Do you ever just want to be rid of your X5?

[faz]

I walked away from even the thought of buying an X5 multiple times, mainly after visiting X5 forums like this. Are you kidding me? problems like these at these early miles?

finally, though, I had to buy an SUV and it came down between lexus RX and X5. Picking the X5 for its driving dynamics was a no brainer.

For the first few weeks of my ownership, various sensors/things went wrong and all were covered under the orig warranty.

It has been running flawlessly ever since and I am extremely happy with my choice.

Yes, I do not recommend a BMW to friends who drive hondas and toyotas, and I tell them that they will not enjoy the x5 if they feel this should behave like their reliable cars.

People make many mistakes when comparing this car to others. Trust me, a ford explorer would need a lot less maintenance than this one does. But look at how it drives and the feedback it provides, compared to an X5. (think suspension parts, how delicate they need to be to provide that type of performance/feedback/accuracy.) Look at the size of engine and the performance/engine-size or performance/mpg that it provides.

With every electrical option/gizmo, something can and will go wrong. one can't compare it with another car that doesn't even have that gizmo.


Plus, if you bought your x5 used, see what percentage of its new car price you paid for it. A $20k X5 is not the same as a $20k Pilot. You can't have the same life expectancy from a $20k car that was going $55k new, vs. a $20k car that went for $29k new.


I used to hate BMWs with a passion, for all the reasons that everyone knows about: no longevity in the parts (especially electrical stuff), things that break down which will NEVER break down in a japanese car (door handle, etc.), all compueterized/electrical crap that goes wrong, etc. But now I kinda like what BMW does... it spends its money/enegry on driving satisfaction, and focuses on the market that prefers that over longevity and reliability.

If longevity/reliability of parts are more important to you (due to cost, time, whatever) than the drive, BMW is definitely not for you. That is why used BMWs are going for a lot less (percentage wise, compared to their new car pricing) than other brands.

[neockder]

You cant really compare used car pricing across brands. Yes, Toyotas hold their value really well, but only when well kept. If its a rust bucket (which most old toyotas are) then it isnt worth much.

A used car value becomes a summation of how the vehicle has been maintained as well as owned. I recently sold my 20 year old 5 series for $5k. Show me ANY 20 year old sedan that is still worth 5 grand.... Didnt think so.

You have to be smart in your purchases as well as ownership. The coveted models will bottom out at a much higher value as ling as well kept. 3.0 X5s will be worth little to nothing from an accumulated deprrciation standpoint, unless absolutely cherry.

[X5rolls]

I am fortunate that I have only had a few minor issues with my '06. I have not wanted to get rid of it and was a convert for BMWs prior to me getting this X5. I'm totally sold on them and equate the extra $ for maint/repairs to the price of performance.

The prior suv I had was a Mercedes ML430. Not only wasn't that as nice and underperformed the X5, it had tons and tons of mechanical and electrical issues. For me, that extra price of ownership wasn't even close to being warranted.

I'm willing to pay extra up front and over the life if I get something in return. In the case of the X5, the dynamics, handling, acceleration, braking and comfort are well worth it. Especially given how quickly those things drop off when you consider the likes of Toyota, Acura, Honda, GM and Chrysler.

I'm somewhat of a performance addict and owning an SAV/SUV below the BMW level isn't an option at this point for me.

The bottom line from my perspective is if you want this level of performance, get the newest one you can under warranty and enjoy or pay the price for service/maintenance when things break but don't complain or it takes all the joy out of it for you. If the price and fun/enjoyment/joy factor are not in balance, get something other than a high performance vehicle.

[neockder]

Furthermore, if your heart isn't in it, get something in which it will be. Complaining and not enjoying isn't suatainable. But hey, nothing wrong with venting from time to time!!

[c4racer]

ya - I think it all boils down to what is driving perfection worth to you? And how much can you afford to spend? Sure - in a perfect world we may all be leasing a Cayenne GTS or Turbo for 2 years at a clip for our performance SUV fix. For me I could afford a $20K SUV and like X5rolls, I am a performance addict, so I chose a 03 4.6is with modestly high miles. Almost 1.5 years in and I am still thrilled with the car. Has it been perfect? No. But I am a long time BMW owner and I don't expect them to be as bulletproof as a honda or toyota. The pay-off is in the driving dynamics and the general quality, plus they look pretty damn sweet too which doesn't hurt one bit - especially in "is" trim with the summer meats on there.

I must be a glutton for punishment because recently I swapped a 1 year old Infiniti for a 10 year old 740i sport. It cost me less than half up front. Surely it will me more trouble and $ to maintain over time, but I really enjoy driving it so much more. Plus I needed a bigger sedan anyway. So again there - I am willing to deal with the hassle and expense of fixing stuff that goes wrong on it to enjoy the nearly perfect driving dynamics it offers. Plus there again the looks ain't so shabby either. I prefer the body lines and the driving dynamics over the E65/66 newer 7 series that sell for double to triple what I paid for mine. Plus I couldn't really afford the newer one so that worked out well for me!

[X5Matador]

Preventive maintenance is the key. I was at a gas station a few weeks ago and the attendent was looking all around this 2002 X5 4.4i, the same year as mine and no one knew how to open the hood to check the oil. The owner who had the car since new didn't have a clue. I showed them where the hood release was and when we checked the oil level it didn't even register on the dip stick.

Checking maintenance records and asking the owner some basic maintenance questions will reveal alot about how a car was/is taken care of. Beware of used cars, when it comes to BMWs all owners are not created equal.

[rosiesboss]

I can't friggin' wait to get rid mine. When I bought it last fall all it need was brakes and the teeth on the emergency brake handle were stripped. During the winter the door carrier for the passenger side door went and can only open from the inside. Next the storage console cover wouldn't stay down (I have a small sand bag on it which actually gives me the right height for my arm). This past summer while driving on the Cape we heard a loud "ping" like a rock hit the car and the rear window started dropping. (regulator) two weeks later the same for the other rear window. Then I noticed a strong wearing on the inside rear tires and found that the rear camber was way off. It couldn't be adjusted...either side(new Swing Parts or lower rear controllers). then with the weather getting cooler this fall the whole of the climate control system shuts down no display, no fan, nothing. I have been too frustrated and now broke to even look at or deal with it. Who wants it make me an offer? Ever again? NEVER AGAIN!!!! German "engineering" my friggin' ass!

[THK]

For what these vehicles cost, one would think they would get the basics right. Electrical systems that crap out at a drop of a hat, trim items that fall apart, and all the other concerns that make this the "ultimate driving experience".

Yes maintenance is the key for the mechanical items but as I stated in my previous post, I'll modify my position and say that all BMW's sub-systems are fragile. Hell my Corvette never gave me any heartburn. The only thing I had to do is change oil and one set of brakes and tires. Nothing else.

What I would like BMW do is place a moratorium on any new ideas they may have for future models and fix the problems they have now.

[motordavid]

As I have posted many times, the laundry list of repairs under warranty/maintenance, and under a now expired extended warr., have been less than my fingers.

For us, it has been rock solid and a great car, for 9+ years; not to predict something will not go kaboom "tomorrow", but if/when it does, I will keep it at least another year or two.

We traded in the CEO's '03 Honda CR-V this spring as that car was chewing at us like a rodent; add in the complete lack of "fun"/performance of that car, and it was a no brainer to toss it. Otoh, our '01 X continues to perform well and thus, the impetus to keep it a while longer. Same goes for our '02 VetteVert...

If "yours" is eating away at you, I can understand the hands thrown up and toss it, attitude and feelings. It is what it is...One man's ceiling is another man's floor.
GL, mD

[robbx5]

looking for a reliable source for an impeccably cared for X5 M62 engine which has had the cam tensioner disentegrate internally ..... i am in dallas texas and would be willing to put in a used engine. I have found through much research that these M62's appear to not be on the rebuild list....

thanks,
robb
214.500.6500