Hello
 

Hello, I just thought I would introduce myself, I am sort of in the market for a X5, I currently have a e34 540i 6 speed, and a 94 325is that is currently ripped apart. now I am looking to move on to something else. I have been huge into BMWs for some time now, mostly the older ones.
I want something along the lines of the X5, so I can throw my mountain bikes on it, and get to more trail access points for biking and hiking trails.

I have been searching online, and have not come up with much, yet anyway. One thing i found is a 2001 4.4l, original owner, with what could be around way too many miles (180k)? In a color I am not too crazy about (silver).
What do you guys think.

So hello, and i look forward to hopefully being a part of your community.

Welcome and with whatever X5 you end up with, you'll find plenty of help and input here.

Best of Luck!

5 and 6 speed manuals in Xs are rare, and come up for sale even less than rare.

Those of us with the 5 probably all envy the 6 speed version...;)

As for that specific E53, it is a lot of miles and even a 'one owner' car can have one or two or a few lurking time bombs once it is in a new driveway.

Otoh, there are several older E53s here with serious azz mileage and few surprises; some are well maintained, some are well maintained and lucky.

There are a few hard core cyclists too. You might see JCL's posts on his bike and carrier setup, but I seem to recall it is roof mounted. Can't remember.

NEway, great board with good info and lots of opins, on Xs, cars and nearly any topic under the sun.

Do some reading via the Search Tab and good luck on your search for an older X that won't bring you to tears, or empty your wallet.
BR, mD

Keep looking, they turn up, but it sometime takes awhile, and you may need to travel a bit to get what you want. Spend some time reading threads here and you'll be an educated consumer. Do note that its become very hard to find OEM trailer hitches, at least for E53s [01-06]. The aftermarkets aren't good for hauling much of anything [most agree ....], so you'll want to look for one equipped with an OEM hitch if you don't plan to roof mount the bikes. Some of us here are advocates for the manual transmission versions [only the 3.0L], but they are quite rare.

Just for grins, I opened the Atlanta craigs list, which regularly has X5s posted [ATL is a big market for bmws and suvs ....]. Several recently listed, including this lower mileage E53 white on tan 4.4L, with hitch [claimed]. They are out there .....
2005 BMW X5 4.4i

Also one with a stick! 2003 BMW X5, 3.0 , 6 cylinder,MANUAL TRANSMISSION.,Good Condition

I as well also recommend the manual X5. Reliable I6 with an MT is the best combo for long term happiness IMo

Thanks!
I think I want a automatic, and it kills me to say that. I am sure all the 5 speed owners are envious of the 6 speed guys, but i don't see it mattering to much. I always wanted a 6 speed, until I bought my 540, then i realised how little it matters. The one I am looking at seems to have a lot of maintenance done. But I am sure it will have a surprise in store for me.
I am far from a hard core cyclist, but I will have to check out JCL's post. This X5 does have the factory tow package, although the owner never towed anything with it. It also has Thule ski and bike roof racks included.
I have been reading a lot on this sight over the past couple of days, and have used this in the past to help out others with their Xs.

I thin I want this to be a auto, as i said above. I am not sure why. The one i am currently looking at has a factory hitch, and also comes with roof mounts for bikes and skis.
for all the skiing i pretend to do.

Thanks!
I could fly to ATL pretty easily and cheaply. Something to keep in mind if i can not find anything in my area.
Thanks for your input. As for the I6 i think I could live with it. And I would probably be happy with a manual or an auto.

My X is for sale X5 4.6is estoril blue+ 5 year warranty

Welcome! Good luck on your search. I also vote manual but I understand wanting to go auto. A plus side though is you will never have auto trans problems.

Make sure to check out the Articles and FAQs sections. There is tons of info all over the place and don't be scared to ask questions.

This. Besides a possible clutch (although if you drive properly you should be able to get an easy 150k or more out of stock clutch), the trans is pretty solid, and much easier if repairs are needed than a ZF auto.

so can i have yours? it is nice and close ;)

Yes but you'd have to locate me a facelifted 6 speed manual, not black or silver, with Sport Package, with under 90k miles, and give me time to swap my mods over to said replacement.

I won't part with my stick shift willingly lol!

Done!
http://i.imgur.com/Eg2RxOml.jpg

I saw, It is nice, really nice. I am not quite ready to go across the country, just yet anyway.

Here is a little info about the one i am looking at.
2001 X5 4.4l
Completely replaced air ride in 2012
New alternator this year.
All CV joints replaced
New rear window regulators.
The owner had everything serviced regularly at a dealership, or another reputable indy shop. Synthetic fluids, premium fuel, garage kept.
3 ring binder of all service records.
New Tires.

There is a manual one in my area.
2003 BMW X5 Manual

It has Sport Package, and has been on sale for a while, probably because its green. Nothing wrong with the color in my opinion, its just not popular.

Go check it out. You might be able to snag for 7k, looks nice!

I just messaged him.

I like that one. I think green is cool. You know you want to join the manual club.

I do like green.
And STOP PEER PRESURING ME

Leather in the greeny looks a little rough, might need a nice leatherique treatment. Three pedals a definite plus - the manual registry is where all [most of?] the kool kidz are ........ ;). And Joshdub will happily walk you through the UUC short shift kit install process ......

Haha. It is not peer pressure, it's just your turn.

The bottom bolster does look a bit worn. It may or may not be too late to save it. Only seeing it in person can tell. Worst case you might have to take it to an upholstery place and see if they can get it or find another black leather comfort seat. But I think those are easier to come across than sport seats.

The UUC shifter is easy to install. New bushings are harder but not that bad. Totally worth it to have a fresh shifter assembly

I'll up the ante. I'll do a decon with Iron Out and Clay, one step paint polish with a machine, sealant, interior detail on the seats and all interior surfaces for cleaning and protection, for $150 and a 12 pack of beer, in one day, bring me the X5 when you purchase it as you're less than an hour from my house. Those seats will look good when I'm done with them.

Normally I charge $350 for interior/exterior with the above.

Thanks, the guy never got back to me. So it could be sold, or i scared him off with all my questions.

Are you a pro detailer? I have been getting into it somewhat, bought a Griots kit from Auto Geek, and a bunch of other products from Poorboys World. Been just working for beer and take out food on friends and family's cars.

Don't have my own shop but I do it as side work for people who want a proper detail done on their car and care about the finish.

If they just want something shiny with a ton of fillers and glaze I tell them to hit up the "detailers" at the car wash for a $99 special.

Griots RO polisher is great, I use one with 5" pads along with a PC and 4" pads. Gets all the work done I need it to.

My friend recently bought a 2012 GMC Terrain, from a local GMC dealership in Allentown. It looked good on the lot during the day, we were standing in a parking lot at night looking at it and noticed the paint was really swirled, I found out that the previous owner brought it to the dealership to have it run threw the wash once a week, so that explains it. Griots machine polish 2, and Griots finish, then followed it up with Poorboys white diamond glaze. The thing looks better then the brand new Terrains sitting on the lot. All it took was a entire sunday, but it really paid off for him, and I learned alot.
Now next, I need to pick up a 3in polisher, to make tight spots easier. But that can wait.

Also here is the other one i am looking at, that I have mentioned in this thread. Going to check it out on Monday.
2001 BMW X5 4.4

Not to get off topic, but the Griots 3" really doesn't correct paint too well, not enough power. Best getting a PC7424XP or a Harbor Freight 6" DA and getting a Lake Country 3.5" backing plate for it, then you can use 4" pads.

The Griots 3" polisher is better at using carpet brushes and doing wax application IMHO

The topic here is Hello, so i think you are good :D
I almost bought the HF 6", but it felt kind of junky, so i went home and ordered the Griots 6" from Autogeek. I did just buy a couple of pads from HF, my Mom has a Galant, that has some pretty messed up paint, and I did not want to touch it with my HexLogic pads.

Actually the polisher from HF is pretty good. The pads are junk however, I hope you tossed them after the Galant. The HF polisher just needs a new backing plate and better pads (I use mostly Buff N Shine) and its a comparable machine to the PC7424XP

I might have to grab one of those then. That store is dangerous, I live under 5 minutes away, and am always going there mid project for some saw blade or socket, then end up with 10 other things i did not know i needed.

and yes, i barely got any work on the Galant done yet and already trashed one of the pads.

The guy with the 5 speed never got back to me.
I just got back from looking at this, it was nice and really clean. The only problem is the display on the instrument cluster is totally unreadable, only a minor concern.
It has the original trans, kind of scary with the miles. It has a strange issue when just cruising with the RPMs around 1,500, it almost stutters and vibrates. He thought it might be a throttle sensor, to me it felt like it was in the trans or transfer case.
2001 BMW X5 4.4
I enjoyed the drive down, about an hour away threw countryside, might be one of the last drives like that in my e34 540. So i am glad i went.
I stopped at a shop that serviced my old e36 alot, and did some work on the e34 as well and they had this on the lot
For Sale: 2002 BMW X5 4.4I at JCL Automotive
I think I am going to go back tomorrow and look into it some more.

So I went and looked at this one today, drove it around some.
For Sale: 2002 BMW X5 4.4I at JCL Automotive
I really like it. It is in excellent shape. Just had the air bags done, and the timing chain guides. As well as a lot of other stuff done regularly, as needed. So i think there is a good chance i will pull the trigger on it in the next day or two. It needs a battery and brakes that will be done before i take delivery on it.

If its had that work done sully it could be a good buy. could use some updated headlight/tail light/side markers (non amber), a de-badge, a complete detail job, and some better wheels, but other than that looks like a good example, let us know!

I have set of stock xenons with clear corners that I could swap out with you if needed, I have another set of headlights waiting to go on my X.

Welcome, good luck in your hunt!

Nice looking grey on grey example. Good luck!

Thanks, the headlights look better in person, but they could use some TLC.
I trust this place, the car belonged to a customer, who was getting older and wanted something smaller. I trust them with most anything. They could not figure out the bang from the rear suspension on my E36, but neither two other shops, so no big deal.

I am probably picking up the one i last posted, in the next few days.
I did just see this one on CL.
2001 bmw x5 sport

That one is cheap. I'd get it inspected. I wonder why the trans was rebuilt. Also I don't think it has the sport package. It does look like it has the blacked out window trim, but doesn't have the black headliner. I am not sure what the sport package consisted of in 2001.

yeah, my thoughts exactly. i would be happier with a V8, and am indifferent to auto vs manual transmissions.

I was thinking of buying one X5 too but may be I'll get 2 - 3 years old.What you guys think ?Or older will be better option?