2011 X5M? Advice on the SUV and on purchase decision

[Introextro]

Hi
I am looking to pull the trigger on a 57K miles 2011 X5M. 3 owners, looks in good condition. I am getting full warranty on it for around 4K. An X3 35i was the other choice but i thought the X5M may be a better vehicle to drive Anything to watch out for when i inspect the vehicle? Other words of advice on the SUV or on the purchase please? Appreciate your inputs

[Sophisticated Redneck]

As long as your warranty covers things such as CCV tubes, fuel injectors, ignition coils, fuel pumps, turbos etc (assuming it already covers all the major stuff) then you should be solid.

[BigHunk]

Pre Purchase Inspection at Bmw specialist shop.

[Thecastle]

I'd also pull the service history to see if its been in the shop a lot. The other thing to check is the lifetime spend limit on the warranty.

These vehicles can easily eat 10-20K on common problems like;
rear main seal
turbo oil return block
AC evap leak
oil pan gasket


Get it inspected. Personally I think 3 owners is a lot, but not excessive for a nearly 10 year old car. I wouldn't be surprised if the car doesn't have some oil leaks, tension struts, etc. You might find the warranty requires a pre-inspection and wont cover any existing items at the time of purchase and may have a waiting period until it kicks in usually 30-60 days. So don't buy it with problems you don't plan to take care of yourself.

Also remember there is the M tax, people attempt to charge higher rates because it is an M. This is not a car for someone who doesn't want to spend money on maintenance. Figure 2-5% of the original purchase price per year is a good rule of thumb for costs even with a warranty.

At 57K miles you're nearing some maintenance at 60K.

[X5 MAN]

Money pit. Three owners in 57k miles over a 10 year period means its been driven and discarded by three owners, must be problems galore.
People don't easily sell a X5M as it is a super-uber SUV.

[benton]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

Money pit. Three owners in 57k miles over a 10 year period means its been driven and discarded by three owners, must be problems galore.
People don't easily sell a X5M as it is a super-uber SUV.

Well that's a stretch. I cannot speak to this specific car without seeing it, but if you're deterred by a new owner every ~3 years then you're going to severely limit your search scope. Plenty of great vehicles out there with a new owner every 3-5 years.

When buying, stick to the facts, not conjecture - i.e. items mentioned by previous responders.
edit - Sorry didn't see you posted one of the prior posts I was referring to

There's a very nice '10 in the classifieds for what seems to be a solid deal. Assuming you've seen that one.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by benton

Well that's a stretch. I cannot speak to this specific car without seeing it, but if you're deterred by a new owner every ~3 years then you're going to severely limit your search scope. Plenty of great vehicles out there with a new owner every 3-5 years.

When buying, stick to the facts, not conjecture - i.e. items mentioned by previous responders.

There's a very nice '10 in the classifieds for what seems to be a solid deal. Assuming you've seen that one.

We don't know the span of ownership, the purchaser hasn't given a link to the car or provided those details. To me Its more worrisome if it's a 3 owner, owner 1 9 years, owners 2 and 3 1 month each. But if its every 3-4 years I wouldn't worry, its just an indicator if this car is a hot potato or not.

This is the only under 57K mile for sale X5M in the country and its located in NY where this poster is from. There is a good chance this is the car he's inquiring about.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8070/overview/

[Introextro]

Thanks so much guys. Here's the link https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8070/overview/.

I also have the clean carfax. 3 years then 6 years and 10 months by the present owner. He says the car is his 3rd so selling it since he does not drive much. But he bought it from a BMW dealership and the car is in good condition and "unmolested" , which sounds good! The seller also seems nice though I haven't met him

[Sophisticated Redneck]

I'll add some more to the mix: re-reading you orginal post,. X3 and a X5M are quite different in how they drive and feel. The X5 is a big heavy tank that can defy physics with how fast it is and corners, and is meant to be driven...The S63 engine in it does not fair well in stop and go/daily grind driving, it's at home on long stretches of road/open highway. The X3 on the other hand is a great grocery getter and the 6 cylinder turbo engine in it is well proven.

So if you are going to be stuck in city traffic and don't get out much then get the X3, if however you do have roads that will allow you to truly enjoy the M, get it instead, again just make sure you have one hell of a warrant or work on your own cars, the M tax is a very real thing.

[Introextro]

I looked at the Carfax again- strangely the vehicle has been "serviced" at a BMW dealership every 3-5K miles- 3/8/11/12/16/20/21/24/26/31/35/36/40/41/44/45/47/49/55 K miles of servicing or fluids checked. Sorry if that's too much detail!

[benton]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

To me Its more worrisome if it's a 3 owner, owner 1 9 years, owners 2 and 3 1 month each.

I don't disagree there, but usually is an outlier (unless covid distress sale which we've been seeing on other forums/BaT and the likes).

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by Introextro

I looked at the Carfax again- strangely the vehicle has been "serviced" at a BMW dealership every 3-5K miles- 3/8/11/12/16/20/21/24/26/31/35/36/40/41/44/45/47/49/55 K miles of servicing or fluids checked. Sorry if that's too much detail!

Either the guy is a fanatical oil changer at every 3k or has some recurring gremlins

As the Sophisticated Redneck ( he is a very experienced poster ) said its how you are going to use the car. Its for soccer mom grocery runs then you are putting yourself in a deep poo; if you are driving Interstates everyday, its a great vehicle.

[Thecastle]

I'll just add 2 cents.

I have a 2011 X5M and quite enjoy it. Each time I pull it out of storage and fire it up I think this is an awesome car. However, if I was in the market for a new used vehicle (SUV), I really like the X3 M40. Had several as loaners when the X5M was broken. I can say without a doubt the x3 m40i is fun to drive. I got to extensively exercise it driving from Estes Park Colorado to Boulder, Gephart BMW in 2018 when my x5M broke down (limp mode). Gephart gave me an M40i as a loaner. The M40i is a blast to drive, I'd buy it hands down over an E70 X5M if I didn't need the X5's towing capacity. I like the smaller size for parking and its very responsive and agile.

One thing to consider though. when you have an M the dealer rustles up a loaner for you even when they're "fresh out." aka there are privileges to M ownership.

I have not driven the x3M yet.

[Introextro]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

I'll add some more to the mix: re-reading you orginal post,. X3 and a X5M are quite different in how they drive and feel. The X5 is a big heavy tank that can defy physics with how fast it is and corners, and is meant to be driven...The S63 engine in it does not fair well in stop and go/daily grind driving, it's at home on long stretches of road/open highway. The X3 on the other hand is a great grocery getter and the 6 cylinder turbo engine in it is well proven.

So if you are going to be stuck in city traffic and don't get out much then get the X3, if however you do have roads that will allow you to truly enjoy the M, get it instead, again just make sure you have one hell of a warrant or work on your own cars, the M tax is a very real thing.

This is really interesting and clearly in my M6 GC i feel the same. Even though the car is fast you can't get over the weight when starting from a stop. Funny how the forces you feel can't be explained by data! I am leaning toward the X3

[Introextro]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I'll just add 2 cents.

I have a 2011 X5M and quite enjoy it. Each time I pull it out of storage and fire it up I think this is an awesome car. However, if I was in the market for a new used vehicle (SUV), I really like the X3 M40. Had several as loaners when the X5M was broken. I can say without a doubt the x3 m40i is fun to drive. I got to extensively exercise it driving from Estes Park Colorado to Boulder, Gephart BMW in 2018 when my x5M broke down (limp mode). Gephart gave me an M40i as a loaner. The M40i is a blast to drive, I'd buy it hands down over an E70 X5M if I didn't need the X5's towing capacity. I like the smaller size for parking and its very responsive and agile.

One thing to consider though. when you have an M the dealer rustles up a loaner for you even when they're "fresh out." aka there are privileges to M ownership.

I have not driven the x3M yet.

I completely get this too. the M40I is out of my budget, but i too want to try it!

[Autobacs]

Just check out the service history. Mine has had a total of about $30K in repairs just before I bought it, including new transmission, turbos, vent lines, suspension, plus all the recalls at 64K miles for a 2011 last year. 1 year and 5 months/11,000 miles later, have not had one CEL. Makes me think if I really need an exclusionary warranty? LOL. No, I wont ditch the warranty. It would be asinine to own this without one, unless you can wrench it your
self. Good Luck! It's a blast driving this SUV.

[quick]

Sent you a PM but haven't heard anything back yet... Warming up to putting mine up for sale. Will make a FS add soon but every time I think about it, I always change my mind LOL

It's a '12 X5M AW/Bamboo with full Merino leather, 45K miles, all original paint (meter verified), 3rd or 4th owner, owned it 18 months, fully serviced, all options minus rear entertainment and with Toyota Platinum exclusionary warranty (44 months/56K miles remaining...paid $7800). Wheels/tires excellent. Just had Stealth Hitch ($850) installed. Stock exhaust with modified tips (sounds and looks awesome.

Reason FS: Getting board and wanting to try a wagon, either a CTSV-6 speed or an E63S

If you look at the car's history, besides the injector replacements, no un-scheduled visits to the dealer.

Will be asking $33.5 and if interested, let me know and I will forward you the pictures.

Warranty, Toyota exclusionary and is backed by Toyota Financial, alone is still worth $5500 and has had no claims in 16 months

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by quick

Sent you a PM but haven't heard anything back yet... Warming up to putting mine up for sale. Will make a FS add soon but every time I think about it, I always change my mind LOL

It's a '12 X5M AW/Bamboo with full Merino leather, 45K miles, all original paint (meter verified), 3rd or 4th owner, owned it 18 months, fully serviced, all options minus rear entertainment and with Toyota Platinum exclusionary warranty (44 months/56K miles remaining). Wheels/tires excellent. Just had Stealth Hitch ($850) installed. Stock exhaust with modified tips (sounds and looks awesome.

Reason FS: Getting board and wanting to try a wagon, either a CTSV-6 speed or an E63S

If you look at the car's history, besides the injector replacements, no un scheduled visits to the dealer.

Will be asking $33.5 and if interested, let me know and I will forward you the pictures.

Looks like a good catch.

But where is Planet Earth ??

Where are you based ?

[quick]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

Looks like a good catch.

But where is Planet Earth ??

Where are you based ?

The Good Ole Kentucky fried Chicken