High Mileage Purchase?

[beamertruck]

OP wants to know what to look for. First make sure the oil changes have been kept up to date. If its been the 10-15k mile changes steer clear. Also at 100k there should be a trans service done, diff fluid, air filter every 5-10k and if you can find one from someone whos religious on maintenance. The common problems are the Crank Case Ventilation, the ZF trans need an update/fluid change due to shudder issues. Check for carbon on the butterfly valve on the the TB, look for excessive rust, wear on the ball joint and bushings. Check the brakes, hoses fluid levels. Also look for any oil leaks, the p.s. resevoir is infamous fordeveloping a semi signaficant leak due to the clamp going bad. See if there are any squeeks, moans, hesitation and sign of hard start.

[beamertruck]

Oh and when you do get the vehicle, seriously maintain it. Trans every 50k, oil every 5-7500 (use a high quality synthetic like amsoil, pennzoil or mobil 1) and just fix problems in their first stage, i get vehicles in all the time where if the owner had just spent a few hundred doing sometimes simple things like an oil change or trans fluid theyd save thousands.

[primeral]

Originally Posted by beamertruck

OP wants to know what to look for.

Understood. I don't know MT223's history of BMW ownership or DIY-handiness, so I was only helping to cover all of the bases. Although religious maintenance is absolutely necessary, a high mileage BMW might come with surprises.

One interesting fact is if this person is coming from a different brand (ie Honda, Nissan, maybe even Lexus or Infiniti) the hourly labor rate is somewhere around $75-79. At a lot of BMW shops near where I live, they charge between $100-120/hr. At the NTB (National Tire & Battery), regular cars cost $79 for a 4-wheel alignment. NTB charged me $120 because it's a BMW.

Good luck with your prospective purchase, MT223. I am not swaying your decision whatsoever, as I love BMWs and have learned to live with the higher cost of ownership. If it's of any worth, I drove my 2002 M5 to 175,000 miles with very little problems and I hope my X5 does the same.

[beamertruck]

I was just trying to offer actual advise lol. My local NTBs are awesome in their pricing and warranty. I got the 6 month warrantied alignment and they charged me 79+tax (i think it was about $90) ive gone in at least 12 times over the 6 month period without any hassle (blame those dang pot crates, and the occasional pothole) For the most part if you spend a little time, are careful and invest in some good tools (Snap-on is my go to because my dealer rocks, Matco is also great, no experience with MAC, and of course Craftsman USA *note: has to be their USA made, the other stuff kinda sucks*) youll be fine. Also a fluid pump comes in REALLY handy. really if you arnt DIYing find a good local mechanic and stick with em to develop a good workin relationship. Many of my regular customers I'll give great deals and sometimes do stuff for just the cost of the part. Seriously the main thing is fix it BEFORE it breaks. Also if your really gonna do extended drain, use the Amsoil fluids as they are formulated to handle the extended drains better and under harsher conditions then most other oils. From my years of experience building and fixing cars Amsoil and Pennzoil have been the best oils. Also use Costco gas (if its the Kirkland signature clean) they do high volume sales so you get fresh gas, they maintain their pumps and change filters often and their fuel system cleaner is phenomenal.

[3Series]

Originally Posted by primeral

Understood. I don't know MT223's history of BMW ownership or DIY-handiness, so I was only helping to cover all of the bases. Although religious maintenance is absolutely necessary, a high mileage BMW might come with surprises.

One interesting fact is if this person is coming from a different brand (ie Honda, Nissan, maybe even Lexus or Infiniti) the hourly labor rate is somewhere around $75-79. At a lot of BMW shops near where I live, they charge between $100-120/hr. At the NTB (National Tire & Battery), regular cars cost $79 for a 4-wheel alignment. NTB charged me $120 because it's a BMW.

Good luck with your prospective purchase, MT223. I am not swaying your decision whatsoever, as I love BMWs and have learned to live with the higher cost of ownership. If it's of any worth, I drove my 2002 M5 to 175,000 miles with very little problems and I hope my X5 does the same.

My BMW dealer charges $160/hr. Local indies charge $100/hr.

[3Series]

Originally Posted by MT223

Hello ladies and gents, I'm looking at used X5's and my price range $15,000-$16,000 there isn't much I'm seeming to find. But when I do find one I expect it to have somewhat of a high mileage. Is there anywhere I should bring it to be inspected before I buy it? Thanks guys, have a good day.

That price range isn't going to get you into a decent E70. My 64k mile trade-in is at a non-BMW dealer in Westmont for $22k. It needs a new right rear air spring, VANOS solenoids, valve cover gasket and AC evaporator.

On the plus side, it was maintained very vell and has tires with less than 5k on them and same with the brakes (discs and pads).

[primeral]

Originally Posted by 3Series

My BMW dealer charges $160/hr. Local indies charge $100/hr.

Sweet Jesus!!!

[latenightflyby]

my last trip to ford was around $125 an hour and thats been several years

[mujjuman]

Originally Posted by 3Series

That price range isn't going to get you into a decent E70. My 64k mile trade-in is at a non-BMW dealer in Westmont for $22k. It needs a new right rear air spring, VANOS solenoids, valve cover gasket and AC evaporator.

On the plus side, it was maintained very vell and has tires with less than 5k on them and same with the brakes (discs and pads).

Is it the one at the Acura dealership?

[rippjd]

Often those that advertise in Roundel are particular with respect to maintenance, and they ask a premium accordingly. You can view the classifieds on BMWcca.org