should I get this 2010 35d? (good deal)
 

my brother is trading in his 2010 35d. It has 97k miles, he's the second owner, and has had regular maintenance. I can get it for $9,500, and to me that seems like a great deal. I believe I know of everything to be looking for, and know what I'm possibly getting into buying an X5 with almost 100k miles. (I was a service writer at a BMW dealership a few years back)
Need advice before the X5 gets traded in.
Thanks!

there's been a lot of discussion about the emissions system on the diesels recently. my best recommendation is to just read those threads.

Sounds like you know what you are getting into
1. Active tank, SCR + DEF injector
2. Nox sensors
3. Thermostat
4. Glowplugs and module
5. Throttle valve
6. EGR cooler
7. Exhaust temp sensors (pre and post DPF, high and low pressure EGRs)
8. Differential pressure sensors
9. Boost sensor
10. Battery
11. Idler pulley bolt
12. Leaky turbo oil line
13. Pressure converters
14. Injector 5 + 6 due to water infiltration (broken bulkhead partition)
15. Parking Brake actuator
16. driveshaft (depending on year)


Scared yet? Those are just the things I can think of that break, not even counting maintenance like
1. Tranny fluid + pan
2. Water pump + belts
3. Differential and transfer case fuild
4. coolant

Yeah, yeah,yeah...

But besides that.

LOL... wife and I just bought a fully loaded '10 35d earlier in the year with 135000 on it for $13000. You're going to get me nervous if you keep talking like that. ;)

I think most of the 35D issues have been identified at this point in time, its just a matter of taking care of them before they become bigger issues :)

Fully understand that. I inspected and replaced the underhood bulk head plastics within the first few weeks of ownership after reading up here. Next preventative maintenance will be the thermostat.

EGR cooler and some other stuff from that above list was done by the PO.

In my area, $9500 is significantly under trade in value and wholesale market value for that year and mileage assuming good condition.

Don't start with a car that has issues that have already snowballed or have been ignored. Baseline immediately after verifying the car is fit for putting money into.

Familiarize yourself with how the systems work mechanically, and actively monitor your parameters. Also familiarize yourself with the normal maintenance and repairs these tend to need.

If you can do some or most labor yourself, you can save piles of money. You can double dip your saving by strategically purchasing parts.
Triple dip by batching jobs ("while you're in there") and saving your own labor time (or outsourced).


Don't forget the crank hub.

.....and the normal X5 stuff: control arms, brakes, etc

Yup, forgot that, the harmonic balancer / dampener rubber falls apart

Sounds like a great price.
Obviously, buying from a relative has risks, so make sure you take it into consideration.