Just arrived: 2018 F15 xDrive 35i

[xbimma]

:Early November 2020
Search officially started. Kept the search virtual because I hate going to dealerships. Subscribed to several online sources to automate the process with an email address created for the occasion.

:Early December 2020

>>>>First round search hit



Was originally fixated on a 2017-2018 (build date) CPO xDrive. BMWUSA was advertising .9 - 1.49% APR on those. I chose BMW cpo website as primary source, and limited searches around 250 miles from zip codes in North Texas where I reside, Arizona, California, and Florida. I cheated a few times going as far as 500 miles but really tried to stay away From cold locations listings, you all know why. Every car I liked had a folder created in my iCloud Drive including printout of the listing high level summary with prices, mileage, options/packages, location, full carfax report, window sticker (not always available), VIN decoder pdf. Everyone in for used vehicles should know this one, very helpful to see the original build/options of the car as long as you have VIN.
My search and selection criteria were all over the place and I just could not figure out what a good deal looks like. I had about a dozen vehicles I was looking at with prices up to $40k which was definitely not what I planned for.

:Mid December 2020

Still had no idea how to filter listings with Apple Carplay or Tow hitch. Found out later tow hitch was not even available for new build (really stupid Bmw). All changed when I found “F15 2017 USA pricing guide” online. The pdf helped me understand how the vehicles were optioned and packaged so just by looking at a trim, wheels, or bumpers I knew what I was dealing with and pricing. I realized that I should be able to get CPO well under $35 with <40k miles. Pricing guide also clarified the production start for LCI model (August 2016)

>>>>F15 2017 - 2018 Pricing guide (LCI)



:Christmas - New Year 2020/2021
>>>>Second round search hit



Just before Christmas I had 4 vehicles in sight and my pre-approved financing ready to go. 3 were in California and one in Texas. One way ticket to fly in Northern CA was just above $100 and my brother in-law was eager to come with for the drive back and enjoyed some guys time away. But wife scheduled last minute vacation off the coast of Galveston, TX. During our vacation two California got off the market. The lone TX remaining had came down on pricing by 2k. It was CPO with ~2 years total warranty left but only CWP and driving + packages. Booked a Southwest flight to go pick up the car the first week of January but changed my mind the night before the flight. I had gone to bed and literally started a new search with reset criteria and looking for heavy packages vehicles. Found many well optioned listings. It was also the first time I found a listing including Apple CarPlay. Carplay was all of a sudden the anchor criteria, with executive, premium and M packages

:Mid January 2021
I now needed to make sure the added packages were not clouding my judgment. Built a spreadsheet to benchmark my final selections as you see listed in the chart.

>>>>Bean counting



:January 21, 2021
Made up my mind and opted for the newer vehicle in the mix. I had about $150 in travel funds with Southwest so I only pay $27 for one-way ticket on the first direct Saturday morning.

:January 23, 2021
Flight took off Dallas Love Field shortly before 8AM and landed 25 mins early in Nashville, TN. Arrived at dealership around 9:30AM with Uber. The internet salesperson recognized me immediately and led me to the sales guy who tried to extort $1000 for a deposit two days prior. He snapped pictures of my drivers license and insurance card and gave me the keys to test drive on my own. CarPlay worked on first attempt. I embarrassed myself because I did not know where the wireless phone charger was or what it looked like. That’s the problem when you drove E53 for the last 12 years. I had watched YouTube video the night before and erroneously thought it was a removable piece that fit in the cupholder. Sales guy said he did not know what that was. Only the next day my best friend helped me find it out inside the center console. Really looked like a caveman. I drove and coasted around for almost an half hour before returning dealership.
That’s when sales guy tried to sell me a 4.2% interest rate. I quickly told him never my mind I have my own financing and gave him the reference number, he looked shocked. They eventually gave me a lower rate and beat the pre-approved quote I came with by a half point. Spent 15 mins to sign paperwork and literally ran out because I wanted to get on the road asap to minimize night driving time.

Dealership filled up the tank to ~30% capacity. I picked up the car and drove straight to the nearest Sams Club to get me some contactless discounted gas. Right next to Sams was Jims N’ Nicks BBQ which I could not resist. Got a chopped brisket sandwich. My plan was to get home same day and keep stops to a minimum, so I picked up lots of pre-cut fruits, an organic cold brew coffee and water. Transportation to and from dealership cost me (flight $27, Uber $30, Gas $70). Solo drive home was 660 miles and under 10 hours. Started from Nashville - Memphis - Little Rock - Greenville - Dallas Metroplex. Averaged 24.2 mpg and 71.6 mph. Two stops under 10 mins each including one gas refill.

>>>>Home arrival snapshot


Key packages and options

TypeKR03MSRP
ModelX5 Xdrive35iUSD 59,500.00
MarketUSA
Development CodeF15
ChassisSports Activity Vehicle
Steeringleft
Doors5
EngineN55
Displacement3.00 l
Power225 kW
DrivetrainAll Wheel-Drive
Transmissionautomatic
ColorSpace-grau Metallic - A52USD 550.00
UpholsteryLeder Dakota Canberrabeige / Schwarz - LCFYUSD 1450.00
ManufacturerBMW AG
Production PlantSpartanburg, USA
Production Date2018-01-18
ZDA Driving Assistance PackageUSD 1700.00
ZDBDriving Assistance PlusUSD 1200.00
ZPPPremium PackageUSD 1150.00
ZPXExecutive PackageUSD 2800.00


1CASelection Cop Relevant Vehicles
212National Brake System Equipment
245Steering Column Adjustment Elec
248Steering Wheel HeatingUSD 190.00
255Sports Leather Steering Wheel
258Runflat Tyres
2LS20"lt/aly Wheels Y-spoke 451/mbUSD 600.00
2TBSport Automatic Transmission
2VBTyre Pressure Indicator
302Alarm System
319Integrated Universal Remote Control
322Comfort Access System
323Soft Close Automatic System For Doors
346Chrome-line Exterior
3AGBackup Camera
3ATRoof Rails Aluminium Satinated
3E1Exterieur Design Pure Excellence
402Panorama Glass Roof
420Sun Protection Glazing
423Floor Mats, Velour
430Interior And Exterior Mirror Packa
441Smokers Package
456Comfort Seats, Electric. AdjustableUSD 1300.00
488Lumbar Support Driver/front Passenger
493Storage Compartment Package
494Seat Heating F Driver/front Passenger
4CVFine-wood Trim American Oak
4M5Ind. Instrument Finished In LeatheUSD 1200.00
4NBAut.air Conditioning 4-zone Control
4NEBlow-by-heater
508Park Distance Control (pdc)
552Adaptive Led Headlight
563Lights Package
575Additional 12v Power Socket
5A1Led-fog Lights
5ACAutom. High-beam Headlights Control
5AGLane Change Warning
5APDecoding For No-dazzle High-beam As
5ATDriving Assistant Plus
5DLSurround View
5DPPark Assistant
609Navigation System Professional
610Head Up Display
645Radio Control Us
655Satellite Radio
688Harman/kardon Surround Sound SystemUSD 875.00
6ACIntelligent Emergency Call
6AETeleservices
6AKConnecteddrive Services
6AMReal Time Traffic Information
6APRemote Services
6CPApple Carplay PreparationUSD 300.00
6NWTelephony With Wireless ChargingUSD 400.00
6WBMultifunctional Instrument Display
6WDWifi Hotspot
775Individual Roof-lining Anthracite
823Hot Climate Version
840High Speed Synchronisation
845Acoustic Belt Warning
853Language Version English
8KLOelserviceint. 15.000km/12months
8R9Refrigerant
8S4Decoding Variable Light Distributio
8SLPreparation For Trailer Tow Hitch
8SMVin, Visible From Outside
8THSpeed Limit Info
8TNDaytime Driving Lights Selectable B
992Number Plate Attachement Management
9AAExternal Skin Protection
Retail Price TotalUSD 73,215.00

What I hoped to get but sacrificed
1. M package
2. Mocha interior
3. Rear windows sun filler blinds

Issues:
1. Remote key battery
2. Rear auto-climate button
3. Rear left passenger seat buckle inoperable

Priority enhancements
1. Tow hitch installation
2. Coding - auto-fold mirror
3. Coding - soft close trunk lift gate

[xbimma]

Pictures failed to upload yesterday

[crystalworks]

Congrats. Looks beautiful, and having remaining warranty is awesome. Isn't the extended leather dash so nice? Was a requirement in our shopping. And the 20" wheels yours has are some of my favorite x5 wheels, of any generation. Ours did not come with those, but it had them now.

I went through a metric ton of f15's as well looking for the wife's "new" ride. I was not nearly as organized as you but did track options and such using the order/build info sheets from BMW as you did. Was definitely a little frustrating at times.

[xbimma]

Thanks. Actually the biggest sacrifice of this search was warranty. The high mileage took away CPO chances. But loving it, I can just enjoy driving now.

[Qsilver7]

Congrats on the new acquisition...and welcome to the f15 club.

[xbimma]

Thanks Q