Help - Buying advice X5 50i

[Furbz]

Hi All,

i need some advice from those in the know on purchase a used 2016 X5 50i

some info on the vehicle

2016 X5 50i M Sport
121000km on the clock (roughly 75000miles)
4 new tires fitted
1 owner who clearly took good car of the car, the interior is spotless.
exterior has one or 2 scratches but thats expected.

serviced exclusively at BMW

service plan is expired but a 2 year limited warranty will be given.
the warranty covers R60000 on engine R55000 on transmission etc
if the engine needed replacing we are looking at easily R300000 plus
so it really is only for if smaller things need replacing.

Price is R495000


Now this is whats making me nervous:
I test drove the car yesterday, starts easy and idles smooth.
i did however find that on WOT acceleration from around 40kmph after 2 seconds there is very marginal stutter. best way to describe is it feels like the traction control kicking in for the briefest second and limiting power delivery.
it's not transmission related as it will happen mid-gear.

the dealership is doing a full software upgrade and factory reset to see if that will help fix the issue.
i suspect it might be something simple like spark plugs?
they were last changed at 60000km so they are definitely coming due for a change.

any thoughts/advice/wisdom?
i really do not want to buy this car and find out there is something massively wrong down the road.

Thanks in advance!

[turboawd]

I would guess you felt a misfire. It usually happens under full throttle, and bad plugs is usually the reason.

[mrfochon]

I think we ve seen more problem with the 50i vs 3.5i on the forum.
Maybe some picture will help decide lol

[Goodfella10]

Originally Posted by turboawd

I would guess you felt a misfire. It usually happens under full throttle, and bad plugs is usually the reason.

I would second this. Plugs or coils.

[Furbz]

Thanks, just got a quote to replace the coils and plugs. R8k

[Goodfella10]

Originally Posted by Furbz

Thanks, just got a quote to replace the coils and plugs. R8k

Both are also fairly straight forward DIY’s that you can find guides to on here.

[Jars914]

If i couldngo bak to when i was purchasing my used x5, i would not even consider one without dynamic handling package

[Jars914]

Originally Posted by mrfochon

I think we ve seen more problem with the 50i vs 3.5i on the forum.
Maybe some picture will help decide lol

Which sadly is y i opted for the 35

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Jars914

If i couldngo bak to when i was purchasing my used x5, i would not even consider one without dynamic handling package

Hard to find though.

[Goodfella10]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Hard to find though.

I was fortunate and picked up a 50i with the DHP and absolutely love it.

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by Furbz

Thanks, just got a quote to replace the coils and plugs. R8k

That's not a bad price for plugs and coils installed by the dealer. Then again, I would expect them to do it for no charge if you are buying the vehicle and noticed the issue!

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

That's not a bad price for plugs and coils installed by the dealer. Then again, I would expect them to do it for no charge if you are buying the vehicle and noticed the issue!

Yeah, I would walk away just on principle if they don't want to fix it.

[Furbz]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

That's not a bad price for plugs and coils installed by the dealer. Then again, I would expect them to do it for no charge if you are buying the vehicle and noticed the issue!

Originally Posted by ponytuning

Yeah, I would walk away just on principle if they don't want to fix it.

i hear you but down in South Africa the 50i is a difficult car to come by

[BDO]

Would not touch it with a 6' pole.

[Furbz]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

That's not a bad price for plugs and coils installed by the dealer. Then again, I would expect them to do it for no charge if you are buying the vehicle and noticed the issue!

i agree it's not a bad price.
locally finding parts is not as easy as in the states, generally we need to self import everything.
the saving of importing vs having the dealership do it is only R1000 so not much.
and at least i know its done correctly.

i am test driving the car again on Monday to see if the software update and reset helped.
if not i will have the car serviced before i take delivery.

starting to get excited

[Furbz]

Originally Posted by BDO

Would not touch it with a 6' pole.

why is that?

[Furbz]

A few snaps

[CT335xi]

Looks nice ! Same color combo as my 50i. Good luck man!

[turboawd]

Looks nice.

[ponytuning]

Congrats, hope you enjoy it for many years to come!
We have two 50is (X5 and X6) in our family which have been rock solid for the two years we owned them CPO.

[BDO]

Originally Posted by Furbz

why is that?

Because it's a high miler example of the most problematic engine currently in the BMW range.
Not sure if things are changed, but when I lived in SA those warranties were not worth the paper they were written on for large, expensive failures. If you really want a V8, look at the M.

BTW, say hi to Justin for me if he's still at Cedar

[Furbz]

so after doing a software update and reset the hesitation is still present.

the dealership has apparently replaced the air filters and spark plugs.
i'll know if that has fixed the problem tomorrow.

no news on if they did the coils at the same time.
i doubt it as that is expensive compared to plugs