Should I buy an older X5? Answer NO

[Tonyfeb14]

I am an engineer and DIY, so not afraid to take on the repairs on my 2003 4.4 X5, but I have to agree with the original poster, these cars are higher maintenance than other cars I have owned, and I have a Jeep Wangler with 280,000 miles. Granted, the complexity of a lawnmower compared to the X5.

Now, you can also argue what do you expect of a 17 year old vehicle that has reached 140,000 miles. Well, my list of fixes is pretty long, and there is always something else failing. I think they are stylish, comfortable, great driving vehicles, but you need to be DIY, else you will spend a small fortune and know every mechanic at the dealership by name.

My list runs like this. The BMW X5 journey started with the purchase of a very clean used X5, 44756 miles from Florida, so no rust:

49990 right CV boot replace, didn't notice when I bought it
45560 replace oil separator hoses, to fix the new oil leak
54450 power steering suction hose replace
59250 Radiator replace
60500 upper radiator hose, new water pump
65175 front and rear brakes and discs
68736 alternator replace
71863 transmission neutral switch replace
75704 rear air springs, heater hose replace
78000 front sway bar links
110000 ABS controller, rebuilt unit
126746 replace radiator, again
135860 front axles, CV joints and boots
136703 front brakes, rebuild calipers, sensor
138560 thermostat
141131 water pump again, alternator again, valley pan M62 known issue, serpentine belts, front control arm bushings
141547 replace mass air flow sensor, control arms and ball joints

Today, waiting for a new Secondary Air Pump, and trying to decide if the sluggish power steering is a power steering pump or the rack and pinion. Something to ponder...

Plus all the usual tires, battery, wheel alignments, etc.

This car can keep you busy.