Contemplating...
 

2004 BMW X5 4.4i SPORT+PREMIUM PKG+RUNNING BOARD for $13,888 in TORONTO | autoTRADER.ca

Thoughts...? I figure it's a fair price for what I need it for...I don't mind putting a few bucks into maintenance...the Mazda 3 I drive every day has 256km on it and the transmission is on the fritz

Thanks

personally, I think that price is high, especially since you have to pay taxes at a dealership.
I know in Alberta, we do not have to pay taxes on a private sale (do you in Ontario?) bt I know the x5's are cheaper out here and not as much of a rust issue here like you can see there.
i'd keep looking

6 cylinder might be a lot easier on your wallet later on

Unfortunately, in Ontario, sales tax has been harmonized. So, now we pay HST (13%) even on private sales...

If it is what you want, I would take a first hand look at it. If it looks as good as the pictures I would weigh the price against how it stands up to a pre purchase inspection.

I like it, but I am not just going to grab an X without a PPI

check for leaks and make sure you do check the following...

1) let it warm up to normal operating temp
2) turn off AC and let it idle for 2+ minutes after warm and then rev up motor and look for " mystical blue smoke at the tail pipes )
3) run it on the highway and watch for check engine lights

if it passes all those tests, you will be happy in the long run :)

I know you've been craving to buy one bad judging by your other threads I've read, but let's be honest, you'll be spend less money in the short and long term putting a new or rebuilt tranny in the 3. Your an experienced BMW owner so you know how much trouble these things can be, especially the V-8 models. With the mileage it has it's due for the timing chain guides to be replaced, cost wise there's your new tranny. If your budget allows I would get a newer X5 (not an E53) with a CPO warranty, you know you're gonna need it sooner rather than later, but at least you can drive your X with peace of mind.

You are right! I am so on the fence about keeping the 3 or jumping into an X...there is something about the SAV that is appealing to me...

Never seen an indy car lot state "This vehicle has achieved Certified Pre-Owned status, by passing BMW's rigorous certification process".

This statement means the vehicles has undergone a certified BMW dealer lease/used vehicle inspection that would be done prior to adding to the BMW dealers used vehicle inventory.

I would bet if you ask to see the certification docs, you'll get a blank stare or shown an indy shop inspection report.

Absolutely correct, one needs to take these statements with a grain of salt...I asked the dealer where did they acquire the wheels and they said "factory option"...the email exchange back and forth was hilarious...

Yep I hear ya, that's how we all get sucked in...lol! The damn things are so much fun (V-8 models) to drive, I would definitely get the 3 fixed and keep it for a second car, you know you're gonna need it. There's no way in hell I would have an E53 as my daily driver/only vehicle, now you're just asking for trouble. You'll be posting "Help I'm locked out, need to get to work!", or the thing won't start or is acting crazy...lol!:rofl:

$13k 10 years old, 80k miles for a $85k value when new. Let's say you put 5k on repairs ... And you keep it for 4 years or $375 per month and you are driving an X5 V8 for that price.... Follow ur dream ....the rest is just mechanic and all fixable

Ps mine is not my day to day car ...i consider mine as a big toy to pull my boat

Does N62 engine also suffer from timing chain guide failures like the M62 engines? I haven't heard of any yet.

I would also suggest during your test drive you look up the procedure to self test all the lights on the dashboard and confirm nothing has been blacked out (like the check engine light...). I found someone had obliterated the "trifecta" warning lights (DSC and brake warning lights) on the one I bought to avoid fixing a bad DSC module.

The guys I sent it to for pixel repair noticed the LEDs had been pried off and were able to fix it, which then started me looking for what made the warning lights come on to begin with...

My 4.6 has been my daily driver since purchased new. It has left me stranded only once when I blew a heater hose. E53s are all up there in age now and difficult to find one with full history. I think the experiences of forum members are priceless but it is important to maintain a reasonable perspective if one has just purchased or is considering purchasing an E53. Don't expect your experience will match the most positive input nor expect your purchase is destined to be an undependable money pit if you move forward.

The negative speak the loudest, longest and the most frequently so it sounds like it is everyone, it is certainly not. I suggest using the information here to make a wiser choice of which X5 is for you but not to be drawn into the sky is falling X5 owners club. Yes, owners, they are certain the E53 is an absolute disaster of a money pit and totally unreasonable as a daily driver but they own one---as if that is sensible and adds credibility to their opinion.

My X is my only car at the moment, but I am a brave and daring soul. ;) Even so, I'm going to get a 3 for errand driving once I buy a bigger house with the garage space. :P

Pierce,

I looked at a decent amount of these before taking the plunge - and I still ended up with some surprises. I decided to look at dealer and private ones just to get a feeling for the state these vehicles were in. I was looking in the 140,000km to 180,000km range. The low mileage ones were priced at the upper range and if they didn't need it yet, would need a lot in a year or two. The higher mileage ones weren't that much better off when it can to what they needed. I quickly decided to get a private sale in the hopes that I could get one with a maintenance history. This also became a rare theme. The dealers got the cars from god knows where and were motivated to do one thing only - move it off their lot. They really knew nothing about these cars at all. The private sales were mostly fixed if something broke, shoddy records, and a lot had gone to private shops as the dealers were too pricey.

The goal would be to find one that has:
- upper seals all redone (good luck)
- two sets of rims with tires to get you through a year or two
- body and interior in great shape
- detailed maintenance history
- original tow package

In all likelihood, you may get one that looks good, has two sets of rims and some semblance of a maintenance history. This is where I landed. :)

If you really want to get into these cars, know that they are a labour of love and a slice of insanity. This X is my wife's daily driver, but there are enough vehicles floating around the farm, usually someone will bail her out.

I knew I would have to throw a lot into it, but here is what you should do to baseline the car (if you plan on keeping it another 200,000km or so).
- all the upper seals and pans and tubes and gaskets and o-rings
- complete fluid swap - oil, coolant, diffs, tranny/filter, steering, brake
- fuel filter
- plugs
- belts
- brakes
- air and cabin filter

The surprises I encountered
- check engine light taped over
- sun roof drain not connected
- some suspension bits - sway links, rear upper arms, thrust bushings
- wonky memory mirrors
- tons of little trim, clips, caps, etc issues
- rear window that wouldn't work
- headlight washer blown diverter thingy
- belt tensioners
- A/C didn't blow cold (seemed to in the winter, or I didn't try it - I forget)

Plus mine didn't come with a hitch and I wanted one. If you need a hitch, find one with an OE one, not the aftermarket and start there. The OE ones are rare and next to impossible to find.

Would I do it again - likely. But I get these cars and don't mind doing the work. It's cheaper than therapy I figure.

But in the end, figure whatever you buy will cost you $5-$10K in the first two years to deal with whatever wasn't done right to begin with, plus the unknown that you know will happen. Unless you run things until they break and live life by the hope and prayer strategy (you don't seem like that kind of guy). Take solace in the fact that this forum of passionate gear heads exists to help you through the issues that come up.

I've got software that may help you, and I'm relatively close, so if you get into one of these and need help, drop a line.

Cheers.

LVP,

Thanks for the detailed reply. My issue is that many private sales indicated that extensive service history was included and when I called, service history was oil changes only...LOL...I ended up purchasing a 2009 Touareg on the weekend (4.2 L), single owner...78 000 km...

I had the same issue as you, I called both private and dealer...Every dealer tells you that their X is mint and dealer serviced and when I asked for the records, they right away told me that privacy laws forbid them from disclosing service history...blah blah blah, but they assured me that service history was there...................yeah..............right...

Here is my Treg...

http://puu.sh/8JjXl/0a0acb094f.jpg

http://puu.sh/8JjZn/026909becf.jpg

http://puu.sh/8Jk0y/2537754df2.jpg

http://puu.sh/8Jk3m/2c4ae68b9b.jpg

I pick it up this coming Saturday...got it from Pfaff...

Nice. Probably a safe bet. I always like drooling over at their inventory…..

Yeah, I asked my sales person for some nice golf shirts...LOL...or else the deal is off...

Good looking ride, are you gonna keep the 3 for a backup vehicle?

Not sure...To be honest with you, I am really sick of seeing younger punky douche bags driving the 3...gives the real fans a bad name...the SUV crowed is much more sophisticated and knowledgeable...

So tired of reading posts on E90posts like: How old are E92 335 owners? When I open the thread its all kids posting...

I'm gonna post it...we have the RX as well, which is a great spare...

Oh, cool.:thumbup:

"We all get sucked in" implies everyone feels as you do. I know that is not the case.

My E53 has always been my daily driver and I would be very surprised if that was not the case with the majority of owners. Nor do I believe the majority of E53 owners have backup transportation. Many likely have a second vehicle but I doubt that purchase was prompted by E53 ownership.

Over the years I have spoken to many that trashed the vehicle I had at the time based on their experience with that same vehicle, or sometimes only from what they heard 2nd hand. One constant seemed to be that their version never looked as if it was well take care of. There was never a time I could agree with them.

Since I have always been a stickler about maintenance I have assumed that must be the difference. I will say I never owned a Corvair, I figured Nador couldn't just be angry to go so far as to write a book if there wasn't something to it.

Apparently you have experienced huge problems with yours. That's unfortunate. Why don't you sell it and cut your losses?

Very nice. Congrats on your new car. I looked at several Touaregs before purchasing Acura MDX. MDX style and technology package won me over the Touareg. But I really liked the TDI. Is your's V8 or TDI?

I actually ended up picking up a 4.2, however, I could not find any Tdis with low enough mileage for me...both my fiancee and I do a lot of driving...I used to have an MDX...loved it...so simple to maintain, oil changes at an indy shop were $35 CAD

Facelifted Touareg is a SOLID vehicle, my mom had a 2005 4.2 with 145k when she sold it, drove it daily without an issue at all and regular maintenance. The trans was shifting a little rougher by then but that was it.

The 4.2 motor sounds amazing as well too, best of luck with it!

Thanks, I'll still be creeping on the site and clubtouareg.com

Both sites have friendly/knowledgeable members...

But we're always a little better ;) :bustingup

guys bash the e53 lots about it NOT being a daily driver capable car. I HIGHLY disagree. I use mine as my dd and rarely drive my 850 now. I love this machine.
maybe mine is just built on a wednesday... who knows.
and yes I may even have the intermediate levers issue to deal with, but still this vehicle seems like a reliable/quality vehicle to me for the most part.

Well, I picked up the Treg 4.2 yesterday...LOVE it...the 4.2 is so smooth...The only thing that I don't like too much is the audio/nav system...rather primitive in comparison to competing models...

Fabulous on fuel...NOT...lol...cost of ownership...no air suspension or integrated blue tooth though, which is something that I wished it had, but it is loaded other wise...

Congrats and best of luck... Wish you find a Volkswagen Forum as good as the Xoutpost BMW X5!!

So long

Whitecat

Thank you!...I didn't say I was going anywhere...I am also on clubtouareg.com

Great bunch of individuals, just like the ones that are found here...