I was just gonna ask about that! Thanks for reading my mind

^That's what I meant. Not in the US.

Yeah I'm a DIY kinda guy so I don't mind wrenching on it to add my desired options like running boards, oem hitch, sliding truck floor, heated steering wheel,etc..
I do agree the color selection for 4.8is is all great, but no other color does it for me as black or sterling gray. Also I don't mind it being a Canada car at all.
I agree with the last statement of yours as a one owner, clean low mileage from south would be ideal! Just going to have to keep hunting I guess!
Lucky you! I know a little about patience as I was looking for my previous car for a while as there were only 5 made in that color and I got lucky as one showed up for sale within 100 miles away from me! So off I went and purchased it.
Sterling Gray is just non-US color, unfortunately! I'm prepared to purchase a Canadian car though as they have 4.8is in that color.

For what its worth, buying a Canadian car is like buying a car from Germany. Import taxes and fees, etc, because its treated as an international sale.


Unless you have deep pockets I don't think importing an X5 from Canada and registering it as a US car will be cost effective, I might be wrong though, someone feel free to correct me if I am. But I would think if it were simple to buy a Canadian vehicle as to buy a US vehicle, more people "on the north border" would be doing it.

The sliding load floor is one option for which I wouldn't rule out an otherwise "perfect" 4.8is. It marginally reduces cargo capacity (it has been the difference between fitting a furniture item or NOT for me), it is heavy, and it is one more thing to squeak and rattle!

I'm actually definitely installing that if one doesn't come with it. I found it to be quite useful over the years of use. Besides I'm not going to be hauling extremely large items and marginal decrease in cargo capacity is so minimal to me I won't even notice it. I'll make you a deal though if I happen to purchase 4.8is without that option, I'll gladly swap with you ;)

The one on my 2004 3.0 was quiet as a mouse, but I did not transfer it to my 4.8is. I just never used it. Or if I did, I never found myself thinking... Yeah... that thing is priceless! :dunno:

The full size spare along with the handle and belts to assist in lifting it out of my 3.0 did make the transfer to the 4.8is. I wonder how many 4.8's have the full size spare and lift assist handle that I transferred from my 3.0? No matter. Mine does. :D

this just in.... (of course the seller is an idiot who thinks the thing is both supercharged and/or turbo charged. :rolleyes:)

I have been on the hunt for one of these for the past 3 months and finally found one. Many of the ones listed right now I have either inquired about or test driven. :D

Running boards were a deal breaker for me, I had to have them, until I realized how rare they were. :( Then I found a full oem set in a junk yard with flares and running boards for 350$ and it was a done deal. :rofl:

I have personally test driven the Red one (pictured in the 2nd post) with aero package in Great Neck and and silver one in roswell. The one in roswell has something up with the transmission. (kicks real bad, when downshifting, and threw a trans failsafe and steering angle sensor fault code, even after clearing everything out with INPA before the test drive.)

The red one is a solid car, but they are overpriced in my opinion. After days of negotiations with the guy, as i persisted on, he finally told me there was a deposit on it and a buyer from Canada was having a local inspection done. That was a month ago and the car is still listed so I'm curious as to what happened.

I got mine from a BMW dealer in texas; for a dealer, their price was actually pretty good. I'm the second owner; it was purchased, maintained/serviced, and traded in all at the same dealer. Every single thing that was ever touched on the car by the dealer I have a record of thanks to them. 74k miles, black, built in 7/2006, no accidents, paid $18,1 out the door. The only thing I was hesitant on about it was the driver window was broken at some point. (BMW glass label missing) But after removing the door panel and inspecting everything, it was fixed properly and everything was in order.


Some recommendations I have for you (OP) if you are seriously considering one of these:

1. When you go to look at one, request that it not be warmed up first. Start it cold and hear it cold. Cars do different things and exploit certain issues when they are cold vs warmed up.

2. Tires. Don't buy one with toasted tires unless you negotiate the price of replacing them into the deal. They're expensive. Expect to pay 300$ per tire on average. Rears are even more. I insisted they install new tires on mine to seal the deal or id keep looking. They agreed. :D

3. Brakes. Same as above.

4. On your test drive, go to an advanved auto parts store or similar and have them do an electrical test on the battery and alt. They will hook up a carbon pile and test the alternator & battery. Also, it wouldnt hurt to monitor your alternator output volts when your driving thru your instument cluster test 9 just to make sure it is keeping your batter charged. I test drove an X that randomly stalled out while I was letting it idle to do the smoke test to check the valve stems. Turns out the alternator was intermittently not charging the battery at idle and power dropped to the point where it shut it self off. It worked just fine when the engine was revving during regular driving though.

5. Hook it up and get all codes before and after test drive.

6. Check for oil leaks. Common places are the vacuum pump cap seal and pass through sleeve on the transmission.

7: Maybe other more seasoned members have some more to contribute?

Here's mine: (pictured in access mode With a 1" drop courtesy of INPA) Normally when driving it sits higher.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4..._01/photo1.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4..._01/photo2.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4..._01/photo3.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4..._01/photo4.jpg

It took me 3 months to find her, but I think it was worth it. :)

Excuse my newbness, but what's a lift assist handle? Pics would help too:D