01 X5 4.4 do I dump it or fix it.

[sarnomel]

So I just bought the scanner to check the codes and what not. With the problems that I'm told by the dealer that my X5 has I was really thinking of just letting my friend take it to auction. My problem is that I really love my X5, I love the way it looks, drives, everything. It's an 01 and almost paid for so I'm thinking do I just pay it off and find a good indy to fix all the issues that the dealer claims I have, air conditoner, tranny and some weird noice in the front end that sounds like the cv joint but they are saying it's a steering "something" I can't remember. This car has had alot of problems and obviously has alot to fix. Do I dump it or fix it and have an 01 that's paid for and has had almost everything on it replaced or get a newer one and have payments for another few years? Just curious what you guys would do? If you read all my other posts you would see only about a fourth of the problems I have had with it. I used to just replace whatever the dealership told me needed replacing until I found this forum.. Thanks everyone

[vinuneuro]

Take out your service receipt and post what it says.

[Big "J"]

Fix it.

[sarnomel]

which service receipt, I have so many?

[swissfrank]

i'd say fix it, especially if it's almost paid off! With all that money that would otherwise go to car payments will leave a lot for repairs lol

[ZsX5o3]

Originally Posted by sarnomel

which service receipt, I have so many?

I think he means the current issues in question.

[Werewolf]

I was told the following:

When repairs (current and near-term) are greater than 50% of the resale value of the car, sell it.

[sarnomel]

Ok from the dealership it states ,I short tested the vehicle and found the fault was caused by the torque converter lockup, excessive slip. They quoted me New transmission for 6700 and or torque converter for 3600. I must add on to this that it was tested at 99162, I try to drive my other car but have still driven the X5 without anything being fixed, my mileage is now 100300 and I haven't noticed any slipping of gears or anything different at all. Another problem was a hear a noice in front end which to me sounds similiar to when a cv joint is going out (replaced right cv joint at 40k) they said "checked operation and found that intermittently that when turning wheel that a knock was heard. checked and found that steering shaft was good suspension was good, tie rods good checked and found that steering rack had play in it and was causing noice, customer declined service. I can't find the invoice about the air conditioner, I could only find the parts and price they told me. They said i needed Final stage to blow air $175, a/c to blow cold air $500.Since I can't find the invoice I'm not sure what I did, i know it was around six hundred and from i remember I was replacing the blower but it only blows hot air and when I took it to Jiffy Lube to see if they could charge the freeon (don't know how to spell it) they were the ones that ran the dye through and found a hole in a line. So that is all I know and I do love the car just have so many problems with it that it's overwelming and not sure what to do and i certainly don't trust the dealer and have not found an indy out here in SLC, Ut. I did google it and the one I found I have been to and they are worse than the dealer. Thanks again guys

[Werewolf]

Sell it.
Great car; had its day.
It sounds like you really have two choices:
1) Fix it for a total of 8K USD and keep it until your wheels fall off. I think the tranny and the suspension issues are mandatory fixes. It sounds like you don't have much choice for mechanics in Salt Lake so
2) Sell it now and buy a more reliable vehicle (4runner?)

What can you get at auction

[Tomaz]

If you like your X5, spend the money and keep it. It's cheaper in the long run. Find an independent shop and they can replace the transmission and torque converter for about $4500. The key to keeping any car for extended miles is keep on top of the repairs and you must have a good trusted mechanic. Good luck