Should I buy a high mileage iS?
 

I've been lurking here about a week since I found an iS with which I've fallen in love...

...it's a 2004 Imola Red 4.8iS with the two tone cream beige / black interior and 111k miles on it. From what I've been able to determine, it's been serviced exclusively at a BMW dealer. It's a southern car and looks to be in great shape.

I called the dealer that serviced it, and it seems that it's had hardly any issues. The only item of significance that was replaced were the ignition coils about 15k ago. Everything else is minor wear and tear stuff like brakes, oil changes, etc.

I've owned several BMW's in the past, including a 1997 540i that I ran to nearly 170k miles before selling and a 1999 540i with 6 spd manual that I ran to 150k miles before selling. I love driving a BMW! The 97 was a great car and had very few issues. The 99, on the other hand had just about every M62 issue known. Seems I was always working on the 99. I do most of my own work and will tackle just about anything short of a transmission rebuild or major engine tear down.

After reading many of the horror stories here, and considering the history of the car, with it having very few of the more common N62/X5 issues addressed, I'm rather nervous to purchase it. I'd hate to buy it and find out within 10k miles that it needs a major repair. It's never had any transmission work (original fluid), or the levers done, or any work done on the air suspension.

The price I've negotiated is $10,500.

So what say you X5ers? Is this a good deal? How much risk would I be taking on? Would you buy it?

Thanks for the help!

100k miles is on the low side mileage wise for the year. 10k also isn't a ton of money. If it were me, I'd anticipate replacing all the common problem points within the first 10k miles. If I were to rely solely on dealer or even indy work, I would pass.

The V8 is intoxicating. Don't kid yourself, they are pricy to repair. If the $10k is the upper end of your budget, pass. If not, plan to baseline the car. Maybe not all at once, but plan for it over the next 30,000 miles. Get Mike Miller's maintenance guide, map it out for the X5 and stick to it. I bought my 04 4.4 for about that price with 180,000km and it needed a lot of work. But I knew that and now it's solid suspension wise, nearly all leaks gone, fluids all fresh, new summer/winter rubber and some optional adders (OE hitch, heated rears, mirrors, etc). It's a damn long list but I would do it again in a heart beat. If you have a good shop that works on BMWs that you trust and you can turn a wrench yourself, you'll be ok. And get the eBay software. That plus this forum will have you in good hands :).

The miles are very reasonable. So is the price! But, I agree that the cost of ownership is not trivial. However, the iS is something very something and worth the upcoming maintenance!! I owned a X5 3.0/manual and it's performance did not come remotely close to that of a iS!! I have over 170K with no plans to sell.

If you plan on wrenching yourself, go for it. Definitely plan on things coming up, if no big items have been replaced, maintained... Seemingly, soon after the 100K mark, things start happening. The number one rule is, get it taken care of as soon as it comes up. If you don't, one thing leas to another, and all of a sudden you have a huge price tag on your head...

Looking forward to havin' you around...

If you have a good PPI and/or warranty, go for it. I assume with your prior ownerships you have good service options or are a DIYer and comfortable with that.

I bought mine at about 95k miles and have put on another 50k with the only unplanned (non-accident) maintenance being a couple of coils. So, based only on what you posted, I'm leaning "yes"

I think he is a jerk who is rude to most everyone (pretending to be clever) and plays one song over and over (get a manual, automatics suck, change all fluids much more frequently than fluid or vehicle or component mfgr recommends...). I know he has his own experience base, but he has never published any data or study to corroborate his views. I could go on and on, and I've had a run in with him where he would not provide any hint of assistance because "automatics suck" which I think is unacceptable for a club tech writer. I nearly quit the club because of him, and I hope they replace him soon.

I rely on my indy who has proven his capability and trustworthiness, and is right here. I would not ever ask another question of Miller.

Thanks for all your replies!

Yes, I do most of the wrenching myself. The first purchase I would make after the car would be the Bentley manual. On my E39's, the only time one ended up in the shop was when the cooling system exploded on my 99 540. Everything else I diagnosed and fixed myself. Surprisingly, neither the 97 or the 99 needed the timing chain guides done. Perhaps I was lucky in that respect.

My thought is to take a proactive stance with the maintenance. I recently sold my MINI Cooper (reliability on one of those makes a BMW look like a Toyota!) and plan to take the leftover funds to buy this vehicle, so no bank note. Looking forward to not having a payment again! Without a car payment, I should have enough money left in my budget to tackle the known issues in a planned manner until most of them have been addressed.

I've recently been looking for an SUV, and when I can buy a vehicle like a 4.8iS with over 100k miles for the same price as I can buy a Tahoe of the same vintage with over 100k miles, it seems like a no brainer. The typical BMW high maintenance period shortly after 100k is what has me a bit on the fence, and this vehicle hasn't entered that period yet.

Another aspect is this: Even though my 99 gave me a great deal of grief over the years, I never really saw it as an issue. I enjoy troubleshooting and fixing a vehicle that's worth the effort. Had it regularly left me on the side of the road, I doubt I would have felt such a kinship, however.

Much appreciate the replies!

Too bad on the experience with Miller. Mine has been limited. I emailed him for the guide and he sent it. I read it and built my own schedule that I stick to. I didn't mind the read. That, and I too have an awesome indy :)