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...