I am in need of some serious advice on what to do. I have an '01 X5 4.4 and have only owned it since February 2007. I have racked up about $3000 in repairs so far and have found that the front strut is starting to go out. I really love this vehicle but have had nothing but problems so far and have considered looking at other options. One of my biggest problems is that being from a smaller populated area I only have one dealership that services the BMWs. It seems that everytime I take it in there is something else wrong a couple of days after I get it back. I could generally overlook this but this will be the fourth time in two months that it will be back in their shop. I am beginning to feel the service department is not as competent as I would like.

I have looked into buying a CPO but am having issues with the fact that if something goes wrong I am very limited in my choices of repair. I should probably mention that when I first got the vehicle it was still under CPO warranty and I had the service department check things out (supposedly) so that I could get everything fixed. The only things they found were the things I complained about (mainly the power steering) and after the warranty ran out at the end of February it was back in the shop a month later for more work on the power steering unit but I was told it was the other end of the pump that had leaking hoses. I also at this time had two intake hose completely melted and completely visible when I took the plastic enginer cover off. I find it hard to believe this all happened in less than a month after they had gone through it. This was a very expensive repair.

Sorry for the long winded post but I am really stuggling with this decision. I have always driven Fords and have 5 local service departments to choose from. I am having a really hard time giving up the performance and handling of this car but can't keep taking it to the shop every other month, especially with no warranty.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tracy =0)

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Tracy
2005 Imola Red X5 4.4
1995 Daytona Violet M3
"Girls Go Fast Too"