***Purchasing a 2007 BMW 4.8i. Help and Opinion Needed***

[JoshLee89]

I've finally sold my Infiniti G37 Coupe, and now looking into buying an used X5.
I've been in the market for a while, but I just can't wait for that perfect car cause there are none.(blk on blk, nav, sports 20", basically fully loaded 08 and up, with less then 50,000 miles with warranty left)
So I am just going to bring down my standards and see broader range of cars available.

Here are some specs pictures about this car I looked at today





carfax

CARFAX Vehicle History Report on 5UXFE83577LZ46184

2007 BMW X5 4.8i
75,000 miles
2 Owner. 1st cooperation title for 1 month, less than 2000 miles -> 2nd Private owner, 17k/yr. Florida driven car bought at Auction and now in Dealer in Georgia.
No warranty left (which I am kind of worried about)
Black on Black
Sports with 20" wheels
Cold Weather
Premium
Panoramic Sunroof
Heated and cooled Sports Seats
Towing Package (I want to take it off though)
PREMIUM SOUND? (How can I tell?)

No Comfort Access
No Nav =(
No automatic trunk release
No Running Board (that I want to put it on)
No Rear Climate Pkg
No 3rd Row (not needed anyways)

Condition:
Exterior and Interior of the car is very clean. I could tell the owner took good care of his car, no scratches and dents inside and out.
Drove very very nicely, No tire, wind noises that were noticeable unlike other X5s I test drove. Smooth Transmission, and Idrive Service said "OK" to every categories.
All the switches work except driver seat front extension. (easy fix?)
40% threads left on all tires. (dealer said, they will hook me up $200 per tire when I said these will cost about $2000 to replace all) I think it's not possible.

Okay. You know about the car So this is my important questions

(1) Is it a good buy with a good price? b.c Dealer said I won't find any better deal than this.
-With GA tax 7%. I got deal of $26,900 OTD.

(2) This is more of a important question.
-I need to buy "some car" that I will be using for now till Feb 2013. When I sell this car back? would I loose lot more money? than let's say, I buy 2009 BMW 335i Sedan with warranty and less miles and sell it after 7 months.
Which car will depreciate more? I am planing to sell either private or to carmax
I drive about 500 miles per month / 6,000 miles per year.

(3) Do you think I should also consider paying $1,000 ~2,000 more to purchase BMW extended warranty? If I don't, when will be my next big service? (if car does not go wrong in other minor things)

Please give me any of your thoughts. I don't know if I am thinking rationally or not at this moment.

Josh.

[BGM]

If you are trying to predict a car's reliability and future value you might as well take the money and gamble in Vegas--there's no way you can predict that. As far as the car itself it is high mileage, 2 owners, the tires look shot (as you mentioned they are giving you some money for that). It you are only looking to keep it until Feb '13 why just not just get a used Accord, etc ? Not sure why you have to buy an X5 for less than a year.

[WWONG]

I wouldn't get a used X5. Repairs on those build up FAST, especially with no warranty. This is from experience. If you want something comparible to your G37, get a 3 series. Looks great, handles better, and maintanance is still high, but more reasonable.

[ard]

You are not thinking rationally.

That car is a potential money pit. 500 miles a month? And you only need 'some car' until Feb 2013??? RENT A CAR. 9 months, rent something.

Or go to swap a lease, pick up a car for a year.

Owning a used X5, sold at auction, is a real risk without a BMW Platinum warranty- and THAT costs $4500. (Or $450 per month that you will own it.) The dealer is probably offering a cheap powertrain only plan... (That simple seat switch could be $700...)

Finally, you want to put running boards on?!??! For 9 months? Nuts.

[Dking05]

The price seems decent for what it has, but IMO... No CA / Premium sound / or even nav = DEALBREAKER.

If your going to be getting another car soon, as said:

Rent
Swap a near ending lease
geta 3 that will hold value

[JoshLee89]

Originally Posted by ard

You are not thinking rationally.

That car is a potential money pit. 500 miles a month? And you only need 'some car' until Feb 2013??? RENT A CAR. 9 months, rent something.

Or go to swap a lease, pick up a car for a year.

Owning a used X5, sold at auction, is a real risk without a BMW Platinum warranty- and THAT costs $4500. (Or $450 per month that you will own it.) The dealer is probably offering a cheap powertrain only plan... (That simple seat switch could be $700...)

Finally, you want to put running boards on?!??! For 9 months? Nuts.

Thanks for your advice. I sometimes think im not thinking straight when it comes down to chasing something i really want. I would not have sold my G37 if i was smart enough. I had experienced buying 09 g37 3000 miles for 34k otd, and i moded quiet a bit (spent $3000). 2 years later, after puting 16000 miles, i sold it privately at $33000. So this "good buy and good sell" is mostly not gonna happen with the x5 i assume?

If im gonna have to sell either my "used accord" vs this x5 and "end up difference in cost" is similar, i would definately buy an x5, because its something I really wanted to have. Yes its true that there might be lots of hidden cost fixing the x5 (something iam worried about), but I would not mind the gas price difference because im driving a car that i dreamed of.

And probably, i would not add running board for 700 dollars, but i was just saying that because thats what i would hope to ideally have on the x5.

[JoshLee89]

Originally Posted by Dking05

The price seems decent for what it has, but IMO... No CA / Premium sound / or even nav = DEALBREAKER.

If your going to be getting another car soon, as said:

Rent
Swap a near ending lease
geta 3 that will hold value

Yes, finding a rental car would be another solution, but I want to drive a nice car and that was one of reason i sold g37 was to experience living with a better car.
I am actually still very young, 24 years old going to dental school. I am an international student so i cant do lease.

[JoshLee89]

Originally Posted by ard

You are not thinking rationally.

That car is a potential money pit. 500 miles a month? And you only need 'some car' until Feb 2013??? RENT A CAR. 9 months, rent something.

Or go to swap a lease, pick up a car for a year.

Owning a used X5, sold at auction, is a real risk without a BMW Platinum warranty- and THAT costs $4500. (Or $450 per month that you will own it.) The dealer is probably offering a cheap powertrain only plan... (That simple seat switch could be $700...)

Finally, you want to put running boards on?!??! For 9 months? Nuts.

Thank you for your advices. I am guessing most of people here on the forum are a lot older than me, more responsible people. I am still in school and everyone has urge to drive nicer cars at that age right? Im no exception. Haha

[JoshLee89]

so.. most people consensus on "NO"?
hmm. =(

[rh71]

only until Feb 2013 you *may not* have anything go wrong so extended warranty is not a must, but since you're looking to at least break even at that point, this would not be a wise thing to do to begin with. And what if something does go wrong like a transmission failure, known to happen - that will put a nice wrinkle in your plans.

With a used, definitely get an extended warranty but those are big $ and for less than a year, you don't want to do that. Look elsewhere... if it's a BMW, find one under a warranty.