2001 3.0I X5 - What Too Look At?

[ySo]

Looking at a 3L petrol x5 auto, 01 plate. 86k miles..

Good service history, recent MOT etc.

What on these cars do I need to check over when going to look at it?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[Greydog]

We initially were looking for a large 4x4 to tow a horse box, so looked at quite a few in our local area. Range Rover, Discovery's, Toyota Amazon, X5 plus many others. We narrowed the list and I went online and searched and researched the forums just looking for the common faultsand read the buyers guides.

We settled on a 4.4 X5 with LPG and my advice is this. Mechanically check the history if its BMW you can talk to them and verify (I did) don't assume that if the book is stamped that a full service has been done it may have just been an Oil Change ( I budgeted for a service after delivery and used it to negotiate) Take the car for a really good test drive while your doing it make sure all gearbox functions (Sport Manual) work as they should smoothly any strange noises or vibration walk away. Make sure all accessories work, and I do mean all these are complicated cars and fixing things can be costly and drive you insane (just read some of the forums)

If the seller tries to tell you "its a simple fix" ask yourself why they haven't done it? Check the tyres carefully they are not cheap to replace so get on your knees and make sure wear is even.

When we brought the first X5 the Garage offered "to service the car before delivery" I suggested they knock the price down and I would get it done at a BMW specialist with this and a few other bits and bobs we got £800 off the asking price.

The car was brilliant (not perfect) but did everything we wanted and more until January when a 100' Cedar fell on it, definitely broke it!! After our initial X5 experience we replaced it with another this time a 4.6is still very happy with our Beemer.

So do your research take your time and be prepared to walk away if its not right or working.

Good luck and enjoy driving it (by the way there is very little difference between 3.0i and a 4.4 in mpg)