If you knew what you know now, Will you buy a X5..!?!?

[Kev's X5]

absolutely, that is why I say "if you want one make sure it has a warranty". I would be out over $10K in the suspension parts and labor alone. I don't think you can put $10k in a American cars suspension ( stock parts anyways). The bills have ran from a low of $1500-$6500 for the earlier visits( 7 ) in under 2 years. Always a 1 to 3 weeks in the shop each time.

Also on the loaner, 2 of the dealers never gave me a loaner "always out". That and they $50 me every time for the same problem. The local guys that have it now ( last 57 or 58 days) have kept me in a loaner and have not charged me. They have had the car 3 times before the 57 day on going. So, I feel good with the dealer who has it now. Just Don't care for BMW USA and the CPO warranty. CPO is only covering this because of the safety issue. You have NO coverage for suspension under CPO.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Kev's X5

absolutely, that is why I say "if you want one make sure it has a warranty". I would be out over $10K in the suspension parts and labor alone.

But you're not. This totally changes my understanding of your 'troubles.' You might be out a small fraction of the total costs. Why? Because you have a BMW with a CPO warranty.

Sounds to me like your experience with CPO matches mine over the past ten years with my 2004 X5 and my 2000 E39 540. It was awesome. I too got to drive someone else's car for the time my car was in the shop. The same was true for my wife's car which we bought new from the same dealer. Always a loaner. Always taken good care of. Always updated when I called, and in the end? Always repaired.

I guess it depends on how anyone wants to look at the ownership experience. Based on the explanation of how well you are being treated, I have a tough time seeing the sour grapes. But, I suppose that one man's tragedy is another's bump in the road.

Best wishes in the ownership of your next vehicle.

[raindance74]

In all honestly, I have to disagree with some of the posters on this thread that feel spending thosands $ each year should be expected. I love BMW, but I have owned both an e30 318i and e40 325i convertible for years that ran without a single problem, just had to change the oil and brakes. So IMHO, BMW should make their higher end models more reliable. I've owned over 25 cars, and my 3.0i X5 and my Jeep back in college have been the most $ to maintain. As far as reliabity, I love the poster who says in regards to all the repairs needed he likes his car to have character. If character means high maintenance costs, then sign me up for something that lacks it. I agree with the other poster that say parts are incredibly expensive and some components should simply last longer. Shockingly, the most trouble-free car our family has ever owned hasn't been a BMW, Toyota, or Honda. Its a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan with 300,000 miles and that we bought from the original owner 10 yrs ago, and never spent more than $500 on since and we cant believe how solid it is. To answer your question though, I wouldn't buy another X5, but I would definitely buy another BMW.

[1stE53]

I have to agree with last poster on a lot of points. My cousin has a 525i with 110k miles and does not have single issue, not even the smallest fluid leak of any kind. The rubber parts around the suspension are all in perfect shape, the CV boots are perfect. He does not take near the care of his 5 as I do my X and that damn thing has something fail on it at least every other month. I still love it but am starting to get frustrated.

[Kev's X5]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

But you're not. This totally changes my understanding of your 'troubles.' You might be out a small fraction of the total costs. Why? Because you have a BMW with a CPO warranty.

Always a loaner.

I guess it depends on how anyone wants to look at the ownership experience.

Best wishes in the ownership of your next vehicle.

Back to the question. If you knew what you know now, will you buy a X5.

No. This has been my troubles. Thankfully I have some warranty ( CPO ) limited.
I bought this car to drive. Not drive a loaner. My 4.8is is much more then the base loaner I have.

7 visits to other BMW dealers and no loaner. Only this dealer has taken care of me.
It has cost in the resale, the book value has dropped. Every month new numbers come out. Is it big numbers... $4k so far. I still don't have it to sale yet.

I have said earlier in the 15 + pages That MY X5 is a LEMON. Every maker has a bad one once in awhile. It's how they treat you to fix the problem. BMW CPO sucks. I have to call every time the car goes in. I'm fought at every part that has gone bad ( CPO does not cover that or this ). I'm still working on someone to fix the original problems when it was under the 4/50 bumper to bumper.

No one wants to hear their car is crap. That's what it may sound like to you from me. Searching in these threads, you'll find my problems seem to be common to others that own loaded up X5's. If BMW would stand up and replace mine with a new I would. Not for free... I would go book to book price. I have tried that too. No luck. Everyone wants to give trade-in (low book) and sell me theirs at retail. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

Thanks for the well wishes

[Kev's X5]

The X5 is gone.

107 days in the shop. It went in mid June, I thought it was later...

Drove the X5 in and on the way the TPMS light came on ( as normal) this time would not reset. While parked in the lot it started to air down the front passenger side ( as normal) In the 107 days and just short of $12,000 dollar in repairs ( minus labor ) and it still is not fixed.

This X5 should have been painted LEMON YELLOW not Red....

[amacman]

with the air down on one side reminds me of a Haggis .
A Haggis is a wee Scottish beastie which lives on hillsides and has 2 long legs on the left and 2 short legs on the right because it moves around the hill in a clockwise direction .
We catch them by hiding behind a bush until one comes along then we surprise them at which point they turn around to run away and lose balance due to their odd legs causing them to roll into a strategically placed net .

ah`ll get ma Harris tweed jacket , ma bagpipes and ma collie dug .

[The Big Easy]

Originally Posted by amacman

with the air down on one side reminds me of a Haggis .
A Haggis is a wee Scottish beastie which lives on hillsides and has 2 long legs on the left and 2 short legs on the right because it moves around the hill in a clockwise direction .
We catch them by hiding behind a bush until one comes along then we surprise them at which point they turn around to run away and lose balance due to their odd legs causing them to roll into a strategically placed net .

ah`ll get ma Harris tweed jacket , ma bagpipes and ma collie dug .

Ok, so please go to the following link, all of you will enjoy this read: http://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/~s0681349/Haggis.pdf or check the attachment as a PDF.

Cheers from the southern hemisphere,

[amacman]

Is the southern hemisphere Haggis similar or does it move around the hills anti- clockwise .

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by Kev's X5

The X5 is gone.

107 days in the shop. It went in mid June, I thought it was later...

Drove the X5 in and on the way the TPMS light came on ( as normal) this time would not reset. While parked in the lot it started to air down the front passenger side ( as normal) In the 107 days and just short of $12,000 dollar in repairs ( minus labor ) and it still is not fixed.

This X5 should have been painted LEMON YELLOW not Red Unfortunately any brand can have a lemon, It hurts when you are the one that gets it....

I feel for you Brother. My car has been in the shop for 27 days... many electrical problems, computers, radio, actuators etc. The tech has to replace one item to see if the next item in the chain is bad. I'm up to about $4,000 maybe$5000. This car cost me $15,000 used in 2009 with 82,000 miles. I have put approximately 65000 miles on and spent about $ $2,000/year in repairs (not including wearable items) over the last 2 years. Not so bad money wise... of course no warranty at this point. I can't necessarily blame the car but, they ARE expensive to fix.

I love the X5 and I'm hoping that with good maintenance after the electrical problems are fixed I'll be able to drive it for another 150,000 miles. and get back to spending $2,000 or so per year.
I'm driving a $60,000 car for about $275 per month. I can't complain. and on the bright side it still has a $10 to $12,000 residual value after 10 yrs next month.

My friend just bought a crossover Cadillac. nice, offers more creature comforts, is very powerful in a straight line but, is not fun to drive like my X5.

So to the OPs question yes I would buy another X5 used when this one gives up the ghost.

Mostly BMW =s (BIG SMILE + so, so reliability+expensive repairs+aggravation).