Buying new X5 help

[gavp84]

Evening All,

Looking for a bit of advise. So I have gone and had a look at a few cars now and trying to make my decision but wanted to see what you guys think about one of them.

It has an Oil leak but the owner says he hasn't had it looked at yet. Now I know this could obviously be a range of things but is there any costly usual suspects to worry about here?

Also it has an advisory on the last mot of rear suspension bushes, are these costly on these cars?

Other than that this car is in perfect condition with a ridiculous amount of history, more than I have ever seen on such an old car (03 plate).

I'd be happy for any advise/opinions.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Regards

[henrym3]

I appreciate this car has a ridiculous amount of history but maybe it tells you something because none of it covers fixing the oil leak or suspension. The oil leak could be anything, cam covers, crankshaft oil seal, sump, etc, If your paying someone to fix it then its unlikely to be cheap on these vehicles. BTW you didn't say what engine. Someone saying you need suspension bushes means they really all need changing so you then have a number of years trouble free motoring. Not cheap. But hey, what is cheap, your pockets may reach your ankles and be stuffed with £50 notes, mine are an 1" deep and full of pennies.

[graemeX5]

Hi

There are a lot of bushes in the Rear and if handy with spanners and you have the jacks etc it's not too costly but part otherwise it paying someone and that is always expensibe, probably 300 a side minimum. And if you do just say two the rest won't be far behind but when all done the car is a lot better as some on here have replaced them all.

The oil leak is a worry wherever it is coming from on a diesel poss from the manifold or poss the sump etc etc but unless the price reflects the cost of repair better to look at the next car, as a bad one will hurt your pocket.

Graeme

[gavp84]

Sorry I should have said it's a petrol 4.6is

[X5Sport]

If the leak is coming from in the valley between the 'V' then walk away.  Deep pockets needed!

[gavp84]

Ok.

I had a look and couldn't see where it was coming from.

Would a warranty cover the work?

Thanks

[henrym3]

A lot of the leaks on these are caused by the crankcase vent system  being blocked causing excessive internal pressure which has to be relieved. That internal pressure will get out, normally by popping the weakest seals. Check the paper work as to when the crankcase ventilation system was replaced. If it hasn't been renewed your pretty much wasting your time fixing oil leaks. Can be a difficult job.
When checking for leaks with the engine cool run your hand round the cam cover where the seal is. Take the cover of the top of the engine, look between the heads in the V as X5sport mentioned, with a good torch and if you see oil, walk away.
It's still a brilliant vehicle though.

[AW8]

The oil leak likely to be rocker gaskets on the V8 engine in that car. From recollection when mine were last done the job took about  2 or 3 hours. I was told by a bmw technician that rocker gasket failure often on back of increased pressure from  perished PCV hoses.  The rocker work on mine was done privately by an ex bmw mechanic who has since opened his own independent workshop so price I paid irrelevant to you. He changed both gaskets as no point only doing one side. He also changed my PCV hoses. I think that took an hour or two....very fiddly job.


The rear bushes book around 1.5 - 2 hours a side so allow 3- 4 hours labour. I had these done too.

Labour at. BMW independent typically £60 or £70 per hour. Best case scenario 6 hours without the PCV hoses but waste of time and money to do the gaskets if leaving  perished or original hoses.

I advise to go original BMW or Lemforder on the rear subfame bushes....I would consider powerflex but only if swapping out all major bushes.

If gettting all 3 issues sorted at main dealer expect little change from £1000 for labour plus parts which will be circa £350.

If dealing with an indy using non original but decent parts allow total bill nearer half or a bit more of that.

I do small jobs on mine and sercicing on anotger BMW we have but wpuld not fancy doing any if these 3 jobs. The rear subframe bushes need to be extracted with a special tool - the alternative is to chisel them out but there is a risk of damage not to mention it is unwise to smash hell out of rrar suspension. In any case I woukd recommend a 4 wheel camera alignmment afterwards....allow at leaat another £100 twice that at a main dealership. A total waste of time getting alignment done by amatuers so forget popping into local exhaust center on a saturday morning with some cash in your hand....been there & done that.

I have owned my V8 4.4i Sport for 10 years & since 60k miles showing. It has currently showing 148k on odometer. I know what it is like caring for a V8 X5 long term......Trust me when I say every V8 will need rocker gaskets, PCV hoses & rear subframe bushes -  it is simply a case of when. If you buy a car with all this work done then great but do not expect a car not displaying these issues to not need them at some time in ownership unless done recently or if you dont intend to keep for long.

If you wish to state mileage indicated & mileages of any other work already done I may be able to comment further as to what you can expect or should allow for if planning to keep the car a while. Sadly many get rid onve they have a bill over £200.....hence cars with overlooked maintenance often change hands regularly.

Don't be put off by a stack of old bills....they can indicate a problematic car but more likely indicative of something cared for in a past life at least.

Appreciate above won't all be pleasant reading but I am confident in my reply.

Any work identified to be done needs careful costing & should ideally be refected in price. If seller reckons cost to sort is less then agree a sale price subject to them getring car sorted producing a detaiiled invoice and the old parts. These cars are getring on a bit now...Be prepared to source a car that needs some niggles sorting albeit. Aim, (but don't always expect), for cost of car plus cost of work ro not to significantly exceed what you might get if selling on once car sorted.

Many seller will be reluctant to reduce sale price to reflect work required or sort a car prior to sale......they will instead wait for a less careful buyer.

Also worth mentioning the obvious - tyrres & brakes. Costly at best of times -more so on 4.6is &/or 4.8is. (£2k quote likely a main dealer), and be really thorough checking adjustable twin axle suspension.

If you havent done so already maybe read my E53 used buyers guide....I have just tidied it up, changed some content and re-edited it.

Good Luck

[AW8]

As for the warranty query. Warranties are not meant to sort prior non disclosed existing issues for excess cost only.

[gavp84]

Hi AW8,

Thank you that helps loads in what I'm going to do and don't worry you have not put me off at all.

These jobs will need to be done and I appreciate your help.

The car had an inspection 2 3k miles ago and disks and breaks being changed 7k miles ago. Tyres are Michelin Damaris and all 4 changed 2k miles ago.

It's going in today to have the radiator and fan replaced.

Cheers

[strummer]

Walk away and find a trouble free car

[gavp84]

Strummer,

Thank you for your input however there is no such thing as a 13 year old car that is trouble free!!

[Greydog]

You say the car is going in for a new rad and fan replaced ?? Have you brought it?
If you haven't yet make sure that everything works as it should every switch every button, there are no quick or cheap fixes.
Suspension bushes if they are going I would budget to change front and rear and as AW8 advises negotiate against the price.
The oil leak needs investigation before you commit if it's in the garage could they not at least look at it? Again following AW8's advice if you are committed to the car use it as a negotiation point.

A warranty will never cover pre-existing conditions or wearing parts but are a real safety blanket if something big goes pop.

[gavp84]

No I haven't bought it yet, the current owner is putting it in today through his warranty.

I was there yesterday and all was working fine.

[strummer]

Well we all pay our money and take our chances,I hope it goes well for you they are a great car