Are 2004-06 more reliable than <=2003

[aloeffle]

New to the board as of today. Are there good, reliable and reasonable sites for BMW X5 parts - specifically rear windshield wiper motor. Got the car last friday, and have a problem with the motor.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

E46Fanatics.

[calicolorado]

Originally Posted by aloeffle

New to the board as of today. Are there good, reliable and reasonable sites for BMW X5 parts - specifically rear windshield wiper motor. Got the car last friday, and have a problem with the motor.

Try realoem.com or bavauto.com. Realoem is probably the best and it is very easy to use and accurate once you know the build month of your car. The schematics are one reason why it's so great.

[fmk]

www.getbmwparts.com

[aloeffle]

Thank you for info on parts places. Was able to get dealer to buy the motor, and I cover the install. Now another issue. This all happened at the same time. Got a "selflevel susp.inact" message, both front seat heaters stopped working, the seatbelt audio and visual warnings keep going even with belts secured and a sevice engine soon with codes for a 3:6:8 cylinder misfire. In addition, central locking button sometimes works, sometimes not ... and without warning the alarm system goes off and doors won't open until car is shut down. Are there issues with X5 computers going fritz with lots of sensors etc showing problems. Can't believe all went wrong at once. Great car otherwise. We have a beautiful 1998 323i that has never acted up like this. The X5 is a 2005 4.4 with 105K miles. Any thoughts?

[Lak]

Originally Posted by fraserp

so i take it from all the response that the manufacturer does not clear up the known problems and kinks in the performance of the vehicle in the new models when they are introduced. just the same old $$%^^ in a newer body. am i right ????

I wouldnt know about BMW, but I know the 01-02 MDX had huge number of transmission failures, the problem was addressed and the 03+ models recieved a different, stronger tranny - and as a result WAY fewer tranny issues in subsequent years.

Has BMW addressed their tranny issues in subsequent model years...I hear the 03+ X5's are more reliable, but I not sure about the tranny - if anything was done??

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Lak

Has BMW addressed their transmission issues in subsequent model years...I hear the 03+ X5's are more reliable, but I not sure about the tranny - if anything was done??

Up through '03, then '04 onwards, and six vs eight cylinder, all had different automatic transmissions, from two different manufacturers (GM and ZF). No apparent difference in reliability, anecdotally.

[blondboinsd]

Originally Posted by JCL

The newer models are only more reliable because they are newer, and generally have fewer miles. A well cared for 2003 will be more reliable than an abused 2004.

6 speeds are better in that they provide better fuel efficiency. No difference in power handling capability. Additional clutch packs aren't a concern. Newer transmissions such as the 6 speeds may have more software issues, or not. There are more electronics involved.

The 4.6 isn't known to have a greater incidence of transmission problems AFAIK, but it is known to have torque converter problems. Those TC failures can take out the transmission due to debris.

None of the various transmissions have shown failure modes related to too much power going through them. They have lots of failure modes, but overheating isn't one of them. The exception to that is the early diesels in the UK and elsewhere (not NA), which were upgraded to the ZF transmission from the V8 to better handle the greater torque.

There can be failures associated with valvetronic on the 4.4, but I would say the benefits outweigh the risks. I wouldn't hesitate to choose a valvetronic engine over a non-valvetronic engine, myself.

Clutches in the ATC transfer cases haven't proven to be an issue, as long as you have the correct OE fluid in there and the actuator motor is functioning correctly. Actuator failures have caused clutch problems due to slipping, but the clutches don't tend to wear out by themselves. It is a proprietary transfer case, so there are limited parts and aftermarket options available for service. Plan on dealing with the dealer if you have a problem, but don't expect it to break. I think the benefits of the x-drive variable torque transfer outweigh any downsides to having to buy more expensive OE fluid, or worry more about failures.

There is an issue with the output shaft splines from the transfer case. There is an AC condensate drain right above them. The splines can rust, and they don't engage very far. The splines can fail. There is a fix involving a 3rd party modified output shaft with rebuilt splines, slightly longer. It has been reported to be very successful for those who have failed those splines. Good info if you do a search, the supplier is RaceMalibu on this board.

Other than that issue, I don't think anybody worries about the transfer case in their X5s. I certainly didn't, and I don't worry about the x-drive TC in my X3 either.

Overall, reliability is related somewhat to design, somewhat to initial assembly, somewhat to care and maintenance, somewhat to complexity, and somewhat to luck. You can only control a few of those. You can do your due dilligence on a prospective purchase, you can check maintenance records, etc. One of the things you can control is complexity. Newer models are more complex, and vehicles with lots of options are more complex. Trouble is, people tend to like their options. If you search through this board, you will see a lot of posts about devices that are really electrical gimmickry IMO. Those are the things that tend to fail more often than basic mechanical components. You will read a lot more about transmission software than transmission clutch packs. My choice is to buy the simpler version of the vehicle I want, where I can (no Nav, few technology options) but for others, the ability to synch their phone with the iDrive is why they buy the car. It is up to each individual.

Ironically my 2004 3.0i was much more reliable then my 2005 3.0 despite the fact both were nearly identically equipped with the exception being the 2005's Navigation system. The 2004's only issue was related to the sensors in the security system going bad but the 2005 had major defects and quality control issues. It's all luck I suppose

Despite all this I elected to get another X5 because nothing beats the way it handles

[DTMdan]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

E46Fanatics.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

Thanks everybody for the replies.

So it seems that maintenance is the thing to check. I'll try to find one sold by an invividual with some service records.

And since prefacelift == facelift in term of reliability, I will have more choice which is good. I like the newer ones for the X-drive, but also like the older ones for the 4.6 options: Imola red, Estoril blue colors, and the sportier trim. I hope the 4.6 is not the equivalent of ///M when it's time to buy parts!



Finally, I find it pleasant to read on this forum. It seems to have more mature people, and they take time to answer with valuable content, with complete sentences, and real words

hey, you better watch you are calling mature there bub... hope you were not referring to me

but seriously now...

I have a 4.6is and absolutely love it. I considered a 04-05 4.4i and looked at several of both but just fell in love with the 4.6i for the looks but mainly for the performance. It's the real hot rod of the X5 line up and a proper match for a Cayenne S, which I also considered. It suited me well. I have owned a few ///M cars and plenty of american muscle cars and sports cars and so the 4.6is fit my needs just perfectly. It's a real joy to drive I must say.

Maint is no different for this model than a 4.4i V8 X5, so there is no ///M tax per-se. The Alpina tuned motor is much closer to a standard motor than an ///M motor is, but those extra 50 ponies can really be felt - especially with their trans tuning which is just spot on for a performance oriented driver, IMO. I also like the fact that the Alpina motors were hand assembled which in that sense makes them more like a ///M product. I have no concerns about the motor going the distance - mine has 115K miles and runs like it's brand new.