Am I crazy? Three times the charm?
 

So I've had a 4.6iS and a 4.8iS. I've always loved the E53s and I find myself still looking at them (almost daily). I had an up and down experience with both as many of you have over the years. Whether it was transmission woes/window regulators/TCG on the 4.6 or the paranoia of valve stem seals/air ride suspension on the 4.8. But I don't know what it is about these SAVs that keeps me coming back...I've been pondering dipping my fingers back into the koolaid again but it would only be for the right one. As time goes on, these things are harder and harder to find in good, reliable shape. Actually leaning more towards 4.6iS again.

So, fellow XOutPosters - sway me. Should I pick another one up? (3.0i is not an option, no offense to those owners)

Well seeing as I just finished my latest repairs, I have to say yes you are completely insane!! But that's ok, I mean just look at the company you'd be keeping! "Taco" has a 4.8iS in Kalahari sitting in Bahrain that may interest you for being a different color with all the surface of the sun options....

Best of luck and lets face it... You missed me[emoji1787][emoji1787]

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Let's face it, all second hand (or fifth hand in many cases) BMW enthusiasts are a little off. We enjoy the looks and driving characteristics so much we are willing to overlook the obvious maintenance costs associated with the aforementioned awesomeness.

The good news is they are usually very cheap to buy thanks to the average owner sucking at maintenance or not being independently wealthy so they have bottomed out on their depreciation. This means you can buy it and budget $2000 - $5000 immediately after purchase to bring it back into daily driver reliability territory. You'll still be into it for less than any new car or cpo vehicle options out there today.

OK you asked for it....
:nanana:
No, don't tip your toe move on to a Honda minivan as that will be your style when kids come along.....:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rof l::rofl::rofl:

I don't think you need the drama that these fragile Beasts bring on without having a second or third car and a garage. I believe the later gens have less teething issues and provide 80-90% of the raw driving feelings. X5M prices are dropping like a rock so there are deals out there from all of those trade ins going on. It is really a question of acquisition $$ vs DIY time/$$$. Do you want the depreciation or the repair $$? Can't escape either with high end Euro performance vehicles.

Now back to that Honda purchase. A Civic or the Accord? :stickpoke

Now I have to get back to researching another item requiring DIY on my aging fleet of BMWs.

Drive an X5M or X3M, you'll quickly forget about the E53. That being said the E53 is dam near the end of its depreciation curve, yet noone is buying. :dunno:
Dam air suspension probably.

Now I have to run away from the ban hammer XD

I haven't driven either, and I don't want to spend that kind of coin. I did drive the newer X3 40MSport. It's nice and all but definitely no soul

Well i don't have kids so I don't need a minivan. I have an M3 and I wouldn't sell it to acquire an X5. I have kept my on the E70 X5M, while they look good in my opinion, I still think the E53 chassis looks better (more classic).

Trust me, I had the same problem. But after driving the X3M, my god!!

They fixed everything I disliked over the X3-M340ix, Interior was of a proper M car, exterior looked awesome, drove like stink. Just $$$ is all :) It'll be one hell of a post-lease car.

Drove it back-to-back at the Mtown tour and I loved it the most over the M2C, M5C, and M850i.

Ok... I can loan you one[emoji1696] (1 year old) and I'll throw in the 4.8iS for free, just return him after college [emoji28]

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I will be eager to see prices post lease as well on those X3Ms