Fuel mileage primarily, higher repair costs as well. Most X5s are six cylinder models, by far, in all markets.

I think it's a plus that at least that they can provide you with a detailed service history. Looks like the person that owned it took care of it. I agree with one poster that said that if there were any issues, looks like the owner resolved them.

I knew when buying a BMW that maintenance costs would be higher than average once out of warranty. I just try to do preventive maintenance stuff to keep the x5 in top shape. But I soon forget how much money I spent fixing her up the minute I take a nice road trip. I have the 4.4 and it puts a smile on my face when I stomp the throttle down and pass 3-4 cars in one shot on a single passing lane. :thumbup:

I sold my Nissan Titan truck to a young man from CN - I believe Alberta or maybe further north of that. He found the car on AutoTrader and we settled on a price before he came to see it. The truck was only 2 years old with 20K miles, so it was basically brand new. He flew down to San Jose, I picked him up at the airport and he checked out the truck. All was in order so he had money wired to my bank, which took a day to clear. The next day he was off for a 2-3 week trip back up to CN through the NW - Seattle, etc. He had some people to see along the way and I think his brother came down to make the trip with him. I forget the exact numbers, but the truck was worth low $20's in CA and at least $10K more in CN and very hard to find in the remote area he lived. So it was well worth the trip for him.

Check into what you will need for CN or US customs to go across the border - I had to sign something, don't remember the details but there is some paperwork needed there and if you don't have it you will not get the vehicle into CN.

I'm am a rookie BMW owner as well. This week, I just bought a 2004 4.4 from a private party for $17000. It only has 68,000 miles on it and came with an extended warranty for another 15,000 miles.

I did a little bit of research and it looks like the maintainance is more expensive (tires, oil changes, etc.) but to me it appears that BMW tries to mitigate those expenses by building longer service intervals.

For example the oil change uses 8 qts of synthetic but the only recommend every 15,000 miles. Tires wear out quickly and are expensive but don't require rotating.

Seems like the repairs are the issue and the reason the X5 doesn't seem to hold it value as well as many Toyota's or even Jeeps.

The first week I am an X5 owner and the right rear window regulator broke!
I wasn't going to buy it, but I thought I might as well go test drive it.

SOLD!

And I still have a big smile on my face.