mid to high 30K's, depending on equipment and mileage. If from a BMW dealer, make sure that you ask to see the CPO list (see attached). CPO has about a $1200 value ... Make sure it is signed off ...

GLWP

Not sure where you are getting your pricing--mid to high $30Ks for a fully loaded '08 4.8 with 20s ? Go look on Autotrader there are like 5 in the whole country equipped like that under $40K that have decent miles on them-and those are probably some small dealer and/or non-CPO.

[95wildtt]

Got mine for $44k with the Aero Kit and Paint Film...

Feel like I got a GREAT deal!

[PAX5]

Simple ...my pricing information and suggestion comes from 30+ years of buying (not leasing!) BMW's.

On average the final price paid I paid for a BMW's is about .85 to .90 of the asking price (not counting tax, title and doc fees which are not a function of vehicle value). So a $40K+ asking price can become a mid $30K's selling price with good negotiating tactics.

This BTW, is the same ratio (or factor) as "dealer cost to MSRP".

It gets more interesting with a used cars, because dealers use auction prices as a basis for a trade in value ...