2001 BMW X5 4.4i Sport

[Luke.]

Looking at one of these on Saturday and might well take the plunge. It's certainly a departure from my Boxster.

Been through the forum, but couldn't really find much info, apart from the diesels are best avoided and they like a drink.

Any views good or back would be welcomed. The car's only got 45k on the clock, is 2001 up at a smidgen under £10k and seems in good nick.

Cheers.

Edited by Luke. on Wednesday 10th November 15:12

[RockyBalboa]

Apart from:

1. Problems particular to 4x4 vehicles

2. Standard issues associated with the V8 (well documented for the E38 and E39s).

The only other thing I have seen is that the V8 X5s are more prone to timing chain-guide disintegration than the V8 E38 and E39s.

[8Tech]

The cars have self-destruct front thrust arm bushes as well as rear subframe bushes.Expect subframe bushes every 40k-50k miles if you refit stock bushes. Powerflex do replacements for both and you can rent a tool from ebay to do the job on the rear. Check electric windows are smooth as when they get sticky, they break regulators.
4.4i is almost as economical as the diesel and the E53 early car is far easier to work on than the later E70.
Run-flats need junking asap to improve the ride, grip and handling and as the car has a spare, and are double the price of performance tyres, the run-flats are a no no.
Squeaky tailgates have now got a cheap mod with sprung loaded stops. A good few suspension upgrades are available too with springs, roll bars and camberplates all available for the E53.

8Tech.

[Luke.]

Thanks for the posts so far. Interesting to hear the 4.4 is almost as economical as the diesel. Thought it only got about 18 MPG...

[Fox-]

The interesting thing about a 2001 X5 4.4i is that if it was a 540i instead it would be half the price, handle better, be quicker and aside from the whole 4x4 aspect be virtually the same car, given an E53 is effectively an off-road E39 (Same electronics, mechanicals, instrument clusters, etc etc).

Maybe something to bear in mind if you dont wish to go off roading.

[8Tech]

I Own both an E39 540i and an E53 X5 4.4i and they are very different cars. The E39 is an overall better ROAD car but the X5 is roomier, more flexible, easier to get in and out, has more useful carrying space and is ideal if you live in an area with a lot of speed ramps. I live near London and the X5 returns an average of 20.8mpg whereas a friend has a 3.0d which returns around 19.5 around town, so he is selling it for a V8.

On a long journey I prefer the E39 but around town, the X5 wins hands down.

8Tech.

[shocks]

Luke,

I've had/have a 4.4i V8 for a few years and it's been great - have an E39 as well and second what others have said here. Have a look at www.xdrivers.co.uk forum - in the E53 there is a decent buyers guide that covers more of the things to look for.

If it helps I've got the 4.4i V8 up for sale just now - might give you comparison to what your looking at http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2252122.htm

Cheers
Shocks