Should I or Shouldnt I

[Gravy]

Currently experiencing a major decision making process as to whether to retire my 4.4L 2000 build E53 X5.

I ve had the vehicle for 5 years, its about to click up 160,000 Kms, and its cost be a bomb in repair costs. Some of the components replaced include CD player, front end rebuild, cam position sensors, MAP sensor, resistor element , windscreen wiper motor.

The Sat Nav unit has just failed.

Vehicle has been serviced regularly and Ive just replaced the spark plugs and tyres. Its performing and driving very satisfactorily at present.

Done some homework on vehicle devaluation as a trade in value its lost $A50,000 in 5 years.

Is it time to shop it or can I expect another 5 years of reliable motoring before I am faced with a major engine or transmission failure. The stealer believes the perifery items like the air conditioning will be the next items to fail.

What has been you guys experiences with vehicles of this age, should I persevere and cancel the order for the new Volvo XC60 T6.

[TaMbALoLoNg]

Can it...

[X Foomph]

G'day Gravy,
Sorry to hear of your troubles with your X, however several of those items are to be expected. Did the front end rebuild include shocks as well? I note that your tranny is still running fine (that's a biggy). You've racked up some serious k's and given the age you're probably right in deciding to move on. Worth noting that other members here have run into very high milage (with '00 - '02) and are happy with their rides.

I've just had a good read up on the new Volvo you mentioned and there are a few good things going for it, namely the price, the list of standard equipment (sought of) and the fuel economy is very commendable.
Having said that I don't really like the appearance of the front end and in particular the air dam (have you seen it with the exterior titanium Sports trim?), the overall shape of the rear end (in particular the tail lights) the head rest profile, the lack of more timber trim internally, the colour of said timber trim also (way too light and too mariner looking) and the fact that an alarm system and cruise control are options. I mean, c'mon this is supposed to be a luxury vehicle.
VOLVO XC60 T6 3.0 DZ For Sale from TRIVETT VOLVO PARRAMATTA - Used Cars - CarBuddy (Ad ID: 71577)

On a good day, driving a hard deal and for a few grand extra you could stay behind the blue n white roundel with an E70 diesel X5 less than 12 months old, such as this one: Used BMW X5 E70 D STEPTRONIC EXECUTIVE 2008 - Western Australia - CarPoint Australia Suffice to say it comes equipped with a list longer than your arm.

I appreciate your eagerness to get into a brand new vehicle however the 2 vehicles can not compare (IMO). Can't help but think you will take a larger beating with depreciation and eventual resale with the Volvo. Not to mention the fact that over here in Oz (as you would probably know) that the age old stigma of Volvo's and their drivers are to avoided like the plague.

I wish you the best in which ever path you choose. Come back with pics.
GL

[Gravy]

G/day X Foomph

The Volvo specs up far better than you have indicated and once you add the Tecnik pak you have sat nav, reversing camera +++.

Volvo safety is also a primary plus, most of BMWs safety functions are the result of Volvo R&D, even the humble seat belt. The new automatic collision avoidance system will appear on BMWs in the not too distant future.

I am totally compatable with your thoughts on Volvo depeciation and the lack of Aussie empathy. I am also struggling with the high fuel consumption of the T6 Vs on the Urban cycle, however $A15K extra for the BMW puts a lot of juice in the Volvo.

BMW has served my missus well her 318 was a gem and her new 320 even better, just peed of with the run Ive had with the X5.

In hind sight I should never have gone with the first year production run of a vehicle, the bugs are never ironed out during testing.

I hope the OS participants on the forum can give me some ammunition to assist with the decision making.

[X Foomph]

Point taken with Volvo R & D and 'first year production run and ironing out probs'. When jumping the fence on this forum over to our E70 friends it's more than obvious and I'm sure very frustrating & costly that known issues with the E53 are still existant with the newer model plus a few new ones like shit poor quality rear view camera etc.

But are you not in the same boat with 'first year production run issues' with the new Volvo as much as the E70?

Good to hear it's all good with your 3 series.

I'll park it up now, go next door and check out further responses with the one way mirror.

[vsx05]

Sry to hear about all ur troubles. I have my x5 3.0d for 5 years and i hope that i do not see these problems any time soon.

I think it is probably time to move foward. Trade it in for something else before it cost you even more money. With the way markets are going, you should be able to pick-up a cheapy new or 2nd hand quite easy.

Good luck

[jaypete1]

My 2000 4.4 just turned 200k kms. I've had it since 2004 with about 67k kms. The 4.4 is a good old horse of a motor. When I read the posts on this forum, I get nervous about the transmission. My trade-in value is down to about $8,000 US, so it's not worth much. A new one will cost me $65,000 US, and a low mileage used about half that. The way I look at it now, is that mine is in great shape, and I've kept up on the maintenance. I don't like to think about how much it's cost to keep things up, but I could put a lot more money into it now and still spend much less than a new(er) car of any kind. For now, I'm keeping mine.