Newbie with a 3.0 diesel sport X5

[Dave Jennings]

Hi everyone I'm about to purchase a 2005 3.0 diesel sport. Its from a garage with 122k miles on it. Lovely condition with full service history.  I travel 80 miles a day to and from work on Motorways so expect around 30mpg. Anyone got any advice before I take the plunge please 

[Dave Jennings]

[chris.t]

[X5Sport]

Read the Buyers Guide on the forum.  The basic rule has to be to check everything, and I mean everything to make sure works properly and makes no unusual noises.  If you can, check it cold and unused overnight and then warm it up on the road.

Anything unusual, or doubts at all and walk away.  There are plenty of good ones to go with the bad ones.

GLWT purchase 

[Dave Jennings]

Cheers for that I will certainly will

[Dave Jennings]

Wow,  if I took all that onboard I'd never buy an X5. But that said the buyers guide is full of very useful information, so thanks for the info.  I guess all cars have their faults etc so it's up to the buyer to do a thorough check before they buy.

[X5Sport]

Absolutely.  There are plenty of very good examples unfortunately with a smattering of rubbish out there.  As long as you follow the guide for hints and tips you will go into any purchase forewarned and forearmed with things to ask and check.

[graemeX5]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

As X5Sport says check everything, more than once such as sunroofs and electric mirrors and folding ones as well as the usual checks on a car look for ones that are well maintained, and it should serve you well

Graeme

[AW8]

I first wrote the buyers guide some years ago. Much of it it what to look out for but much of it also explains spec differences. As the E53 gets older the reality is most cars will have some issues.  The sensible buyer might not find the perfect car, but will perhaps aim for allowing for cost to sort issues or niggles.

Hopefully you have found a good one.