Hi All new to forum. Read most of it though, and have questions
 

Hi All,

So new to the forum, but I feel like I already know some of you. Thanks for all your threads on this forum.

I had a baby 6 months ago, and now realizing that I cannot deal with a sedan. I have a 2001 Lexus GS430, really well moded, especially in the handling dept. So I am really into a performance car.

I have been considering Sport Utes to replace my lovely Lexus. I have narrowed it down to a car that I have always wanted, but didn't have a need for. So, I am currently looking for a 2006 X5 4.8is. I am very particular, and only want a black on black one.

I know what you guys are thinking, get ready for the repairs. I know, I have been reading the forum for about a month now. I am really mechanically inclined, with enough tools to build and rebuild a car if I need to. I am not so much concerned about something breaking, as I am concerned about buying something messed up. I want to make sure I get a car that will make it home, lol, at least.

So on to the questions.
I have not been seeing a lot of people post up about buying a 2006 4.8is, so here is my plea for advise from the experts.

1. What do I need to look for? I know valey gasket, cv boots, ac, rear bags. What else?

2. Transmission. How can I check if it is slipping? I've never had my auto slip, so i want to induce some stress on the test drive to check for slip. Power Brake?

3. Most important. Those with kids. How does the average carseat fit? Does it press up against the fronts. I am 6'1", so I don't exactly sit close to the wheel.

4. Can someone point me, where I can find the height, and wheelbase dimensions for the car? Specifically, I need to know the highest point, and how far apart the front wheels are from the rear. I am finishing building my garage, which is under the house, which has a severe pitched driveway, which I need to make sure the car will clear without hurting its top against the brick. If someone is in the Brooklyn NY area, and wants to meet a cool guy, and test fit their x5 into my garage, please contact me.

Any advice and experience you guys can provide, specifically about the 2006 (last production year for the model, which you all know, which is why I want that one), will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.

Welcome to the forum!

1) I would look for service records to see if there are repeat issues. Cooling system, valve cover gasket, looseness in the front suspension, typical BMW inspection items. Crash damage/repair history.

2) I would check for crisp shifts, with no flaring (slipping as the shift is made, indicated by rpm change). Check how smoothly shifts happen in a variety of conditions. You aren't trying to make it slip by abusing it, that will just cause the torque converter to mask any shifting problems. Drive it normally.

3) There are normal size car seats, and some very large ones. Normal car seats fit fine. With one carseat, you will probably have it in the centre position anyway.

4) See this 2004 product catalogue. Same dimensions for 2006, just some option differences.

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e5...%20Catalog.pdf

And for general E53 items, this folder:

Index of /pdf/e53

If I was to buy another E53, it would be a 2006, for the reasons you list.

Good luck

Sounds like you're looking for something reliable and luxurious for your wife to drive, I would stay with the Japanese. You don't want your wife and newborn stranded by the road or constantly having to take it to the shop for repairs, you'll end up throwing money at it for repairs anyway. But then again you said you can handle the repairs, so get your tool box ready and get ready to get your hands dirty...LOL!!

Thanks for replying guys.

Romeo, I don't know how you assumed that. I guess you must have missed the point about me modding my cars for handling, me wanting to buy a performance truck, and me wanting to make sure my baby fits fine in the back seat.

I haven't taken any of my cars, for the past 10 years to a shop other than inspection sticker.

I also have a bunch of backup cars. I have a 2011 Ford F-150 Quad Cab, a 2008 Lexus IS250, and a beater 2005 Camry. I guess I should have stated that I don't just have one car.

I had a 98 318i, 220,000 miles before it got totaled. That was a reliable car. Only issue is I had to replace almost all the bushing on that car at about 190,000 miles. I loved it.

Had a 98 328is. This one was extreme fun. Idiot for selling it. Alpine white on black. Never had an issue at all with it. Man I miss that one the most.

I also have AAA Platinum, lol. I have only used it to get my friends out of trouble though. So maybe I'll get some use out of it with the X5

Oh and my wife doesn't really drive. She has a licence, but hasn't been behind the wheel in about 5 years now.

Do these 4.8is' really suck that much as far as dependability? I mean, do the engines just stop working or something? If the running gear keeps working, and gets me home, all other issues don't seem to be such a big deal. Park in garage and fix. Am I really looking for trouble buying this?

I don't want another Ford Probe if that is what you guys are saying. I used to fix that shit at least once a week. That car was a goal of mine to make it run perfect. It usually did, but every other day some new shit would break. Is this the case with the X5?

There's a number of very vocal people on this forum who given the opportunity will bash the living crap out of X5's. I guess I can understand given the fact they feel that in their case they got a raw deal or a lemon. However, there's also a lot of less vocal people who love their X5, drive the heck out of it, and have had no real problems to speak of. I've replaced one O2 sensor; that's it. YMMV! :thumbup:

Thanks Wolf. I was thinking the same thing. Didn't BMW make like a million of these things. If 100 people bitch on the forum, that is nothing. And how many people don't even bother with forums, and don't have problems.

Shit, I was going to work today, and I saw five x5s standing at a parking lot by the coffee shop. I mean if they were that crappy, wouldn't I not see so many of them.

Thanks Wolf. I was thinking the same thing. Didn't BMW make like a million of these things. If 100 people bitch on the forum, that is nothing. And how many people don't even bother with forums, and don't have problems.

Shit, I was going to work today, and I saw five x5s standing at a parking lot by the coffee shop. I mean if they were that crappy, wouldn't I not see so many of them.

I think if you spent money fixing a non bmw (spark plugs, cv boots etc) you wouldn't complain, but when its on a "BMW" all of a sudden people think it's falling apart. It's a matter of perspective. Besides, i'd rather drive my 2003 X5 with 90K miles than a brand new leased ford focus! I have had to replace the key, o2 sensors on one side, brakes, cv boot, tires, but nothing that out of the ordinary so far and most of these are wear items that would need replacing on any brand you buy.

My '05 4.4 has had a cracked coolant tank replaced under warranty.. That's it. Runs like the beast it was supposed to be. Most folks on this forum are typically trying to fix or mod something so there tends to be a lot of talk about what broke or isn't working correctly. I own a motorcycle as well and same thing happens on our Yamaha forum. Not to many people log in and post "just wanted to let everyone know I got to work today again for the 800th time with no issues". It's typically the one time event that we can't fix right away thay gets posted... As it should. This is a community of owners trying primarily to help each other out. Alright enough soap boxing. Love my X.. Buy the 4.6 if it passes your due diligence checks. You will be a happy X owner like 99% of the rest of us!

Thanks everyone again. I figured as much. I have also made up my mind, and looking solely for a 2006 4.8is Black on Black.

I am having one hell of a time finding one at a dealer for anything close to auction prices. I really want to get from a dealer, at least this way there is a face responsible for the sale. Some of these dealers are smoking crack though. I see one with 50k miles for $30K, and then I see one with 82k miles for the same $30K. WTF. The 50k mile car has white interior, which is a fail for me.

Where else can I check?

I am looking at:
1. Manheim Auctions - but that is a serious waiting game
2. Cars.com
3. Autotrader
4. FleaBay
5. Craigslist

Yea, I know, most of these have the same cars. Crap.

I'm a Black on Black 4.4i owner who was originally looking for a B on B 4.6is, and was willing to travel to get a good one. After looking for more than 3 months at a lot of well used 4.6's, I found a perfect 4.4i with low miles that was owned by a female dentist. Her dealership was offering her a low trade-in value, and I got it for a tremendous price. Cash talks... :D

The money I saved more than paid for my exhaust and powerchip... Take your time; you'll know when you find the right one!

Now all I need is my window tint; maybe 30%?

Wolf, car looks good, dog too.


Yea, I am stuck driving around the F150 now. Wow, I hate that thing for daily driving. So damn long, I can't park anywhere. So damn slow, it pisses me off too. I mean its a great car for construction and hauling shit, but seriously, not a good grocery getter.

Yea so I'm having a crazy time getting a nice, not messed up 4.8is. I missed a couple of what seemed to be good deals. Not sure though, because the good prices that I have found recently, ended up being shit boxes with major damages.

Merlin Dealership in GA, had a blue one. Looked great in pics. Asked the dealer to send me some detailed damage pics. He sends me a bumper pic, and a effed up navi pic. The Navi is screwed, looks like someone punched it or something. Quarter size pink spot in the middle of the screen. Rear bumper is also scratched up to all hell. So I call my dealer to talk to this dealer. Before he even does that, he gets Manheim pics of when the car was on auction. Manheim took some time to go over that car. Two crazy ass scratches on both sides, doors, hood was repainted, and they classified the bumpers as severely damaged. The guy wouldn't even budge a dollar of the 28K that he wanted for it.

Herb Chambers in MA, what a bunch of prics. I don't know how they figure the car they have is worth 30,600. No sport seats, has accident on Carfax, and the pics show no badges on the rear. Yea lets connect the dots. Also won't budge lower than 30K. Although I don't want a car that's been smacked so I am done talking to them.

A few private sellers think their 55k mile X5 with no service records, is pure gold. One dude wants 35K. I told him 29k which is high for that mileage, and he said I lowballed him. Yea I did, if you inflate your price by about 11K over auction, 15k over trade, and 9K over Blue Book. Holy shit.

Yea so I am still on the hunt, if anyone has any leads, give me a shout. Thanks.

5UXFA93596LE85010
If someone searches that vin. That car has deff been hit, carfax and rear shows work. I hope this helps someone out there looking at this car.

Check this out
 

BMW : X5 | eBay


I have personally purchased two X5's and a Mini from this small dealer, Val. He's straight forward, fair, has decent prices. Will buy my next three cars from him. He get's the local dealer inventory and has records on everything he sells. He also has 100% perfect record on E-Bay and has sold almost 1000 cars. He usually only sells about 15-20 cars at a time. If he doesn't have what you want now, you can call him and he'll get it for you.;)

its a 3.0. I'm looking for a 4.8is. I did shoot him an email. Thank bro.

Make sure to get a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection)done before you buy, I have a black on black 2005 4.8is and so far have'nt had much issues, other than battery and tail light bulb that were replaced....Someone stole my wheels last year but that's another story :-)
It's an awesome family car, just that i have to be super restraint while driving with the family in it, both rear facing and front facing child seats work fine, plus with all thoose adjustments in the comfort seats am sure u'd find the perfect driving position, I know i did and I am 6"1'
I've thought about trading it cause of all the issues i see on the forum with the X5, however i dont have the heart to do so yet, it's just an awesome machine to drive and I love it and so far it's been very very reliable for me.

How do I get PPI? Can you explain please?

Yea I'm 6'1 as well. I love this x5 so much its killing me. I almost bought a mistake today, but my dealer talked me out of it. I almost got one from CA, sight unseen. I'm like a little kid, I swear. Gotta have restraint I guess. Killing me that its been over a week, and I have nothing in the works at all. Well its ok, my last car took me over a month to buy. I'm willing to pay more, but it needs to be mint-ish, as I will keep it mad nice for a long time. Shit, sob story over, lol.

Best car ever for deciding that you'd like to have one, but don't need it NOW.
Sorry if this comes as a downer, but we lurked here and watched for three months before we found a candidate, no joy.
Three more looky/drivy, no joy (one was, but couldn't justify the premium price.. six speed sure was nice tho')
We've thrown the required maint dollars at the one we chose, slightly modded it, and are now as happy as we can be.
DO WAIT, there are owners that take good care of their cars.. I bought mine from the owner and highly recommend the same, good dealers are hard to find and well worthy of their word-of-mouth. bad dealers are a dime-a-dozen.
The trade-in values being offered by dealerships for the car you specifically want is a cryin' shame, so keep that in mind in your decision to buy only from a dealer. NO WAY IN HELL would I settle for what they are offerin' right now, I'd sell it here.
Good Luck!

Yea deff going to wait it out. I still have the F, but what a bitch to park that shit in the city.

Yea dealers are pulling stunts with this car and asking premium. Everyone swears theirs is MINT. Flew out to Florida to look at one, no way is that think 50k miles. No way. They want $30k, and it has a screwed Navi screen. Sure you'll get $30k.

Hi SlickGT1 - You can get a PPI done at any BMW dealership, this is how i did it.

1. Lurked around here for 3-4 months trying to read as much as I could and understanding what features i needed.
2. Went to a dealership and drove 3.0,4.4,4.8is (took me a while to get a dealer with 4.8is)
3. All this time i was looking at pvt party listings as well, once i found the one i wanted test drove it and agreed on a price...subject to the condition that i'll buy only if PPI came out good or previous owner fixes all issues or reduces price...PPI came up with stuff that needed to be replaced, hoses mostly and control arm bushing, which previous owner was ok to pay for....I knew going that i would loose the PPI money if it came out with a lot of issues and i did not want to buy it :-( (around $180)

In my case...Dealership prices for a good 4.8is were pretty high and I usually buy cars from pvt party.

Thank you all. I may be driving one next week. My dealer managed to score one in Florida from another dealer. They set the terms to pass it through Manheim auction, and purchased the Pre Purchase Inspection from Manheim. My dealer purchased the car, and it is on its way to NY. We are hoping to have it here on Thursday. I'll let you guys know the details after I get to inspect it, and choose if I want to keep it. Thanks again all.

Ok finally got it at my house. Love it so far. Been at my mechs. Car checks out. Have a few issues. Ordered new door seal, front plate bracket, and some other minor crap. Will start a new thread on Monday with pics. Thanks all. Glad to be part of the BMW family again.