Potential new owner-NOW AN OWNER!!!!!

[paddy wright]

Hi, I know im not active on this forum (dont worry I will be a post whore like I am on the z4-forum if I get one) Currently still in the z4 (will be keeping as a fun car as well as the x5- after 6 years theres no way I could ever part with it now)After musing over many 4x4s over the years Im now torn between a new x3 and a 07 x5.  The x5 at about 18-19k will be the same monthly cost as the new x3 but with the bonus of owning the car at the end which looking at three years time may be a blessing financially as i intend to have kids by then and would be good to have the option of having lower outgoings for the first few months.

I have found a really nice AUC and was wondering what I should be looking at/asking if its done on a late 07 x5.
I would normally research myself but this car has come when I wasn't really looking but may fit my needs so any model specific advice would be greatly appreciated (3.0d se)
Thanks.
Paddy

[535dboy]

If an 07 check the Co2 emissions

Some of the early ones fell in to a higher tax bracket.

[huck]

[quote="535dboy"]
If an 07 check the Co2 emissions

Some of the early ones fell in to a higher tax bracket.
[/quote]

That's right. Thought I'd done my research with my E70 and was disappointed when I realised tax was 400+, as opposed to mid 200's.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

[Avtar]

That is the case if the engine is built pre September 2007, if I recall correctly

[paddy wright]

Thanks guys- the one I have my eye on is a nov 07 so should be ok but will check build date if I go to see it.  Are there any other serious things to look at - do they have swirl flaps? Are there tell tale signs of gearbox issues or turbo failure?  What gremlins am I liable to find in the idrive?

[X5Sport]

Yes they do have swirl flaps.  Only the E53 escaped those horrors, but having said that there have been no reported issues with the latest versions and they are fitted across almost the entire model range now.  It seems the issues were with the 2001/2 cars more than the later/current models.

The E70 got a later version Mk2 ZF 6-speed gearbox and it has proved to be more reliable than the first generation version.  The early (CCC) iDrive is slow and less capable than the current (CIC) version.

As someone with a new child, I wonder if an X3 would be big enough?  I'm amazed how much cr@p has to be carried when we go away, and I now have a roof box on the X6.  The underfloor boot area is usually full of pushchair!!  I thought the X6 would be plenty big enough, but it gets completely filled.

Richard

[paddy wright]

Thanks richard- I assume that if they fail warranty will cover them anyway hence the reason for looking at AUC.  The car I have found has no satnav- is this a great loss?  How much could I negotiate down on that basis?

[X5Sport]

Be careful with even an AUC warrantied car.  There have been some horror stories on here from folks who have bought AUC to find a raft of jobs that the selling Dealer really should have fixed, but have done SFA about!!  At least you should get transmission/engine issues sorted properly though.

You can try talking them down, but what options are actually fitted?

You will need Bluetooth as a minimum.  If you know the last 7 characters of the VIN then you can get the 'build sheet' from BMW's website which will tell you what the car really has on it.

Richard

[paddy wright]

Test drove one today and must say i loved it!  Smooth, quiet and comfy!

[paddy wright]

When people say avoid the early 07 E70 what classes as early?  When was the switch in relation to co2 and tax?

[535dboy]

[quote="paddy wright"]
When people say avoid the early 07 E70 what classes as early?  When was the switch in relation to co2 and tax?
[/quote]

They launched in May 07 iirc and as posted above you need to get post nov 07 build or a good deal.

[paddy wright]

Post nov as in dec onwards or 08 on? Thanks

[X5Sport]

Jan 08 is probably the safest.  The build date is under the bonnet and it can take 6 weeks from build to delivery, so early 08 registered will probably get you away from the higher VED rates.

Richard

[535dboy]

Log book should say, ask to see it!

[paddy wright]

Found a nice SE that i am going to go and try on Friday and may do a deal- its Nov 07 but does have the higher tax bracket.  Do the connected drive apps work in the older Idrive?  Is Ipod integration simple? Sorry to only post asking questions, over time I will become more knowledgeable and able to help others as I do on the z4 forum. 

Any particular things to focus on for the test drive in ref the gearbox etc?

Thanks
Paddy