Buying an X5

[Benforest]

Hello,

Been reading quite a lot of guides to buying an x5. What to look for etc. I’m looking at spending about 3 3.5k with around 100, 125k mileage. I’m not bothered engine wise but leaning towards petrol at the moment however. This price also leaves some money for maintenance/repairs.

My main question is - Auto is a must for me I have been looking for one with reconditioned gearboxes is this esential at the mileage I’m looking at?

I know to check the bushes have recently been changed is there anything else major to check?

Thanks in advance.

[Dave ett]

[quote="Benforest"]
Hello,

Been reading quite a lot of guides to buying an x5. What to look for etc. I’m looking at spending about 3 3.5k with around 100, 125k mileage. I’m not bothered engine wise but leaning towards petrol at the moment however. This price also leaves some money for maintenance/repairs.

My main question is - Auto is a must for me I have been looking for one with reconditioned gearboxes is this esential at the mileage I’m looking at?

I know to check the bushes have recently been changed is there anything else major to check?

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]Mine is for sale in Gloucestershire. It's up in the 'For Sale' section: 4.4 V8 with 122,000 on the clock and I'm looking for £3k.

Nothing wrong with the gearbox!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[AW8]

If not read already, my E53 ramblings can be found on this board as a sticky thread.

Re auto boxes........

Recon or refurb could be a full strip down, a comprehensive  rebuild,  or a box that has had far less work

Replacement could mean a brand new box or the swapping out for a recon or refurbished item.

Sadly some sellers &/or suppliers of above can lie.....I  suggest you ask for supporting  paperwork &/or invoices for any of the above. A proper test drive in causing box to be used in mixed driving conditions is arguably wise.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Benforest"]
Hello,

Been reading quite a lot of guides to buying an x5. What to look for etc. I’m looking at spending about 3 3.5k with around 100, 125k mileage. I’m not bothered engine wise but leaning towards petrol at the moment however. This price also leaves some money for maintenance/repairs.

My main question is - Auto is a must for me I have been looking for one with reconditioned gearboxes is this esential at the mileage I’m looking at?

I know to check the bushes have recently been changed is there anything else major to check?

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

Apologis for responding a few days late but Ive been working across the pond. I speak as one of the higher mileage forum participants. (I think)..I bought my 2004 E53 3.0 D Sport Auto with 72k miles on the clock. It now has 256k miles and I haven't (yet) had the gearbox rebuilt or the oil changed. But .......I would say read as many posts as you can on the four about gearbox changes/reconditioning/oil changes. Just because mine has been fine, so far at least, doesn't mean your will be, So read the posts, then take your decision from there

Smee

[henrym3]

I don't think you should let yourself get paranoid about these SUV's. The more you read the more worried you get. At the end of the day you have to be realistic, you are buying a 15 year old vehicle with 100k plus mileage, probably had a good few owners and not all of them will have had servicing done. At that mileage bushes and ball joints will have seen better days. V8 will be at or near chain guide replacement, big bucks if you can't do it yourself. Like wise bushes, I'm on 140k, chain guides haven't been done, gearbox is fine and unlike Smee mine has had g/box oil changes every 50k. So they can last with or without oil changes. Luck of the draw. Whatever you choose,, do a decent length test drive, drive it hard and easy, make sure you brake hard from speed to a stop and check the g/b doesn't hard down change. Why take on someone else's problems. Service history is important but don't rely on it. My son sold one with virtually no history and it reappeared 2 months later with full service history. If at all possible take a code reader with you, if you find an E53 with no fault codes I'll eat this computer. It's always a good bargaining point. The very best of luck

[Lyons]

If anyone is looking for a perfect example a bit further up the price bracket, mine will be for sale in a couple of months. 55 plate 3.0D with 81k.

[Horizon]

Yes I agree, spend a little more and get a lower mileage one , this even has comfort seats and has half the mileage on than some at 3.5k

[Lyons]

Jeepers!! That is a bargain!!