Anyone bought or sold a E53 x5 (v8) recently??

[lewis328]

This may seem a strange topic, but I am looking to get a reasonably low mileage, but well maintained e53, v8 x5. Looking on various websites the prices seem to vary. Thought I would ask if anyone has a recent purchase or sales story they might want to share. I missed out on a 2004, 4.4, with 63k for £5k a few months back.

Thanks

[Cheburator mk2]

lewis328 said:

This may seem a strange topic, but I am looking to get a reasonably low mileage, but well maintained e53, v8 x5. Looking on various websites the prices seem to vary. Thought I would ask if anyone has a recent purchase or sales story they might want to share. I missed out on a 2004, 4.4, with 63k for £5k a few months back.

Thanks

Just picked up a late 2004 - 2005MY Sapphire Black 4.8iS with 72k miles, all but one services from BMW, in excellent condition and pretty loaded - comfort seats, pan roof, factory fitted Westphalia tow bar, DSP, overall I would describe it as 9/10 for £8k

Was looking for a V8 SUV - X5 or Cayenne Turbo/GTS for about 2mths. Good ones don't hang around. At the end went with a X5 as it is 50% less than a Turbo/GTS and it felt as more than adequate for the school run/station car park. In 4.8iS guise I actually think it would give the V8 Cayenne a fright...

The sound is something else... The fuel consumption is acceptable... What is not to like?

[lewis328]

That sounds perfect, The Is in Black looks mean. Ideally i would want a facelift car, but there is a 4.6is for sale locally with 80k on clock, in Silver. Up for less than 5k. I do need to sell my current car first, but so far I do not seem to have missed out on too many cars up for sale. I fancy a 4x4 as I just don't agree with estates, and I cannot afford an RS6 just yet.

Have you noticed any issues with you car so far? Does it have air suspension?

[cerb4.5lee]

lewis328 said:

Does it have air suspension?

The 4.8iS has air suspension front and rear as standard and adjustable ride height, agree the engine does sound immense but for me they are pretty thirsty because having to drag a 2.2 tonne and tall vehicle with 4wd around is never going to be easy on fuel...especially if you want to enjoy the noise the engine makes!

[lewis328]

Am I right in saying the 4.8 all came with adjustable air sus? But it was an option on the 4.6? I think a nice clean 4.4 facelift would do me.

[cerb4.5lee]

lewis328 said:

Am I right in saying the 4.8 all came with adjustable air sus?

Yes.

[Cheburator mk2]

The 4.8iS is going to be mainly the School and Station car, thus it would not see more than 6k miles a year. The "worse" fuel mileage is more than offset in the much slower depreciation that I should suffer. Ok, it will also tow my race cars to meetings, but there the petrol is split with the co-driver, hence the extra 1500miles will be a "blip" in the grand scheme of things.

What attracted me was that we are getting pretty much all the toys that one needs - panoramic roof, heated seats, basic but usable sat nav, Harmon Kardon, adaptive lights and a stonking V8. It really makes no sense that it should be 1/2 price to a similar spec/mileage E70 4.8i a M Sport... But I am not complaining as I can waft in superb comfort at a very affordable price.

As to servicing/maintainence - I think this is one of the last BMWs where most jobs can be done at home - INPA and a fully equipped double garage do help though. Let's keep fingers crossed that she/he is a good one

[laingy]

the electrics on my e53 all started to cause problems after about 100k miles. I would be careful that more gadgets doesnt equal more problems. Items like radio, amplifier, parking sensors, digital dash.

[Cheburator mk2]

laingy said:

the electrics on my e53 all started to cause problems after about 100k miles. I would be careful that more gadgets doesnt equal more problems. Items like radio, amplifier, parking sensors, digital dash.

Nothing new there - the E39s suffer from the same issues. Been there done that got the medal. Having INPA makes a huge difference - it can save hundreds trying to diagnose a problem - my E39 would start normally and then just die within 30secs. Plugged it in and straight away a duff cam sensor fault appeared. New sensor from Bosch, 5mins with a 5mm hex bit in my ratchet handle, new sensor in, fault codes erased. Never had the problem since... But yes, I hear you - hence perhaps it makes real sense for someone like me who is more mechanically minded, and someone who just wants to drive the car would be better off picking up a AUC E70 V8...