Noob here..wanted to say "hi" and get some advice purchasing my first BMW!
 

Hey everyone....

I'm really glad I found these forums! I've been camping out here a lot over the past couple days as I'm about to purchase my first BMW. The information here is awesome and it has answered a lot of questions for me already.

I'm looking at a CPO 2008 4.8i with 53K miles, build date 10/07. From what I can tell, it's a Premium, Technology, and Cold Weather packaged truck. I don't think it's a Sport, and definitely doesn't have rear A/C controls or rear sunshades, and no idea about any other packages. Dealer is asking $39,888 for it and they don't want to budge.

After searching Autotrader and doing some other research, I *figure* the truck is worth around $38,000 - $39,000 (but I could be wrong). I'm prepared to pay $39,000 as it's the color and motor I want. Actually, I was interested in the 3.0si but after a drive in the 4.8i, I think I prefer the larger motor. I wonder what the true gas mileage is going to be though. A lot of your complaints have to do with poor fuel economy.

A couple questions though that maybe you guys can help me out with:

- At 53K miles, the factory warranty is out. However, I think the CPO program extends the limited warranty 2 more years or to 100K miles. Will this warranty include components in the car that break, like the seat adjustments, faulty nav, peeling steering wheel controls, etc? From reading these forums, it seems like there are common items inside the truck that break/are problematic and I wonder if the CPO warranty will cover them.

I can do the oil changes, brakes, wipers, fluids, etc. myself, so I don't care for the "no-cost maintenance" program.

- As I've never owned a BMW (I'm a Vette guy), what's the reliability of the truck after 50K miles? Can I expect things to start breaking? Are the engine and transmission good for say, 100K + miles with proper maintenance?

- Sometimes the truck will have to sit a week or possibly 2 without me driving it. I've read a lot of issues of the battery going dead if the truck isn't driven. Is this common for all model years or is it specific to a particular?

Are there any other issues associated with this particular year/motored truck that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for all your help! :thumbup:

If you can wait you can have my 2008 4.8 when it comes off lease in April...21k miles right now. Buy out (on lease) is right around $43k.

I'm a fanatic and the ONLY issue is that it needs a new rear bumper skin...someone gouged it in a parking lot.

2008 BMW X5 4.8i
Alpine White
Sand beige Nevada Leather
Dark Bamboo wood trim
Premium Package
Premium Sound Package
Rear Climate Package
Sport Package
20” Wheels (style 214) with performance tires
Electronic Damping Control
Sport Seats
Technology Package
Automatic Tailgate operation
Comfort Access system
Running boards
3rd row seat
Heated front seats
Rear seat entertainment
iPod and USB adaptor
Satellite radio
Two sets of floor mats (all weather rubber and carpet)
Original sticker $73,120

30% Tint on all windows
Debadged (sides and rear) with clear front side markers
Otherwise she just gets turned in to BMWFS....

Firstly :wavey: Welcome.

I can't contribute as far as answering your long term questions. I can tell you that my '08 4.8i was pretty much trouble free but I lease so I'm out before the warranty is up and had pretty low miles when I turned her in.

As far as fuel consumption - I got 13.6 for mixed city/highway. My daily grind is NJ/NY rush. It depends how and where you drive. I bet you can tell how I drive :rofl:

Good luck - it's a great vehicle.

Welcome to a great Board and, Good Luck,
mD

great stuff so far guys/gals...thanks for the fast responses.

I'm not sure how reliable the X5 is after 50k but I can comment on my experiences with my last BMW. It was a 2000 328ci, bought it was 32k miles and drove it til 170k. yup, drove that sucker for 138k miles.

I did most of the maintenace myself. I had to replace alot of sensors, belts, and suspension parts like:

control arms bushings
belts
radiator
ac compressor
expansion tank
thermostat
camshaft position sensor
valve cover gasket
water pump
oil level sensor
oxygen sensors
belt tensioner
radiator hoses
crankcase valve
transmission failure at 145k, lost reverse

I expect I'll probably have to replace most of these items on my recently purchased 2007 4.8 X5 too. Luckily I have extended warranty to 100k.

My advice is be prepared for alot of repair bills from 75k-125k miles. Even after all I went thru with my 328, I still went back to BMW for my upgrade. BMW makes great looking cars, but they come at a price.

I suggest getting some sort of extended warranty for high mileage BMWs.

Good luck

Stay with the Vette. More reliable and won't nickle and dime your pocketbook.

It seems BMW goes out of its way to produce sub-parr sub systems. Read the posts on this board regarding the model you want, put the "i gotta have" in check, then run like hell and don't look back!

Read my posts, I have an 07 60k e70. It's a disaster zone.

Lots of expensive problems. On top of this tyres walk off these things.Something to do with the camber set up and a bad design.

I believe the q7 is fairly reliable.

Argh...it's so hard to make a decision with so many conflicting opinions!
Seems like people here either got a good one or a bad one. The good ones had little to no problems, where the bad ones were nightmares.

The handling, looks, and styling are what give me the "gotta have it" syndrome. But, it's looking like it's not even worth it now. Damn it!

My Vette is not a daily driver, btw. Way too much work done to it. The X5 would be replacing my 2002 Chevy Trailblazer 2WD, which (knock on wood) after 135K miles so far has had NO issues. Not one. :(

I really need to think about replacing the Trailblazer soon. I REALLY don't want to buy Japanese but if they're sooo much more reliable, I might be forced to.

pbalias, I responded to you earlier, but here is another 'version':
you are discerning in realizing that some of us have had very few problems, (our '01 3.0 E53 has had but a handful in its entire 9 years/78k miles), while others are pulling out their hair.

I'm a VetteFan also; our '02 Vert has been nearly flawless in nearly 9 years and ~38,000 hard miles, but it obviously does not do some of the things the X can do, and vice versa.

I won't try to sell you an X or berate them, but if your C Tblazer is treating you quite well, why not step back for a few, and see how you feel when the dust settles. And while that specific car may or may not 'be there' in a week or a month or...there are lots full of them. You have time on your side, imo.
Good Luck, mD

You also have a first year model run--a basic no-no if you want a trouble-free car.

I test drove a 2010 Q7 before going with the X5.

It did not help that the Audi sales guy knew nothing about his product, but..
I expected to very much LIKE it, but the moment I sat down in it, I instantly hated it. I also hated how it drove - another surprise. And it's gadgets seemed half-baked. I was very disappointed.

When I got my X5, some of the Porsche people in the office asked how I liked it..

"Well, one week and nothing broken!"
And they said, without pause..
"Well, that's the difference between you and an Audi owner!"

I know we have some Audi owners here, so feel free to chime in.
My best friend had two leased A6s (three years each, so six years worth) until 2007, when he bought an Acura RL.

In the shop four times a year, like clockwork. Usually broken O2 sensors, early tire wear, etc. I dunno about now, but just a few years ago, ONLY your Audi dealer could do a proper alignment, at $400 a pop.

And every time they failed to fix something, they were unapologetic. He exaggerates, but swears he spent more time in a loaner, which was always in very poor shape.

Of course, YMMV, but.. I was not impressed. I can put up with an ignorant dealer for a good product - and certainly BMW has at least their fair share of these dealers as well - but the product itself was underwhelming.

To be fair, it was somewhat less expensive, but it didn't offer as many features, maintenance was not included, etc. etc.

I would wager that, much like BMW, Audi's reliability has improved - probably substantially so. I much preferred the X5 to the Q7 (and I found the Q5 too small).

Both are very popular around here, but I notice most Q owners are new and most X5 owners have had theirs quite a long time (I don't see too many '10s or later).

For what it's worth , I do not buy used European cars, and rid myself of them before the warranty expires. It has been a good policy for me. I've seen my friends encounter costly nightmares on so called " great deals", they found.

Agree 1000%. Years and years ago, after owing an S500, G500, 300TD and 300D well past warranty...we made a deal to NEVER own a car past it's warranty period. Every time you sneezed it seems like $1100 here, $600 here, $300 here, $500 here, $2400 here, parts wearing out, worrying about parts wearing out, etc, etc.

The worst time was in 1995; we bought a 1989 Alpine White 325i Cabriolet (blue leather, blue top...awesome combo). It was a local purchase, from the original owner. Car had about 65k miles on it. We kept it about 10 months...and the car needed $3000 worth of mandatory repairs during the 10 months we owned it. PLUS, we had it inspected by a BMW dealer before we bought it! These $3000 worth of repairs just popped up! NO more Euro cars, NO cars period, without factory warranty!

IMO, it just does not pay to keep an expensive car, with very expensive repairs past warranty! Times have changed. Cars are VERY expensive to maintain and keep. Cars are meant to be junked and recycled...we must all just remember a car is just a luxurious wear item. Use, love, enjoy and then retire for good!!

Without warranty...can you imagine having to pay for multiple and routine software updates that take hours or an entire day to do (some are very, very time consuming).

I was offered a great deal on a 2009 M5. Almost too good to pass. But after pondering about why the dealer wouldn't CPO it, I passed. Specially if you're buying a used car you can barely afford. Just remember what simple regularly scheduled maintenance costs on these cars. You might think twice.

Motordavid...I couldn't agree with you more. Sounds like a lease might be a better way for me to enjoy the X5 without having to worry (financially) about the repairs/maintenance. However, I'm originally from Texas (now in NY/NJ) where leasing doesn't seem to be as popular an option as owning. Leasing is a new concept for me, but might be a better option.

I'ma total car guy though, and when I see something on 4 wheels that I like, I have to have it.

My Vette is an '01 Z06. My pride and joy. ;)

http://pbalias.smugmug.com/Cars/Toys...87_2qQhN-L.jpg

You are asking for trouble when you buy ANY car with 65K miles on it. I think the OP here needs to realize he could be in the same boat with buying one with 50K miles--I would recommend to him to go lower miles there are a lot out there under 30K miles.

I'm right there with you motordavid as you know---before my current '08 4.8 I had an '01 e53 for 9.5 years until this past Labor Day weekend when I was t-boned and it rolled--was totaled. It had 103K miles on it and was in perfect shape with very little problems.

If you wait couple of months the 2011 35i in used car market will be available for around $45k. They have been in market since April 2010 and are faster than 48i.;)

Hey, I just wanted to point out what a great (and really civil) dicussion this thread has been. No one's ideas or views where "stupid" or declared "wrong" -- it was truely the great debate.

And the originator of this thread said it best when he said "there's been some many points made, I have a hard time deciding" Ahhh, but at least it's an informed decision, rather than "I like the color and engine it has" THAT's what these forums are all about. I applaud all contributors!

You don't know what your talking about! :stickpoke

Thanks, pbalias...I know nothing of 'leasing' as other than 3 decades of 'company cars' handed to me every 2-3 years, I have never leased. My 50cts home econ book suggests if one can write some/most of it off, then it makes some sense. Other than that it is a 3 yr car rental, imo, but everyone has their own budget and needs.

Back at your Original Post Ranch, that car you noted is CPO'd, which does offer some protection from catastrophic repair costs, for awhile; it does not cover niggling items. But, you could drive it with some comfort and a slight safety net for a couple years, if you are still in love with it...

Not trying to 'suade you either way. Titz Z06, by the bye!
GL, mD

Couldn't have said it any better David.

At 100k, you might be having to replace a few things. Not a huge deal if you're handy with a wrench. That's quite a few miles ahead however, and if you grease the skids with the service manager, some of that might be taken care of at 99k miles.

Sleep on it, and do (within reason) what makes you happy. :)

Welcome to the forum!