2002 4.6is purchase advice
 

Ok,
I have been looking at a few 4.8is and now just looked at a 4.6is. Outside of the newer model and a pano sunroof I still like the 4.6is very much as it looks identical for the most part.

I just got done looking at a 2002 with 88K miles. The car had an extended bmw warranty that expired in 2009 as it has full service records. Car has had just about all the hoses replaced, radiator, water pump, and a few other within the warranty. Car has tires that are a yr old as well as brakes and rotors. Would say car is in very good shape not excellent as the rims have very minor road rash on the edges. Have not seen a 5yr old + car that don't have this. Very minor chips in the front of the car but overall car paint is in great shape. Car has an aftermarket DVD player installed in side for the back seat that has a broken antenna that is wired into the sound system of the car. Not a big fan of this.

Asking price is $18K. Guy listed for $21K 3 weeks prior and obviously got not bites so he dropped the price. I am very interested but not sure about $18k and dont want to offend with a low ball price. Also car does not have trailer package as I will need one put on to pull my dirt bikes so I have to factor that into the price.

What do you all think?

What's up man! What bikes you riding? Moto????

I got my 02 4.4 with 90k miles for $14k but it needed a trany right off the bat. Dude who was selling it said he just wanted rid of it and that's why it was so cheap. I think he knew the trany was on it's way out and he cut his losses. I have about $17500 in mine with the trany repair.
Also I don't think $18k is too much, as long as it's solid.

I have a dirt bike (2006 kx450f) and a street bike (2009 zx6r). I have been riding dirt lots but do about 5 track days a year and need a tow package as I have a Kendon trailer. Just learning dirt and am very slow and getting just a little air. Have wrecked a few times with that last one landing me on crutches for a week. Love it though!!

Have been doing research looking at aftermarket tow packages. Seems like they are about $175 and assume they will work with the car as it has that center cut out in the rear bumper. I also will need a wire harness which I cant find. Would like something made for the x5 so I don't have to splice wires and such.

Still on the fence about the X5. I don't think I can get the guy down much and know that it is a good deal but not great. I get deals on everything I buy which is why I have so many toys.

18 is too much. It's 9 year old X now. I would say you are looking closer to 14-15 tops. If the guy that was selling it went and traded it in he would get that or less. When you test drive it, drive it hard for a while to see if the tranny slips at all. At 88k miles and with 4.6 you may be looking at new tranny in the future.
Good luck.

I kept hearing about the trans on these cars should I stay away from those with this kind of mileage that has not had this done?

I found another one locally with 91k miles that is a one owner car but he is asking $19,900 which I am not sure I could get down to a level I would be buy it for. Does look super clean and he claims it does not have as much as a scratch on it but I can tell you from experience that I would find imperfections. A 9 yr old car with have some to be expected.

I am not going to pay 18k for the one I just looked at. I was thinking $15500 but after your post I may go like $14,700 which is more than he will get if he ends up trading it in which he will eventually I assume. I did push it hard no trans issues at all.

By the way why does this one have some sort of mesh type fabric and not solid leather interior:

2003 BMW X5 4.6is, $19,900 - Cars.com

Ours also has the half leather half checkered alcantera interior with silver trim not wood. Seemingly a much rarer interior combination from what we have seen. We looked locally for a long time and luckily came across an opportunity to pick up the E53 we have now. Personally we prefer the alcantera inserts and silver trim over full leather and woodgrain.

Funny I like the full leather and woodgrain over the inserts and silver.

Alcantera interior looks pretty wore out overtime, I think all leather is the way to go. IMO

Nice. I had a 2007 KX450F for a year. But got a sweet hook up on a Honda deal. I really like the power delivery of the fuelies compared to the carb motors. But it sounds like your just getting into the sport. it is packed full of great people altho they tend to be slightly hillbilly. lol.

Any update with your search ?

I was close to buying a 2002 but passed on it at 17K. Car had an aftermarket dvd player where the dome light was and had custom wiring for it to play through the speakers and it had an issue. Also did not have tow package where the OEM one I would put on would be over $1000 installed as I did lots of research.

I am in no rush so will be patient.