Looking at a 2003 X5 4.6is
 

2003 BMW X5 | Kanata Ontario Capital Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat

Hello! I am looking at a 2003 X5 4.6is with 101,000 miles. They are asking $14,500 as is. This would be a second vehicle for winter commuting and towing a camping trailer in the summer. I currently have a small tent trailer (1300lbs) that I tow with my car but would like a larger trailer (3500-4500lbs range) in the future. It would be my first German vehicle. It has a clean CarProof. It was originally sold in Miami and imported to Canada in Dec 2007. Black Sapphire with black leather and aluminium style trim which is my ideal colour and trim combo. It has DVD NAV and the sliding load floor. The interior is really clean and all the electronics seem to work. There are no warning lights or messages. The exterior is good, a few minor knicks and scratches but it looks straight and I don't see any paint overspray. It has a Reese trailer hitch. I have a PPI scheduled on Monday afternoon at an independant that specializes in BMW - I also know the owner/ head mechanic from racing stock cars together at the local oval track. I've visited two BMW dealers to get the local service history. It's had the DRL's programmed (2007), annual oil changes (2007 - 2010) and a LR tail lamp replaced (2009) but no major work at the dealers. It turns out that someone else took it into one of the dealers for a PPI last week, it needs RF thrust rod and ball joint, LR stab link, wipers and a rear tire to pass an Ontario safety check. I've priced things out at ECS Tuning, it's about $400 for the suspension parts (replacing both sides with Meyle HD thrust rods, Febi ball joints and Febi rear stab links.) $40 for the wipers and I'd say an alignment too. I've found a couple of local used sets of 18" rims and tires that I would use for winter. I am a pretty handy DIY with access to a heated garage with a hoist. The suspension stuff doesn't worry me but there is also a small oil leak on the front timing cover. Would you advise to just replace the timing cover seals or is it time for a complete timing chain/ guide overhaul? Any other advice? The truck sure does drive nice. This forum has been a great resource, thank you.

Read this

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1608469

Have the mechanic/PPI look for these items

With a good PPI and a good Indy.DIYer, you are able to manage risks...BUT keep in mind, this was a $65k car, and repair costs do NOT depreciate!

GL

A

I would not recommend pulling a 4000lbs trailer with this truck. With 100K+ miles on it the transmission could have issues. In addition, the aftermarket hitch is not be trusted. OEM only of you plan to trailer anything.

I agree with the OEM hitch. But I wouldn't worry about towing with it.

:iagree: OEM hitch only... unless you are referring to the Reese part that is is square tube with the ball at the end that fits into the square hole, the hole being part of the car's rear bumper assembly...

that hole thingy should bear Westfalia or BMW sticker - westfalia is the manufacturer of that hitch thingy... If you look around the forum, you will see that the factory hitch is a substantial equipment that is substituting some of the original bumper assemblies in the key locations - something, that an aftermarket hitch can not accomplish

OP- was the transmission fluid EVER serviced???

I don't know. I'll ask the indy to pull the fill plug on the trans to see if the fluid is full, dark and/or burnt. Folks on here seem pretty split on whether to touch the trans fluid or not. BMW dealer says that they've never done trans work on a 4.6is, only the odd 4.4

I've read a lot of the towing threads on here. I understand that the OEM receivers are a better design and that the first generation aftermarket receivers were no good because they only attached to the rear pan but has anyone actually had any issues with the newer style with the support arm that reaches down and then forward? These hitch receivers have been out for ten years now and are still being sold, are they really that bad?

Trailer Hitches - Reese

Hey Kevin. Any luck buying your 4.6? I just got mine this summer. Let me know if I can help in any way.

that Reese hitch is designed for a frame trucks, and the X is frameless... a few weeks ago i transferred the OE hitch from the 4.6 to the 4.8 - there are many more parts involved than what is pictured on the Reese picture...
besides, it is reaching under and attaching where? in that area of the X there is battery pan, which is a sheet metal... you don't want reap out the rear end of your X... lol... there gotta be pics of the OE hitch somewhere on this site... take a look, compare...

there are some pics of the OEM kit here in this DIY - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...tion-tips.html