Just missed a 2003 X5 4.6
 

I have been keeping keeping an eye out for a 4.6is and one was posted locally here in the Washington DC area yesterday that had 60K miles and was for sale for $10,900 and today it is gone. UGH!!!! Very rare to come across one with such low miles. I assume within hours of being posted someone bought it site unseen as I emailed the guy and did not hear back.

Go with newer 4.8is as there are a lot more of them and a few with 40,000 miles. As these vehicles become older the gap between worn out majority (run hard and no maintenance work) and the vehicle owners who garage and care for these 4x4 beasts.
Look for owners who spent $70K and look at it as an investment in ownership not a kid hauler for mom. Rare but they are out there.

Better to buy the right car at the right price then it is to buy one that needs everything and will burn a hole in your pocket because of search limitations. If you want to talk X5 or M5 come on by as I am in your area. A lot of us meet up at Cars and Coffee in Great Falls on Staurday early am or Kohls on Sunday mornings out in the FX Co Office complex off 66 and 50.

I can't afford to spend that much on a 4.8is. I have a 2003 E39 M5 and have had it for about 4 years now. I am not really aggressively looking for anything this just kind of popped up on Craiglist and I said wow I should look into it. I do know that these cars can be bought very cheap and can need thousands of dollars of work but the one I saw seemed very well maintained and in great shape.

I would have jumped on that 4.6iS too. Keep looking and GL.

I would not be as concerned about the mileage on a 4.6 as I would be other models within your price range. There weren't that many 4.6s and since it is more of a high performance enthusiast model they have likely received TLC, may even have all maintenance records---Just in case you you are not able to find another exceptionally low mileage one--good luck.

personally I would be skeptical of one being sold that cheaply with that low of miles or the guy realized the error of his ways and will be reposted with a new price point or a dealer snapped it up and youll see if soon on a lot near you for a lot more

If you are looking for a 4.6is low miles don't matter because the parts are still orginal. I would be more concerned with maintenace history. I bought mine with 45k Three years ago without doing research. I though because of low miles I was saving myself from problems but I was wrong.Two months after purchase I had to replace the entire coolant system including a reseal on the valleypan. So look for a car with newer parts like waterpump, valleypan reseal, timingchain guides etc If don't you will pay. The coolant system is the x5's weakest point.

I wouldn't say the cooling system is the weakest link, unless that is confined to the expansion tank or the plastic overflow line.