I originally purchased a black 2004 4.4i in May 2007 - it was loaded (Premium, Sport, Nav, the works), had about 70 000 km on it (43,500 miles), and was in really good condition (or so we thought). It had almost a full extended warranty (good), with a $50 deductible (thankfully!).

Since November, this thing was towed to the dealership three times, with the following failures:

1. Fuel pump died. No fuel, no go. Towed.
2. Day after getting the fuel pump replaced, it wouldn't start. Turns out the fuel pump relay was bad. Again, no fuel, no go. Towed again.
3. A few weeks ago, the driver's side air suspension failed. Body was resting on the tires. Bit too much friction to make it go. Towed again.

All told, since May of last year, this thing spent 3 1/2 weeks in the shop. Not so good.

Then, about a week after getting the driver's side air suspension replaced, the right front developed a leak, which would cause the X5 to lean to the right. In fact, last night at the dealership, it had sagged so far to the right that you could barely get the flat of your hand between the tire and the body. The suspension didn't self level once the vehicle was turned on, either....driveable? Barely.

All told, repairs without warranty would have probably come close to $5000. Even with the extended warranty, we still shelled out about $400 for all the visits and subsequent repairs.

These failures, along with the piss poor service from the BMW dealership near my house led us to head to the other BMW dealership in town. We spent 4 hours there yesterday, test driving a few 2005 4.4i's, and a 2004 4.8is. The 4.8is is, of course, fully loaded, with the nice aluminum running boards, and a second set of rims for winter tires. Lower km's than our original 4.4i too, which is a bonus.

To cut a long story short, our Sales guy (from whom we purchased the original vehicle) gave us a pretty good deal on the 4.8is. We pick it up tomorrow, after it's been checked out and polished up. Because of the condition of our 4.4i, we leftit at the dealship last night, and our sales guy gave us a 325xi until we pick up the 4.8is.

I'll post some pictures when we get it.

Let me say that one thing that really bothered me about the BMW location near my house is that they never, EVER offered to give us a loaner vehicle. We asked, they said they didn't have any. The location we bought the 4.8is from OFFERED us a vehicle for a few days until the 4.8is is ready. No questions, no hassles. Granted, we just bought a vehicle, but they had offered a loaner before if we took the x5 for service to their location. Problem is, that location is on the other side of the city.

Oh, both location are owned by the same individual - so there shouldn't have been a "you didn't buy this from us, why should we help you" sort of issue.

From now on, I'll drive to the South location service.

(Edited to reflect the fast it's a 2004, not a 2005 4.8is - oops).