BMW X5 for £4k - asking for trouble or wafty heaven?
Discussion
Just seen this cheap x5 in the for sale section: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Now that I cycle into work I'm after somthimg wafty and luxury for ocashional use - maybe one a week for shopping with the odd longer trip so not too bothered about mpg as long as it's not shockingly bad. What's the general consensus on the x5? Anything to look out for apart from the usual at this age? Cheers!
Now that I cycle into work I'm after somthimg wafty and luxury for ocashional use - maybe one a week for shopping with the odd longer trip so not too bothered about mpg as long as it's not shockingly bad. What's the general consensus on the x5? Anything to look out for apart from the usual at this age? Cheers!
Needs some work by the sound of it, says it needs bushes and an O2 sensor, so I would say there are probably clonks from the suspension and its probably not running right.
Reckon on early teens mpg around town.
They can have problems with the diffs and driveshafts so be careful if there are any clonks or weird noises.
Reckon on early teens mpg around town.
They can have problems with the diffs and driveshafts so be careful if there are any clonks or weird noises.
I thought it all looked good until the bush and o2 sensor. If it simply needs suspension bushes and a new o2 sensor, why not just have them replaced then sell it on? Neither are very expensive as far as I know. That might just be me being cynical and it might just needs new bushes and an o2 sensor.
Had a 2000 one of these...the 4.4i a few years back. When it ran it was an absolute hoot to drive...7ish seconds to 60 in what is a pretty big and heavy car...wafty and 'sporty' at the same time. However it was singularly the most expensive to maintain and unreliable vehicle we have owned. We had an after market warranty which thankfully took care of the brunt of the expenses but we had to replace suspension components all round, fix oil leaks on rocker cover, replace MAF, sunroof leaked (wasn't blocked drain...couldn't properly fix)...resulting in flooded footwells, drivers window mechanism collapsed..errr...new CAT's (there are two), petrol leak...there are probably a few other bits a pieces which I can't remember now. This was on a car with ~50K and we took it to ~70K.
When it worked it was fantastic fun...we put about 3000 miles on it over a 3 week holiday across Europe including the Alps etc...and I loved every second of it then (although had to replace the battery in France). But the reliability and expense got me down and we traded it for a Lexus...which was in a completely different league for reliability and running costs. Had a 3 and 7 before that which were less troublesome...but this put me off BMW's.
For £4k it's a hell of a lot of car. Maybe with the one you're looking at with more miles the components I've listed will have been cycled at least once...but I would check service history thoroughly and make sure you've got some cash put aside or a warranty.
When it's on song it's brilliant...when it's on the side of the road pouring petrol on to the asphalt and with a drivers window stuck down...it's a little less fun. Check out some of the BMW forums...esp in the US...for more info on running one.
When it worked it was fantastic fun...we put about 3000 miles on it over a 3 week holiday across Europe including the Alps etc...and I loved every second of it then (although had to replace the battery in France). But the reliability and expense got me down and we traded it for a Lexus...which was in a completely different league for reliability and running costs. Had a 3 and 7 before that which were less troublesome...but this put me off BMW's.
For £4k it's a hell of a lot of car. Maybe with the one you're looking at with more miles the components I've listed will have been cycled at least once...but I would check service history thoroughly and make sure you've got some cash put aside or a warranty.
When it's on song it's brilliant...when it's on the side of the road pouring petrol on to the asphalt and with a drivers window stuck down...it's a little less fun. Check out some of the BMW forums...esp in the US...for more info on running one.
t to change the bolts seize in the arms for fun and subframe bushes need a specialist tool to replace them.PTE993 said:
When it's on song it's brilliant...when it's on the side of the road pouring petrol on to the asphalt and with a drivers window stuck down...it's a little less fun. Check out some of the BMW forums...esp in the US...for more info on running one.
I think that describes many BMWs LOL (replace pouring petrol with leaking coolant etc etc). Definitely good advice about scouring forums. Avoid all of the V8's. The N62 engine is the worst engine BMW have ever produced, valve cover leaks, valve stem failures, constant rough idle issues, vacuum leaks, coolant valley pan leaks, the list goes on!
The early X5's are nasty (rear subframe bushes, autobox issues)
The facelift versions 53/04 onwards are a lot better, personally i'd go for a 3.0i but the fuel consumption isnt great.
The early X5's are nasty (rear subframe bushes, autobox issues)
The facelift versions 53/04 onwards are a lot better, personally i'd go for a 3.0i but the fuel consumption isnt great.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff