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

[aimtimes100]

sounds like you have a v8 X5. where did you hear about the 10 miles thing, because i've never heard such BS either.as for the battery if you don't drive your X it's bound to drain eventually.happens to every car

[amacman]

Originally Posted by jaima

No, never again, crap reliability, battery drain that no-one knows how to cure! BMW state the vehicle must be driven every day for at least 10 miles WTF
I have never heard such crap in my 30+ years of driving, the truth is they are selling Faulty vehicles that are not fit for their purpose, most unreliable car I have ever owned, sits on our driveway as an ornament unless I take the battery out every day to charge it.

BMW have issues like most cars
You could try a good auto electrician to find the source of the battery drain which could be costly for time .
Try the search function on this forum for battery drain or parasitic draw and you will find the majority are caused by ventilation system final stage resistor (fsr ), sometimes called the "hedgehog " . there is a diy post with photos to replace the fsr .
there are some clever people on this forum to assist tracing the fault .
good luck .

[HEISING]

Never again, this X5 has been the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. I have owned many vehicles.....Some unreliable, but nothing like this. Sorry Guys, Just the truth.

[brian5]

After 4 years with the 4.8i, I definitely feel it was the right choice.

The only car that was been more reliable than this was my 328is

If I was shopping now, I would be trying (to afford) to buy a X5M...

[Gixxerboy63]

My wife and I enjoy looking at new cars. Usually the guys on the lot are drooling all over my X5, but then they want to steal it.

The other day, we stumbled upon the car of her dreams at a franchise dealer and the sales manager was willing to put together a deal on it. I almost pulled the trigger. By the books (KBB, Edmunds, etc.), it was a fantastic offering as my X is now 10 years old and clocks in a 127k miles.

Maybe another day, but the 4.6is is not leaving today.

Instead of trading, I jacked my savings account and bought the car for her.

[Carsareart]

We bought our first x5 (2002, 3.0) in 08 with 70k. My wife loved it, at 142k I sold it and tried to get her into a different suv and couldn't. She choose a 06 x5 with 34k and loves it. We had very few problems with the first and would do it all over again. It was a sad day to see the 02 drive away with the new owner, it was a really good vehicle. It was kinda funny that when we met the new owner to deliver the 02 they were having trouble telling them apart. My wife is very happy. As far as repairs go I have done all of our work myself. It has been an easy vehicle to work on and with this site it is doable.

[manfrmbklyn23]

never again. My 04 X5 breaks down more than I can count. I can't deal with a luxury car that is always having issues. door locks frozen, white smoke from exaust, oil leaks,electrical problems etc..... it never ends. I am done.

[faranks]

It's tempting, but I would only buy another because I know it inside and out after only 4 year. It's only nice right now because it has no problems (that you know of). If you don't mind spending a lot of time fixing things that were poorly engineered or poorly constructed, then by all means. There are some fantastic resources: this website! but it will need to be fixed all of the time. Just ask yourself how important is your time and money proportionate to how important your car is to you.

[Denis0331]

i love it love it love it 3.0i sweet ride no major problems

[CA_Tallguy]

I love german cars and was hoping that the X5 might be in my future. It still may be, but after spending days and hours pouring over your forum here and others, the magnitude and quantity of issues you guys are having really saddens me (and scares me off a bit).

For the last few years I've been driving a 1997 Mercedes E-Class W210 model. They were made from 1996 to 2002 -- so basically a generation behind your X5's -- but even being older, the W210 mercedes forums see NOTHING close to what you guys experience here. No major tranny overhauls or replacements. No engine overhauls or replacements. No surprise $3000 repairs. Well maybe there have been some odd cases but they would be very rare.

Yes, we have window regulator problems after 100K to 150K and a lot of other routine post 100K maintenance items like shocks and some bushings and ball joints, but WOW, nothing like you guys talk about. I can't even remember the last "major" problem that came wandering through our mercedes W210 forums. I don't mind spending money on more expensive parts that are well made in the process maintaining a well made vehicle, but what you guys describe does not sound "well made" by any means.

The experiences I read hear are probably similar to the problems that Mercedes had during the Chrysler years. That is one reason I have not bough a 2003 to 2008 mercedes, and I'll probably just skip over those years. I'm really bummed out about the X5 quality though as it is exactly the vehicle I want and need at the moment. It appeals to me far more than the Mercedes ML, that's for sure. I really need an SUV and the X5 is one of the only vehicles I can see myself driving.