What to look for in a used X5
 

I've got my eye on a 2001 X5 3.0. It's got about 125k, and is clean inside and out... all the usual places you'd expect to be dirty if there were oil leaks/weeps are clean and shining like new. It looks like the expansion tank is new, as are the tires, brakes, and at least a few of the hoses. Exhaust looks to be free of rust, underside overall looks clean.

I took it for a long test drive, gunned it, stomped the brakes, cornered hard, and found that the ride was really smooth, handling and power were great, with no kinks in shifting or downshifting, and no strange noises, knocks, etc.

I'm a BMW noob, but I'm guessing that by 125k the common high mileage issues have probably occurred already (and hopefully dealt with, if the cleanness of the engine, underside, and test drive performance are any indicators).

The next time I go look at it, I'm planning to eyeball the following things:

1. CV boots (forgot to look there)
2. Suspension (ride was smooth, cornered beautifully, but might as well look.
3. Check the trans for signs of leaks jic. (shifted smoothly during drive)
3. Battery (didn't bring my sockets)
4. Service record (dealer said he has it)

Any suggestions on what else to look for? Ideas greatly appreciated. :)

Well sounds like it is good! Except for the really clean part. I mean it is nice, but look harder. Somewhere you might find a nasty leak, but got caught up in the shimmer. CV boots are easy, just look on the inner fender weels and look for grease slung around there. If there isn't, then get under and turn the wheel to one side. Look in between the bellows. If there is browning, the life is almost shot on the rubber and will eventually fail shortly. Suspension sounds like it is good. With the hard cornering and breaking, if there wasn't a shudder or clunk, you are good. Don't know about why you want to look at the battery? I mean you can remove the spare and check with a voltmeter to see what it is putting out. If the guy really has the records, there should be evidence the battery was changed and when. If it was more than 4 years, replace it. Examine those records carefully.

Otherwise, sounds like you found a nice one. Keep us updated and WELCOME!

Just curious what is the color combo?

Sweet old X5
 

She's black on the outside, reddish-brown leather with black accents on the inside. Looks to be the premium package. If the service record looks good, I should pick her up on Monday or Tuesday... :) :thumbup:

Just gonna look at the battery to know in advance if the battery was old, or if there was anything bad going on in there...

Also, a real noob question... how do I open the lower section of the rear hatch?
(I was more of a pickup truck guy until recently) ;)

Top right center of the lower tailgate, upper edge: a soft touch rectangular ribbed pad: press it. It should sound like R2D2 when it releases.
GL, mD

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Dont' rely much on the carfax, there might be a problem that occurred lately that pushed the owner to sell his car. TRY to test drive the car as much as u can, put the gear in a hard test specially in a steep hill. notice the smooth gear transition ( you need to replace tranny oil anyway above 100.000 miles), watch for the temp gauge for overheating. thoroughly try power windows, handles, moon roof. Search for oil leakage underneath. Some failures might be hidden and only you'll discover this latter after you purchased the car in a matter of days

Hmm will do, though apparently the dealer got it at an auction; will look over that paperwork, too.

Check the power locks, and make sure the windshield fluid pumps are working.

Get a warrenty other weise look for a dealer that can provide a warrenty even if its hard/impossible to find. Maybe you should look on a newer one with warrenty.

Or be prepaired to by an enthustiast and order a bently manual before you pick it up so you can read up on how its build so you can trouble shot smooth when problems occor.

And if you depend on a runing car, buy a second one for the days that the x5 wount run.

Well, did my second inspection, and everything was in working order. CV boots were new, steering and suspension components were all looking good, AC blowing icy cold (car was indoors and warm), heat works... BUT, there seems to be an oil leak. There was just a tiny bit of oil on the plate under the car. Dealer claimed he didn't know about it, and the warranty would cover leaks, but now I think I'm going to hold off, save up a few more bucks and buy at least an 04-06. Ah well, it was fun to drive :P