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

[KaptainKid1]

Everyone,

I really enjoy the Bimmer people and everyone on this forum. It's time to upgrade my daily driver Nissan 2001 Pathfinder 3.5 250 whp (with a few mods) to a X5 V8 maybe and I'm looking into people's history with there beloved or hated X5 problems, specifically E53. I'm pricing this model and possible problems one would face as a daily driver. So far I found the following common problems, Tranny issues: in cold weather more problems, tranny shifting, speed sensors, oil leaks, failed switches, broken door handles latches, water pump, LCD Nav issues, etc. I want to compile your daily driving experience and do my personal check list of issues. I will post a final thought and maybe you'll enjoy the total research.

Please answer the following list:

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 3.0i, 4.4i, 4.6is, 4.8is
3: Tranny: Stick,Auto
4: Year: 1999-2006?
5: Your location: City/State- City or Highway driving habits or mix.
6: Purchased New or Used: when? Miles?
7: Miles: Currently?
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution?
9: (DIY problem cost? or Dealership/Cost?)
10: Engine,Tranny, interior, exterior, Paint, wheel, brakes, etc.
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5.
12: Type of drive: (1) Hard(lead foot), (2) Medium(gas it once in while), (3)Light(Granny Driver)
13: Schedule Maintenance: (1)Meticulous(Changes Oil every 3k,top notch synthetic, fix every problem), (2)Average(didn't change the only on every schedule but 3k-9k, fix only the major problems which were necessary, drives around with minor issues. (3) Who gives a $hit?: (Drives the car into the ground until it dies)

Like every car I owed it seems mileage and common problems tends to occur with each model and mileage outside of personal driving habits like a lead foot vs granny drivers.
So if you can answer these questions or add any questions that might help me and every X5 owner.

Thanks for reading my post- Please help

[cfmistry]

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 4.4i
3: Tranny: Auto
4: Year: 2002
5: Your location: Baltimore/MD - mix, 60 city/40 highway.
6: Purchased New or Used: New
7: Miles: 95,000mi
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution? 60,000mi
9: $10000+ in repairs/services in last 3 years
10: CV boots, oil seperator, thrust arm bushings, leaking valve covers, more I forget
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5.
12: Type of drive: (1) Hard(lead foot)
13: Schedule Maintenance: (1)Meticulous - but I take to the dealership for everything so I go by their schedule.

[JCL]

See this link.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ty-survey.html


I think it is interesting how maintenance practices are classified. My own vehicles are maintained meticulously, they never go over 24,000 km for an oil change. You classify that as "who gives a...."

No problems other than a LF wheel bearing on the X5, replaced under warranty, from a reliability standpoint. Sold at 70,000 km.

[Nik]

I would like to share my experience with you.

I have 2000 X5 4.4l
Bought it with problems I had to fix:
Water leaking,
Tranny broken,
ABS module,
Timings corrected,
All Seal Gaskets changed,
Thermostat changed,
Both side rear Air Springs changed,
and some drivertain (Names don't match so no point of posting)
Window regulators failed, (only Clip problem)
and little more.

However I love It! 135k miles on it! even though It's 11 years old, I would buy it again After knowing all the problems it had!

EDIT: Water Hose on back of engine and Coolant Bucket due to leaks.
Belts, Fan.

[GABRIEL]

Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 3.0L
3: Tranny: 6 Speed Manual
4: Year: 2006
5: Your location: South Carolina.
6: Purchased New or Used: New at Germany
7: Miles: 72,078mi
8: Problems/air pump 20,000/ battery
9: $75.00
10:
11: .
12: normal
13: Schedule Maintenance: I change the oil every 7,500

[joeboch348]

i'll just give what i can remember off the top of my head

02 X5 4.4 auto
purchased new
location CT
miles 99k
problems while under warranty
alternator
a/c compressor
window regulator
steering column motor

after the 50k mile mark
problems out of pocket
tranny $6k
radiator
expansion tank
both front cv boots
most of front end parts
another window regulator
door opener
another steering column motor
another a/c compressor
leaking sunroof
*radio
*cd changer
*dvd nav
*amp
*tow module
*air ride module
*park distance module
*dvd player
*all due to leaking sunroof
another alternator
water pump
fan bearing
thats off the top of my head.
fyi i had it in the shop today and borrowed my friends 2010 grand cherokee V8 for the day. i couldn't wait to get back in my old beemer, the jeep is junk compared.

[DooD]

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 3.0
3: Tranny: Auto
4: Year: 2005
5: Your location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
6: Purchased New or Used: CPO W/ 45,000 km's
7: Miles: 90,000 km's
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution? Leak inside due to the sunroof. Occured the first day we got it. There was a kink in the drainage line. Covered under CPO warranty.
9: (DIY problem cost? or Dealership/Cost?) Dealer paid
10: Engine,Tranny, interior, exterior, Paint, wheel, brakes, etc.
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5.
12: Type of drive: (1) Hard(lead foot), (2) Medium(gas it once in while) Ours is a mixture of lead foot (me) and medium (wife). This is my wife's vehicle and is mainly driven "medium"
13: Schedule Maintenance: (2)Average(didn't change the only on every schedule but 3k-9k, fix only the major problems which were necessary, drives around with minor issues.

[dskyers]

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 4.4i
3: Tranny: Auto with the stick on the side.
4: Year: 2002
5: Your location: Miami fl. 33157.
6: Purchased New or Used: took over payments in november. 1 and half years left. nothing down. yea!
7: Miles: Currently? 79500
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution? so far coolant leak going to get fixed soon takes about two weeks to leak out?.. i belive my dsc does not work either the light in center of dash stays on and wont come off? needs new tires 19 inch..
9: (DIY problem cost? or Dealership/Cost?) rear window regulator. dealer quote south moters bmw $536.00 out of warrenty. diy cost $45.00 dollers and two hours.. works fine now!
10: Engine M62
,Tranny auto
, interior biege
, exterior Paint i belive topaz blue? how can i be sure.
, wheel 19inch y spoke
, brakes dont know any recomendations?
, etc.

12: Type of drive: (1) Hard(lead foot) 11 mpg at moment. and just found sport mode lol
13: Schedule Maintenance: , (2)Average(didn't change the only on every schedule but 3k-9k, fix only the major problems which were necessary, drives around with minor issues. (3) Who gives a $hit?: (Drives the car into the ground until it dies) a mix of both just got it so not sure where everything is was thinking of waiting for car to to tell me where should i start

[KaptainKid1]

Just tested my first 4.4i 2001 X5 and it wasn't what I expected. It had 78k mileage which is pretty low. The owner was kind of shaddy looking back but you can't always tell. The leather was dirty and tears of course because it's BMW leather. Why leather from bimmers don't hold up I don't know. My 328i leather is cracked and aged as it was 30 years old. My friends leather on his Lexus looks new and both cars are the same age. Back to the X5- It had full power, nav, tow package and sport packages and factory 19 staggered. The plastic trim is chipped and flaking. 1st I am very disappointed with the handling and it felt very heavy. The suspension was spongy with those air bag self leveling shocks. I know the X5 is really heavy but I thought with a V8 it was going to haul it down the road with easy. My Pathfinder is much lighter and much faster 3.5 V6 245 hp. Maybe this X5 has more problems I didn't know about. I looked under the car and it has tons of oil on the pan and tranny shifted smoothly so that was a plus. Drive seat didn't work and power locks on the back door out. It has few bugs that I could find off the bat without taking it to mechanic. I will look at few more 3.0i and maybe 4.8i. I hope the next few will not be a disappointment.

[-chc-]

1: Make: BMW
2: Model: X5 4.8is
3: Tranny: Auto
4: Year: 2006
5: Your location: mix (German Autobahn)
6: Purchased New or Used: Used (last year) at ~60K (80K km)
7: Miles: ~80K (100K km)
8: Problems/Miles when the problem occurred?/Solution?: rough cold start
9: (DIY problem cost? or Dealership/Cost?): calculate at least 1K per year for regular maintenance + repairs (repairs are expensive, calculate at least 3K-6K every 4-5 years for "something" AND 1,5K$ for new tires every 3-4 years)
10:
Engine: N62
Tranny: Auto
Interior: beige
Exterior: dark blue (BMW individual)
Wheel: 20" (315 and 285)
Other: full option
11: Any info will help track long term reliability of the X5: actually reliability is very good
12: Type of drive: (2) Medium(gas it once in while)
13: Schedule Maintenance: (1)Meticulous => according to schedule

Hope this helps