Considering X5 purchase - help appreciated

[cheappc]

Wow repoman YOU ARE REALLY UNHAPPY!
If I was you, I would sell my X.. you only live once dude!

[c4racer]

I would look for a better cared for example. I bought a 2003 4.6is with over 90K miles on it and the car looked and drove like a new one. Still on all the original window regulators too, and has not had many issues. Former CPO car and no doubt owned by enthousiasts since new judging by it's condition. I bought it from the guy who bought it as a CPO - he was the 2nd or 3rd owner, and a real BMW nut who cared for the car and had only BMW dealer service and repair. The car has been a real joy for me so far and is now at 105K miles. Buy from an owner if you can - that will tell you a lot about how the car was cared for at least under it's last keeper.

[Repoman]

Yes cheappc, VERY UNHAPPY indeed. I bought mine one-owner from a doctor who has a newer X5 and a Porsche Carrera for his sunny day drivers and my X was his rainy day driver so did not get much use. The miles were low and since my wife did some work for him on the real estate side so I probably got the best deal out of anyone on this forum. Bought in early 2008 w/49K miles on it for $12,000. It was/still is immaculent inside and out. No doubt I could sell in right now for more than I paid for it . . . but I'm not concerned about the money situation. My concerns are that this vehicle is the most poorly built vehicle I have ever owned by far. I have only had it for 16K miles now and my parts failures are as follows:

A/C compressor fail, Alternator fail, Both front CV joint fail, Window actuator fails, Y-pipe fail, pixels fail, DISA valve fail, FSR fail, passenger side mirror fail, cracked valve cover fail, valve cover gasket fail, rear taillight fails, key fob fail, just purchased my second set of rear tires, currenly running poorly with multiple misfire codes so there is more work to be done and more parts to replace. Remember . . . I only have a shade under 65K miles.

I realize that sometimes things just happen but I'm not naive either. This many failures only points to one conclusion . . . poorly engineered/built vehicle. It's easy to see that in the design/materials of the many parts I've replaced. What's more, BMW has failed to redesign/engineer parts that have been proven to be "prone to failure" and will charge us out the nose to replace their poorly made parts with another poorly made part. That tells me that BMW doesn't care one bit about their customers. That is not a company I want to be associated with. BMW should pay employees like Weasel and killcrap extra for devoting their time and knowledge to help X owners through their struggles as BMW certainly does not care. All BMW knows is how to sell parts.

My Lexus is older than my X and has almost triple the mileage and has not had one parts failure. Difference in quality . . . that one is not hard to figure out. Would I ever consider a BMW again in the future even if I got it for a steal of a deal? Never again!

I can't wait to get rid of it and I will as soon as I can get all the outstanding issues I have repaired. Right now it is sitting at home in the garage (where it often is) with broken window actuator and misfire/poor running issues. Crappy vehicle from bumper to bumper.

[Dani]

Originally Posted by iMPAKT

My x5 (2006 3.0) is fabulous. No major issues at all. approaching 60k and still no major repairs.

I have the same year and model and also think this car is fabu not taboo. I love it !!!

[Repoman]

If I didn't own one I would believe, based on your comments, that it is a fabulous vehicle too. Also, if I owned yours I might think differently as well. But I could hardly think anything other than what I do based on my ownership experience.

I've got a great idea, let's switch vehicles and see if our opinions change!

[Wrscott]

I have the same exact car, toledo blue 05, 4.4 w/ sport package and i bought it about 8 months ago for $20,900 with 57k miles on it. The only thing I don't have is nav or cold weather package. Great car and so far I've had to replace the thrust rod bushings, control arms, power steering hose and leaky mechatronics seal. Did full service, all fluids, filters, plugs, etc.. even dropped the transmission pan to replace tranny fluid, filter and gasket. New michelin lattitudes and the car feels like new. That price is way too high for a 70k vehicle. Shop around and can easily get one in the low twenties and even teens with higher mileage.

[Matyoka]

Originally Posted by Repoman

BTW, just rolled the window down and heard that oh so familiar pop and you guessed it . . . window won't roll back up again. Broke my 5th window actuator. Now I will purchase and install another poorly made window actuator that will break again in the near future. Isn't that the definition of insanity? What a POS from bumper to bumper!

Sorry to say sir, but you must be that one in a million who has/had bad luck with his X5. I owned my 4.4 X5 for a year now, and besides a driver's side window being busted by the snowplow and the windshield being broken by a falling rock... knowk on wood, NO problems whatsoever. I put more than 20,000 miles on it and I have to say that it's the most reliable car in my stable. Yes, beats the finicky Aston with an ugly stick !!!

[Matyoka]

Originally Posted by Wrscott

I have the same exact car, toledo blue 05, 4.4 w/ sport package and i bought it about 8 months ago for $20,900 with 57k miles on it. The only thing I don't have is nav or cold weather package. Great car and so far I've had to replace the thrust rod bushings, control arms, power steering hose and leaky mechatronics seal. Did full service, all fluids, filters, plugs, etc.. even dropped the transmission pan to replace tranny fluid, filter and gasket. New michelin lattitudes and the car feels like new. That price is way too high for a 70k vehicle. Shop around and can easily get one in the low twenties and even teens with higher mileage.

I have to agree with you, there are waaay better deals out there, but the OP needs to broaden the circumference of his search. These days distance does not matter as much as every dealer is willing to negotiate shipping prices. I picked up my X5 1400 miles from my residence and it was one of the best deals I could find in January of 2009. Mint condition 2005 4.4i loaded with everything but sport suspension, had 26000 miles on it and paid $29k for it(ONE YEAR AGO).

[dgator39]

not a good deal for that $$ I bought a 06 4.8 loaded with 57000 miles for $30 thousand even and it is in mint condition unlike the minor dings , seat issues and missing grill. My thiught is if you already found some things wrong with it the list will grow and you will never be happy and regret the purchase. just my thoughts good lock.

[Repoman]

Originally Posted by Matyoka

Sorry to say sir, but you must be that one in a million who has/had bad luck with his X5.

One in a million??????? Have you been on the forum very long? I think a more appropriate phrase would be "One of a million." I hope you were typing with one hand and knocking on wood with the other. I wish you continued good luck with your X!