Trade Up Offer Advice
 

I've got a 2001 X5 4.4 with 116k miles. Very good condition and I love it. For €2,500 I've been offered a chance to trade up to a 2002 X5 4.6 AC Schnitzer at the same indy where I bought the car I've got. Nice car and seems in good condition. All the bells and whistles but no nav screen like I've got now.

Anyone know anything about the AC Schnitzer ? I don't know much myself other than what I read on Wikipedia. Is it worth the trade ? And is it possible to switch out the basic MID for the TV screen ?

The 4.6 engine came from Alpina, not ACS, so I'm guessing this is a 4.6is with ACS wheels. Have you got a link to it ?

Changing from standard radio to nav is a massive PITA, and the parts are not cheap either. Not worth it IMO. Better to spend an extra couple of grand buying one with the spec you want.

I'd like a 4.6is, they seem to hold their value better than the 4.4i so the gap to trade up is gradually getting bigger :(

Here's the link.

http://www.cameroncars.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=673117

I don't see anything Scnitzer about it.
It looks IDENTICAL to my 4.6IS

Look at Schnitzer's website...
AC Schnitzer*/*BMW Cars*/*Products - Models*/*X5*/*E53 (1999 - 2007)*/*General Info

No exterior parts or interior. I guess they could have done the suspension and/or an engine mod if you can do those separately from the rest of the mods.

Looks like a standard 4.6is to me, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Wait a minute......., the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car:rofl:

Mmm ... so are we saying the indy is tagging this as an ACS but it really isn't ? That's what it's beginning to sound like to me .....

Maybe they think the "is" stuff is from ACS, not a BMW model. In other words, they don't know what they have. Doesn't make it a bad deal tho if the car checks out. Looks clean, and seems worth the cost to upgrade if everything checks out and if you want a 4.6is.

I can see nothing ACS in the photos, so unless there's some paperwork to the contrary (very unlikely), I reckon it's a standard 4.6is and they've got confused over the Alpina connection and called it ACS. Also I notice it doesn't have Sport seats. They were standard on this model but I know you could opt for normal seats if you really wanted to so it's nothing dodgy. It's a feature that I - personally - would want though. I'd also prefer silver trim, but that's easy enough to change or paint or wrap in carbon vinyl.

Overall though €2500 to trade up through a dealer with warranty etc. sounds like a fair deal if you're happy with the spec (mainly the nav, also seats). Have a look for others that are for sale too just to get a feel for prices.