Facelift 3.0 petrol - buying advice?

[gmc15]

Towbar was an extra. The car will have the wiring ready for the electrics for a towbar in the form of a plug in socket at the rear of the car. If you remove the centre panel in the rear bumper and look up inside the bumper, if a towbar has been fitted, there will be a hole where the betachable towball fits and there should also be the electric sockets - mine has a single 13 pin one.

Graeme.

[StumpyPete]

I've had three petrol 3.0i X5s (two E53s and my current E70), and thoroughly enjoyed the higher revving fun that comes with them. MPG about 22-23 for all three. However work out the additional cost of fuel versus the savings you make on purchase price and you see that actually it can be cheaper to own the Petrol (not saying it is in all cases). It is not as clear cut as most people believe. The Diesels carry a significant premium.

TV could be due to poor analogue signal. Factory tow-bar was an option so lots of them don't have it. None of mine did.

[Sit]

Thanks for the replies chaps - I think it sounds like a goer, will check for tow bar this afternoon when we go to look and test drive. Anything I need to listen out for or look out for on the test drive??

Encouragingly sensible MPG figures you achieved stumpy pete, if I can get around 18-20 then that will be fine, i just drove past local petrol station and there is 6p between petrol and diesel now so the savings are starting to become clearer.

One thing I noticed on start up yesterday was the engine sounded fairly 'tappety' now I know for a fact it hasn't been started or driven since early December so would this be a result of being stood still?

Can the analogue tv be upgraded at all? Not that I am fussed about it in the front but it has the AV console in rear of armrest.

Si

[CondorX5]

This one may just have preceded the digital tvs.....if so, analogue has been shut down in many areas, so snowy pics will happen Retuning is easy via the nav controls - the analogue reception is very good if there is a signal. You can put a digital unit in at great cost (not worth it) or simply plumb in a digi box (guys on here will help you do the mods!!!). Towbar is a detachable - look under the boot floor next to the spare for the hitch, sometimes they are missing though (you can buy them on ebay or via westfalia) so check under the rear detachable plate if the bar has been fitted. If not, it can be retrofitted by an indy for around £300 (BMW want about £800!!!!)
Tappetty sounds....see how it runs after you have driven it, maybe just not being used for a while. Wasn't the quietest engine from what I remember of mine, but should sound smooth when warmed up.....

Check the parking sensors work (often don't), check all the electrical thingies, check the audio all works. If its upgraded audio, you will see the DSP option on the nav menu.
Check the tyres - should be all four same make or at least two tyres of same make on each axle. Check state of brake discs and the lip on the disc.

I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable among us will advise further.......good luck and hope you're in an X sometime soon!

[Sit]

Thanks for that condor, written myself out a little checklist for the things you mentioned. It's showing due a service on the indicator so called up my local Indy who has quoted for an inspection 2 - then I know all has been done. From memory I don't think it has the DSP option which is a shame. May have to go the custom sub route to improve the sound as I do enjoy my music.

I did notice it has the aux heater fitted which was on the nav menu - from reading some other posts this is quite unusual on a petrol model by all accounts?!? Will check the removable cover for tow hitch fitting - would e superb if it was already there - I have quite a large jetski to tow around sk if it's already on there it's happy days!

Well fingers crossed! Will keep you posted on how it goes.

Si

[Waka]

That sounds a bargain.

If it's got plenty of history than snap it up...and don't forget to post plenty of pictures on here when you do

[CondorX5]

Hmm...mighty unusual to have an aux heater in a 3.0i petrol, not impossible.....are you sure you aren't confusing it with the aux ventilation option on the menu? This isn't the same as the aux heater....it allows cooling of the car as preset on the timer.....
Shame about the DSP as the standard set up isn't fantastic, apparently, but as you say, some aftermarket sub installation will fix that. But it sounds nice, so let us know....

[Sit]

Ok had a lovely drive in it, combination of A roads and town driving which is mainly what we will be doing. Frighteningly at the beginning of the drive the consumption on the dash was showing 7.1!!! I am assuming that this is due to no use and only being moved around a forecourt as during the test drive it started climbing.

It was lovely to drive, think moving off from roundabouts/junctions will take some getting used too, I tried nipping into a gap and nearly snapped my neck! Is this usual and is there a remedy to smooth out power delivery?

It is indeed aux ventilation, I assumed it was one and the same but clearly not - what does this function do?

No tow bar receptacle unfortunately do need to factor that into purchase.

It's due am Imspection 2 but had very reasonable quote from local indy.

Front discs are pretty much new but the rears will need replacing soon, what sort of cost is this??

All electrics worked and after 10 mins the 'tappety' noise disappeared ad it sounded like I imagined a straight six would. Not overt impressed with stereo so will definitely do some research on aftermarket speaker/sub upgrades.

All in all a stunning car, it's in the grey colour with grey leather and silver dash inserts, standard 19" alloys with good tyres all round.

Anyone think of anything I have missed or should have a look at?
Si

[AW8]

Bear in mind the Insp 2 is the big one with the plugs. You should also potentially allow for having to spend out to sort some yet undiscovered matters.

Insp 2 at an indy likely to be circa £300 plus any work they find that it may need. Roughly service inspections come around every 15-17k so if around 70k and overdue be careful the service hasn't been purposely delayed. If it has it's not likely to mean likely technical problems, ( say if it's had a small stretch between 2 oil changes), but significant delays can point towards someone not paying to keep the car well maintained & possibility of issues being passed on. Coolant should have ideally been changed every 4 yrs & brake fluid every 2 years so if overdue allow for these also say £150. You can get decent rear discs for circa £65 from motormec & reckon an hours labour around similar money to source cost at an indy so say £150 or a bit more. Detachable towbar wont leave much change from £350 with proper wiring kit.

So your probaly in for £450 for Insp 2 & rear discs £850 if you additionally want a BMW digi/hybrid tuner £1200 with the towbar if you fit it (bumper off & drop the exhaust to fit), maybe £150 for someone else to fit it so £1350 or £1500 if you do the brake & coolant too. I know you may change in a year or so but by 75-95k it will likely need rear bushes (£350 at indy) & front CV joints boots (another £350 at indy).

Factor in a hidden suprise like an old battery & your ICE upgrade & your 10k car potentially becomes £12k upwards very soon & that assuming the rims and paint are totally acceptable to you.....Developing that a bit £12k can also buy a well haggled £13-13.5k car or at least one with a towbar, up to date history & needing less £'s to sort.

I genuinely hope you have found the perfect car at the perfect price. however, experience & many considered comments owners & people that work on these cars confirms that big bills to upgrade spec & maintain adequately can add up quite quickly.

I havent seen the car & it may be a real gem just needing an inspection stamp & 2 discs. I would however want to look at that mpg again. If I reset my average mpg and sit with enine at idel it returns 7.1mpg so dont be too concerned. That said if wanting peace of mind take it for a 20 min drive or let it idle for 30plus mins then reset the average mpg on the computer and take it for another run then check the mpg again. To reset mpg so it merely measures your driving you use right hand push button/knob control >go to main menu on the big screen>select computer>select or scroll to either Consumption 1 or Consumption 2>press the same control & it will highlight same giving option to recalculate. Select this option & car should then calculate the average mpg- be sure to remember whether you reset Consumption value 1 or 2.

You say it's an SOR car. Be careful to clarify with dealer where you stand. If trader is selling for a private individual then he is quite likely to later argue he has zero obligation to you if you have problems post sale. Something else to consider maybe. Additionally be very careful re how & when you pay. The last thing you want is to end up with a car that the last owner hasn't cleared the finance on. If he/she doesnt use the money to clear outstanding finance then you run risk of ending up with nothing form your outlay if it gets repo'd by finance company later.

Also HPI ( or equivalent check), & check VIN numbers against the car & paperwork carefully, (a good guy I used to speak to ended up buying an X5 with VIN numbers not matching..........very embarassing & awkward for him).

My genuine aim isn't to put you off buying a good car but to help you consider matters fully by allowing for worst case scenarios, (& reduce risk of future grief).

Sincerely wishing you good luck

[Sit]

AW8 - many thanks for your detailed reply and also thank you for your old post about purchasing an X5, it has been read many times!!!!

Lots of associated costs to consider which i have been sitting down and working out tonight. I had a quote of £305 from an indy for Insp 2 service including the antifreeze and brake fluid so thought that was reasonable. The only thing he couldn't quote for was one of the filters as he said the 3.0 uses two types and it would depend which one was fitted to this specific example.

The history up until now has been BMW dealerships so would like to think it has been taken care of, if someone was scrimping wouldn't they use fred in a shed??

The trader is a good friend of mine hence the tip off that the owner will let it go for less than window price, it would have to come with 3 months warranty as being sold through the garage. I spoke with them regarding the finance on the car and i would settle this directly with BMW finance so the owner would not be in possession of the funds at anytime and i would receive written confirmation from BMW that the finance has been cleared.

Will do full HPi check and check all the numbers carefully, in relation to stamps roughly how many should be in the book for an '04 reg car??

Thanks for all your help, i dearly want to buy the car as we were both so impressed with it - just want it to be right and don't intend to rush.

Si

[AW8]

Right.............starting to sound a bit better, the comments re the trader being good friend speak volumes.

Now I have said this a few times on here now.........Glad my ramblings of some use

Genuinely nice to hear you & yours both impressed with the car. I have driven a 3.0i and found it a very good drive.........a little lighter on front end than mine & suprisingly urgent off the mark in town. Unless looking for more effortless autobahn speeds it should be all the X5 you'll need.

Quick extra comment & re rear discs ; unless they are badly warped, severely corroded or damaged they shouldn't need changing immediately........then again I haven't see them & you have.

Fingers crossed you do the right deal - car sounds great

[bigshout]

I had a face lift 3.0i a couple of years ago, fully spec'ed however I was alarmed at how hard you have to push the engine. The MPG is also poor around town, I was get about 17mpg. FYI the 4.4i facelift gives you over 100 horses extra, the SAME MPG, a better exhaust note, more options as standard and for the same money on the 2nd hand market. I went for the 4.4i after selling the 3.0i and never looked back. 320bhp provides plenty of grunt when it's needed.

[Sit]

Well the 3.0 fell through, the owner became greedy after agreeing on price so I walked away from the car, so I am still looking!!

After reading peoples replies on here I am considering a 4.4 as I would appear to be a better all round package whilst giving similar MPG.

I will be popping backwards and forwards to ask the odd question and keep you posted on my progress. Whilst writing this is there anything common on the 4.4 I need to look out for or is it similar to 3.0?

Thanks

Si