New to BMW/X5 need help with the right options
 

What's up guys as you can see I'm brand new to the forum and I'm in the market for a x5 but I know nothing about the x5 or even BMW (I'm coming from an Audi)

I'm looking for a car I can keep for the next 5+ years I'm not really to worried about the exterior or color I'm all about the interior and features/options but.
I'm finding a lot of 4.4i in my price range but not one 4.8is I'm not really interested in the 3.0 cuz I hear is the mpg is almost the same

So I wanted to know what features/options should I be looking for in the 4.4i that are the same as a 4.8is?

Almost every 4.4i I find online claims to be fully loaded

And I'm looking for a facelift 04-06

And how does a car seat fit in the back? I have 2 little ones

Welcome aboard.

The kiddy seats fit in the back using the LATCH system, standard on US cars since 2002 or so...

you should be considering the specimen that is closest to the end of the production life, closer to August 2006 manufacturing date - most old bugs have been worked out by then...

you should consider Sposts package (look for Shadowline trim, black trim around windows, as opposed to chrome)
Premium package, Cold weather package (rear glass is darker than front glass, from the factory), Nav system, Premium sound (DSP entry in the main menu on the screen), sliding cargo floor, rear airbags, heated steering wheel, air suspension on all 4, reclining seats in back
4.4 will come with xenons already...

some things you can't get without the 4.8iS version, they are exclusive to iS: it would be the special cluster with variable tach, white rings around the gauges, more potent engine, rumbling exhaust, different gearing ratio in trans, (in the 4.6 the center of gravity was shifted a bit lower with rerouting of drive shafts, probably same with 4.8), opposite shifting pattern on the 4.8 gear selector...

use bmwvin . com to see the factory fitted options before buying

thanks for the info and about the car seats I meant space wise 1 rear facing and 1 front facing

or how about some things to keep away from? I'm not really looking for a fixer uper

What he said. I have an 06 4.4 that IS pretty much fully loaded. Sport,premium,cold weather packages. Rear air bags and climate control, navigation. The only option i lack is DSP and i couldnt care less. Look for the nicest newest one you can afford. And drive em!

Sport with Premium pkg, and maintenance history. You must have a PPI on the one you really want before pulling the trigger.

ppi is pre purchase inspection?

If you want to keep her for the next 5 years .. You better off go with 3.0i .

I concur with ^ guy. You're not keeping a 4.4i, or 4.6is or 4.8is in NYC for the next five years without spending. And who told you a 3.0i gets the same gas mileage as the other big brothers? I get 18mpg city and 22-23 hwy on my 3.0i in NYC now.

seat fit nicely - but to be sure that you are satisfied, take both seats to a place that has an E53 and fit them in the back...

4.6 or 4.8 = gas guzzlers... they are essentialy same engines as 4.4 (M62 or N62) with slightly larger displacement and compression and a different mapping, geared towards performance and not economy... pleasure comes at a price...

My daughter is 7 and my son just turned 3. I purchased my X when my son was first born and both car seats fit extremely nice in the back with an adult sitting in the middle between them.

When it comes to mpg everywhere I look it seems to be about a 1-2 mpg difference between the 3.0 and 4.4 but like I was saying I am mostly into the options so if I can get all that in the 3.0 ill be good price wise

My last car was only getting about 12mpg city and about 15-17mpg short trips and 25mpg long tips so I don't expect to much of a difference with the v8

The MPG is only one factor in considering the V8. I would say there is a 20% difference on average. The I6 will do a lot better on the highway, from my research anyway.

Other factors are the complexity and costs associated with a BMW V8. The I6 motors are a dime a dozen, easy to work on, have cheaper parts, and generally have less big $ failures.

With the V8, you have the timing chain failures. These seem to happen to most BMW V8s, between 100-200k miles. The results can be anywhere between a stranded vehicle to a blown engine. Even a run-of-the-mill timing chain repair, at a reputable shop, will run you north of $2k. A complete engine failure will likely run you closer to $6-8k. Add even more $ for the N62 V8 which is used in the "facelifted" models that you desire.

Whatever you end up choosing, prior maintenance history is the most important thing. There are certain parts that are guaranteed to fail on these trucks. The more of the parts that the previous owners have replaced, the less you have to worry about. Trust me, you have PLENTY to worry about buying a stock, untouched, higher mileage X5 with any motor.

so is it possible to get the same options with the 3.0i?

Yes. The only thing you do not get with a 3.0i is the engine and trans from a 4.4/4.6/4.8 + the expensive repairs. And I belive (some one can correct me if I am wrong) the 3.0i with air suspension is only for rear air suspension and struts/springs up front.

so what do you guys think about this car? Its about 15mins from my house

BMW x5 Sport

So it "has everything from the 4.8is"... but it's obviously not a 4.8is?

M badges???

No maintenance or ownership history, and an owner who can't be bothered to type up a proper for sale ad?

RUN

If an '02 3.0i with "everything from something else" is what you want, shit take mine for less $$. But, mine looks 3x better than that one!!!

You should buy Ciscos truck, here's why:

Enthusiast owned... we know the maintenance requirements, we know how to diagnose problems, and we know how to DIY repairs.

Mods... You can pay $.10 on the dollar for mods, versus buying a stock X.

Local and priced fairly. Go get it!

it is not 2002... or the front end was wrecked and then replaced with facelifted parts...

car looks good but I'm not a fan of the interior color

Confusion on the mpg is probably from the BMW published figures, which are EPA test figures. Trouble is, they are not real world. On a dyno you don't worry about weight, and the test is the same, so the acceleration rate is the same (very slow). In the real world, you use the power of the V8, and pay for it at the pump. Many claim they have the same mpg, but bottom line is that they don't, when it hits your wallet.

If that isn't important, fine. I would drive a 3.0 and decide if it works for you. Personally, I wouldn't have the V8. I do understand people wanting the sound of the V8, or the badge, or the acceleration. Just shouldn't justify the decision by assuming that mileage is the same, and that repair costs are the same.

+1 for a 3.0i. Its not the fastest on it's feet...but adequate for day to day. Unless you can find a 4.4 or 4.8 thats been meticulously maintained; with their increasing age and (more often than not), neglect... I would recommend to stay away from the V8's. People erroneously conclude that because they can get a 4.8is nowadays relatively cheap, and operate it with a limited budget that they'll be ok. The reality of it is, is that unless you understand the complexity of models like the 4.8 and are prepared to fully commit to the associated repairs/costs (whether you're the DIY type or not); you're more than likely going to end up disappointed.

Don't get me wrong the 4.8is is a monster and the sound it makes coupled with the power under the right foot is intoxicating...just be prepared for some pretty hefty repair bills that are often associated with it. :thumbup:

I believe you could actually order the 2-axle air susp. with a 3.0/4.4. I'm positive a member here has a 3.0i with it.....but for the life of me, I cant recall who it is! That being said though, the majority of non-4.8is X's will have only the self-levelling rear.

Me i said this : love the V8...everytime i start the engine, she put a smile in my face....to me we should have some budget for repairs ...especially a 10year old car...if you are ok to spend unplanned $$ ...thus, go for it :) life is short ...Enjoy !

quoting oneself is sooo lame!!!!

attached is a build sheet for the one in the craigslist - the car is indeed 2002 model, 3.0i... i got the VIN for that car...

steering wheel was regular, could have been changed to sport version, i don't think it has sport package but the cold package is there for sure... the car has shadowline but it does not show sport package - things may have gotten changed... also, the description says topaz blue, but maybe my monitor is off - it looks black on my screen... fine wood trim doesn't check out either but it could have been replaced with aluminum trim...

main thing, the front fenders, hood, the headlights are from facelifted model, not from 2002 model...

either somebody did an excellent job converting appearance of a 2002 3.0i model into 4.8iS model, including badging, the fender flares, or the car on the pic is not the car offered for sale... or, there are multiple cars and the seller gave wrong vin....

BMW style 57 wheels are 17" - i don't think this car had sport package from the factory...

BMW wheel rim style 57

Nice research, TerminatorX5. As edparks said, RUN

What do you guys think of this car

2006 BMW X5 3.0i, $12,995 - Cars.com

That one has the right options. I didn't see if it had a nav or not. If you're ok with a 3.0, which I'm sure is a fine engine, and the miles on it I'd go check it out.

Yea it's got nav

Price is fair too...when i bought mine (was not at the dealer) i sent
the car to a good garage for general inspection, than re-negociate (and they missed some stuff) and it was to late (30days warranty here)

Don't know what the members think about this, but me, my next BMW i think i would send it to the BMW dealer for inspection ...they are so picky on everything that they will build a serious bill ...(we know them...) than re-negociate. Good luck and yes nice truck!

Very detailled option list

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...e53-years.html

thanks I had eventually found that

Just as a confirmation on the mileage on the 4.4, ours gets used around town a lot, and gets 12mpg doing so. It does not get driven too far on a day to day basis, so that's not too painful. But we do take trips with it, and it's an awsome road trip car. Drove it to Florida last month, with two on board and was getting 19mpg at ~75-80. Had another passeger and more luggage on the way back, and got 17mpg.

Drove it to NC, also last month, this time with 5 on board, and the car packed to capacity, and got 16mpg at 75-80. We had luggage literally packed to the roof.

I guess if you looked at highway mileage with just a driver, and no luggage, and stayed below 65, you might get 20mpg with a 4.4. But the whole point of an X5 is to be able to take a long trip with a crew of friends or family, with all their crap, and still cruise effortlessly at whatever speed you want.

I would drive both an I6 car and a V8 to see the difference. See what you prefer. Gas mileage and maintenence cost are definately factors, but then again, the V8 X5 is a completely awesome driving experience.

that was very helpful information. its hard finding the right i6 x5

remember the one from the post #18 offered for sale on the Craigslist, the pre-facelifted 3.0 that looked like the facelifted 4.8iS? The guy contacted me to see if i am still interested (i got a VIN off him a week ago) and he claimed that the car is Blue, the spec sheet said Topasblau... that car did not look blue to me - does it look blue to you?? it has some dark blue to it, like Navy Blue, but I thought that the Topaz Blue was more of Sky color blue... anyone here has a Topaz Blue to post for a comparasion??

I still agree with the folks on this board - run from it...

its not Topaz T.....

I have Topaz and no pic to post right now, I am at work but if you look at my sig my blue is much brighter...

so the sport package is basically seats, suspension, and steering wheel? premium package is the pano sunroof?

sports package is steering wheel, anthracite headliner, gloss black shadowline window trims.

the car above is not sport package.


pano sunroof was a facelift option, not sure if it is part of premium package as i have pre-facelift and traditional sunroof.

also, the sport package is removal of speed limiter...

its hard for me to find a 3.0I with all options (sport/winter/premium) I so just wanted to make sure i know which are more important
. I'm looking at it as if I'm gonna spend this kind of money then I better get everything

if you want to experience a "BMW", then make sure you get the Sport package... you will not regret it... all other ones -creature comforts...

I know I want the pano sunroof and rear air, not sure if the nav is worth going crazy looking for. the cold weather package is heated seats and ski bag? and what the hell come with the premium package

In that link they gave you it lists it all.

Just search for Premium package. Look at what's listed under that heading that refers to the model in question. When you come to/scroll to another heading that means that is the end of what's available for Premium package.

Here it is again:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...e53-years.html

Easy peasy.

Pano sunroofs are only available on the 2004-2006 models and was part of the Premium package.

not all the pictures work for me

Okay but don't really need pics.

Premium Package:

Leather Seats (2000-2002: Montana Leather; 2003-2006: Dakota; standard leather on V8s)

Board Computer (BC)/Gauge (2002-2003 3.0; standard on all V8)

Automatic Dual Zone Climate Control (2001-2003: standard manual on 3.0i) [REST] button on 2000 replaced by [MAX] on 2001-2006

Power Passenger Seat (2001-2003: standard manual adjustment on 3.0i)

Automatic Light Control (2002-2003; standard 2004-2006)

Rain Sensor (2001-2003; standard 2004-2006)

Sunroof/Panoramic Sunroof (2000-2004/2004-2006, respectively)

Power Reclining Rear Seats (2002-2006)

(+) Power Folding Side Mirrors (2003-2006 optional feature with dimming mirrors; includes puddle lights on 2004-2006)

BMW Assist (2004-2006)

Body Colored Trunk Trim (2003 3.0i)

Bluetooth (2004-2006)

if that's the case then every x5 I look at has the premium package

Then I guess you can't go wrong. Just pick the one you like the best. :D :rofl:

I have a feeling you're probably going to end up with 2004+ and a V8. :thumbup:

And the inclusion (from the factory) of higher speed rated tires. The two go together.

The removal of the speed limiter with the base spt pkg V speed rated OE tire upgrade occurred in the '03 model year. Sport pkg also has a lower ride height then the non-sport.

+1 for the '04 and up V8 and my 100th post on the board!

Okay, its a little late but found this:

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e53/X5s04b.pdf