Subject: I had an '02 X5 3.0 for three years. Wonderful experience in every way, except Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 11918 posts Posted on: 2009-06-27 19:02:42

for the mistake of leasing it. My first, and last, leased vehicle. Not that the BMW leasing program was any more ruthless than any of the other companies, but leasing just wasn't for me.

As for the X5, though, they made quite a few manufacturing improvements from '01 to '02, so I'd recommend avoiding the '01 models just because they were the first year (unless you can find a great deal and it's got good service records).

The E53 X5's only maladies were the plastic bits and interior trim, which seemed to wear prematurely. In fact, the interior door handles were replaced often by dealer because the silver paint on them would flake off. The rear liftgate often had a faulty sensor in it, too, that would trigger a 'rear door open' message in the instrument cluster. Aside from those relatively minor things, the car (truck, really) was solid as a rock.

Family members didn't really like riding in the back seats, though. They're somewhat thinly padded and hard on long trips. The suspension is also firmer than a sedan, which isn't too bad in the front seats but can be amplified on back-seat passengers.

David Cecil
Lexington, KY
'97 740iL, 182k miles
'92 750iL, 95k miles
'86 735i, 101k miles

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The X5 E53 Forum | Message Thread:

• Is this X5 worth $30,600? (url) - Mario 2009-06-27 15:11:47 (466 views)
  • Nice find. Just do not park on a sidewalk . (pic) - stas 2009-06-29 20:57:40 (371 views)
  • Anything is only worth what a buyer will pay. Right now, that appears to be 26K. - RobinK 2009-06-28 08:39:55 (255 views)
  • Mario, what is their reserve price and how many times has the auction run? - 750iL96erBill 2009-06-28 07:59:38 (225 views)
    • Bill, the auction closed on eBay three time not meeting the reserve. I emailed.. - Mario 2009-06-28 10:19:28 (197 views)
      • Mario, That is one purdy ride...is there any warranty available? (nt) - 750iL96erBill 2009-06-29 23:29:43 (196 views)
  • I use to live near there...... West palm beach...... - mrbob581 2009-06-27 19:41:28 (223 views)
    • Thanks for the info. The car will have to be shipped to Vancouver, Canada. (nt) - Mario 2009-06-28 10:22:05 (204 views)
  • Re: Is this X5 worth $30,600? (pic) - Claudio 2009-06-27 18:08:31 (340 views)
  • The 4.8is is supposed to be bad-ass. Looks nice, but I don't know about - DavidC 2009-06-27 17:21:32 (274 views)
    • What year was your X5 David? Any issues I should know about on the X5? (nt) - Mario 2009-06-27 17:41:56 (274 views)
      • I had an '02 X5 3.0 for three years. Wonderful experience in every way, except - DavidC 2009-06-27 19:02:42 (283 views)
  • I'd say its probably close to 26.5-28k or so. Nice choice on SUV model. (nt) - mahmudb 2009-06-27 15:45:27 (254 views)
    • Thx. It's strictly for winter. I've been looking for beige/white/tan interior. (nt) - Mario 2009-06-27 17:43:14 (196 views)
      • Actually it is, In a better economy that would fetch 36-37k in Houston - Rogue7 2009-06-27 17:53:35 (227 views)

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