In all honestly, I have to disagree with some of the posters on this thread that feel spending thosands $ each year should be expected. I love BMW, but I have owned both an e30 318i and e40 325i convertible for years that ran without a single problem, just had to change the oil and brakes. So IMHO, BMW should make their higher end models more reliable. I've owned over 25 cars, and my 3.0i X5 and my Jeep back in college have been the most $ to maintain. As far as reliabity, I love the poster who says in regards to all the repairs needed he likes his car to have character. If character means high maintenance costs, then sign me up for something that lacks it. I agree with the other poster that say parts are incredibly expensive and some components should simply last longer. Shockingly, the most trouble-free car our family has ever owned hasn't been a BMW, Toyota, or Honda. Its a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan with 300,000 miles and that we bought from the original owner 10 yrs ago, and never spent more than $500 on since and we cant believe how solid it is. To answer your question though, I wouldn't buy another X5, but I would definitely buy another BMW.