X5 Owners Sound off! 1999-2006 3.0i, 4.4i, 4.6is & 4.8is Repairs-

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1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 3.0i
3: Tranny: Auto
4: Year: 2002
5: Your location: Utica, NY a cold city. mix
6: Purchased New or Used: Used with 70,000 miles
7: Miles: 104,000 miles
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution?
9: DIY replaced DISA $200 @80k, DIY replaced final stage resistor $60 @75k DIY Acceleration sensor used on ebay $60 @ 72k . Dealer oil separator problem $2000 in damages, thermostat $200, axles $300, one window regulator $300 @80k, cat converters and o2 sensors $2800 @ 95k.
10: Engine,Tranny, interior, exterior, Paint, wheel, brakes, etc.- ALL STILL GOOD
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5.
12: Type of drive: Medium(gas it once in while)
13: Schedule Maintenance: (1)Meticulous(Changes Oil every 8k,top notch synthetic, fix every problem)

[2001SilverX5&MR2owner]

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 4.4i
3: Tranny: Auto
4: Year: 2001
5: Your location: Atlanta/GA- driving habits or mix.
6: Purchased Used: when? 2008 Miles: 70K
7: Miles: 95K
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution? First problem was boots were torn needed replacing. hose busted, replaced radiator, expansion tank, then transmission needed rebuiding at 75,000 miles, then vacuem leak, rvalve cover gaskets replaced, rear tailight needed replacing (common occurrance in X5's), CATS replaced at BMW cost. Electronic instrument panel cluster replaced due to digital readouts burning out. Water leak, water pump hose replaced. Replaced tires due to excessive wear on the rear tires on the insides. The rest of the tires were practically new tread. Replaced the tires, 4 wheel alignment, and 8 months and 13000 miles later, the tread was worn down again nearly bald on the inside. Checking to see if the tire company used BMW specs or their computer specs. Window regulator failure, replaced, Outside Passenger door handle broke from the inside panel, replaced. Just yesterday, engine light, P0011 code. (maybe another vac leak?)
9: Dealership/Cost- Over $9000.00 in repairs
10: Engine,Tranny, interior, exterior, Paint, wheel, brakes, etc.
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5. I would recommend if you buy a used X5 and it isn't on warranty to purchase an external warranty. I bought a warranty at the BMW dealership and it was the best decision I ever made. I immediately started having problems that caused thousands of dollars in repairs. Luckily all I had to pay was a $50 deductible. The company that I purchased the warranty from tried to drop me, tried to refuse coverage, but in the end with a little promise of legal action, they paid for everything that was covered on the policy. The policy was about $2400 split over a two year period.
12: Type of drive: (2) Medium(gas it once in while),
13: Schedule Maintenance: (2)Average, fix only the major problems which were necessary, drives around with minor issues.
Like the vehicle, has a lot of power, handles superbly, but be prepared for costly repairs.

My 97 Ford Explorer went 160K miles before tranny problem. It didn't have the electronic problems the X5 has. Never had problems with tailight assemblies, vac leaks, etc. The X5 seems to have these problems early (approx 60K mi)

[smileyboy]

So from this forum it seems like purchasing a 3rd party warranty is a good idea....

[2001SilverX5&MR2owner]

Absolutley! I would normally not recommend purchasing a warranty but in the case of a BMW with all the minor and major things that go wrong, you will fork out a lot of money. I got the warranty that also covered electronics which costs a little more but was definitely worth it. I got much more than what I paid into the warranty and that includes the $50 deductables I had to pay.

[smileyboy]

Sorry to highjack the thread. But which warranty did you purchase and what did you pay?

[2001SilverX5&MR2owner]

I purchased a warranty through United BMW in Alpharetta, GA. The warranty is serviced through THE WARRANTY GROUP. I believe it was $2400 for a two year coverage. I made payments per month. The only thing is sometimes they will try to get out of paying especially if it is a high dollar repair. Of course, just about all BMW repairs are high dollar, lol. You just have to read the agreement and make sure they pay. It saved me a whole lot of money and heartache. I also got to drive a few brand new BMW's as loaners, one time for nearly a month!

[flying]

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 4.4i
3: Tranny: Auto
4: Year: 2003
5: Your location: Hood River, OR
6: Purchased New or Used: Used (3 months ago)
7: Miles: 82xxx
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution? n/a
9: Spent probably 2000-2500 since purchased
10: Lower control arms(500), coolant leak(300), new battery(cant remember) Service II (500), tranny flush (450)
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5.
12: Type of drive: Mixed, probably a (2)
13: Schedule Maintenance: (1)Meticulous - taking it to an Indie mechanic, but going to do the breaks myself. brakes are due (600 front/600 rear at indie-prob 500 total DIY).

Nav isnt working, trying to figure out why, the 6 disc changer doesnt work, driver mirror wont fold, probably a few other problems...
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