The first 3-4 years I owned my X5, I hardly did anything other than routine maintenance. Then around 70k it's been constantly and I mean constantly needing things replaced. It started with the cooling system (over $1k), then the MAF and cam sensors and other emissions stuff ($1k), then window regulators and sticking door locks ($$), then CV boots/axles, then control arms and sway bar links, then the pixel issue with the radio and info display, and then and then and then... Can you tell it gets REALLY old to have to drop thousands of dollars into a vehicle just to keep it running right and safely? I'm all about dropping coin on a vehicle to make it perform better, but just trying to keep up with the next thing that goes wrong just to keep it at status quo is frustrating. I'm single and have no kids, but if I had a wife and/or children, I would honestly get something newer (maybe just a newer X5) or more reliable because I wouldn't want to be worrying all the time.
Not to be dissuade you, but please do not just get so enamored with the vehicle that you make a decision you regret later. I have a "travel fund" that I was using to save for some trips to Australia and Thailand - it's not fun to use that money to keep my aging X5 on the road to get me to and from work. Every wonder why you can buy a Rolls Royce from the 1980's for +/- $15k when that's a fraction of what they cost new? Because you'll spend that money +/- $15k every year you own it if you want to drive it
