Advice for an Irishman searching GB for a BMW X5

[AlpineF30]

Evening all!

The time has come to replace my trusty E61 520d and a F15 X5 has been an itch I want to scratch.

In Belfast good spec and miles means astronomical prices compared to GB so willing to travel to get one.

Issue being a lot of X5’s seem to be in either Birmingham or Luton and are of an age they are in independant used dealers and seems to be a complete minefield as to whether it s a dodgy operation or not.

As I am trying to sort as much out remotely before going to view and buy the car anybody got any tips for me

Cheers!

Edited by AlpineF30 on Saturday 1st November 21:35

Edited by AlpineF30 on Saturday 1st November 22:58

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

I’d probably avoid a Birmingham or Luton BMW. It’s not really the dealer , it’s more the kind of life it would have had if it has spent its life in those areas. I mean there could be exceptions …

[ChocolateFrog]

Avoid Scotland, Bradford and Birmingham.

Has served me reasonably well.

I try and buy from the south and not a coastal town.

[ZX10R NIN]

AlpineF30 said:

Evening all!

The time has come to replace my trusty E61 520d and a F15 X5 has been an itch I want to scratch.

In Belfast good spec and miles means astronomical prices compared to GB so willing to travel to get one.

Issue being a lot of X5 s seem to be in either Birmingham or Luton and are of an age they are in independant used dealers and seems to be a complete minefield as to whether it s a dodgy operation or not.

As I am trying to sort as much out remotely before going to view and buy the car anybody got any tips for me

Cheers!

Edited by AlpineF30 on Saturday 1st November 21:35

What's your price point?

Budget?

Model?

Edited by AlpineF30 on Saturday 1st November 22:58

[AlpineF30]

Hey,

Price point would be 20-25k

Model

30d/40d M sport

[ZX10R NIN]

40d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508225...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507114...

30d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511037...

As you can see there are a few AUC options seeing as you're willing to travel you will find a good one & as you can see thers a great variety of cars from all over the UK.

[Decky_Q]

I'm in NI and buy most of my cars in South or middle England and take them back on the ferry. Last one was from Wales, Nottingham before that, but usually nice spec and well maintained desirable cars around London/Kent.

It costs about £400 in my experience to get to see the car and have return journey set up, if the car is a lemon or seller hasnt been honest, theres an incentive to dismiss issues, but better to lose £400 and walk away.

As for where to look, pistonheads of course!
Autotrader is very popular with most sellers.

Ask as many questions as possible, but make sure they're relevant, dont piss them off asking the obvious or something that's already said in the advert, I've asked for videos of start up sequence on the dash, sound of engine running with bonnet open etc and finally I deal with people that can meet me at the airport or ferry terminal closest to where they live, this has surprisingly always been accommodated.

Finally I would 90% buy privately as you aren't going to come back for fixes or issues anyway so the warranties arent worth anything, I've bought from main dealers but that was on the car and price not because I expected support with problems.

Pay by bank transfer and know your daily limit before travelling, I've been caught out with transfers not going through for hours on a sunday, or being limited to how much I can transfer in one lump to a personal account, card reader is usually required for bigger transfers so dont leave it at home!