Should I consider buying?
 

Hello, new to the forum. I currently own a 2001 mercedes ml with just over 90k, and as much as I'd like to say I love it, its ride is horrible and it's been giving me a lot of problems lately. I was thinking about trading it in for a 2001 X5 with 115k, and I was wondering if it's worth it. It's been dealer serviced all it's life, and I might be able to pull off a just-about equal trade with the dealer. I hear the X5 is more reliable than my ml, the mileage scares me a bit, but I'd like any thoughts :dunno:. Thanks!

My x5 gets around 23 mpg with the 3.0i engine. Not bad considering it's rated way below that. That's a mix of city and highway

I meant the higher mileage put on the car, but thanks for this. I think I'd get about the same mpg.

too high mileage for me, but that is just my two cents.

I am still a newbie. Under 4 months on owning a X5 2009 used with only 6500 miles on it. It is a diesel. Although diesel is going up beyond $4 a gallon, the road trip net me 27MPG.

115k miles on the clock is nothing... If the owner took good care of his/her car like me.

Ive never got over 16 mpg (english 4.5 liters to gallon ) and usually only get 15 mpg with my 3.0i . Mostly city.

I wouldn't buy a 10+ year old X5 unless:
- I had a thorough knowledge of all previous maintenance/repairs
- Could do most of the work myself

My mother in law's 2001 3.0 has had a few issues in 77K miles, but nothing out of the ordinary or terribly expensive. She bought it new in December, 2001. The biggest difference seems to be whether or not the PO followed 'old school' maintenance schedules for fluids, etc. If not, they're on the BMW-will-sell-you-a-new-transmission plan. Well maintained, these things can go on for a long time.

Seems to me that you're trading one ten year old car for another. Not much of a difference, really. The same issues would likely crop up on either car. I'd do it if your chief complaint- ride quality- is more to your liking on the X5.

:iagree:

And, to the OP, if those hurdles above are clearable, you didn't mention as to whether that '01 has Sport suspension or std. Even the firmer sport suspension will be much 'softer' at 115k miles, and the std suspension will be mini-van soft, imo.

A big leap to jump into an '01, with that mileage, imo.
And, 'dlr serviced' is a vague term that could mean anything...if the local BMW dlr, (that did the 'servicing'), can run the key for you, it will at least show the BMW history. Ours is an '01 3.0/sport, etc. We still love it, but it's been my car since delivered.
GL, mD

Thanks for all your help and opinions! It seems to be well taken care of, the one owner on the carfax took it to the same dealer on a consistent basis, and I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem giving them a call for more detailed service records. I'm going to check it out again if I get a chance tomorrow.