XSeries-forum

I'm not going to lie, I was more concerned about any increased danger to my kids. Clearly very naive on the subject but learning every day!

No, it has to be an X5. Just love em. Looked Range Rovers, Q7's, Cayanne's, Lexus but none hit the mark like a BMW.

Those folks who are de-catting and/or de-DPFing will find themselves with an issue as the current MOT (Sec 7.1) requires that if one was fitted at new by the manufacture then the lack of it is an automatic MOT failure.  A DPF is a type of CAT so if it's missing then.......BMWs standard unit is a Catalyser/DPF.

You can get a DPF for the E53, and BMW 'advise' owners to consider fitting them should the non-DPF type cat fail.  However the cost of fitting it and then getting the car through an SVA probably far outweighs any gains you might make on VED.

Apologies for joining the thread late...........My two penneth - I agree with other comments to stay way from 2007 car. maybe no issue for you but in 3-5 years time come resale it will be an issue for others looking to buy a used E70. If future resale a consideration I might look for 7 seats too.

Unforortunately we don't have an E70 buyers gyide on here despite my multiple hints & requests for someone to write one. I don't know the E70 well enough to confidently do so otherwise I would have written one to compliment the E53 buyer gude I wrote.

Emissions changes and lower VED affects diesel cars built from 7/2007 . I have no idea re exact VIN number change point.

LCI (last change incarnation....i.e facelift ) not the switch point to avoid the highes road tax you 1st spoke of.

sincere apologies for any repetition of prior comments or perhaps stating the obvious. Not had time to read every post above.

Yes, those E70 guys are lazy buggers not writing the guide. Shocking  O:-)

Thanks mate. All advice gratefully received. As always pros and cons either way. I will try and get an 08 plate but if not, if I get a fully loaded 2007 model I will take it. View being I intend to keep I at least 5 years and will the resale value still be vastly different to an 08? Especially if I pay £3-£4k less?

Just need to find one now. Seen a nice one but then it's Catch 22, £22.5k for a 2007? Would have snapped their hands off of it was 2008 but same car would then be £25k!

Hi been reading thread with interest.

I like spec of 1st car inc 7 seats but not road tax at 460 pa (only 10.00pwk) but I think it puts people off especially my wife who is very sensible and road tax always goes up.  One on saxtons had less spec more miles and more cost (fairly close to me) not good value by comparison. Lots of high milers but not good value.

It does seem difficult to get high spec car at that money, I did a search and you suddenly start going up in price.

You can always haggle make an offer as price is just the starting point or get them to include a years road tax.

if you can wait a little longer and can save a bit more then you could try and to get one with lower tax band it just depends on how quick you need the car.

Was going to say if you're worried about the extra £200 tax..... Then I think the X5 isn't for you.  You'll have a bit of a shock with running costs..,

I personnaly don't have a problem in theory with the high tax, its just the thaught of it!!  I also don't think its much of an issue now as all the cars are 15k -25k I think the problem will be 6 years form now when they are 5k+ and if you think ved goes up by inflation so by then it will likely be £600+ per year or 10% or more of the cars value just in ved, can sort of understand why they introduced it but are people buying a new car for 50k really put off by £500 ved...no I thaught not, so all its doing is ruining the 2nd hand value of big cars, I think all cars with 4 wheels should be the same say £250 ved, as you pay the extra in fuel duty, e.g my sisters peugoet is £20 per year (dropped from £30) does 70mpg, my dads xkr is £460 does 17mpg, also have you heard the government is actually losing money now on ved as so many people have bought greener cars and so many manufactures have made models greener, just go back to the old system 1.5l and below one band 1.5l and above another band!....rant over!

bear in mind that if the government decides to rejig the VED banding we could all end up paying £460pa. 

I cant ever see it going down but it wouldnt surprise me now that co2 emissions are reducing on lots of vehicles that they start moving things around so they still get the maximum money from the motorist

Right, the challenge continues! I have found a 57 plate X5. 7 seater, SATNAV, heated seats, media pack, dynamic pack, 47000 miles. He's come down to £21,000. I reckon I can get him to £20,500 however!! The cars on finance with BMW. He wants me to pay them my cash and then he will make up the difference if there is a shortfall. Is this a classic example of staying away....??

I think I would stay away, unless you can go to the dealer with him, pay off finance and leave with the car

[quote="Shez1878"]
Right, the challenge continues! I have found a 57 plate X5. 7 seater, SATNAV, heated seats, media pack, dynamic pack, 47000 miles. He's come down to £21,000. I reckon I can get him to £20,500 however!! The cars on finance with BMW. He wants me to pay them my cash and then he will make up the difference if there is a shortfall. Is this a classic example of staying away....??
[/quote]

YES! He could walk with your money! Tell him to pay the finance and you will THEN call BMW and check yourself the car has no finance. Once that shows as cleared you will then wait for the HPI check to reflect the same. THEN you will buy the car and even agree to tit in writing, if he need reassuring!

No way you pay him before that is cleared. The debt could end up be yours. And you make the phonecall to BMW finance yourself too. They will tell you if you have all the details and explain you are the next prospective buyer. I did this...

Another one off the list I don't see anyone else going for this so will keep it as a back-up. Seen every X5 on eBay, piston heads, Auto Trader, Exchange and Mart, Motors - time for a break!

And I thought buying a car was easy, your tiring me out and I'm only reading it  )

I' m sure there will be more on websites over weekend.

ps one thought have you had a look at British car auctions website as they dispose of loads of high end cars, and although you may not get a warranty you depending on how old you could get a separate one, or poss get a newer car

Absolutely have looked at auctions. Just petrified I'll buy one that's been clocked or had a knock and put back together!

Plus they are generally covered in dents, scuffs etc which isn't my idea of a near perfect car. Of course the argument is I will save £2k-£3k and can get it the way I want it.

Have asked a mate who is a regular at auctions to keep an eye out....