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

I've put my plans on hold for now. This forum sure doesn't make X5 ownership seem like a positive experience! I'd like to think part of the issue is that the owners with negative experiences are the ones who are the vocal majority and there are thousands of happy X5 owners out there who've never had a complete transmission or cooling system failure.

Ultimately, I want a vehicle that can carry 4 adults, tow 5000lbs and will be reliable for long highway trips - but I do not want a full size truck. I'm not in any rush to get one so I'll keep searching. In the meantime, thank you all for your help.

it is sad that you go, but to be honest, the most important thing is, making an informed decision... If you noticed, the X5 is called SAV, as there is not much of a Utility in it... as a matter of fact, i have heard that E39 station wagon (universal touring) has more utility than the X. of coursr it will do fine, towing upto 6000 lbs with proper equipment, it will haul 4 adults with comfort, but it is still a sports car (on growth hormones... lol) you would not expect this utility from a Corvette - and the beast you were looking at, the 4.6iS is a capable contender to the Corvette...
still plenty of time to research...

The X5 has enough utility for me, as long as it is properly equipped to tow the 6000lbs that BMW says it can and doesn't cost $3000 in annual maintenance. If I bought this 4.6is, I'd likely use the existing Reese hitch receiver to tow my 1300lbs tent trailer but upgrade to the OEM hitch before I get a larger trailer. I loved the power, ride and handling of the 4.6is. Driving this SAV was a revelation...more in line with my current daily driver 2005 Mustang GT than the FWD sedan/minivan based SUV's out there.

You probably know this already....

WHEN the trans goes, $3k minimum. If and when the motor goes, $6k+. Almost any small suspension job (with labor) will be $1k+. Tires are $1k-$2k. It's important to buy a truck that is extremely solid as these numbers add up quick. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW.

Do you do your own work?

Hope we haven't soured you on the X5 but what you asked for above is not what I would consider a high mileage 9 year old BMW to be.

towing is such a tip toed around subject around here I would take it with a grain of salt...

In General Take all forum topics with a grain of salt. If you bought a full size truck (1500) you may have to rebuild the tranny at some point, 50k? 100k? 200k? There is no real way to tell. No need to hide with your head in the sand.

Towing 5000lbs will not be great on the transmission but just be smart. I would use the steptronic and leave it in a gear where it can use decent torque and not be slipping between gears. Downshift before the hill not during, and don't hot rod.

I wouldn't cry over using the Reese mount either. Tongue weight is what is going to matter in this application, just keep the tongue weight down (easy to do) and it will pull it.

Worst case scenario buy a warranty, or simply save up for the transmission, Say $3000, put away 250 per month and after a year you are fine. This really isnt the end of the world people

You have some bargaining with the PPI tell them 13k, and buy a warranty or 14.5 and they include it. If it sells it sells but if your worried about the Tranny dont walk out of there still worried walk out of there care free, why else did you just drop 14k? my $.02

It's funny. There I am looking for a thread on replacing the Nav system with Non-OEM kit and I tumble on to this one…I thought the salesman was pulling my chain about someone else interested in it…..
I just bought it today. I was the guy that took it out to Otto's (great dealership btw, a refreshing change from MB that's for sure) last week for a PPI.
Anyway, will have her in the driveway tomorrow!

Congrats! Be sure to post a thread about it. Enjoy it.

congrats, pancho... read up on the forums, a lot of interesting info... welcome to the board

I have an '03 4.6is Dinan with 155k on it now. TC acts up in normal drive but in sport, it's been fine now for 15k miles. I got way spooked with all the forum talk and basically just quit reading. I drive mine everyday, I have the factory hitch and pull my 5000# Cobalt 252 boat with no problem - albeit not far. The 4.6is is nice because it's loaded. I've had one coolant hose fail ($400 installed) and a window regulator fail ($120). Otherwise, it's been great. Don't get discouraged. You will love pulling up to Denalis and MLs and waltzing away from them with ease. But, it's not a Corvette or a Mustang. It has it's place. Also, it's not a great 'offroad' vehicle. Keep her on asphalt.

Just got her home. In a word: WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Much fun!
My dog likes it too!

Congrats Pancho, it's a beautiful truck. I basically talked myself out of it around 1pm on Monday and it sounds like you were buying it an hour later! My decision had lots to do with personal finance reasons (keeping spare money for Christmas plus I have a small RRSP loan that is paid off in Jan.)...it just makes sense for me to wait a few months before I buy anything. I think the truck was a good deal at asking price and I bet you did even better than that.

Please post pics when you get it home! Is Capital doing the safety for you or are you getting it done elsewhere?