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

[nfowler]

I bought my 2003 X5 earlier this year. Its a 3.0 with nav and only 55K miles on it. The car drives like a dream but oh my goodness, I am sick of having to have repairs done. In the past month, I have had to replace the valve cover gasket for an oil leak ( its still leaking), front and rear brake pads, front drive axels, drive belt, and a/c resistor. And I still need to get the nav screen replaced and check on having the light bulb behind the mileage pixels replaced because I can barely see it. And most of the time the stupid key will not lock and unlock the doors. Thank goodness I have found a good indy so the amount I have spent on repair could have been much worse (about $1700 so far). But part of me just wants to go trade it and be done with it. Before this I had Acura and Volvos and never experienced the issues I have had with this car.

Is it just me?

[EKS PYB]

I feel the same way, I have a 2003 Lexus GX470 for my wife and its a 7 year old car now and the only thing I have replaced is the battery 2 years ago, pads + rotors just this year and gear oil and transfer case fluid. That's it and the normal oil change every 5,000 miles and its reaching 90,000 miles.

But with the X5, I am constantly checking in my head, what else is next to replace on this vehicle. I have done the pads+rotors, battery, disa valve, a/c, 2 axle boots, and others I can't even remember anymore. I was back at the dealer 4 times in the first month I got the X5 I kid you not.

Given the X5 is definitely much quicker and more fun to drive than the GX470. Plus I have a more safer 3.0 than the other models 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8 that most have which even encounters more problems. The 3.0 is powerful enough for me to drive around town. I don't have a heavy foot like others on this thread that really put their X5 to the test.

I've read in past posts that the 3.0 is the bulletproof engine when it comes to breaking down so that made me happy getting this model but the service do tend to add up. What can you do? We get the X5 because it is fun to drive and even more fun to mod but with that comes expenses unfortunately.

Just think of the fun times you have with the X5 and drown yourself with that to forget the $$$ you're spending in trying to keep it in tip top shape

[fgmx]

[QU


Hello :
I see you had to replace the DISA. What symptoms did the X5 exhibit to warrant changind the DISA. I have a 2002 with some issues and a mechanic suggested the DISA .... MAY... bee the problem.

thanks,

FGMX





OTE=EKS PYB;773487]

I feel the same way, I have a 2003 Lexus GX470 for my wife and its a 7 year old car now and the only thing I have replaced is the battery 2 years ago, pads + rotors just this year and gear oil and transfer case fluid. That's it and the normal oil change every 5,000 miles and its reaching 90,000 miles.

But with the X5, I am constantly checking in my head, what else is next to replace on this vehicle. I have done the pads+rotors, battery, disa valve, a/c, 2 axle boots, and others I can't even remember anymore. I was back at the dealer 4 times in the first month I got the X5 I kid you not.

Given the X5 is definitely much quicker and more fun to drive than the GX470. Plus I have a more safer 3.0 than the other models 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8 that most have which even encounters more problems. The 3.0 is powerful enough for me to drive around town. I don't have a heavy foot like others on this thread that really put their X5 to the test.

I've read in past posts that the 3.0 is the bulletproof engine when it comes to breaking down so that made me happy getting this model but the service do tend to add up. What can you do? We get the X5 because it is fun to drive and even more fun to mod but with that comes expenses unfortunately.

Just think of the fun times you have with the X5 and drown yourself with that to forget the $$$ you're spending in trying to keep it in tip top shape

[/QUOTE]

[StanF18]

In terms of problems specific to the E53 chassis, I am wondering if BMW has improved on them in the E70?? For example the cold weather engine mis-fires, the window actuators, the headlamp water condensation, the water pump, etc. I have had my fair share of issues, but it has not turned me off to the X5 or to BMW as a brand. What would be disheartening however is if these same problems rear their ugly head in the next generation of X5s. Becuase when I finally pull the trigger on a 35i or 50i I would like to "enjoy" a brand NEW set of issues, instead of the ones we have gotten accustomed to in the E53.

But seriously though, if it's the exact same problems creeping up in the E70s, that would tell me that BMW really is out of touch with real-world situations. That they're more concerned with running computer simulations and wind tunnel tests and skid-pad tests, than with long-term component and parts durability.

So I pose the question: what is the story with the E70s? Is it the same crap all over again? Or is it a new, more interesting set of crap?

[Allstarsrd12]

your preaching to the choir my friend. I'm getting very close to parting it out and getting a good, easily maintained vehicle. Like my feet. I had a 1998 jeep, just sold it at 135000, thing ran like a champ. Only had to change coolant hoses, thermostats and water pumps. I beat the living hell out of the thing too, and tranny was still a rock. Lifted, exhaust, CAI, got 460 miles on a full tank.
Of course, nothing beats a bmw, but at the same time, you'd think they'd make it possible to go maybe a whole month without a problem.
Might even part out an go e36 m3. Its just a pure, raw car.
But this is my thinking after I just had my 4th window break just today, and a bunch of other goodies that haven't exactly made me a pleasant person

[StartX5]

I don't talk to my friend anymore after he said i am stupid because i am driving BMW. He said one day i will agree that he's right.

LOL.

[c4racer]

OK - brakes, batteries, drivebelts are all maint items that ALL cars need.

Leaking valvecover is a PITA, but that can also happen with any vehicle - tho for some reason the gaskets used on these german engines don't make it much past 80K miles - and that goes for all 3 major german automakers btw. Front axles I assume is due to split CV boots - also a common failure on many 4WD vehicles although again seems the Germans don't use the best rubber there either.

Anyway - BMW's are not like Acuras. The payoff for a much nicer vehicle with superior driving dynamics is a bit more upkeep. Volvos seem to be hit and miss with reliability.

If you want Honda / Acura / Lexus level of reliability and trouble free driving - you just are not going to be happy with a BMW. But there is a big difference in driving dynamics and overall quality between BMW and the Japanese luxury brands. So you need to decide for yourself if the hassle and additional expense of a BMW is worth it to you. For me it is, but then again the expense isn't that great since I do nearly all the work on them myself.

[Peter D]

I guess i got a good one, next to nothing for issues, maybe its because i drive it alot.
BMW replaced the steering rack on my '04 under warranty, somewhere aroung 60K I did the front sway links and I had to put rear pads and rotors on it at 100K. I plan to do the waterpump, thermostat and serp belts for time and mileage at 110K this week.

Other than that its been the best car I've owned but as i type i knock on my wooden desk,,,,,,

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by Peter D

I guess i got a good one, next to nothing for issues, maybe its because i drive it alot.
BMW replaced the steering rack on my '04 under warranty, somewhere aroung 60K I did the front sway links and I had to put rear pads and rotors on it at 100K. I plan to do the waterpump, thermostat and serp belts for time and mileage at 110K this week.

Other than that its been the best car I've owned but as i type i knock on my wooden desk,,,,,,

My 03 has held up pretty well too. I have similar miles to yours, so it was driven quite a bit. It was a former CPO car and I had full maint and repair history from all BMW dealers when I bought it at 95K miles.

Following were replaced (all but one item before I got it):
- valley pan gasket
- radiator hoses and expansion tank
- both CV boots
- alternator
- oil pan gasket
- valve cover gaskets
- leaking PS hose
- dash display pixels

that's pretty much it - a few other minor items that escape my memory. While not perfect, that isn't too bad for 110K miles. I will replace the rest of the cooling system before 115K as well. That shouldn't be needed, but then again - I had a radiator blow at 120K miles out of the blue on a Mazda. these plastic radiators used in cars today are just not built to go 200K miles, IMHO.

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by c4racer

Anyway - BMW's are not like Acuras. The payoff for a much nicer vehicle with superior driving dynamics is a bit more upkeep. Volvos seem to be hit and miss with reliability.

Hmmmm.....okay, so enlighten us as to how a BMW is a much nicer and superior dynamic vehicle than a Lexus, Acura, or Infiniti. Your logic is totally flawed, even if they are "superior" as you stated, that doesn't mean it should be a pain in the ass to maintain and pain in the ass on your wallet. It's a BMW truck for crying out loud, a family hauler, it shouldn't be fragile, now if we were talking about a Ferrari or a Lamborghini I would agree with you.