Buying A Used X5 - Please Advise

[Bobsy]

Hello everyone

I am looking to buy an x5 to replace my 1 series. I am looking at the 2008-2014 model, a 3 litre diesel m sport, in black.

As I am looking both on the used BMW site and on auto trader I just was keen to get advice from more knowledgeable x5 drivers like yourselves on the sort of things I need to ask as well as take into account when buying such a car. Please can you help:

- My budget is in the region of 20k so it is likely to be a car that has at least 50k + miles and a 2008-2010 version, am I right?
- Is there much difference in the 2008-2010 versions versus the 2011 - 2014 versions of the same car?
- I say a car that said it had full services history but had 4 service stamps. Mileage was 60k and the car was registered in 2008. I thought you service such cars every year?
- When you get to 50k+ miles what are some of the maintenance costs eg cam belt to take into account. SO I know to ask what are they and what are the approximate costs.
- I wont be doing a huge amount of miles, say less than 7/8k per year. It will also be a mix of city miles and the odd motorway/long journey. Does that affect the efficiency and performance compared to a car that does long journeys ie not much stopping and starting
- I can check the MOT history on the vosa website, is that right?
- How much do services costs through bmw on avergae? Is it annual even if you do less than 10k miles?
- Any other bits of advice around ongoing costs/maintenance/big potential and defnite expenses etc on 50k mileage+ used x5's?


I would really appreciate and welcome your comments

Many thanks

[Greydog]

Hi the X5 is a big heavy car so suspension bushes take a beating and from experience are past their best at around 80k. The car has a lot of "gadgets" so make sure absolutely everything works as it should. I would also budget for a warranty just in case. Then enjoy