I'll start off by saying no question the most fun I've ever had driving an SUV. However, after reading this list you may see why I may not be able to buy another one. Also, I buy used since I can't afford a brand new one (military salary and 2 kids) and that means no warranty. Also I'm a decent mechanic so I do most of the work myself with some advice and DIYs from you great people on here.

Bought a 2007 X5 Sport 8 cylinder 4.8i in May 2012 with 58,000 miles. Found it in Scottsdale, AZ and since it was such a great deal, had every option and color I wanted and was a southern car (no rust) I flew out there and drove it cross country to my home in Buffalo, NY.

List of repairs since and currently 113,000 miles:

1. New Tired right away and 4-wheel align (No Biggie, to be expected)
2. New ceramic brake pads and sensors ( Also no biggie, wear item)
3. Oil Cooler thermostat gasket leak. HUGE JOB!
4. New Electric Radiator Cooling Fan. Easy job but $650 part.
5. New Thermostat ( triggered a code)
6. New DTML pump ( triggrred a code )
7. New Water Pump ( Bearing went )
8. New Mechatronic Sleeve ( Leaking ) which led to $225 tranny pan and fluid service.
9. Both Differentials and Transfer Case fluid change. ( TC triggrred a wear code )
10. Bad rear shock connector triggered EDC failure. Quick fix by bypassing connector and hardwiring together.
11. Replaced both sway bar links. Terrible front end rattle.
12. Replaced bad tie rod end.
13. Had a shop replace 2 front end bushings $1100.
14. Two new radiator hoses due to cracked plastic fittings.

Still has bad backup camera I live with, high battery drain message where I have to reset the clock every few days, drivers door comfort access no longer works but other doors do, a few interior rattles, a slight leak in moon roof and needs another $1400 set of tires and who the hell knows what will go next.

Thank God I can do almost all the work myself. This seems like a lot to me. This is my 2nd X5 and the first one wasn't much better. There's no way I can defend BMW anymore as their quality flat out sucks!!

I've owned plenty of other vehicles before and nothing comes close to the poor quality and overly complex systems of a BMW. My family owns Chevy, Jeep, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Ford and they always laugh at me for the work I have to do to keep mine running.