Should I buy an older X5? Answer NO

[Spanker]

Can I have yours? I can come for it tomorrow pronto! I'll even bring sammiches...

[amancuso]

Mine has had relatively few issues over the 2.5 yrs I've owned it. Expenses have been high because I have no time to do the work myself.

Issues:
rear air bags
air compressor
valve cover gaskets
alternator bracket gasket
Valve stem seals.

Do I care? No. The car rewards back in spades. If I was on a budget I wouldn't buy this car. I'd buy a 4-5 year old Civic, and even those aren't without their issues (look up AC problems).

[srmmmm]

I think I take the award for ultimate crazy though with 368,400 miles on the original transmission fluid...just waiting for next summer's boat towing


Ultimately though, my annual maintenance, even performed by my gracious local BMW dealer, has cost less than new car payments would be on a similar vehicle. I just wish the leather on the driver's seat didn't give away how much butt time its had. Overboost can attest to that.


2002 X5 3.0 368,400 miles
2014 428i 65,500 miles


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


1970 Firebird Under restoration

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

I think I take the award for ultimate crazy though with 368,400 miles on the original transmission fluid...just waiting for next summer's boat towing


Ultimately though, my annual maintenance, even performed by my gracious local BMW dealer, has cost less than new car payments would be on a similar vehicle. I just wish the leather on the driver's seat didn't give away how much butt time its had. Overboost can attest to that.


2002 X5 3.0 368,400 miles
2014 428i 65,500 miles


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


1970 Firebird Under restoration

Your car looks fantastic, even with that kind of mileage. We should all hope to get that kind of service out of our BMW's.

[LOWvert]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I see so many of these things on the road...

This is also the case in Toronto, however almost every one looks like crap I mainly see 3.0 model, and every one I've seen all have rear suspension issues (severe camber on one or both sides, toe in, sagging rear end).


None of the drivers seem to acknowledge my E53, they are always in their own little world!

[StephenVA]

No love for our SAVs. Been to shows and people walk by like it was a minivan. Love mine, get comments every time I park it. At work they think it is new, but then it only has 63K on it. Soon to be 64K....
Most people equate clean with a new car, as theirs are NEVER clean once off the dealer's lot.

[zonefive]

You don't have to know how to wrench if you have a good indy.

I have had my 2001 since new. I've posted all the unscheduled repairs elsewhere.

I still drive mine with 189k on the clock because I'm too cheap to buy a new car and I have become attached to this one.

But you are right, if you don't have the time, don't drive one. Get a Hyundai.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by LOWvert

This is also the case in Toronto, however almost every one looks like crap I mainly see 3.0 model, and every one I've seen all have rear suspension issues (severe camber on one or both sides, toe in, sagging rear end).


None of the drivers seem to acknowledge my E53, they are always in their own little world!

I agree. Most are 3.0i's with rear camber issues. But... still running and serving their owners. Just like every old navigator you see has the air bags blown out and every old explorer sounds like crap squeaking from the front suspension. But they keep going...

I used to get no real attention in Red. After the aero kit swap it gets a bunch of it. From BMW people and those I'd not even really expect to care alike.

[computergui]

Like a lot of others on this thread, the addiction/sado masochism in me is strong. I own a 95 540i with 360K that is probably good to half a mil. I recently picked up a e53 4.4 that the previous owner practically begged me to take. I've spent the entire summer making it road worthy and it's certainly a hoot to drive. That said, I've spent the last few weeks watching youtube videos on how to properly rebuild a ZF5HP24.

[onthefence]

Originally Posted by Boston01X5

expect something to go wrong or a new problem every month.

Can you post a list of repairs you've needed in 18 months?
Time to determine if you're clueless or legit.