A Simple Honest Question

[srmmmm]

I think I have one of the most complete repair summaries in the forum for a 3.0 model so here goes:

On a regular basis:

> Rotate tires, inspect pads & Rotors, CV boots, general lookover every 5000 miles
> Oil / Filter change every 8000 miles
> Brake fluid flush every 30,000 miles
> Replace belts and clean CCV every 100,000 miles
> Replace differential and transfer case fluid every 100,000 miles
> Replace sparkplugs every 120,000 miles
> Replace expansion tank, coolant and hoses every 150,000 miles
> Replace bake pads every 163,000 miles (Akebono ceramics)
> Replace rotors??? (241,000 miles on current Brembos)

My unplanned repairs have included:

> Front axles at 60,000 miles (Prior owner didn't maintain CV boots)
> FSR at 78,000 miles
> Two sparkplug coils and accessory belt tensioner at 124,000 miles
> Alternator at 126,000 miles
> Front driveshaft at 136,000 (used a salvage transfer case for cost savings)
> FSR (again) at 159,000 miles
> Thermostat and OFHG at 176,000 miles
> Rear differential seal at 200,000 miles
> Secondary air pump at 224,000 miles
> Rear suspension bushings and upper control arms at 242,000 miles
> Thermostat (again) at 245,000 miles - at least it was warranty this time
> Steering column double U-Joint shaft at 245,000 miles
> Valve cover gasket at 245,000 miles
> Both fuel tank sending units, fuel pump and canister at 245,000 miles
> Aux fan when the harness got chewed up in the mechanical fan and shorted out at 259,000 miles
> Pre-cat O2 sensors at 260,400 miles
> Water pump at 262,800 miles
> DISA Valve and MAF at 263,800 miles
> Thermostat (again) at 299,000 miles (don’t know what’s going on with these)
> Driver door handle carrier replaced a second time at 310,600 miles (thought they had these fixed finally)
> Intermediate accessory belt pulley at 310,600 miles
> Valve cover (not just the gasket) and oil filter housing gasket at 317,000 miles



The "Expected" replacements have been:

> All four window regulators
> Driver door handle carrier
> Front axle outer CV boots (each side one time)
> Front tension struts

All in all, except for the front driveshaft job that cost $4200, I have really been happy with the vehicle. It doesn't get babied, but I do monitor and maintain it. I think a lot of my good fortune is due to four things: I live in Texas with short winters so I don't have a lot of the CCV condensation problems, my daily commute is 60 miles so the engine oil always reaches full operating temperature, I run the "M" series viscosity engine oil from May through September when I my driving includes 3000 miles of towing a 1400 pound Waverunner and trailer, and I stick with Shell gasoline.

Additionally, I don't change the transmission fluid! I'm a firm believer in leaving it alone and simply installing a full re-manufactured transmission if it ever becomes necessary.

You'll have to pay a little closer attention to your cooling system and CCV because of your cooler temperatures, but a long life with these vehicles can be enjoyed!


And I have realized that each of my thermostat failures has occurred after a long period of idling (2-3 hours) in gridlock traffic during snow/ice storms here in Dallas. So I'm thinking that the thermostat is being "worked hard" electrically to restrict water flow to try and maintain the engine temperature and provide heat to the interior.



2002 X5 3.0 323,000 miles
2014 428i 27,000 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird - Under restoration

[squidzilla]

My Bmw's sometime go a few years without issues. My 545i seems to have problems pop up every few years. Last year the battery and voltage regulator went out. I replaced the battery with a Walmart one for 125.00 and the VR for 41.00 with a Valeo part. I did both of these myself and saved about 1500.00 since the dealer wanted to replace the entire alternator. This year my window regulator and door carriers are failing on my X5's. And to make things worse the door actuator had the section that holds the Bowden cable super glued together and it broke while removing the door card. Now I get to replace that with a Dorman brand for 114.00. Personally, if this is your only car and you do not have time or patience to be a DIY guy, these will get expensive fast at high miles. Otherwise it is just parts and your time.

[jnclem]

Originally Posted by sk_latigre

You're more than likely going to run into some type of problem if the PO didn't already fix the problem before selling the X. I've had mine since January 2014 and so far my back door outside handles have been broken, my passenger window regulator has broken (due to horrible tint by PO), sunroof leak and broken guide, and the front driveshaft clunks due to the AC drain. Other than that the car runs fantastic, haven't had any major engine problems besides a coil pack going out which was replaced the next day.

The previous owners took very good care of the vehicle, and were very knowledgeable about BMWs and car maintenance/repair in general. That's one thing that increased my confidence to make the purchase.

[jnclem]

Originally Posted by squidzilla

My Bmw's sometime go a few years without issues. My 545i seems to have problems pop up every few years. Last year the battery and voltage regulator went out. I replaced the battery with a Walmart one for 125.00 and the VR for 41.00 with a Valeo part. I did both of these myself and saved about 1500.00 since the dealer wanted to replace the entire alternator. This year my window regulator and door carriers are failing on my X5's. And to make things worse the door actuator had the section that holds the Bowden cable super glued together and it broke while removing the door card. Now I get to replace that with a Dorman brand for 114.00. Personally, if this is your only car and you do not have time or patience to be a DIY guy, these will get expensive fast at high miles. Otherwise it is just parts and your time.

Thanks for your reply,

It's not our only car, but it will be our long trip car. I don't like getting left on the road in some of the remote locations that we travel.

[jnclem]

Originally Posted by dkl

On my 2004, nothing was needed (other than basic maintenance) for the first 8 years. I decided to overhaul the cooling system on year #8 (waterpump, T-stat, hoses, belts, expansion tank, fan clutch, etc.) - still nothing broke...just doing it as precaution. Then minor stuffs (valve cover gasket along with Vanos overhaul, oil filter housing gasket, crankcase vent, alternator, window regulator, etc.) about every other year after that. The Vanos overhaul wasn't really necessary - it was one of those "while you're in there" sort of thing during the valve cover gasket job.

The only time that the car almost left me stranded was with the dying alternator. But it got me home on that outing.

I too, almost didn't buy the X5 13 years ago due to all the negative reliability reviews on it. I'm glad I had ignored all those nay-sayers because I would have never get to enjoy this beast otherwise.

Thanks. Great reply. I'm struggling because in order to keep it, I have to sell our dead reliable Subaru that gets us everywhere, and through everything, without a whimper. But this X5 is SO nice!

[jnclem]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Here's my ditto...pile on...beat dead horse contribution.

If you hang out in front of the hospital everyday...then you're gonna see a lot of sick people...and may soon feel that everyone is dying! But how long have the staff (doctors, nurses, volunteers, etc) been working at the same hospital and are doing fine?

If you work in law enforcement/court system...you can become jaded into thinking that the world is all full of scum bags, theives, and degenerates...and loose hope in humanity.

Hanging around here is similar to hanging out around a hospital...must come here because they have a problem that they're trying to solve. But some of us (usually the regular posters that actually respond to posts) are not having issues...and either bought and maintained their BMWs, or shopped around for good examples and have gotten on a routine maintenance schedule...or found a project and brought her back to life.

If buying a used BMW...know that you may be getting a deal (as far as buy in price)...but even 10 years or more later...the vehicle is still a LUXURY vehicle and the cost of upkeep stays in that catagory. There's a lot of "extra" stuff that some brands/models don't have and are easier to maintain because they are simpler vehicles. The more "goodies" you add...the more it will cost to maintain that vehicle.

So yes, a 16 year old may be able to get into a formally $65K vehicle for $2500...but the cost of maintaining a 10-20 yr old used luxury vehicle is not for the faint of heart or heft of wallet or lack of mechanical experience or aptitude (especially if you're not a DIY'er or "hands-on" owner).

PPI's are a good start (pre-purchase inspection or post-purchase inspection) is highly recommended...from either a BMW dealership or good Indy. Even if the dealership's
"list" causes you to go into slight heart palpitations...at least you have an idea of the condition of the car. You can look at it multiple ways...run because it's more than you want to take on...or you can look at the things that need to be done immediately...determine if you can do them or if you'll need to pay to have it done...then look at the things you can put off to do later in the near future as you shop & collect the parts to do the work...and also know what maintenance/repair work that may be looming in the next few years. You may also be able to negotiate the price downward if the PPI reveals a lot of work needed. Again, its the best $100-$200 dollars you can spend...you'll know whether to walk away, run away, or buy.

Great answer, thanks. I did have the vehicle inspected. It was after I bought it because I know the PO and his level of skill very well. The transmission in this one has no issues at all thus far, all of the drive train is very solid, and most of the other expected issues here have already been done, including the valley pan recently, and now the alternator. The only one I keep seeing that has not been addressed, or been a problem yet, is the timing guides. I'll keep that in mind and look into symptoms and repair. I would assume it would be a rattle at start up when the problem starts, but I'll check that out.

Thanks for all the great replies everyone.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by squidzilla

My Bmw's sometime go a few years without issues. My 545i seems to have problems pop up every few years. Last year the battery and voltage regulator went out. I replaced the battery with a Walmart one for 125.00 and the VR for 41.00 with a Valeo part. I did both of these myself and saved about 1500.00 since the dealer wanted to replace the entire alternator. This year my window regulator and door carriers are failing on my X5's. And to make things worse the door actuator had the section that holds the Bowden cable super glued together and it broke while removing the door card. Now I get to replace that with a Dorman brand for 114.00. Personally, if this is your only car and you do not have time or patience to be a DIY guy, these will get expensive fast at high miles. Otherwise it is just parts and your time.

Most reliable and cheapest car in term of maintenance that I ever owned was my Ford Ranger pickup truck. Most expensive and unreliable cars were/are the Lotus. Good thing I don't drive those cars any longer.

[StephenVA]

with ALL of the above....

[bcredliner]

You can't count on any answer to be what you will experience. The best takeaways are the suggestions how to minimize the risk prior to purchase----PPI, Maintenance history, clean Carfax, buy as low mileage as you can find, be much more picky if you can't DIY, don't get emotionally involved in the purchase, search out low mileage southern vehicle as risk of higher cost repairs goes up quite a bit after 100,000 miles, look for an X5 that shows that owner valued the vehicle more than just as transportation, one or two owners---go overboard on due diligence. Regardless of how great the find have an annual budget for repairs.These are old vehicles in the stage of their lives where they are more prone to get sick. IMO I will wear out before long before my 4.6 does.

I think the most important point made is that forums are scary if you inhale all the negatives and expected to hear anything remotely close to a balance of positives.

I am one of those that has had a great experience with a 4.6 I bought new. I have 118,000 miles racked up and it looks and drives like new. I am a very happy owner.

[diyanich]

I wish we bought a 3.0l one.

We had ours for 9 years now and I should tell you that it was and is a complete money pit,but I like that it's a relatively easy vehicle to DIY and that's the only thing that kept me somewhat calm and away from driving it down the cliff,or burning it down.

Last summer I convinced to get a non-runner donor and it's stored at the cottage for odd spare parts and as a powertrain rebuilding project.

Does it last long between the repairs?...not really,maybe 3 months on average.
Definitely not a good option as an only vehicle for a family.

Guys are right that most of us here complain about issues which many people may not even experience.I think it's not so,as just recently I saw(locally) two E53s being sold with blown trannies and failed guides,both under 200,000 kms,and I leave in a tiny city.
0.02