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Originally Posted by JBF
Is the negative camber an 'issue'? All X5s I've been stuck behind in traffic have had camber on the rears (bottom of tyre sticking out more than top). I think that's pretty normal on a lot of cars (my Boxster has it for sure) and I wouldn't have it taken out as it will effect handling in corners. It ensures that a maximum amount of tyre surface is in contact with the road while cornering. I wouldn't want to risk unexpectedly losing grip on a winding country road and ending up in a ditch.
I imagine sway bars, bushes and even rear shocks can all be changed at home pretty much so I'm not too bothered about that kind of thing. Vital components like the tranny, turbo and the main block are the things that worry me as we would be talking a few grand to replace them.
I had a 2001 3-Series Coupe a few years back (2.2 petrol), it had 100k on the clock and rapidly started to fall apart. In about 6 months I needed a new clutch (£1600 from BMW), Power Steering pump (£450 parts), Radiator (£180 parts), Thermostat (£50 parts), PCV and pipes (£100+). After all that I couldn't drive it without worrying about something else blowing up of dropping off. Fuel consumption was fine but the thing was drinking oil (1L every 1000-1500 miles) and even with a new clutch the gear change often felt a bit rough so I got rid of it before the gearbox disintegrated!
Do you remember when German engineering used to be rock solid and reliable? Doesn't seem to be the case with MB and BMW anymore although Audi and VW are still pretty good. I'm very happy with the Porsche in terms of reliability but I need something more practical and cheaper to run.
I've test driven a new style ML320, Toureg and RR Sport TD6 (TD8 is way over budget). The ML was way too soft and wobbly, the Toureg was gutless and the RR felt underpowered and was a little over my budget (tho the interior is lovely). Most of the Asian 4x4's look gay and also have ridiculously small engines and poor performance. I suppose I could consider a Land Cruiser or something like that but in that case I may as well consider a Discovery which in my opinion is just way too big for my needs.
Overall I like the X5 look and a 3.0D is perfect, I think after my previous BMW experience I'm just worried that it's going to fall apart after a year or two!
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Na fella it won't tip over on corners, but I am sure it depends on how far you push it on corners???as for old german technology yup first car was a 1978 audi lovely, and next a 1983 merc 190e, was a tank SOLID...I have scanned bundles of posts on here fella and most people say water pump needs replacing at 50k miles, the rad expansion tank is useless and cheap prone to cracking, but the issue is that most posts are by v8 owners, not sure how good if at all 3.0d are compared.....?I think you are plagued by the same bug as me with the difference being you don't have a an x5 yet, been told to cross bridges as I get to them, but just cannot change my mentality and I freak out reading the stories...just for peace of mind before shipping my tank out to cyprus I spoke to BMW techinicians etc as couldn't locate the engine number and they all said it is a good car...it does go well, and I have been assured that getting superchips too 'tune' it makes it super to drive.
I get you point about the porsche, but i had the same issue too, wanted a more practical motor, Japanese well they are reliable as we know despite lacking in aesthetics although honda comes closet to european car finishes I think, I am going to see how the x5 3.0d behaves, any serious issues will post em here. I dont think it will fall apart, it is built well, but stuf like removing air filters is a nightmare according to posts here! all these little things really get on my nerves, but do you not buy a car because of these flaws???if my 1977 220d mercs engine never died on me I would have stuck with that
out here, at least spares are cheap and plentiful believe it or not. I have also checked u.k x5 sites but to be frank most knowlede is found on this site and the people are very helpful....good luck