How much money into your X5?

[maxx]

Originally Posted by Tequila9

my advice,
look at the X3 3.0 with the 6 speed manual and if u prefer the sport package. Their better than the X5 in my opinion and handle better than them.

i second that.
X5 is the shit with stick.
if u cant drive stick.
4.4 sport

good luck.

[CaptHandsome]

25k huh? Go get yourself a nice suburban. Ive seen suburbans in 200k range, still running strong. Or get one of those nifty trucks that can covert to SUV and back to a truck. My buddy just sold his 97 Mustang Cobra and bought a Ford F-250 turbo diesel. He says its fun to drive.

Ok here's the plan that i made up for your 25k budget. Go find yourself a last generation Ford Bronco 4x4/Blazer 4x4/Tahoe 4x4 etc etc and lift it like 5-6 inches. Put some beefy tires on it (like 40 inch tires) flowmaster exhaust and you've got a weekend warrior that will get you around the mountains with all your gear in the back.

[3ZTT]

Its gonna be my only vehicle...in san diego

[CaptHandsome]

Im in SD too. So explain your dilemma. You have 25k. You need a car to drive all year and go to the mountains in the winter? You want something that will obviously handle well and grip the icy roads. But you want something that will hold a lot of people/gear. Get a Subaru Outback. AWD, somewhat powerful, station wagon body. Cant go wrong.

[3ZTT]

Looks. I may just settle with an S4 and ski rack after all.

[CaptHandsome]

RS6 Wagon. Do it.

[UKY467]

I was looking at trading the 325XI, a VERY capable car and they offered only 22k for it. It's an '03 with 30k miles. If that is the going rate you shouln't have a hard time finding a 330XI with a few more miles and in 2001/2002 style if you look. Damn good cars, too.

[3ZTT]

I've heard that just a 330i with sandbags and tires is pretty capable as well.

[CaptHandsome]

Originally Posted by 3ZTT

I've heard that just a 330i with sandbags and tires is pretty capable as well.

WHHHHHHHEW. That one went WAAAAAY over my head.

[hammerfang]

hell if u want a 3-series just get a 325 or 330 xi and u'll be all set, throw a roof rack up there and u can put ur snowboards up there, or if u don't mind driving a wagon get a 325xit and u'll be all set, those things r pretty decent in the snow, especially if u get snow tires and in my opinion drive better then the x5s

[ghost528i]

id say go with the x5 4.4 , my mom has one with sport package and snow package(dont know why? we live in cali). its a tight truck, drives like a car. she lets me drive it all the time its reall nice with the steptronic, although i would prefrer stick shift. as for the x3, while the x5 was in the shop we got a x3 rental. its ok, i like the really big sun roof it drives like a bigger 3 series. like the both of them but more like the x5. go with the x5

[quadbimmer]

don't be discouraged bro, I have gone from e36 5spd to the 01' x5 i got mine with 90k and only paid 14k, i had gotten a real steal, (deals do exsist!). It was too much of a suprize. i was that impressed. it can deffinatly do the mountians and is badass in the snow! and hang with the sport scene too. (i have found off road in the x5 is as fun as 130 on the highway). that is what i would go with.
good luck bro

[itsabimmerthing]

25k.... HMMM.... An s4 is a good buy, but be prepared for high parts costs, and dealer rape. Insurance wont be very fun, either.
If it has to be 4 door, awd, consider a lancer evo. Much more capable of making power than the s4, and awesome reliability. Low parts costs...
I am personally getting ready to buy a honda s2000, but thats not going to go very far offroad haha.

[frost_dxb]

There is a magazine that review all car manufacturers and models. It was said that 00’-01’ X5 models some may encounter Auto Trans problems when they pass 150k km and may require a rebuild and most models so far only have some minor issues like door locks, windows motors, CV joints. As far as being said M54 3.0L is pretty strong engine it can handle load and high RPM.

In my own opinion even an older X5 is far more superior to X3 when it comes to looks, stability and far most the respect.