That first x5 isn't worth a ton more than the areo kit, and even then the market is pretty narrow. You'd be lucky to double your investment. The labor, storage, and logistics is hardly worth the profit.

Like any old BMW, the value lays in the condition and model. No one really cares about a shitheap base 4.4 or 3.0. Anyone looking to spend decent money on these is going to be an enthusiast looking for a specific car. i.e, low mile excellent condition iS in color x.

Point taken (and generally agreed): :thumbup: That said, there is one other major reason a Suburban and a lot of other same year/era/price SUVs still outvalue the X5 - size.

When the X5 launched it was really expensive, really fun to drive, and compared to the American luxury SUV market it was breaking into, REALLY SMALL. If you dropped $70k in '01 you proll'y got a fully loaded Suburban, Navigator, or a stripped Escalade all of which can seat a small army, tow ten boats and support way more patriotic bumper stickers on all that extra sheet metal.

The market has changed in the years since with a boom of crossovers and other small SUVs and the general growth of the X5, third row seats in the E70, etc. That said there are still people who need those big vehicles and will pay a premium for them. I have a family of six and do a lot of home improvement projects - an '02 Suburban is worth a lot more to me than an '02 4.4. When I sold my '05 4.4 a lot of interested folks were turned off by how small it was. I get that. The E53 is a fantastic vehicle, but it's at an age and market position that really only appeals to two buyers - enthusiasts :D and folks trying to look upmarket on a budget.

Caveat: Yes I know LR3s and LR4s seat seven and cost about the same, yes I know Americans made X5 sized SUVs in the early 2000s (e.g., Explorer), and yes I know these are not blanket statements for every buyer.

I would agree that suburbans offer more utility than the X5, giving a wider audience While the E53 drives so much nicer than any suburban, a burb can haul a huge load with 7-8 people crammed in it.

My father loves suburbans and I grew up in them. They aren't that nice, but they sure are handy.

I think it depends on the area. Here in Utah a decent m54 one will cost you around 7-8k. And a decent m62 or n62 will be around 9-11k. Plenty of beaters for 2-3k but that to me reflects what that type of car is worth not where the market is in general for an e53. Four wheel drive always sells for more here anyway.

Yeah a Suburban is a pure utility vehicle. Its not gonna deliver much in terms of great handling, comfort and performance. Its a pickup truck with a 3 row cabin on top.

I wouldn't say they aren't comfortable. They have so much space. I can totally stretch out. The seats are pretty nice too.

That being said, I'd much rather be a passenger for a road trip than the driver, and I speak from experience.

Ok, this post makes sense to me. For my uses, which include seating 5, towing cars and hauling Home Depot runs, the Suburban speaks to me. I don't think the X5 does what people tout it for well: being sporty. Really, they just are quick in a straight line (4.6/4.8), and have low enough profile tires that they do not roll over upon initial input.

Handling well is subjective. The X5 handles excellent, for an SUV. I'd even argue with fresh sport suspension and a minimum of 18'' wheels it handles better than your average sedan. Of course a worn out comfort X5 on balloon tires is going to handle like a camry.

Does mine handle like my E30? Not anywhere close. Does it hug corners like my S5? Not a chance. Can I still have fun throwing it through some corners at excessive speeds? Absolutely. It'll do it in an incredibly composed way for something of its size. The direct steering gives great feedback, the suspension is not easily unsettled, and the body roll is pretty tight. Granted, mine isn't stock. But you aren't going to get the same performance out of many other SUVs for the same value. Keep in mind that the suspension is taken from the E39, which can be a very capable machine.

Have you driven a well sorted E53 lately?

Gotta love the Le Mans too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG1MYieGj60

Universal truth. Needing no more room than the E53 can provide, I am consistently amazed at how well it behaves for its size.

My dad had a diesel Expede-scursion with some big ole motor in it. He got it all King Ranched or whatever with 48cu/ft of leather and you could do laps in it if you got restless. Damn thing probably cost more than two of his Bimmers.

But it behaved *exactly* like you'd expect something of it's size to do. It handled like a Carnegie Deli pastrami sandwich: All over the place. Messy as hell. And more than you (I) could possibly ever need. The thing probably had 30k miles on it when he sold it for 1/3 what it cost him a few years earlier. He offered it to me. I declined.

But as so many have suggested. Individual preference is very often shaped by individual need. That doesn't make one preference wrong and another right. It just makes them different.

L322 is basically a LWB E53 with nicer (maybe?) interior. But we all know why that is.

I think for the combination of "sport" and "utility," E53 is a good compromise. I think I might be happier at this point to push it more toward utility. Like a BMW P38A.

My hauler is a Navigator because it holds 3 carseats abreast and still has cargo capacity for road trips. X5 cannot do that, not even the new ones unless you push cargo out of the vehicle. L322 or P38A might not be able to either, because they are narrow.

FWIW, new twin turbo V6 Navigator/Expedition is a bit better on handling due to reduced weight and better suspension. Then again, Expedition has been independent suspension at all four corners since 2003, so for a truck thing, it's not so bad as some GM products of similar GVWR that took longer to move to IRS.

E53 weighs at least a quarter ton more than similar year 530. It's so heavy, and all they did to fix that was put giant final drive gears in it. That weight keeps it from being even better...but I guess you have to have big heavy wheels and tires, rear interior and a spare tire. Then again, the frame and safety reinforcements are pretty robust. Trade-offs.