Considering doing the sin in the eyes of BMW gods and replace X5 with Lexus GX 470

[bmw540san]

X5 is running great at 132k miles but my wife mainly drives it and I want something boring and reliable for her. Yes, it's a boat and heavy pig but ever since I got my 05 Tundra with 208k miles on the clock I got new appreciation for Toyota.
I briefly considered newer minivan but I feel I'd loose my manhood being seen in one, lol.
I would still have my BMW fix with only M3 powered 528 in country (to my knowledge):
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...swap-on-my-528
I did have dumb ass driver hit the 528 few weeks ago but she's almost ready to back to service.
I'm looking at 05-09 first gen which has same engine as my Tundra. I love the X5 and I have fond memories in my 6 years of ownership but it might be the time to pass the torch. Everything is sorted out other than TC guides.
My X5 is perfect example that guides are not ticking time bomb as internet makes it to be. Can they go out tommorow? Sure, but I'm convinced that 88C thermostat and more frequent oil changes helped mine.
Also, I always hated oval shaped exhaust tips so Supersprint solved that problem.
I'm thinking of trying BAT as even though the miles are relatively high for their typical listing, I feel my X5 is special enough to peak their interest.

[upallnight]

What's a real sin is that you live in TN and didn't support the local economy by buying a Cadillac XT5 built in Spring Hill TN, or you didn't buy a VW Atlas SUV also built in TN.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by upallnight

What's a real sin is that you live in TN and didn't support the local economy by buying a Cadillac XT5 built in Spring Hill TN, or you didn't buy a VW Atlas SUV also built in TN.

LOL, true that.
But, I literally cringe looking at new or newer vehicles, regardless of brand.
One of reasons I'm interested in first gen GX470 is the fact they're built in Japan.
When they build the car in TN where the quality is on pair with GX470, I'll gladly support local economy. And we all know that chances of that are 0%.
Regardless of brand and location, todays vehicles will never be of quality like they use to.
It's a simple fact of todays global economy.

[Purplefade]

Beautiful X5 for sure! With that said, times and needs change, I’m sure you’ll be sad to see her go - and may even come back to thinking about her from time to time - but, if the times right and the need is there, no real sin

Grab what you want and enjoy - life is too short (to work on an X5 all the time - though I do love mine).


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Purplefade

Beautiful X5 for sure! With that said, times and needs change, I’m sure you’ll be sad to see her go - and may even come back to thinking about her from time to time - but, if the times right and the need is there, no real sin

Grab what you want and enjoy - life is too short (to work on an X5 all the time - though I do love mine).


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Thank you.
As I'm getting older (pushing 47) I find myself enjoying less working on cars. And that is with lift and very good selection of tools.
It's simply amazing how quiet and simple is 4.7 toyota V8 when compared to M62. I changed the VC gaskets when I initialy got the truck 8 months ago and it was clear the gaskets were original. The M62 would be probably on 3rd set.
I could go on and on about the diferences in quality but I'm simply tired of BMW constant need for something.
I've recently had the fleet of 528, X5 and M5 and there was rarely the week that one BMW didn't need something.
After initial going over the truck (maintenance and few fixes), it has had no issues whatsoever.
If I have bought any BMW 14 years / 207k miles old, the story would be different.
Anyway, the only problem with first gen Lexus GX470 is that it demands high price for obvious reasons.
I'd like to get 2005+ for upgrade in HP (about 35 HP due to valve timing technology).

[KEI7]

Sub'd, as I am also in my 40s and getting a bit tired of the care I need to give to my X5, and also considering a future switch to a Toyota SUV...

Interested to hear what route you will take!

[TriX5]

We share the appreciation of the Toyota 4.7L V8. My 2005 Tundra engine has been flawless apart from needing a SAI pump at about 160k. Last January my steering rack went belly up at 206k and I did the front suspension bushings a few months back. The new bushings transform the driving experience. Just now it is in my garage disassembled while I wait for parts to install a new timing belt and water pump at 208k. Some other wear items like rollers and pulleys will also be replaced.

The 2UZ engine is very reliable but not completely maintenance free and the way the front of the engine is designed and the amount of stuff to remove to get to the timing belt is reminiscent of the M62. Less messy as you don't get in to the oil side but still a lot of wrenching in my view. See picture below for current status of my 2UZ.... :-)

What I am not fond of on the 2005 is the rather lame transmission and illogical shifts. I considered the GX470 in 2006 given but in the end I needed a bit more style and got the e53. After an e70 diesel acquired in 2012 my wife was more than done with the constant maintenance on these SUVs and we got the Cayenne but I still drive the e53 and e70 almost daily. The e70 will go on the block in the fall but I am still very fond of the smaller and lighter e53.

Keep us posted on your experiences if you do go for a GX470?


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[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by KEI7

Sub'd, as I am also in my 40s and getting a bit tired of the care I need to give to my X5, and also considering a future switch to a Toyota SUV...

Interested to hear what route you will take!

Yes, will do so. The trick is finding the one at or under 200k miles and maintained well for a reasonable price.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by KEI7

Sub'd, as I am also in my 40s and getting a bit tired of the care I need to give to my X5, and also considering a future switch to a Toyota SUV...

Interested to hear what route you will take!

Didn't buy a Toyota SUV but we are driving the soccer mom Toyota Sienna minivan. Besides regular oil and filter changes, the only major work I've done on the van was to replace the timing belt and water pump, replace all the brake pads, and upgraded the front struts and springs. We have been driving the soccer mom minivan for the past two years and is one reason why I decided to sell the X. Just switching to regular gas instead of using premium saved a ton of cash per month plus the mileage on the minivan is way better than the X5. I still have all my other toys to drive around. If you feel old at 47 just wait until you hit 70.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Didn't buy a Toyota SUV but we are driving the soccer mom Toyota Sienna minivan. Besides regular oil and filter changes, the only major work I've done on the van was to replace the timing belt and water pump, replace all the brake pads, and upgraded the front struts and springs. We have been driving the soccer mom minivan for the past two years and is one reason why I decided to sell the X. Just switching to regular gas instead of using premium saved a ton of cash per month plus the mileage on the minivan is way better than the X5. I still have all my other toys to drive around. If you feel old at 47 just wait until you hit 70.

Yeah, it's hard to match Toyota reliability. But it's worth mentioning that newest models are probably not as good as let's 10-15 years ago.
Anyway, while I'm "only" 47, I went through hell from 91-95 in Yugoslavia Civil War. I was young back then but age is rediscovering the damage done. But, I'm alive while many are not so I'lll keep marching on.