An introduction...and a question on transmission/overall reliability.

[4MoJoe]

I purchased my extended warranty based upon my concern about something going wrong with the transmission after research and searching these forums.

Well that worry did come to light. About 2 years ago I had the transmission reprogrammed for the shifting issues discussed earlier which never really helped. Then it started to hiccup every 5 seconds at a specific speed which came and went for the last year.

I finally got it diagnosed as the mechatronic module and had it replaced (this month), under my 3rd party warranty. Cost of repair was $4,200 and I paid $100 deductible. I paid $3,600 for the warranty; I win!!! (from Security National). Now that the part is replaced I don't have the shift issues and the hiccup is gone as well.

I think the X5 drives better than it did 2 years ago.

I believe a '04 or newer X5 is the way to go. Get it inspected, know the history and consider strongly a warranty for the big items. My .02 cents.

[prgsxr]

if you can find one with the Zf 6spd ,something may go wrong with it as with any part on any car but you will have a lot of fun driving the beast .
really the only way around the worry is keep some cash in the bank for unforseen drama's if you don't you will never really enjoy driving .
when I first bought ours 4 mnths ago I didnt have a car fund and was always stressing about something going wrong , so I stopped wasting cash and put a few thou in the bank just for car and now I can't wait to drive the X every time I can

[wallyx5]

I have a 3.0 with 261,000 miles on the same transmission. So it has been very reliable. Not to mention I spend most of my driving in the sport mode. But I wished I would have gotten a 4.4, 4.6 or 4.8. I need that extra power and the exhaust note is awesome.

Buy the one you like, as you already all cars have their issues.

[ncsucarjock]

I love mine. bought in Jan, put about 31k miles on so far...she's doing great. One bulb failure...set of tires, brakes. Other than that routine maintenance. She's going in tomorrow for a tranny check, some slight new feelings when cold, and a very occassional rough downshift. I still have about 8 months or 30k miles on warranty left...so...just want to get it documented. It's been a damned good car, and has been through hell on road and off, with quite a few thousand miles put on it with a 6000# trailer behind her. I simply love this vehicle. Even the fuel mileage with the 4.4i is what I consider good. I'm getting 15.5 in town, and about 19 on the highway (80mph), and about 13mpg while towing 6000#. My neighbors Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Hemi gets 12mpg in town...though his highway mileage (with cylinder deactivation) is 20mpg. And the X is light years ahead in vehicle dynamics.

The best BMW I've owned thus far, and I look forward to many more years with her in the stable.

[Pack66]

Prgsxr, you sound like a Dave Ramsey disciple. I was thinking if I find an X5, I may have to do the same thing.

I'll check on the water pump, that's a new wrinkle I've not read about.

WallyX5, that's good information. Did you buy yours new or used?

Thanks again for all the comments.

-J

[prgsxr]

haha just had to google dave ramsey had never heard of him before ,
But yes I am not on a big income also paying off house and have 2 kids ,so it can be a stress waiting for something to happen that might never come about , so just put the cash aside and if you don't use it your in front , if you do it's not a stress

mines an AUS version 2006 4.4 6spd auto sport ,if someone out there has built a better all round vehicle that just does everything you want it too I would love to drive it because I find it hard to believe it could be any better than an X

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by Pack66

WallyX5, that's good information. Did you buy yours new or used?

Thanks again for all the comments.

-J

I bought it used with 80,000 miles on it back in 05.

[realchef]

'01 4.4i 57k and going strong. Luv the car.

The original water pumps have a plastic impeller, rumoured to go out around 75k.

[Pack66]

Have done a little more research...any 3.0 owners out there had transmission work? Seems like the GM transmission has fared a little better than the ZF.

[faz]

When I was looking at buying an X5 last year, I called around a few independent mechanics in my area. They all suggested that 3.0 would be more reliable and less problematic than 4.4 ("definitely get a 4.4 with extended warranty" they ALL said.)

I have been on this forum for the last year perhaps, and every new thread that comes up with regards to transmission issues during my time here, has been from a 4.4 owner. (I eagerly look at these threads since, without an extended warranty, I would like to know what kind of signs/etc. I need to look for ... and I realize the thread is about a 4.4 and not a 3.0... this has happened in many threads... I may have missed one or two here and there... but I would say a good majority of them while I have been on this board have been about a 4.4.)

The 4.4 obviously has better performance and is a much better 'driver's' car than 3.0 will ever be. It may have more problems/maintenance to go with that better performance... if you are after that kind of performance, pay to play and enjoy the performance.

Now that I have said the above, obviously my 3.0's transmission is going to disintegrate and explode on my way home tonight. It will serve me right.