X5 Buying Tips please.

[Alfaholic]

Hi guys. I'm new to BMW and my wife has been nagging me for years now to get a "thing that's high" to drive in..lol.

We've got 2 little ones and we commute to work and back for about 15kms everyday. I travel alot to JHB from Secunda so we need two cars. The GTi is not cutting it anymore wrt space, but makes up for it in the speed department!:biglol:

I've never driven any X5's before but always liked them and prefered them to other SUV's out there on the market. Today I was a bit bored at work and decided to go test some X5's...I tested a 3.0d 2003 model and a 4.8is 2005 model. the 4.8is was in a sorry state. The 3.0d however, was in great condition with only 114000kms on, but NO service book, the salesguy said they must have th books and he'll call up BMW with the VIN to get the history for me.

My worries:
Is it really as people say it is with a BMW? Is it expensive to maintain?
THe turbo on the 3.0d, when does it go pop?
What are the normal wear and tear items to look out for on a 3.0d?
What are the big replacements to take into consideration on a 3.0d?
When is the big service on a 3.0d?

THe car drove very well and it was quiet, however at 120kph it pulls to the left when breaking and it had a slight vibration in the steering wheel at 140kph...very slight, other than that, its in great condition but the mentioned issues and the service book worries me...

i'm not in a hurry to buy one, but I just need to know the known issues and usual service costs and if its worthwhile to buy one, my wife will be happy and I'm quite surprised at how well the SUV drove...

Oh, i'm 26, but I'll keep my GTi to stay in touch with my youth.:thumbs:

 

[Rolf]

Talk to MiniMike19 .... he's able to assist :thumbs:

 

[Clownshoe]

Get the dealer to sort out the issues. Or continue to test drive until you find a good one.

I recently bought a 3.0d X5 and very happy with it.

It should drive very smooth... At idle you should greatly hear the engine and feel no vibration.

There should be little to no smoke.

Gearbox seems to be a week point so note a clunky gear change.

I love my (wife's) X5

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Email me the details of the car, and I will see what I can find on enatis. :thumb:
[email protected]

 

[msm]

I tested a 3.0d 2003 model and a 4.8is 2005 model. the 4.8is was in a sorry state. The 3.0d however, was in great condition with only 114000kms on, but NO service book, the salesguy said they must have th books and he'll call up BMW with the VIN to get the history for me.

Around 2004, when BMW facelifted the X5, they upgraded the motor from to the 150kw/480nm version - much smoother than the previous one. If you are going the E53 X5 route, that's what I would recommend.

 

[Clownshoe]

I tested a 3.0d 2003 model and a 4.8is 2005 model. the 4.8is was in a sorry state. The 3.0d however, was in great condition with only 114000kms on, but NO service book, the salesguy said they must have th books and he'll call up BMW with the VIN to get the history for me.

Around 2004, when BMW facelifted the X5, they upgraded the motor from to the 150kw/480nm version - much smoother than the previous one. If you are going the E53 X5 route, that's what I would recommend.

+1 No swirl flaps as well I found our recently!! It also has self levelling suspension.