"AM3R" (AM3R)
01/19/2014 at 12:09 • Filed to: BMW
1
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"AM3R" (AM3R)
01/19/2014 at 12:09 • Filed to: BMW | 1
| 22 |
I know SUV's get a lot of hate, and BMW drivers get a lot of hate, but this is my dream car.
This is a 2005 E53 X5 3.0 with a Manual transmission. Inline 6 + 6MT = goodness. For those that aren't familiar with E53's, the first generation X5, they were available with Manual transmissions. It's pretty uncommon. Now let's talk paint. That is Estoril blue you are looking at. Common on the 4.6is and 4.8is, but this is just a lowly 3.0, so this is a real unicorn. This is actually the only Estoril blue 3.0 I've ever seen, and it has a 6MT .
The E53 is different from most SUV's. It actually handles. It's no E36 M3 but you can take these up to your favorite back road and feel comfortable. They also aren't massive, it's basically a tall 5 series. Throw on some minor mods and it'll drive like it's on rails.
It sold months ago, but I stumbled upon it on multiple forums recently. I'm sad, I don't think I'll find another like it. This would be the perfect vehicle for me, I love Estoril blue, the 3.0 is DIY friendly, 6MT, and the space is perfect for me.
Now it's time for me to go double park my E90 in a handicapped spot, go get some ice cream, and try to mend my broken heart.
EL_ULY
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:13 |
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Niiiiiiiice!!!
M54B30
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:19 |
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I've always wanted an X5. There was a 4.6 AWD for sale here for $$9,500 but I don't have the desire to sell a car, get financing, etc etc.
But coming from an owner with 170,000 (mostly) trouble-free miles, the 3.0 I-6 is fan-fuckin-tastic .
TheRidge
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:19 |
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I worked at a BMW dealer and asked one of the customers that had this if they were willing to sell it. They thought I was just trying to sell them a car (I was in sales) but I told them it would be a personal transaction. Sadly, they knew how rare the car was and wouldn't sell for a reasonable price.
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AM3R
> TheRidge
01/19/2014 at 12:24 |
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Ah man, owners of these know what they have. The guy selling this probably didn't. If i remember right it had ~50k miles on it and he was asking $12k. He eventually dropped the price to $10.5 and I think it sold for $9,950.
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AM3R
> M54B30
01/19/2014 at 12:25 |
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That's good to hear. If this car ever pops up again I'll easily buy it even if it has over 100k miles. Pretty sure it only had around 50k when it sold.
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TheRidge
> TheRidge
01/19/2014 at 12:28 |
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not this exact car but a manual X5
area man
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:30 |
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This is also one of my favorite SUVs, as well as cars in general. No shame!
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AM3R
> area man
01/19/2014 at 12:32 |
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Honestly, if I have to step up to a 4.6/4.8is and get it in an auto, I might just do that. But for now I'm gonna have to keep searching!
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AM3R
> TheRidge
01/19/2014 at 12:36 |
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Oh, If I find a clean black X5 with the right options and a Manual tranny, I might just go for it anyways. They don't carry the estoril/is tax haha.
deekster_caddy
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:36 |
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It can be really tough to sell something 'unusual' like this, even if you know it's rare and highly desired by a certain market of people. We got some very interesting comments from dealerships when we were buying my wife's Passat Wagon 2.0T 6 spd manual. One dealership that absolutely would not budge off MSRP on it, which seemed odd since everybody else was dealing. Several who were just trying to upsell us.
I had a very hard time selling my '05 Yukon XL 2500 8.1. There is only a certain target market for this vehicle - you want this if you have a lot of people to move and tow a big travel trailer (or you live in Texas...). Unfortunately here in MA is not Texas, and does not have a mass of RVers like the south has. If I lived in the south I'm sure I could have sold this for full value, but I don't, and I couldn't. When I sold it I'm sure it was worth ~$14K in a private sale, to the right buyer, but the dealer where I bought my new car offered me literally half that on trade, because "nobody wants that big engine, bad MPG". It was in immaculate condition even though it had well over 150K miles on it. Leather all over the interior, auto everything, rear DVD player, Bose system, etc. I had one buyer come look at it who had a TT to tow, but he couldn't afford it. I think he was hoping to find a piece of junk he could throw a lowball offer on. He did say it was the nicest he had seen and was worth what I was asking. He left without making an offer... I think new it had to be around $70K. I bought it for $15K (a steal) for the same reasons I was offered $7K on it 5 years later.
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AM3R
> deekster_caddy
01/19/2014 at 12:42 |
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Yeah this particular X5 was put up for sale twice, once a few years back for $17k, got no offers on it and then put it back up for way cheaper about a year ago.
My cousin actually had the same problem as you. Bought a used Suburban 2500 back in 2008 for work, decided to downsize in 2010, everyone wanted to offer him $7k+ less than his asking price, which was already $4k less than what it was valued at. Now big SUV's are common in the DC area but no one wanted the 2500. Ended up trading it in at a loss for a Tahoe.
Flat Six
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:44 |
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I have a diesel E70 X5 and love it. The E53 is nice and trim, and it would be awesome to have a manual.
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area man
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 12:49 |
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Totally worth the search.
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AM3R
> Flat Six
01/19/2014 at 12:50 |
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Ah I want to pick up an E70 diesel in the future. The E70 is one of my favorite SUV's. So good looking.
awe46m3zcp
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 14:57 |
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Never been a fan of the 1st gens. The E70 though... :drool
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AM3R
> awe46m3zcp
01/19/2014 at 15:17 |
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An E70 X5 35d would be a really good DD. Once the prices on them drop down from $40k I'll probably start shopping for one. The torque was amazing on the one I test drove.
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awe46m3zcp
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 15:21 |
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Couple of years, and they will be $20k
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AM3R
> awe46m3zcp
01/19/2014 at 15:26 |
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Yup, especially with the recent release of the new gen X5
Stupidru
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 15:58 |
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How reliable are these? My parents had an X5 (can't remember which engine) and they said it was a financial nightmare for them, as far as maintenance and repairs were concerned.
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AM3R
> Stupidru
01/19/2014 at 16:00 |
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The 3.0 is extremely reliable, now I'm not sure about the 4.6 and 4.8. If they had an is that would likely explain the financial nightmare.
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Stupidru
> AM3R
01/19/2014 at 16:02 |
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Again, I'm not sure which model. I did get to drive it once and I was extremely impressed at how nimble it was.
As far as reliability is concerned, how are they past 100k miles? If they're not bad, I wouldn't mind picking one up soon
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JDMatt
> AM3R
01/20/2014 at 02:42 |
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I respect your taste, but have you heard a V8 X5 with straight pipes?