X5 2011 4.0D - thoughts pls?

[ugene425]

Hi there

I am strongly considering buying this car, click on below link. It looks clean, has the 'ideal' engine (in my humble opinion) and the powered tailgate extra I think is very handy for the wife (not that she knows that yet)! I can negotiate on the price.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... romSA=true

Looking forward to hearing peoples thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

[snrbrtsn]

Very Nice looking, very light on optional extras
A thorough road test listening for knocks and avoid impulse buying!

[ugene425]

It is based over 200 miles away but I will need to test it first, as then need to get a tracker fitted to it before I can even drive it away! New MOT when I buy it too. 3 month warranty included with W Wise (not sure how good they are)!

It doesn't have loads of extras, agreed. Heated seats it does have and a powered tail gate (I like this). I don't mind about the sun roof as these are costly if they go wrong.

Clean BMW history, low mileage, black leather (preferred given we have expanding family), 2 owners from new and 20 inch alloys.

What else?

[Groken]

As far as history goes its had oil change at 25k, 36k and 52k , one fuel filter, air filter and cabin filter and brake fluid replaced twice. Not that bad but it will need all the filters replaced next time and if you do plan to have it trouble free for a while do oil changes every 10k at least.

[ugene425]

Wow  - really helpful to know that info, thank you! Can I ask how you found this out? Anything else in the history I need to be aware of? I think the car has run flats.

Yes I would want to maintain the car as best as I can. It would be doing around 3,500 miles a year I reckon, certainly under 5,000.

Given the higher costs, I don't think I would continue taking it to BMW to be serviced. There is a garage down the road from me who I could use? They are not 'BMW specialist'. Does this matter as would be saving a lot of money by using them I think.

[snrbrtsn]

I believe the main thing is, as long as it’s serviced, ideally use genuine filters though not essential Knecht or Mann filters with good quality oil shall suffice (keep invoices / stamps if possible)
I self service every year, all filters and oils due to low mileage use!

With the reduced annual mileage you’d be wise to factor in a couple of long runs to blow the cobwebs and get things up to temperature, though the 4.0d is not an optimum choice for such low mileage’s, as previously mentioned their not the best option of city car.....

The worst thing you could do is overpay on a low spec, low mileage example
Ultimately, you need to define a spec list of must haves and nice to haves...
Their very costly to retrofit!

[ugene425]

Well it states this car has been serviced only by BMW, so one cannot ask anymore than that I guess, right?

We certainly would be doing a few longer journeys each year. 1 to Scotland, 1 to Devon and then a few to Bucks and Oxford as well as some Surrey visits. In addition to some driving in London.

The 4.0D seemed to be a more economical engine over the 3.0D as well as having that extra poke when needed. About £100 p/a difference in the insurance so why not?

In your opinion what would be a good price to pay for this car?

Must haves - heated front seats and black leather interior, M Sport, bluetooth, wider sat nav display, privacy/tinted glass on passenger windows
Nice to haves - reversing rear camera, seven seats, electric tail gate, sun roof (although this is a costly one when it goes wrong I understand)

[Groken]

As a garage I'm registered with Bmw so I can update service history online but at the same time I can check history as well. As far as main dealer servicing goes you need to understand that car manufacturers try and minimise the cost off ownership for the first 3 years so most new cars our on long life service intervals. It makes new car ownership more attractive and lack of proper maintenance won't be affecting first owner or dealers during warranty period but second and third owner will be hit in increased cost of repairs.

As for parts, Bmw doesn't make a single filter and they will use either Mann or Mahle from factory also if your local garage is good they will have no problem looking after your car.

If you are going to be doing less than average mileage per year why buy I car with lower than average mileage in the first place, you could by higher mileage now and when time comes to sell it it will be average mileage vehicle, I'm sure somewhere in there you would loose less in depreciation vs initial cost

[ugene425]

Fair question. My answer is a lower mileage car is always better than higher mileage in my opinion, subject to FSH etc. There are always if's and buts, however thats the way I have always bought my cars. Not for everyone I know and it leaves me buying less extras too (rather than a higher mileage which likely has a few more extras).

I am wondering whether it is worth paying £100 pcm for the BMW warranty on this car. Excess is £250. It is a lot of money for me to spend, but then massive peace of mind going forward.

[X5Sport]

When you think that replacement transmission parts or a new idrive system under the warranty will cost you just the excess but without will be £thousands then it makes a lot of sense.

The after-market warranties do not cover as much - one reason they are cheaper - and frequently do not include any diagnostic work, it makes it easier to swallow.

I still have my BMW warranty on the X6 and buying monthly means the premium stays the same.  It has a very expensive rear diff and it only needs one major fault and all of the premiums are covered 

[ugene425]

You do have a point, but one also has to draw the line at some point in terms of budget and cost! £1,200 is a lot per annum to pay for a warranty (plus £250 excess) for me anyway it is! Your absolutely right that it only takes one major claim and then you've made money back so to speak.

Noted on the cheaper after market warranties. Thought as much. You get what you pay for I guess.

Are these LCI X5 really that unreliable? Or is it just that if your unlucky and something major goes wrong the bill could be well into the thousands?!

[graemeX5]

Hi

My X5 went in for an MOT and a misfire and it cost BMW 3.5weeks of. Time and a spark plug , two ignition coil leads and 8new fuel injectors, they charge £175 and hour now although they could only work on it when cold as it was a cold start misfire.

I reckon the repair bill was approx £1500, and I was really glad I had their 2year used car approved warranty which I got with the car in my deal, as I just paid £39.95 for the MOT, and that is a result.

If the car truely has Full BMW service history you can check with BMW and you should be able to get one of their warranties. There not cheap but they are the best around and remember a big repair bill can occur. Also you can opt to pay an excess on each claim.

For me I got offered no excess policy at £1700 or £1100 with a £100 excess or £750 with a £250 excess so I initially went for the cheapest but changed my mind and instead went for the £100 excess option, and remember they do have some flexibility so you can always haggle on the price as they are trying to sell the policy to you.

Graeme