Looking to trade-up the X5...

Bavarian · #1 01-26-2006, 02:21 AM

OK here's the deal. The X has 90000 kilometers on here, and it doesn't make much sense to keep it longer. Once the new X5 comes out, the trade-in price this X will give will be even lower. Alas everyone has budgets too.

Some options:

2003 X5 4.4i - Silver on Black - 30000KM - Xenons, Ski Sack, Running Boards, Sport Package, Sunshades, Dimming Mirrors, Privacy Glass, 19" Wheels, Headlight Washers, Front+Rear PDC, Rain Sensing Wipers

2004 ML500 - Silver on Black - 25000KM - Xenons, Dimming Mirrors, Privacy Glass, Front+Rear PDC, Bose Sound, CD Changer, Headlight Washers, Rain Sensing Wipers

On both I can get the same finance rate. The X5 sells for around $55000 while that ML can be had for $49000.

I know that asking this question on an X5 board will yield unfavorable comments for the ML. But thinking in a CONSTRUCTIVE manner, what are some thoughts? I haven't driven an SP-equipped X5 yet, but have driven several ML500s.

Despite the X5 costing more, the final price difference between this ML and the X5 might go from $6000 to $3000-4000. If I trade in at a BMW dealership I'll get a better trade-in value, or a discount on the new car itself. If I go with an ML, I'll get a worse trade-in for the X5, but the new car costs much less by itself anyway.

PersonaNonGrata · #2 01-26-2006, 03:34 AM

Ian, there's a reason why there is such a big price difference between the X and the ML. The ML is not a worthy alternative to the X5. You will hate it especially in light of your long term experience with X5's. The ML is truly a milk truck. It's like driving a minivan and it looks like one too. If you want a minivan feel you might as well go get a Honda Oddysey or a Toyota Sienna. Obviously I'm for sticking with an X5.

Your X5 shouldn't be cast away so quickly. 90K KM is nothing. I have 52K miles (83,668 kms) on mine and it's going great. Hell, KewlX5 has over 125,000 miles (201,000 kms) on his. I don't know why you don't think it makes sense to get rid of it just because it's at 90,000 kms.

China Man · #3 01-26-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Your X5 shouldn't be cast away so quickly. 90K KM is nothing. I have 52K miles (83,668 kms) on mine and it's going great. Hell, KewlX5 has over 125,000 miles (201,000 kms) on his. I don't know why you don't think it makes sense to get rid of it just because it's at 90,000 kms.

I am coming up on 80,000km on mine as well, and plan on keeping it way past the 100,000km mark. With proper maintenance, an E53 should last quite a long time, as we've seen with KewlX5 ... if you really wanted that newer model, my vote would go to the X5. As everybody else mentioned, there's a reason why a newer model year ML with less mileage would go for less money. Besides, after driving an X5 for this long, I don't think you'd enjoy the ML in the least bit.

alpac · #4 01-26-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

...Your X5 shouldn't be cast away so quickly. 90K KM is nothing. I have 52K miles (83,668 kms) on mine and it's going great. Hell, KewlX5 has over 125,000 miles (201,000 kms) on his. I don't know why you don't think it makes sense to get rid of it just because it's at 90,000 kms.

I fully agree particularly if you have maintained it properly. You know the history of it which will not be the case of another used one. 90,000kms is really not that much for an X5.

R8DX5 · #5 01-26-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Ian, there's a reason why there is such a big price difference between the X and the ML. The ML is not a worthy alternative to the X5. You will hate it especially in light of your long term experience with X5's. The ML is truly a milk truck. It's like driving a minivan and it looks like one too. If you want a minivan feel you might as well go get a Honda Oddysey or a Toyota Sienna. Obviously I'm for sticking with an X5.

Your X5 shouldn't be cast away so quickly. 90K KM is nothing. I have 52K miles (83,668 kms) on mine and it's going great. Hell, KewlX5 has over 125,000 miles (201,000 kms) on his. I don't know why you don't think it makes sense to get rid of it just because it's at 90,000 kms.

I'm with Kev. Go with the X.

Bavarian · #6 01-26-2006, 12:07 PM

Guys thanks for the input. I think I was not clear though. The main reason for changing the X5 is not that it has 90000KM. I have no problem with this, and I know she will go many more kilometers problem-free.

It's just that people update their cars once in a while. So my main logic here is that this X5 will fetch a pretty low trade-in, even today. If I keep it for another year (usually keep them for 3 years total), then I will get a terrible trade-in value, also because the new-gen X5 would have been out.

Right now, on the market, this X5 is worth $39000-$42000. Somewhere in there. I'm getting it appraised this week - I'll let you know the exact digit. If I wait for the new X5 to come out, the trade-in value will automatically drop even more. I don't have the kind of funds to counter that and still have an X.

That's why I'm shuffling around now. I hope the picture is clearer now. I will have it appraised both by a BMW dealer and the Benz dealer, to see what the difference will be.

Plus there are two other very important factors in play here:

1) The money deal. My BMW dealer can offer me 0.5% less on financing, which is cool. Also since I've done business with them 2 times before, they can make a deal happen if we are both happy.
2) I've never driven an X5 with the SP. I can imagine that it will drive rock-hard like the old 330i, but what concern me is the sport seats. I would appreciate something "tighter" than the standard 8-way + lumbar I have now. But on the other hand, I'm not a small person, so I hope those sport buckets won't "lock" me in.

Here are pics of the particular X5:

AutoXer · #7 01-26-2006, 12:14 PM

I would go for the X5 rather than the ML. I made that same decision before I got my X5, and I would make the same decision today.

As for the prices going down when the new generation of X5 comes out. That's going to be true whether you trade the 02 for the 03 anyway, so that should not factor in your decision. I vote for the X over the ML.

Thunder22 · #8 01-26-2006, 03:40 PM

It's a simple decision.

Slam the door on one of the X's you're considering picking up. Then go to MB and slam one of the doors on the ML. The X door will close with a healthy "thunk" the ML door will sound like a hyundai ping.
The quality just isn't there on the ML.

dkl · #9 01-26-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Guys thanks for the input. I think I was not clear though. The main reason for changing the X5 is not that it has 90000KM. I have no problem with this, and I know she will go many more kilometers problem-free.

It's just that people update their cars once in a while. So my main logic here is that this X5 will fetch a pretty low trade-in, even today. If I keep it for another year (usually keep them for 3 years total), then I will get a terrible trade-in value, also because the new-gen X5 would have been out.

Right now, on the market, this X5 is worth $39000-$42000. Somewhere in there. I'm getting it appraised this week - I'll let you know the exact digit. If I wait for the new X5 to come out, the trade-in value will automatically drop even more. I don't have the kind of funds to counter that and still have an X.

That's why I'm shuffling around now. I hope the picture is clearer now. I will have it appraised both by a BMW dealer and the Benz dealer, to see what the difference will be.

Plus there are two other very important factors in play here:

1) The money deal. My BMW dealer can offer me 0.5% less on financing, which is cool. Also since I've done business with them 2 times before, they can make a deal happen if we are both happy.
2) I've never driven an X5 with the SP. I can imagine that it will drive rock-hard like the old 330i, but what concern me is the sport seats. I would appreciate something "tighter" than the standard 8-way + lumbar I have now. But on the other hand, I'm not a small person, so I hope those sport buckets won't "lock" me in.

I'm not sure I understand your logic. Trading in your X for another one WILL definitely cost you more than if you just kept it. Sure you will get "more" for trading in your X now, but you'll also end up paying for the extra "dealer profit" of the new X or ML. Also, the two vehicles that you're considering still have the old body styles, so they will equally take the price "plummet" when the new body style show up (this already happened for the ML)! On either the 03 X5 or the 04 ML, you'll lose a minimum of $5k immediately after you drive it off the lot. It will probably take you more than six months to lose $5k on your current ride. Besides, your current X is a "known entity" and the new one is NOT! But then again, I'm somewhat conservative. I always buy all my cars virgin new and keeps them for 10+ years putting 150k-200k miles on them before even considering of selling them!

My suggestion is that you should only trade in your X if you're tired of it and really want something totally different. Don't do it just because you're thinking you're getting a good price for your current X...you're NOT. Keep trading in cars every couple of years are very bad money losing propositions, period.

ChristopherM3 · #10 01-26-2006, 03:03 PM

If you want a VERY nice ML500, I have one for sale right now. It is a 2002 Black with Grey interior - every option and VERY low miles - only 24,800. I am the 2nd owner and I bought it in August of '05 with only 15,500 miles on it.
P.M. me if you are interested and I'll give you more details if you like........

I'm going to post it on here this weekend.............

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