Mcurcio1989: I have a manual X5 (2002 3.0 diesel), no regrets.
Whether gas or diesel, the manual will return better fuel mileage. Automatics are fairly reliable but you hear FAR fewer issues / stories on forums (France, Germany, Xoutpost, etc.) about manual X5 vs. automatic X5.

This said, change your fluids on both types and you'll have few issues (or none). The BMW synthetic factory fill fluids ARE quite good, but they aren't lifetime. If you have a manual X5, drain and refill with Redline MTL. Been there, done that, it works. ALSO, add a magnetic drain plug - BMW didn't bother on most cars since the mid 90's.

I sure wish I could havea diesel manual that would be the best vehicle ever.

Okay now so I have been watching ebay, cars.com, and autotrader.com like a hawk now. It is a real pain how the automatics get mislabeled as manuals. My real question is. . .What are the chances of me finding a 04-06 manual x5 with black on black with winter package for around 9-13k?

From what you guys have said I don't think I should budge on finding a 6 speed. I would really like to find that combo but I prly would give into a different exterior if you guys say I'm dreaming. I kind of need black interior cause I'll dirty anything else up really bad.

edit . . .I guess they are out there. There is a 2004 with 74k black on black (def the 6 speed manual), sport package, tow package, winter package, pano, nav, roof rack, fairly clean etc. for 11.5k a few states away. AHHH if this kid calls me back looks like I'm either booking a one way flight or convincing someone to go on a road trip with me!! this thing is perfect!!

that one sounds awesome, you just gotta have patience and search like a hawk. 11.5 sounds like a fair price if it's in tip top shape, sounds like its loaded too which is good!

On mileage, I got 22.6 mpg [American] on my first tank of Shell premium, driving the new 2006 3.0 manual from Cincinnati to Knoxville, TN, on I-75, with a detour through Lexington and rural Ky. While on I-75, probably averaged close to 70+ mph. MCurcio, I expect you'll find condition issues in that price range. I certainly paid more [close to blue book] to get a pristine 06 w/81k miles on the odometer in your neighborhood [w/o winter package]. There is a gray on gray 2006 example in Grand Junction, CO, winter package, I had inspected, still on the market at last check. PM me if you want inspection details ......

Alright I got a call back from this guy and he had a local guy that he was holding it for but it sounds like that guy isn't coming through with the cash. Here is the scoop. .1st problem is that its actually the x5 highland green color. . .I am am trying to open up to this and see if I would actually like / not mind it. What are your guys opinion on this color I know it is more of a dark grey with a hint of green so I wondering if maybe it would be fine by me.

The good is that he is the third owner and the vehicle has never been in an accident (ran carfax) and it has no mechanical problems. There are two interior electrical problems. The motors that fold the mirrors in are bad (he has the fuse pulled cause they drain the battery?) and it sounds like there is an issue preventing the pano from opening. I really don't care much about the latter as I never open my sunroof anyways and as long as it isn't leaking I am fine. Plus I have a feeling I could take a look at it myself and prly fix it for a reasonable amount.

All that said it is a 2004 6 speed manual x5 76k with sport package, winter package, pano, nav, tow package, a roof rack, and xenon headlights (i dunno about those :/) and an extra set of tires, and has no dings scratches, or mechanical issues, or accident history. The interior is exactly what I want and maybe I can get myself to like the exterior. He will take 11k. I am afraid I will kick myself if I pass this up because after all I am in the car driving it and while I am picky about exterior the interior is far more important to me. So I am debating if I should make the 10 hour drive to check this thing out it seems like maybe it is the one and I just need to get over the color. Worse comes to worse I think its a decent enough deal that I could sell it without much of a loss if any if I decide I reallt can't stand the color. . .I doubt it would come to that tho.

Also I stilll need to call my insurance on this but any vague idea on how much more this will be than an 02 325xi? As long as it isn't like twice the cost I'm fine.

I guess the real question for you guys is what are the odds of me finding a black on black x5 in this price range and mileage with these packages. I am kind of afraid of passing this one up but I'd really kick myself if I was just being impatient. I have really been only looking aggressively for about 2 weeks. I have seen one black on black (with comparable mileage) and that was listed at 17.5k I haven't seen any other than this one that even had the black interior. I am asking because I know many of you have spent a good deal of time on the hunt so you may have noticed.

If you really want something black or another color, you definitely will be searching nationwide for a while and I hope you have patience.

Why not post some pics of this "highland green X" you speak of? I don't think I know the color off the top of my head and some pics would help us analyze its condition somewhat, i'm sure the guys sent you pics?

Here are the only two exterior pics that I have. I am aware that I am going to be on a long nationwide search and my concern is I think it is very possible that such a vehicle may not even be out there. Its not like I'm some baller who can drop bills when one pops up regardless of price, it needs to be in budget. That is why I may go for this one. I am really thinking about learning how to wrap. I would really like a flat black but I am afraid that it might look kinda ricey on the x5.

http://images.craigslist.org/00S0S_k...a0_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00p0p_f...wZ_600x450.jpg

Are you sure that's not Oxford Green? Looks clean to me for the most part.

The mirror folding issue can be fixed, its a motor issue. Not sure why its draining the battery though, maybe because the motors are stuck and always running? And the pano roof can definitely be fixed fairly cheaply, to be honest for the low miles and the packages, I'd probably do it.

Any used X is going to need some money set aside for repairs and maintenance fixes, so even if you find your perfect 6-speed well equipped black on black X5 I doubt you wouldn't need to fix anything on it.


Why are you so hung up on changing the exterior color to black? Is it really that big of a deal if you don't drive a black X? Pezho4045 (Artem) drives an Oxford Green X on 87s, tinted out and it looks mean and manly as hell, the color you are showing is definitely not feminine by any means, or as you put it in my reference to Alpine White "something a 50 year old housewife would drive".

With tint, and some tasteful mods that X looks like one hell of a nice find.


Polish/compound the paint and get any swirls, scratches reduced, and put a nice coat of wax/sealant on it and it will be better than the black cars I see that get taken to the car wash regularly.