Guys, I'm close to ditching the X5...

[BMWX5]

Originally Posted by Chris F.

I agree. Give it another month. If you are having more problems, sell it and call it a day.

I agree

[spaz07]

Thanks B-Line. I think I might have a mild case of that steering issue, but it's more like...12:30 or so instead of 1:00, so to speak. I'm planning on increasing my bank account over the next 8 to 9 months and hopefully getting a new 'something' late late this fall or early next year....decisions decisions. But I love my X5, and mom's gettting a new E90 330. We'll see where it all goes from here!

ATB, Zach

[B-Line]

Let me just follow up by saying, you will be disappointed by any other car, other than the X5. They are fast, comfortable, handle great, and so much more I can't put into words..
So just to be sure my advice was clear. Stay with an X5.. But lease rather than finance..

[Curious Joel]

Originally Posted by B-Line

Let me just follow up by saying, you will be disappointed by any other car, other than the X5. They are fast, comfortable, handle great, and so much more I can't put into words..
So just to be sure my advice was clear. Stay with an X5.. But lease rather than finance..

That is so true. After owning an X5 I dont think any other car can come close... The X5 really is the Ultimate Driving Machine, and even my 330, which is apparently the benchmark for all sport sedans, feels cheap and lowly. And that's saying something!

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by B-Line

They don't stand behind their products like window regulators or shakey side view mirrors, or some stupid electronics glitch that they never bothered to recall.

You have the shaky side mirror, too?! I thought I was alone on this one. My driver's side mirror has developed a rattle over the last 1000 miles or so.

Even in a car wash, when the car goes through the dryer, the air alone makes the mirror jiggle. Not to mention the bass from the audio drivers in that door, plus the terrible Eastern-Europe-style roads of Toronto these days.

Any fix?

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by B-Line

Let me just follow up by saying, you will be disappointed by any other car, other than the X5. They are fast, comfortable, handle great, and so much more I can't put into words..
So just to be sure my advice was clear. Stay with an X5.. But lease rather than finance..

and don't get xenon headlights unless you want them ripped from the front of your X when you least expect it

[gojira-san]

BMWs are not the most cost-effective car to own. Even keeping up with the little things will not always protect you from the big things/design flaws in the cars. For example, I bought my E39 used with high mileage (80000 mi). I use it as a commuting car and as a replacement for a truck (I carry mostly video equipment, etc in it). It is easier to park in the city and gets better mileage than the truck did.

Since I got it for a good price, was able to review the maintenance records, and I own it outright, I figure as long as I don't spend more than $3-4,000 on it a year (apx 250-300 month), I am doing better than buying a new car. With a 5 year old car, I pay a lot less in excise tax here too ($120 a year vs $600 or so for my '04 330). I don't get as PO'ed from door dings by Boston drivers either. It's not my only vehicle, so if it has to go into the shop I am not screwed either.

If I can get 3-5 more years out if it, I figure I am ahead of the game. My 0.02 FWIW.