Trading-up the X5: PART 2

Bavarian · #1 01-27-2006, 12:52 AM

Today I got the X appraised while I was playing around with an SP-equipped X5.

I really enjoyed the suspension and wheel calibration. In a straight line, I couldn't really feel much difference in road texture communication between my non-SP and this SP X5.

However, whenever there was a smooth hump on the highway, the non-SP just glided over it, while the SP made a sort of controlled "hop".

Naturally, cornering was awesomely smooth and precise with the SP-equipped X5. It displayed little or no body roll. The main different feeling when cornering hard is that the front suspension doesn't dip much, whereas the non-SP X5 does.

However, the seats are no good for me. I missed the lumbar support first of all. I hadn't realized how important that had become to me. And also the side bolsters around my torso were too restrictive. I fit in perfectly fine, but there was no room to move.

But with that said, this SP-equipped X5 was otherwise exactly identical to the current one. It also had the Activity Package, which gives things like Sunshades, PDC, Ski Sack, etc.

Here's the deal-breaker:

Appraised value: $27000 Canadian

You must be KIDDING me. That's what I told them. Just 15 months ago I got this thing for $53000 with 52000KM on the dial. Now she has just under 90000KM, but she's actually much cleaner now. I've detailed the interior myself 4 times so far, including conditioning of the leather. Also I had it exterior detailed twice.

$27000 is 50.9% of $53000, my original buying price 15 months ago. So am I to believe that my X depreciated 49.1% in just 15 months? Not even American econocars depreciate this fast.

If you look at BMW's own web site, you will see most 2002 X5 4.4i vehicles with higher mileage still selling for mid $40s. I understand that every time any transaction is made, I lose, and the dealer wins. But the dealer makes no more than a few grand on a car. But in this case, when every other X5 sells on the market for arond $45000, they offered me $27000 for my MINT X5. This is an insult.

I didn't want to create havoc at the dealer, in case I wanted to do business at a later date. So I politely said no thank you to that "deal". Between you and I, this dealer won't be getting business in the near future from me.

Tomorrow I'm going to another BMW dealer in Toronto to get a second appraisal. And on Monday, I'm getting an appraisal from the Benz dealer that has that potential 2004 ML.

I very much doubt that anyone else would dare to offer me $27000 trade in for a car that deserves $35000 at bare MINIMUM.

Comments? I am shocked!