Advice on purchase of 2006 x5 4.4i
 

Hey all....need some advice on a purchase of a used 2006 x5 4.4i. Below are the details, appreciate any advice, tips, suggestions, etc.

I currently have a 2003 x5 3.0. Paid off, 142k miles, looks and runs good...I take care of it. Got a great mechanic, and got some mechanical needs that are a bit costly. A/C issues & A/C exhaust fan, rear brakes, a few preventive maintenance suggestions as well. Prob run me up to 2k. Its been a great maintenance friendly vehicle for over 7 years now.

Saw a great deal on a 2006 4.4i, 75k miles, sports package & nav from an independent dealer priced at $16.5k. Dealer offering me 4k for my car, and 1k off the purchase price, totaling $11.5k. Issues I noticed, include 1 tire with a screw in it, possibly 2 others that are almost ready to be replaced. That oil change indicator(5 green bars) in the dash is on the yellow inspection bar/light. Ext/Int looks great. Comes with a Buyer Shield 3mo/3000ml limited powertrain warranty. Carfax is clean. I tried playing with all the buttons and nav and seems to all be working.

As of yet, I did not do any type of pre purchase inspection, because I just assumed some type of inspection was done because of the Buyer Shield warranty. This was purchased at an auction and I believe most do some type of inspection.

Pricewise - I am happy with the 4k for my car, I asked for 5k, but because of the maintenance items mentioned above for the 2006, he gave me 1k off the purchase price. KBB for my 2003 is about 6-7k. KBB for the 2006 is about 18-20k.

Whats bothering me is low price on the vehicle as compared to the KBB value. I do expect to pay up to 2k in immediate maintenance, which I am fine with (if I stick with the 2003, need spend 2k anyway).

I am assuming if my mechanic finds any pressing mechanical issues on the 2006, depending on what they are, I can execute the Buyer Shield limited powertrain warranty.

Appreciate any feedback, input, advice, suggestions based on the above or anything related. I love the X5 and just looking for an affordable upgrade. The 2006 4.4 is beautiful and the V8 sounds and feels amazing.

I don't think that our opinions can make a difference for you. You look very aware of your situation and financial matters.
Go ahead with whatever you think is correct. Best wishes

The book value on my x5 in good condition was 16.5k and I ended up getting it for 12.3k

Some people don't have the same value for cars

Looks like you know what you'd be getting into. I'd definitely take it to a BMW dealership or BMW Indy (that really knows this vehicle) and pay the price for a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). That way you'll know what to expect as far as mechancial readiness or preventative maintenance that may need to be done now, soon, or can be put off for later or DIY. It's the best $100-$200 dollars you can spend as an investment in buying another vehicle...even if the discovery means you need to walk away from the deal.

I'd also ask them to do the oil inspection upon purchase (with proper oil/oil filter/O-ring/crush washer/etc). If they don't know how to reset the lights...hopefully you do...it's easy just using the buttons on the instrument cluster (btw, ignore the BRAKE FLUID RENEWAL info because BMW NA doesn't have this feature activated on BMWs imported here):

That sounds like a pretty good price - but, for the sake of all that is holy and X5, get a pre-purchase inspection done by a BMW dealer or solid indy who knows the vehicles. A "limited powertrain warranty" actually covers very little, and you need to be careful with a vehicle coming through the auction channel. No one anywhere in that channel has any obligation to fix anything, even if they know about it, before it gets to you.

PPI is a must - you will know what the problems are, and you will know if the warranty covers those problems or not.

suspension - check the front suspension, the CV boots. check rear frame bushings.
check guibo
check play in steering rack
check to see if the paint is uniform
check to see if the panel gaps are uniform
try to start the engine when it is cold and listen for foreign sounds, like "marbles in a can", some hissing, unusual idling
check the battery, to see how old it is (part of future maintenence replacement)
see if the engine bay is dusty or clean - if clean, be wary, look for any fresh oil stains/leak, if dusty, is much better, any leak will be easily spotted
run the VIN though the vin checker site to see what was included in the car from the factory (for example, you say it has factory nav, but it was never installed from the factory, so, it must be a retrofit)

PPI is a must... pricewise - you should know better what you are willing to pay...

Good luck!!!

For ~$2Gs you could fix/bring your current car back to very good shape, and you really seem to enjoy/trust your current X.

For ~$11Gs+ worth of loan/outlay, you can get a V8 '06, which may need ~$2Gs plus worth of tires and stuff...

As nezarnuaimat noted, it's your dough, and as JWMich advised, get a PPI by a knowledgeable BMW indie. I suspect that PPI will discover more work that needs to be done.

I would stick with the car/devil I know.
GL, mD

Dave, i totally understand and agree with you, the car is paid off, you already know the little things that make it run, like touch your left ear with right hand trick to make it downshift for an overtake on a highway...:thumbup:
you get a new ride, you need learn all the new things, you spend money for next 5 years, and who knows if the new ride will like it in your home...

but, there is that little thing - sometimes a man gets tired of the old ride and just wants something new, even if it is just a renewed old (how many coupes break up after 7 years, and then you see the guy with a new wife, who looks and acts as a spitting image of the first one... and the guy is suprisingly happy!!!)... :D:D

so, rdham wants that new feeling but without venturing out from a brunette with hazel eyes into a blonde with blue eyes ( i mean, going from E53 to a Lexus or whatnot!!!):bustingup:bustingup

by the way, papsmear - i thought the for sale ads are reserved for the premium membership... well... i could be wrong... carry on...

Now that was HILARIOUS!!!!