What is a reasonable low offer for this car?

[u751920]

  Hello All,
  I am preparing to buy an X5. Have seen this one:


2007Diesel4x4Automatic65500 miles
Looks New!, SILVER, Electric windows, Air conditioning, Parking aid, CD player, Height adjustable driver's seat, Height adjustable passenger seat, Folding rear seats, Child seat points (Isofix system), Metallic paint, Alloy wheels, Power steering, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Cruise control, Traction control, Roof rails, Central locking, Alarm, Immobiliser, Driver's airbags, Side airbags, Passenger airbags. £15,999

  Has one service stamp at 16k but no others - owner said BMW too expensive so had work done locally undocumented.  It's paper work seemed correct the owner purchased it new - has the receipt.

  From what I can tell it will need:
1. new tyres
2. new brakes
3. full service

  Otherwise drove fine.  My obvious concern is the lack of service - and thus any nasty surprises.

What sort of offers would people give for this car if they were to bid for it?
Thanks

[paulrog]

Low mileage which is good, but........

No BMW service history
Needs new tyres
Needs new brakes
Needs full service.

What I would do is to get a good valuation first (they cost a few pound online) then subtract some of the cost of doing the above, (I would take off half the cost of doing the above), and that's the value I would place on the car.

On the mileage as you don't have any history check the MOT history online, if the mileage creeps up nicely each year then the mileage could be genuine, look for any wear??

Reading the description you've posted it doesn't have any desirable options like SatNav, HUD, pana sunroof, comfort seat/access etc.

I think it's a private sale so you won't have any warranty either, a free parkers guide valuation on a 2007 3.0d on a good private sale shows £15,205 on 70K miles so I think its worth about £13K-£14K

[pcdee]

Also worth getting an AA check done too, if your spending that amount another couple of hundred won't hurt.

[u751920]

  Thanks for that.

It does have sat nav.  Also push start (do all X5's have this?).  I'm happy with the lack of refinements as it's less to go wrong.
  The only other concern I have is that it does not seem to be getting driven - there was rust on the side steps.

  I will see it again later this week but will be offering around the £10k mark as for around the £16k you can get "fully loaded" cars with full history.

[Nat]

Hi,


Just my humble opinion.

He is dreaming @ £16,000.  I have huge alarm bells ringing in my ears. Bought the car new and then said servicing was too expensive and no corroberating evidence. Its owned by a complete tightarse. I suspect it has NOT been serviced.
I am not saying walk away, but price it accordingly.

So add double what a major service should be,then add at least £1000 because there will be other issues. You dont say how long an MOT it has.
New tyres easy over a grand for quality rubber. New disks and pads and brake fluid change add another grand. Make it £1500 to account for incidentals.
Then punish the seller for no service history. ( so £1500 ( servicing ++ ) +£1500( quality rubber )+£1500 ( new brakes and fluids all round )and +£1500 ( for no service history) = -£6000.
I would check the car very very carefully. I would start at £9000 if everything works and I would not pay a penny over £10K for it.
Screams to me as neglected .

Not a rare car and not top specification.

Plenty more out there.

Just my opinion.

regards,

Nat.

[u751920]

  Ok thanks for that I was in fact thinking 9k myself as a starter.
  The service history is clearly an issue for this sale as he seemed quite rueful when I asked him about it.
  It is very odd that he lives on one of the most expensive roads in my area but couldn't be bothered to have a nominal BMW stamp on the record.
  TAX & MOT expire end of October - but as it was an AUG 07 build the resale value of these ones will plummet, particularly given it's provenance.

[Woofer]

I'd not touch it with yours as turbos tend to let go if oil is wrong spec or not changed, also you've probably missed at least 2 brake fluid changes so ABS pump could be knackered , plenty of properly looked after ones out there to go after.

At 9 grand might be worth a tickle though? With a 2 grand budget to do a full service and put new boots on?

[shadrack]

honestly 9k?  i somehow dont think he will sell it for that, punched a 2007 x5 reg into we buy any car, put the milage, no history etc and it spits out 13k, less the usual bit off your still looking at 11-12k, if he;ll accept 9k give me his number as ill pay 10k for it but his 15-16k is auc money really

[snipez999]

Smells of DIY servicing, or no servicing at all.  FFS what is the guy thinking when he is trying to kid someone that iy has ever even seen the inside of a BMW, or any competent, garage in the last nigh on 50k miles?!
Has to ask himself if he would buy it if offered by some pikey from the estate down the road??

[X5Sport]

RUN AWAY.........NOW!

[u751920]

  I'm surprised we buy any car has come back with such a high figure as most people tend to complain about thier valuations.
  It's definitely not DIY servicing - I jsut think he used a local firm.

  I think I will offer what my risk reward ratio is happy with and leave it at that.  I'll leave him my number and tell him I will be making a purchase in the coming days.  I mean it has a value to me just no where near what he wants for it - something I think he is realising.

[AW8]

I suggest full HPI or RAC data check, speaking to the local garage stated to have serviced it, asking why the local garage did not endorse the book, checking mileage and dates of all old MOT's, calling BMW UK to check for dealer visits to check it hasnt had visits with higher odometer reading(s), check wear on steering wheel, pedals and seats, check dates on tyres, maybe ask yourself why it has got through a set in 16k same goes re the discs unless corrosion is sole issue, consider paying an indy for indepent inspection. I would pay great attention to numbers matching on car, V5, service book and with BMW if able.

Only with above done will you be a le to correctly evaluate what  is a reasonable price to pay.

Gut feeling based limited info is this does not add up.

If sellers story & car are legit I suspect he may be reluctant to allow you to do all the above a& may  dis-engage as he wont want what he may see as hassle or may prefer to sell to someone for nearer the asking money.

Any car not stolen has a suitable price..............reality is suitable to clued up potential buyer is not always suitable to an optimistic seller. 

I would personally avoid if wanting this for my own use.

[Raj]

Personally I wouldn't buy it no matter how low he's willing to go. Too many unknowns and very sketchy history. May seem genuine but most who can afford a brand new motor will pay for basic servicing at the dealer just to maintain warranty. Warranty is void as soon as it's not serviced within correct mileage/time and at an authorised dealer.

[u751920]

  All said and done I don't mind the risk circa £9k.
  The car is mainly for the wife and kids pottering about locally so I would not look at it if I felt there was any real danger in driving it.  If it breaks down I'll just get it in the neck.
  In fact that's the other thing that concerns me, the level of local driving my wife will be doing, 7 one mile journeys per day every day.

  But I don't want to over analyse the choice, without trivialising the risk.

[Denis O]

The best advice on this thread is from Richard.

Lot's of others out there. These cars can be money pits under normal circumstances but this 1 is crying out to screw your wallet.

And if someone is asking £16k for a car then he ain't gonna let it go for £9k.