Very close to buying an X5. Need some serious advice!

[Imy]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and am looking into purchasing an X5. The one I have my eye on is a 2002 3.0 sport. I like it and the price is within budget, it's also lpg which works fantastic for me.
It's done 74k and has a full BMW service history. However there are no receipts for any previous work being done. It's also had 7 owners. The latest one is a rolls royce technician. I test drove it and it felt right. No knocks no rattles. The car looked clean and the chap seemed honest enough.

Being a 7owner vehicle and no receipts for work done should I be extra cautious? I will probably have it checked by my garage first and iv negotiated it to what I feel is fair price. But I guess as it will be yr most expensive vehicle I have ever bought by quite a long way I am slightly apprehensive.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

[Sanj]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Number of owners should not be indicative to the contion of the car, but no receipts/paperwork is not good. You need that. Have you tried ringing BMW to see what work they ever carried out on it, up to what mileage. See what you can find out about the history of the car before you take the plunge.

Phone up BMW based on the VIN number, phone the previous owner, where was the car located before it got to this dealer? May even have a local Indy garage that looked after it. If the heart rules over the head on this one be prepared to do all this afterwards. Other forum members have done the same.

I'd look at this buyers guide too before you go for it.

[Denis O]

I'm never sure why people get so hung up on owners. It could be a company car that the driver bought so 1 owner becomes 2. It could change hands within a family.

The Le Mans I just bought had it's last change of ownership on 17-12-10. The change previous to that was 3-12-10. 2 owners in 14 days. I suspect a trader registered it in his own name for some unknown reason.

Ownership change is not a panacea for crap car although if a dealers buying he'll tell you it is.

Judge the car on condition and service history.

[shadrack]

Don't know on the if its true but someone told me the number isn't actually the number of owners but the number of v5s issued on the vehicle so a plate change can be two owners and be the same one, when I hpi'd a privios car and counted plate changes, this corisponded with the previous keepers on the v5

[Imy]

Thanks for the responses!

The car is a private sale not dealer.

The number of owners isn't so much of a biggie as I know it's each time a v5 issued I.e private plate chane over, dealers etc
But it is the receipts that really get to me. It has only BMW service history except for the last one where the chap did it himself as he is a rolls Royce mechanic. I will try and take a look tonight and get the details of the dealers.

My knowledge is sound in terms of cars, but an X5 is way out of my comfort zone!

[dgm]

Just for your info, a plate change wouldn't effect the number of registered keepers.

[Woofer]

Has he got the old MOT Certs to confirm mileage, I'd check out BMW dealer visits as well to validate miles , finally a poor LPG conversion can be lethal , is there detail on who dit it and when?

Good luck

[Imy]

There wasn't every single MOT but there was a fair few. Also the service book correlated to the mileage as well, so I'm sure the mileage is genuine. Lpg was done 2yrs ago, it has the certificate with the company and it is a BRC system I believe which I have heard suit the x5 quite well.

Does anyone know of a good Indy or garage around Ealing in west london?

[Denis O]

Get the latest MOT Cert Number and put it in this website

http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/j ... equest.jsp

and it will give you all the MOT test info going back to 05 or 06. It also shows advisories which is an indication as to how the car has been looked after.

Agree with dgm; plate changes do not affect the number of owners.

[Sanj]

My plate changes have not resulted in additional keeper counts.

And nearest Ealing Indy I know of is Jason, himself!

Get on to BMW for any info they have on their system.

[AW8]

Re the service and maintenance. Once you know dates/mileages inspections the stamping dealer should be able to tell you what work was done.

Even the most thorough buying scrutiny cant guarantee problem free ownership ahead.

I believe you have been given a link to the buyers guide.

Treat it as any car, check paperwork, history, prescence and function of key remotes. Check function of everything.

If I was closer I would happily look it over for for a drink or maybe two but I am a good 2 hrs or so away. It's not just about checking technical function it is about evaluating condition and having an idea of cost to sort any issues found.

An indy can scan for fault codes too.

HPI /RAC check is essential.

Many by used & have to pay big bucks to soon after sort items. Not trying to scare you off but be careful unless confident.

Take the site buyers guide printed &/or print a decent used car check list.

Good Luck

[Imy]

Thanks for all the responses!

I will definitely be taking it to an Indy for peace of mind! Who is Jason?

[Sanj]

[quote=""Imy""]Who is Jason?[/quote]

Reputable Independent - with bad hair and bad sense of fashion. But search for posts by jason@bwchiptune and you'll get the picture...

[Imy]

Sweet, he's only in Hounslow as well! Just down the road from Ealing. Will definitely call! Cheers mate