Potential Purchase

entropy · Post by **entropy** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:32 pm

Hi All,

Just joined the forum today as we have a family friend who is selling 2001 4.4 X5 and us contemplate buying it.

She's had it since 2003 and has put about 45k miles on it (5k a year) 90k in total now.

its been fully maintained by BMW and everything that has gone wrong has had no expense spared.

We will only be doing 5k miles a year so its not going to get hammered at all.

Work recently done in last 6 months is

new Battery
new Alternator
2 new door locks (said they weren't working properly)
She said its had a few other things going wrong with it which have been fixed but she can't remember of the top of his head.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow and just wondered if their are any other tips you may have?

I'll ask about the discs & pads etc - how long would you say they'd last if he's been doing 5k a year? Also if they did need replacing soon how much would that cost? ballpark

she didn't know about CV joints but if they were to go, how much would they be?

she's never had the gear box changed and my fear is that could go and be very costly but that could happen to any car I guess.

Lastly, he said he was thinking of selling for 6-7k. does this sound fair? prices on auto trader seems to fluctuate a bit lately.

bonerp · Post by **bonerp** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:29 pm

why worry about the box and cvs? Unless they are clonking...

Get a warranty for circa Â£350-Â£600 and that will remove concerns.

I did my brakes last year and was't too much, maybe Â£300 for discs and pads.

I had a suspension pump replaced at Â£1400 on the warranty. Worth having.

entropy · Post by **entropy** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:42 pm

Who do you have your warranty with? Suppose its just a worry on my mind with the miles it has on it.

what do you think to the price 6-7k? sounds like i'd get it for 6k would that be a good deal?

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:01 pm

Sounds nice but I would defo want it for 6k max, ask them to get a p/x price from a dealer and it will probly be 3-4k! Does it have comms pack, is it a sport or se? As for parts I did my rear discs and pads for Â£65, tbh its a buyers market for big cars and especially petrols

entropy · Post by **entropy** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:09 pm

Yep it's the sport with communication pack..

Tbh they said 6-7k but I'd live to get it for 5k.. Bit awkward with it being a family friend as would feel a bit funny arguing on price but your right re part ex price plus doubt many people are buying these 4.4 v8

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:36 pm

Also bear in mind that according to some in the motoring press, used 4x4 prices are about to tumble a bit as we have not had as bad a Winter this year as of late. The last two years have resulted in dealers buying up a fair few this year as a hedge to hold in stock - and now they need to offload them.

Of course that'll be the curse of the year, and now we'll get metres of the blasted stuff....

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:40 pm

Lots of useful advice here, also check the Buyer's Guide thread by AW8 on the forum home page.

Warm welcome though!

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:08 am

Pads/dics all around circ Â£220 for brembo discs plus jurid textar pads all around reckon on 3 hrs labour ( approx 45 mins per corner) at indy if not doing this yourself. Call it Â£40 sourcing own decent parts sensibly & getting same fitted at indy/local garage. Expect to pay Â£800 or more for all in at main dealer supplied/fitted.

I'd reckon on 60k from decent discs if you take it easy. Mine changed at about 75k & lasted around 30k until 105k maybe less on reflection on condition. In truth but questionable quality of last discs despite assurances. Parking outside wont help corrosion either.

At 90k if it hasnt had front outer cv boots (Â£300 all in at indy) & or rear bushes (Â£400), the casr will want them soon.

If battery over 5 years old allow Â£100, rocker gaskets & pcv hoses will need doing on a 4.4i prefacelift if never sorted yet , (though ideally done already as unlikely originals would still be good). If it's due an Inspection 2 you have to allow Â£400 or more as the plugs & oil will hit your wallet wherever you take it unless you have own supplies of same & they let you supply, (most wont welcome this).

Dont forget costs of any possible overdue brake fluid/coolant changes. Expect to sort odd rattles knocks & niggles. Mine is pampered but has has just had a front anti roll bar ( stabiliser) plus , a wishbone and new discs/pads/brake fluid.

I probably spend more keeping mine fit/healthy than some but I also know from speaking to indys that many come into workshops with similar issues/replacements parts needed.

If car you are buying has fbmwsh I would ask to see copy of the last Inspection reports.

If unsure re assesssing a purchase take someone with you who knows a little re these cars or ask a good bmw indy to give it a once over.

Plenty of indy's have had owners with recently accquired cars visiting for 1st time with bills over a grand & some far more.

Not trying to put you off & you could be lucky & buy a car needing nothing for a good while.......But I have warned you of potential issues -my futher ramblings are in the buyers guide faq.

Good Luck

entropy · Post by **entropy** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:21 pm

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I've just got back from the test drive.

Everything seems in good condition. The only thing i noticed whilst driving is that if you let go of the wheel it pulls to the left slightly so assume thats just a tracking issue?

I've got a copy of the MOT which was done in December and it has a couple advisory points.

Rear upper (offside and nearside) suspension arm has slight play in ball joint. Is this a serious/expensive issue?

Also says it has oil leak but no detail given. They were told by BMW garage that everything was ok though and those points are just advisory.

Only slight bummer is that he wants 6.5k for it and doesn't seem to be budging.

what do you think to the above?

5wany · Post by **5wany** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:32 pm

[quote=""entropy""]......

Only slight bummer is that he wants 6.5k for it and doesn't seem to be budging.....[/quote]

Sounds a bit dear, like he's asking the retail price, IMO I reckon Â£5K-Â£5.250 is more realistic.

At end day you can say thanks but there value is more than the one you put on the car, just walk, there are plenty more cars out there.

I know you think buying from a friend who's serviced car, taken care of it & so on, BUT are they selling it becuase of this leak / do they know how bad etc it is. I doubt he will get his asking price on the open market.
Dealers will be offering between 3-4K so tell him good luck, let them sweat.
Remember they need to sell the car, you dont need to buy just now.

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:36 pm

i would say it needs about up to Â£500 spending on it pull to left could be minor could be expensive, rear suspension arms Â£200 fitted and oil leak could literally be anything, as for 6.5k i would get him to have a reality check on autotrader as you could get a 2001 diesel for that!

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:54 pm

As I prior indicated, if the rocker gaskets havent been changed yet they will most likely need changing now. Being an M62 engined 4.4i V8 I strongly suspect that might be your leak albeit an oil leak could mean a leak from engine, gearbox or a diff. If it needs a rocker gasket then it makes sense to do both unless the other is non leaking & been done.

As for the BMW garage saying everything was fine I find this hard to believe....... If the BMW garage referred to is a BMW main dealer then I have very little doubt that the dealership would have given your seller an itemised breakdown as to what was required to be done & quoted a price for doing it.

Perhaps if seller that confident in the car id fine then ask them to get dealer to provide that in writing.

Cant help suspecting that many who ignore significant alignment issues also ignore other required work too.

5wany · Post by **5wany** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:34 pm

[quote=""AW8""]..
Cant help suspecting that many who ignore significant alignment issues also ignore other required work too.[/quote]

Well said

entropy · Post by **entropy** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:39 am

Hi guys,

Thanks again for all the feedback. After having a sleep on it I think and taking in what you all say I think i'll be best to walk away from this one for the time being.

Maybe they will come back down on price once they try trading it in etc.

So for the time being I won't be in the X5 club.

I'd love the car but I need to be sensible and like you all say. There's plenty out there.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:39 am

If you look around you'll find what your looking for within budget. You don't have to wait till your friends goes down in price, by the sounds of it, it isn't a good example anyway

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