[cantthinkofaname]

currently have a 2010 f150 with 146k miles and just want something new to build. somebody wants to trade a 2005 x5 v8 with 175k miles. looks well maintained. Is this car worth it or will I realistically run into a lot of issues at this age?

[eluded]

maybe try the E7x forum for advice ?

[eelnoraa]

Owning a 18 year old BMW with 170k mile, while it is OK and doable, you should prepare mentally a bit:

- You really need to know the history of the car. Is the seller first owner? If so how good is service record? If seller isn't the first owner, the chance of owning the car's history is low.

- You really need to know BMWs in general. Such as at such age, what typically go wrong. Amongst them, what need to be fixed, what don't need to be fix. Car of this age cannot be perfect.

- Where to get parts. For car of that age, many parts don't exist from OE manufactories anymore. I think forum will be a good place.

- Have a good BMW mechanics for big items, and fix smaller/medium items yourselves. Dealers don't have expertise on fixing this age of car anymore.

I think these are general and basic items for acquiring a BMW of this age.

Now specific to 2005 X5, the V8 is an N62. It is known to be one of the less reliable N/A engine in the 2000s. Many of the early N63 issues originated from N62. Personally, I won't do it, especially with N62. If it is the Inline6 M54, I maybe be a little more incline. Just a little more. But then what is the goal? To get a reliable daily driver, I will take a Japanese of this age any day. To get a iconic classic BMW, X5 in general just isn't that. It is not like you can fix it up well and it will become a desirable used car, like the E39 M5. I don't see a good reason.