advice on buying a 2002 4.6is

[diddster187]

Hi all

I need your help and advice...

i'm close to buying a 2002 x5 4.6is - about 77k on the clock... price is around 6k...

Please tell me of things I should be looking out for when I test it.. I've read about the gear box problems..

I have my own 'theory'about all the problems... first of all it depends on how it's being driven and secondly the environment it lives in.... see I live in Bahrain.... no rain, no cold winter... but heat...(although car is always parked covered carpark out of sunlight) Also Bahrain does not have any hills either...

To add the country is tiny so your not thrashing along motorways for hrs etc...traffic isn't that bad either so wont be sitting on the spot for no more than 10 minutes at any one time?..

Taking the above into consideration, these factors would effect the vehicle such as brakes and gearbox up hill....general engine experiencing water/cold/snow/heat due to weather changes...rain especially!...

So I woulod like to know your expert opinions please and advice....

Thanks a million... diddster!

[X5Sport]

This might help with some of what you need to know....but I doubt many of us have experience in operating an X5 is 40C plus temps.... . 

The gearbox issues have occurred in every market the X5 is used in and at any mileage so you need to carefully check for smooth changes and correct selection of reverse (apparently this can fail before anything else becomes apparent) with no abnormal surging or delays in selection in forward or reverse.

You will of course need to check the climate control thoroughly......

Other than that it will be a case of checking very carefully that everything works, especially the electrics.  If the car has spent its life in a dusty environment then a hard look at all the running gear underneath would probably be a wise precaution (looking for damage to rubber parts and grit marks on anything that rotates, along with making sure all the oil changes have been done on time. 

Cabin & Air filters need to be changed regularly.  Window tracks and (if fitted) sunroof tracks and gears too in case of sand/dust ingress.  I believe you can get a very fine dust out there and it can find its way into just about everything!

[diddster187]

Your reply is priceless!

Thanks so much for showing a different perspective from the points I raised. Your points are extremely valid and your right, it's worth checking for dust n gravel etc....

I hope it doesný have problems with over heating...although havent heard much in this area...

I guess all models of this kind and year will give problems and the only way forward is to accept them and find the best cost to fixing them... I doubt anyone buying such a car will incur zero issues given its ten years old...

We're going to a garage tomorrow a place where he has taken it before... i will ask for them to get it up on a ramp to have a look underneath.....

will check out the link and let you know the outcome tomorrow evening....

Thanks again!..

[X5Sport]

LOL.  One of my team worked for Gulf Air and his description of even the garage being air-conditioned or it was the 10-second 'roasting dash' to the car!  He also said you NEVER left a car in full sun as it became possible to cook things on the interior trim (apart from your own anatomy of course)!!  Somewhat different 'challenges' to the ones we usually put up with......

Hope you find it's a good car.....

Richard

[gobiman]

Just to add my penny's worth from some time in that part of the world although mainly off-road in rather less developed parts.
1. Condition will rather depend on whether it has actually been used off-road seriously or not. Hopefully it will have been kept on road which will make a huge difference.
2. Check all filters, vents etc -  sand can get everywhere.
3. Good news is that roads are good. not so good news is that with limited motorways, much of the 77k will be more varied (and potentially harder on componentry) driving.
4. Regular servicing (and replacement of fluids) will be key - far more so than more temperate places.
Good luck

[IanP]

Cam chain guides are a weak spot O:-)

[diddster187]

thanks guys...

The roads are good out here... to be honest there are not many óff road users here as much as they love their jeeps etc...they only use them for roads... the country is tiny too (literally!) so no long distance driving would have been done..

The only thing I will be looking out for is dist and fluids/filters...aside my other priorities of checking the transmission, timing belts...

The temp as I type is averaging 40's because its peak season... after a month it will drop to about 30's... the AC was working fine... I just sold my 2006 320i and the compressor was long gone on that.... so it's aplus to me that this one is running perfectly and it's an older vehicle...

I'm checking it out today... I might even buy it and see how it goes until december... at 77k on the clock it's not that bad nd could be worse... heard only 3000 were made so a slight novelty...

The beauty being out here is petrol is savagely cheap!.. so i'm not concerned in that dept.. and insurance here is pretty awesone too... it's on fully comp and I just ahve to pay about 30 pounds to have my name transferred over (how the system is out here!) and there's a yr on the equivilant to road tax too...

I will let you all know how today goes as I will prob seal the deal tomorrow...

thanks lads..