BMWs NO MORE POOR QUALITY CONTROL HASTA LA VISTA BABY!

[X5rolls]

Maybe you have a bad vehicle or an earlier year that has problems.

My 06 4.8is with 42k miles is actually one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned. I came from an ML430 and know what poor quality is, my list for that vehicle was probably 1.5 times as long as yours.

The only issue I've had is the sun roof leaked and the seal was replaced under warranty.

There are big differences from year to year in these vehicles in terms of reliability so I don't agree that all X 5's have poor quality. For a technically sophisticated vehicle, I'd rank this way up at the top of other vehicles - given Toyota/Lexus issues and Mercedes problems I experienced first hand I think the X5 is better than those from my perspective for sure, by a very long way.

FWIW, you list hoses as a BMW quality issue. After 159k miles don't ya think hoses should have been replaced anyway? That isn't a quality issue, that is a normal maintenance procedure. The delta between a more (pedestrian) mainstream vehicle with far less performance and driving enjoyment and the cost of properly maintaining a BMW (of any model) is worth it in my opinion. Although you have a long looking list of items you are incorrect to throw all BMWs or X5's under the bus IMO. You might want to try a Hyundai, they are cheap and do very well in the cost of ownership department, the tradeoff is obviously a big step down in performance. Good luck.

[Dannyell]

the 01 ML430 has been a great car for my mom...135k on board and besides a $500 transfer case which I replaced myself it has been a dream. But i still prefer my 'problematic' X5.

From experience with these cars I have to say the BMW 4.4 engine is great...but having to replace hoses and radiators and expansion tanks is something that in other cars is unheard of...not to mention the 'cold weather' worries that we get when we leave our cars outside and do some short distance driving. I can live with maintaining that...but things like dead pixels, window regulators, door latches etc little things that you would expect not to break in a BMW...

[ftgambit]

oh ok Rolls,
Im not trying to score any brownie points with my post, you have an 06 with 42k miles thats the problem, get back to me when your closer to 100K and well see if you feel the same way, and yes the hoses were replaced at 138K FYI, so dont even think for one second they could 159K miles before being changed, lol that would be miraculous, When you have to get your CV Boots done and at 42K they should just be starting to crack if not already lets how that warranty works out for you...
They point being for a high end luxury vehicle two major rating firms both have bmw's dropping in Quality control in a big way, not just on the X5 but models across the board, Any car is great the first few years, mine was to, never had to get the engine replaced or tranny rebuilt, but Im just giving you a heads up if you plan on keeping it for more than say 5yrs, you will feel the burn in our wallet, hey but if you can get a new one every few years then more power to you, you wont ever have to worry about reliability, thats why BMW leases so many vehicles, because people dont want to deal with maintenance bud, but please dont try and convince anyone they are the most reliable vehicles JD POWER 2.5 stars probably knows a thing or two and as an owner I can definitely second that 2.5 rating.
But the one area I do give it 5 stars is safety, you feel safe sourrounded by 6000lbs of steel and airbags in every corner

[X5rolls]

Originally Posted by ftgambit

oh ok Rolls,
Im not trying to score any brownie points with my post, you have an 06 with 42k miles thats the problem, get back to me when your closer to 100K and well see if you feel the same way, and yes the hoses were replaced at 138K FYI, so dont even think for one second they could 159K miles before being changed, lol that would be miraculous, When you have to get your CV Boots done and at 42K they should just be starting to crack if not already lets how that warranty works out for you...
They point being for a high end luxury vehicle two major rating firms both have bmw's dropping in Quality control in a big way, not just on the X5 but models across the board, Any car is great the first few years, mine was to, never had to get the engine replaced or tranny rebuilt, but Im just giving you a heads up if you plan on keeping it for more than say 5yrs, you will feel the burn in our wallet, hey but if you can get a new one every few years then more power to you, you wont ever have to worry about reliability, thats why BMW leases so many vehicles, because people dont want to deal with maintenance bud, but please dont try and convince anyone they are the most reliable vehicles JD POWER 2.5 stars probably knows a thing or two and as an owner I can definitely second that 2.5 rating.
But the one area I do give it 5 stars is safety, you feel safe sourrounded by 6000lbs of steel and airbags in every corner

You have a good point with the mileage difference between your ride and mine. I do plan on keeping this more than 5 years and I've purchased an extended warranty already to ensure my out of pocket expenses and grief factor are low. My expectations on reliability for a sophisticated performance vehicle is rational - I'm expecting things to break and therefore I will not be surprised. The extended warranty lowers the total cost of ownership and ensures I can get it fixed anywhere around the country, indy or at a BMW dealer. I'm not trying to convince you of anything except that to put all BMWs and X5s into the same lump (reliability/cost of ownership) is incorrect and misleading.

IMO by the way, letting hoses go 138k miles before they are replaced is penny wise and pound foolish. If you treat a vehicle like crap it can end up being a pile of junk. Again, highly sophisticated performance vehicles require diligent attention to maintenance and common sense when it comes to heading off expensive repairs in the future by getting ahead using widely accepted procedures. I'm not trying to bash you but think you might be more happy with a trade off for a vehicle that sacrifices performance for low cost of ownership.

Bottom line is performance costs $$. I don't care if you are in an X5, a street rod or a lighweight full suspension mountain bike.

[motordavid]

To the OP:
Sorry you have had such bad luck...fwiw, our '01 3.0, with 77,000 miles has
been a pleasure to drive, and own. I can count the repairs under warranty
on one hand. I can count the repairs, (non-maintenance), on less than one
hand after warranty expired. You have considerably more mileage, but there
are several very high mileage posters here, with better results.

The "ratings" of any survey version, seldom give BMW high marks, and especially
over time, as repairs on these are not cheap/easy for the general consumer.

Good advice on the Good Indie...I hope your car puts a smile on your face,
on occasion.
GL, mD

[n2red]

Originally Posted by motordavid

....You have considerably more mileage, but there
are several very high mileage posters here, with better results.

Hey MD... Did you see me coming???

ANYHOO......

I AM one of those "high mileage posters" ..... I have about 106k on my X and it still going strong. Other than some of the pixels out on the display, ain't nuthin' wrong with it. My wife drives it to work on rainy days and to the beach (about 1100 miles round trip) about once a month, and I don't worry about it's reliability...

I DO worry about hearing her call me on the cell saying... "the constable said "nice X5" as he handed me my well deserved speeding ticket..."

Nothing personal against Japanese/Detroit/Dearborn chariots, I just think that they're a bit ho-hum..... my $.02...

[ALOVERR69]

I guess i have to join the ndwagon on this..As a first time owner of an x5 i was expecting more mine is the 2005 x5 3.0i with 59,000 i had the car two yrs and i put only14,000 in those two yrs...Man oh Man what a disappointment..If it wasnt for exteneded warranty i would of burned it...first day i bought it was making funny noises under the car took it back fixed no problem..a month later hit one of new york cities major pot holes car shuts off fixed no problem...two months later going to close my sunroof guess what doesnt want to close havent fixed that yet its a been over 7 months..1 month after that new york cities great snow storm getting out of a little snow hill guess what engine making niose my extened warranty company kept the truck for two weeks with no luck of finding the problem...Change water pump,thermotat,belts,pulley,alternator..point f my story for a car thats rarely driven i got the x5 flu...I guess i was waiting for a post like this..OOh and forgot to mention window regulator going already....

[motordavid]

OT...
n2red,
Hope the soakers gave you some time off from chasing fires.
We got back to our Mtn Joint the other night. We need to hook up,
when I catch my breath!
BR, mD

[ftgambit]

Sunny, the fact that you can read the list which is still missing a few other things such as Water pooling in the rear trunk area, instrument cluster lights failing, I fail to rationalize your thoughts, I know people reading it must look like Im the angry guy who got the lemon... That could'nt be further from the truth, yes I've had my car a long time and it has a measly 160K miles on it, those of you think thats alot of miles, smoking some really good stuff please pass some down to me, so I can enjoy the view with you, lol! For a point of reference we also own a 1994 Mitsubishi Diamante LS and a 2000 Toyota Avalon, both with more miles than my BMW X5, and neither has had remotely the amount of little problems that the beemer has had no switches going out, not cluster going bad, no stereo getting fried, far less batteries than the X5 with the same amount of electronics, other than routine filter changes and a wheel bearing both of those cars combined have still had less basic issues than the X5, and mine is not a lemon..
Thats my point, many X5s are having the same issues, regular wear and tear or not, you pay a huge premium for a QUALITY built vehicle and I did as well, I can't help but feel a bit vexed when I look at all the little things failing with ONLY 160K miles

AGAIN 160K is NOT alot of miles, its sad that many of you think wow your car has only had that many problems with 160K miles..

[X5rolls]

Actually it is raining here, it isn't sunny if you were responding to me. I think you were trying to be condescending by saying Sonny as in, hey you stupid kid, I'm the adult who knows best. If you are trying to convince people you aren't a bitter grumpy old guy, you are not doing a good job.

We should agree to disagree - Your Toyota Avalon and Mitsubishi are not performance vehicles and therefore don't have the same benefits/costs associated with ownership. They will and should give you miles and miles of $0 driving with IMO milk toast performance. Probably fine cars but have no performance characteristics. Never intended to be more than a living room loveseat with wheels - and that is absolutely ok. If your preference is for limited maintenance where you can run the same oil for tens of thousands of miles, never change filters, hoses etc and they will miraculously still run is paramount, a BMW is not for you, you will never be happy.

Apples and oranges to a BMW. I think you are missing the point, performance vehicles are not the same, maybe you never really had one before and wouldn't know the difference or can't really appreciate it. The benefits are not worth the extra $ to lots of folks or everyone would be driving performance vehicles. Lots of people get confused by thinking all vehicles are the same.

Again, your list looks long. However, not all BMWs are trash like you say and obviously from those who are also commenting, not all X's are trash either. I would also bet that if you took better care of your vehicle you might not have as many issues as you do. Your hose example is an indication along with expectations that they should be like a Toyota or Mitsubishi combined with 160k not being a lot of miles. It is a lot of miles for performance if it isn't maintained well and things will break at a higher rate than a more mainstream vehicle.

It’s going to be increasingly difficult for you to trash BMWs and the X here and find support. Most people on this forum love their vehicles and don’t like to read gross generalizations that are error filled. Maybe you should go to the Toyota forum and make some generalizations about how great ALL Toyotas are and see how much support you get.