If your mechanically competent an older X5 that is well cared for would be a good ride.This may sound a little crazy, but if possible a west coast car would give you a 5 year delay on corrosion. I have found a few cars for my east coast friends that we either drive back or have transported for about $1K. Happy hunting!

I wouldn't recommend you to go from an S4 to an 3.0 X5.First go out and do a test drive on the 3.0. my mom drives a 3.0 and I really find it very very slow car... I used to drive an S4 B5, and comparing the two cars the difference is between earth to heaven... go for the 4.4 or higher

That blows about the xenon thefts.
The back bay/south end area of Boston is very bad for xenon theft in A4. I agree, it seems like an epidemic here. One friend has had his lights replaced in his older model A4 3 times and guess what - they are not xenons. It seems like they just take the lights anyway and check later.
I have not heard about X5 theft but supposedly the new RX330/350 is the new hot target.
Ask local dealership e.g. Herb Chambers and they could tell you how much of a problem/or not this is.
Good luck

To answer you other question, you will find every X5, including 4.8, to be slow compared with the S4. My girlfirend has a 2004 M3 conv. and it is such a blast to drive.

You should be able to find an X5 w/o xenons. They're out there.

If you're going from an S4 to an X5 and expecting similar performance, well, you may be disappointed. On the other hand, if you know what you're getting into, I think you'll find the X5 to be a fine vehicle.

Which S4 do you have? I had a 2000 B5 S4 6sp in Hibiscus over Lt Grey and a 2004 B6 S4 6sp in Dolphin/Lt Grey. While the V8 car was a hoot, I think the TTV6 was more fun. Both were great cars, though, and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. Too bad about the xenon thefts...#@%!& thieves. Anyway...hope it works out for you.

The HIDS in my '04 were ripped off last march to the tune of $6000, no more HIDS for me. Got rid of the X too, using a trailblazer as a "station car". Xenon thefts in the North East are out of control, last year when I brought my X to the stealer to be fixed there were at least another 1/2 dozen blind cars there.

Unless that west coast car was parked on the street by the beach ....

And that my friends is why I don't live up N Lawrence Ma anymore.

I guess the DC/MD/VA area counts as the Southeast then.........I've rarely heard of xenon thefts in my area, and plenty of cars have them! :nanana:

3.0 with that many miles is fine, those engines are well proven and will do 200K if they stay cool. The V8 are a little different, they do last a similar time, but the cost of repair is infinatly higher and IMO the V8 power is wonderful but hardly worth the additional gas and maintanance for a daily driver. In my case the X5 is my wifes daily and any more power than the 3.0 will only allow her to hit things harder.

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, I realize nothing will compare to my S4. I'm mechanically inclined, and have modified all my cars in the past. My Audi was very fast and had virtually every upgrade imaginable.

I'm now just looking for something a little roomier and with some luxury.

I just drove an '01 with 60k, and it was a 3.0i 5-speed. It was way slower than I expected, and the clutch didn't grab at all, and I found the tranny to be sloppy. I wasn't very impressed. However they wanted $19k for it, and would likely go much lower.

How are the Manual gearboxes on these? Or should I be looking for an automatic?

Looks like I will want the 4.4 or 4.6, but obviously that is a significant price increase.