any model/year to watch out for???

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

So had seen a bunch of X5's the weekend past and have narrowed it down to a 2004 4.4i with sports package, OR a 2003 4.6is (pure gorgeous), though the 4.8is is just tooooo nice (just more than I want to pay).
but the more I do research, the more negativity is all I read.

I have a perfect condition, 190,000 kms, 330Ci but also a 206,000 kms 850i which causes maintenance nightmares (but getting less and less, i'll admit).

Now I'd be the first to tell someone to not buy the 850 cause of its maintenance issues, and from what I read from this site and from Edmunds.com, it sounds like the X5's are just nightmares for reliability.
Is this correct, OR are there a LOT of satisfied owners out there too which never see repairs/problems?
I just don't want to buy another "850"

I'm approaching my one year anniversary with my 2001 4.4i on Friday. The only repairs I've had to do to it since purchase have been:

• MID repair for dead pixels - A couple of columns of the pixels had gone out. Not an operational thing but I like my vehicles to be in top shape.
• Window washer pumps - Washer fluid kept getting low despite light use. I decided to replace all of them and be done with it (this was actually an issue I noticed at the time of purchase but thought the fluid was just low).

Other than that everything else has been maintenance / cosmetic issues (like a new BMW roundel). I did perform some repair work upon initial delivery of the vehicle (SEL was on, torn CV boots, front bushings) but those were identified in the PPI and I negotiated an additional discount on the vehicle to address them.

Other than that it's been a trouble free vehicle this past year. Taking it in for an oil, air, fuel filter change in the next few weeks but that's maintenance. Vehicle has ~108K miles when I purchase and it now has ~118K miles.

HTH