Make sure you have a spare key or a wallet key. You'll thank yourself later.

I'm not sure if there is a particular guideline for this, but you could try to ask your local BMW dealer if they would be willing to pull the service history for the truck. I've heard some are willing to share that information and some are not.

I would do the basics either way: Pay for a PPI, all fluids, alignment, and a high quality detail/paint protection.

If all checks out, add gas and go!

why you say that?




the vehicle is great throughout. my only issue is that rough downshift from 2-1, which im going to look into. I did purchase warranty with the vehicle.
I went to the dealer just now and they want me to bring in the vehicle to see whats going on.

but other than that, the truck is very clean and runs exceptional. shift smooth. engine is very quiet. im surprised for a v8 engine.

Before doing anything, go to the dealer in person and ask for the service records. Worst case is they tell you no. Even if the dealer gives you a no, it may be that they can direct you to somewhere you can get the records. Vehicles are in the system by Vin no. so the records are there at least through the mfg. warranty. I suppose it is possible but I don't know anyone that would pay for repairs or maintenance the could be done under the warranty at no charge. If none of that works then I agree with epdarks get a thorough inspection so you know where you stand.

I do have the service record. They scanned the key and pulled up the record. only oil change.

Do you know if that is the service record for that dealership or the entire record since birth?

i dont know actually. i might try to get another record from another dealer.

Just ask the dealer if that is the complete history of the vehicle or could other records be at another dealer, I don't know the answer to that question. I thought they pulled up records by VIN no. and what they pulled up was the complete record of that vehicle regardless of where it was serviced in the BMW dealer network.

I heard this several times when I was looking for service history in the past, but the only dealer that would be able to give you a complete service history where the car has been serviced regardless of dealership location, is the original dealership which sold the car in the first place. Other dealers for some reason could only pull info, if it was serviced at their dealership and only what was done at that particular location. I'd call BMW and ask which dealership it was purchased from new and I'd call them for complete service history. Depending on the dealership they might or might not release that info. Good Luck!

Great find on the low miles, especially on a 4.8is.

Definitely get a good check up and be prepared to spend the most money in first 2 years of used car ownership to get her "in order" to your standards, I know thats what I've went through. However, after almost 2 years of ownership I can say that my '03 runs like a top, is full of fresh fluids, belts, tensioners, and most front suspension parts, new tires/wheels, fresh air struts/compressor, and is detailed to be fresh as can be!

I was pulling my hair out with all my "repairs and maintenance" since I bought it but now that its all up to speed I can really enjoy it, I hope you don't have to do the maintenance I had to do on my 3.0, but looking back, having a well maintained, low miles X5 (I have 68k currently) is going to hold value nicely.