I have all the service records for my X5 4.8is.

Lets put it like this, I am not impressed. I also see the previous owners complaints about certain things, that it seems BMW did not address. And these were right before I got the car. It's warranty ended right as I bought it.

I didn't spend $12k. I paid $26,011 after taxes.
So far I had done the following.
1. New tires all around, $1200.00
2. Seat belt button, that makes the buckle stay when not in use. $5
3. Front door seal, torn to shit on bottom $80
4. Thrust bushings both sides $75
5. Pass mirror wobbly, Free with help from this site.
6. Couldn't find blue tooth code until getting much needed help from site, Free
7. Trans oil drain and fill, filter, pan drop. Around $200. Chose original ZF fluid
8. Missing floor mats by the time it got to me from Florida. $200 for winter and summer mats.
9. Tail light error. Free, re-soldered the burnt out contact.

Shit I need to do.
1. PDC effed up, one sensor $100
2. Wind noise from Pano Roof, so probably looking at a seal, don't even want to think what is involved
3. Some oil leak from engine oil pan. Didn't get to yet, just started.
4. I might be looking at engine mounts.
5. Probably need end links
6. Most likely will need control arm bushings
7. Replace Nav screen. $200
8. Pass window goes up slow. Might be in for a new motor.

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A lot of maintenance was done on it before I got it. So I am happy about that.
1. W AIR SUSPENSION - AIR SUPPLY UNIT PERMANENT MALFUNCTION
2. Air supply system for air suspension (LF) permanent malfunction
3. W AIR SUSPENSION - AIR SUPPLY UNIT PERMANENT MALFUNCTION
4. BRAKE FLUID CHANGE- FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
5. W ACCUMULATOR/VALVE UNIT, AIR SUSPENSION (LF) PERMANENT
MALFUNCTION
6. ALTERNATOR/WATER PUMP DRIVE BELT- MAINTENANCE PLAN
7. W AIR SUSPENSION - TRACK ROD LOOSE
8. W TIMING CASE COVER, TOP LEAKING
9. W BELT TENSIONER-NOISY
10. W SUCTION LINE FROM OIL TANK TO PUMP LEAKING
11. W RADIATOR COMPENSATING TANK LEAKING
12. W Wheel bearing, front unpleasant noises
13. W OUTPUT SHAFT, FRONT UNPLEASANT NOISES
14. W Wheel bearing, front unpleasant noises
15. W PUMP, WINDSHIELD CLEANING SYSTEM PERMANENT FAILURE
16. W PUMP, REAR WINDOW CLEANING SYSTEM PERMANENT FAILURE

I have to say what I would never rent (Lease)a new BMW. The car was at the dealer every 4 months. If I dropped $75k (or $1300/month) on a new BMW and had to go to dealer so often, I would kill myself. My previous Lexus GS430, which you can trust me, I made it really fun to drive, was driven hard for 145k miles, didn't have 1/100th of these issues. The only time the Lex saw a mechanic was to get an inspection, or get tires mounted. In all that time, I only did the door lock actuator rebuilds $10. Oil, brakes, maf, and get fuel. Not mentioning the $5k in suspension work because that was to make it drive better and nothing was broken. Oh it was a 2001, and I still sold it in MINT condition for $10,700, yea 11 year old car. BMW has a lot to learn. A damn lot, it is a shame that the ultimate driving machine is the Ultimate money headache for some people.

Same way Lexus needs to learn some. If Lexus made their cars perform more out of the box, I guarantee BMW would loose a ton of sales. Most people don't want to buy a lexus to replace diff with LSD, drop a ton on suspension just to get it to stop acting like a pig on ice. Also a shame.

So these two brands are on opposite ends of the spectrum. What would you rather have? Let me tell you this though, if you get a Lexus or Toyota truck, you will not be able to do much to improve the driving dynamics.

With all that, the 4.8is is solid, super fun to drive, and doesn't seem to bother me all too much with the maintenance. I just hope the list doesn't keep getting bigger, just smaller as I bring it back to 100%. I am willing to give the car a chance. I had a bunch of 3 series before, so some issues are common. I also now have a garage so working on the beast is much more pleasant.

Does it bother me that the car needs maintenance. A little bit. We will see how it behaves once I get it to 100%.

If it continues to break shit on me non stop, it will go.

If Lexus comes out with a performance truck that looks good, the X will go as well. But for now, after all the test drives, and comparisons, the 4.8is is the car for me. There is really nothing else out there that does it for me like the X. Deal with it or sell it.

Sorry for the long post.