Newbie in Dubai need advise

Dear BMW owners,

My name is Judhi, 38, father of two.

My current ride is not a BMW - yet.
Please don't laugh but in fact I've never own nor drive one before.

I just landed in Dubai 3 months back from Singapore, a place where a 2008 Ford Focus hatchback cost AED125,000. And cars there only allowed to be used for 10 years. So you can guess how much is the cheapest BMW there :)

It's one of my dreams to own a BMW but was haunted with the initial price and the maintenance cost. Now that Dubai gives me this opportunity, I am considering to get a second hand X5 (2001-2004 based on my budget).

I have done some research on the Net but unfortunately most of the reviews, advises and stories coming from either US or European countries.

By joining this forum I hope to find relevant advises and better ideas from your experiences in owning BMW especially X5 in the UAE.

Thank you in advanced!

Kind Regards,
Judhi

[Wazif]

Welcome to the club Judhi! :)

I am sure the expertise and network within this group will help you find what you are looking for.

In the meantime you can post your requirement in our BMW cars buy/sell section.

Hope you enjoy your stay here in UAE!
________
Expert insurance

[Moe]

Welcome Judhi... i hope that ppl here will be able to help u :D

[RAFiK]

Welcome to our club Judhi :) ... Goodluck with finding a clean X5 :D ...

[petrolhead]

:welcome2: aboard

[Black Betty]

Hi Judhi and welcome to the forum

There are some excellent local magazines here in Dubai, if you buy one of the more “glossy” mag’s then contact them regarding any X5 reviews they might be able to help.
I’ve seen reviews on the X5 relevant to the region here so they do exist, contact the editor etc of the mag’s and they may offer a back issue for sale.

The 2007 X5 is more of a “tarmac muncher” than a “sand dune basher” according to the review I read, and Top Gear done a review on the X5 and confirmed it is a very competent off road machine, unlike the X3 which apparently is crap off road!!

I hope this helps mate.

[judhi]

Wow, thank you all for the quick reply!
I can feel the warm welcome and friendly environment here.

I have read some local magazines as well as reading reviews on www.drivearabia.com, they do give relevant information to some extend.

However, nothing more valuable than getting tips and advises from trustworthy friends here who have real life-day to day hands on experience on their ride.

For example, it's been a challenge to find out how much the realistic cost of maintenance for 5 years old X5 with over 100,000km mileage. Certainly it varies depends on the initial condition of the car. But usually there's a common parts change needed or put on watch list after certain age of use under UAE sun.

This US based site can help to predict BMW maintenance cost (and other makes as well) but I am not sure how relevant is that to UAE/Dubai http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/MaintenanceServlet

I also have found a great FAQ site on X5 problems compiled by Karl Pfleger in the US. Check this out: http://ksl.stanford.edu/people/kpfle..._problems.html

Cheers!
Judhi

[Atefeh]

Judhi WELCOME!!! its so nice to see the BMW owners here!!!

[hiten86]

Welcome Sir, And hope the more experienced members can help you with your purchase! :)
Cheers!
H

[ernest]

i have many friends in singapore and i'm part singaporean lah. glad to use the lah again. anyway good luck here my friend :)

[SewerSideUp]

Welcome to the Club Judhi, I see youve done you share of research. Well done !

The common problems sight sums it up nicely, and I see what you mean about no exactly relevent to the U.A.E. and it's weather .

But, never the less. When you get to test drive an X5, from a showroom or a private seller, get it tested by a trusted garage and NOT just the showroom appointed shops.

Again, welcome to the Club. You'll find plenty of info to add to yours !

[judhi]

Thanks again All!

i have many friends in singapore and i'm part singaporean lah. glad to use the lah again. anyway good luck here my friend :)

Great! I am originally from Indonesia but after settled down in Singapore for almost 10 years certainly I got the 'lah' accent too lah :)

But, never the less. When you get to test drive an X5, from a showroom or a private seller, get it tested by a trusted garage and NOT just the showroom appointed shops.

That's the catch, "trusted garage" can be a separate discussion subject by itself :) I have read about Tony Edwards, X-Service, Fast Track, Falcons garage, and many others. Here's one of my finding about them http://www.dubaiforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=164035

Hope here we can read your experience with your trusted garage as well :D

[M_Powerholic]

Welcome Aboard Judhi.:welcome2:

Hope that you will get the best advices over our great community.:o

Why don't you post your requirements in the BMW buy/sell forum ? :D .... Better chances there. :)

Enjoy your stay in the BMW Club UAE.:wiggle:

[Bashar M.]

Welcome Judhi,

Reagarding the X5 ull find a wide range of prices, options, engine capacity, and conditions.

a 2001-2004 X5 would set u back approx. 100-160K dhs depending on the above...... ^^^

An X5 (as BlackBetty said) is a great street use SUV, and would do quit good off-roading.

My advice to u is to make up your mind on which engine u want (3.0,4.4,4.6is,4.8is) and what options u wanna go for, and lets take it from there.

A trust worthy garage to check up ur car + maintenance, i have to say X-service center...... Really experianced folks.

Lets get back to the X5...

A general service must be done when u get it:

1. Engine oil + Filter
2. Spark plugs
3. Brakes + rotors
4. Check ur cooling system (FAN CLUTCH, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP) since we r having a cool summer :bricks:
5. Fuel filter (if not changed before)
6. Air filter

And i assure u that the car will run problem free all summer time (IF THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION IN THE FIRST PLACE)

As a BMW enthusiast and the BMW Club Tech. manager the running cost is a bit high, but still worth it :rofl:

Hope that i was a help, and if u have any other concerns ill be glade to help u out.

Again Welcome to our club :)

[Haissam]

:hi:

welcome to the club!

good luck finding a nice & clean X5!

i know a friend who's got a 2001 4.4i :) will let u know if he plans to sell it!