What's Next?? 2001 X5 3.0

[mark scheurer]

OK I bought the car new, love it, but have had a lot of problems in the last 12-18 months -- wondering when it will stop (within reason) and what is in store for me.... Should I buy an MDX RIGHT NOW???

Just had the left lower control arm replaced today (ball joint bad)
Also had both power steering hoses replaced (leaking). Total work today = $800

In the last 18 mos:
Both outer CV boots
Engine Aux Fan
Three window regulators
Tail light assembly because a single contact had rusted
Camshaft sensor
Total costs = A LOT.

I was paranoid and had the transmission fluid changed, and also replaced the water pump so I would have less of a chance of being stranded.... (I read the horror stories).

Just wondering when the next shoe to drop will be....

The car has 90.000 miles. I have always taken care of it and done the scheduled maintenance. Love the car, want to keep it but I don't want it to turn into a money pit. This car lives a totally pampered life in San Diego. What is the next thing to go???

[ZsX5o3]

why stop now when you're just getting the car perfect?

those are all really common maintenance things. The real problem may to be the price you're paying. dealership?

I'm replacing power steering hoses next week, but I'm gonna be all like woot! new power steering hoses!

[mark scheurer]

Ok the car is perfect now?

I can live with that. But is the sunroof going to fail? Is the alternator going to die? Is the rear diff going to eat itself? What's next?

[ZsX5o3]

I don't know, sell it if you want. they all just look like fairly cheap maintenance costs to me.

[msammy]

Originally Posted by mark scheurer

Ok the car is perfect now?

I can live with that. But is the sunroof going to fail? Is the alternator going to die? Is the rear diff going to eat itself? What's next?

Your guess is as good as ours. All I can say is I've had very good luck with my 2002 now with 90K miles, just one CV Joint and the sway bar links replaced in the past 18 months or so. Don't buy the MDX, nobody wants to see another grill driving along with the grinning-idiot look on it!!! The MDX is a hideous looking vehicle!

[x555a]

Originally Posted by ZsX5o3

I don't know, sell it if you want. they all just look like fairly cheap maintenance costs to me.

A for car of that age with that mileage thats standard repairs and if you have had it from new thats not a great deal of repairs.However if they have all happened in the last 18 months it seems never ending but if you had paid for all those over the lifetime of the car they wouldn't seem so expensive.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by x555a

A for car of that age with that mileage thats standard repairs and if you have had it from new thats not a great deal of repairs.However if they have all happened in the last 18 months it seems never ending but if you had paid for all those over the lifetime of the car they wouldn't seem so expensive.

I have an '01 3.0 that I bought from new and have 85K miles on it now. Not many repairs for me and that list that you mentioned isn't really bad for an 8 year old car.

[sprocket1200]

you bought the car when it was new and you are worried about costs??

you need to figure it out quick. the MOST expensive thing you can do is buy a NEW car....

on second thought, yes, the maintenance costs are high and WHO KNOWS how much higher they can get. Go buy a NEW car so it can depreciate (drastically) and one of us can buy it and have the cheap (relatively) repairs.

as above a good indy is essential, and DIY is fun AND inexpensive....

[mark scheurer]

I do have a good indy. Total repairs for the car in the last 18 mos = $5200.

If I bought another car it would a used 2006 3.0 for low-mid 20s with about 35k on the clock.

If I have to keep putting 1,000 bucks into this car every 2-3 months, one wonders whether it would be cheaper to get another car that will be trouble free for 50k miles (that's 5 years of service for me).

I've seen "the list" of weaknesses for the X5. Now I'm wondering about my thrust bushings, radiator, oil separator, steering rack, clockspring, etc. Wondering what I can reasonably predict will go wrong with this car.

I have put off replacing the seat covers on the driver's side which need it because the heating elements have shorted. That's another 1400 right there....

[mrbmwx5]

OK ..You buoght a BMW and can't keep up with the maintenance costs then
SALE it.