Buying used 4.8 X5 - things to watch for
 

Hi All,

I have been a member of the m3forum since 2005 and love the info you get and can contribute on these forums. I am now in the market for a used 2008 4.8 X5 for my wife and was wondering if there were any things that I should be watching out for when buying this model/year.

Thanks and I look forward to being an active member on this forum soon :D

I've had zero problems on my '08 4.8 .......but would strongly suggest you find one with 20" 214 wheels, running boards and flared fenders. Not sure, but I think they were all part of a "Sport Package" and in my opinion they make it look even better.

Thanks for your input Jime60 :thumbup:

just make sure its got the latest firmware flash from the dealer. ;) Good luck with your purchase!

+1 No major reliability problems here with my 08. Just make sure you know what you are getting into. A lot of general complaints throughout this forum about how things work (ie: slow rear view camera, jerky transmission, etc). But that's the same thing if you got a brand new 08 vs cpo.

Good luck with your purchase.

Thanks for your replies.

I like the flared arches as it gives the truck a wider, more aggresive look. Can someone confirm that this is part of the sports package or another package. When I go to "build the car" online it does not mention anything about the arches but I can clearly see that they are different on some vehicles.

When you order the sport package on the 4.8 and also select the 20" wheel option that gives you the fender flares. As far as the running boards--that is not part of the sport package. Personally, I don't like the running boards on it and quite a few have also remarked that it leaves dirt stains on your pant legs constantly and it also has a weird stain on it that is hard to take off when washing.

Thanks BGM. That would explain why I couldn't see this option.

If I were to buy a vehicle with the running boards, which I like the look of, could they be removed at a later point if they become a pain?

I got the running boards because of the looks too. Functionally, they don't do much but get in the way. Though they are useful to step on for washing the top of the car and the front windshield. After awhile, I got use to getting in and out of the car (stepping on the running board to get off or just jumping out far enough to avoid them), but a lot of passengers complain about them (especially the short ones with high heels. My mom keeps getting stuck in with them).

I drove my sister's ML this past weekend and noticed how easy to was to get in and out without running boards.

Very interesting. I didn't think that they would be such a nuisance. My wife and I hardly noticed them on the vehicles we have test driven so far.

I am most likely going to jump on the first vehicle that has all the options I want and in the right colour. Does anyone know how difficult would it be to remove these running boards if they become too much of a pain?