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

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by NicholasW

Man, propellerhead...Every post of your's that I've read, since joining this forum a few weeks ago, are well informed and put together.

Thats it so far. I really need to find an OEM hitch kit. Dealer says 0 in national stock.

Thanks for your thoughts. I do often find myself expressing my opinion as fact. And it is- to me. So if you (or anyone) doesn't agree, feel free. We all get to have our own opinions.

Check here for the hitch. I bought one there last year. They were on back order for some time after, but I heard that it cleared. Worth a call anyway.

[zalzala]

I always thought x5 build quality was not upto mark even x6 had better finishes but still this is my second. E53 to E70 diesel

[Zumie]

Absolutely not.

My 2003 3.0i only had 65k on it when I picked it up (from the original owners)! I have had nothing but problems with it. After the first few break downs I never trusted it to take on long road trips, I never trusted it with my wife and kids either - too worried it would leave them stranded.

I probably spent more on maintenance on the X5 than I did fuel. That is how often it broke and how often I wouldn't drive it. Seems like every time I started that thing the Check Engine light would pop on, there would be a new knock, click, smash, or whatever other sound you can imagine coming from somewhere, the door handles would break off, the windows wouldn't go up or down... I understand the PROBLEMS HAPPEN but the amount of and the types of problems I experienced were unheard of - for ANY vehicle.

I've owned 2 other BMWs (E23 and E36) and it seemed like the E53 was just not to par with the others I've owned. It was always something with this particular vehicle.

Nothing against BMW but as for the E53, never again.

[SlickGT1]

I would buy another 4.8is, but most likely will get me a 3.0 on stick for the wife. Once she masters that piece, I will get an M5 as a daily. Although I love the X. I am really happy with it.

[E53inLA]

I'll probably lease another BMW before I'd buy.

Back in 1998, we came close to buying a 5 series, but bought a MB E320 instead. In 2005, we looked at the MB and BMW and opted for the X5. The X5 now has 65,000 miles and the E320 115,000.

Both cars drive great, and we just drove the X5 from LA to SF and back again.

The big difference is in the quality of materials and maintenance issues. With almost half the miles, the X5 has been double the trouble. I'm reaching the conclusion that it's better to lease, and turn it back in at 30K miles. Just my $0.02

[tmv]

I would, with all the knowledges that I learn about the E53 and E39. I can DIY almost all of the works on them, except engine and tranny rebuilt. Time for a E53 4.8is or a E39 540i/6 when my son takes over the E39 530iA next year.

[Rusty Pancelode]

I don't know if I would buy it again...
I sure like the vehicle, but it does intimidate me a little (and my hobby car is an '85 MR2, have you ever wrenched on one of those?)...
If mine starts becoming the problem child that it has the potential to be, then I guess I'll have to move on to something else.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Oh I definitely would and I did. Bought my 01 4.4 in 2004. Bought it CPO's and I haven't had than many problems with it. No crazy stuff, just the normal. When it came off CPO is when I started doing the work. Then last month I bought a 04 4.8is and I LOVE IT! Just the sound it makes. It makes people look!

SO would I buy one again, absolutely!

[bcb1]

Wow I'm really having second thoughts now about buying an '11 or '12 E70 35i now. My '05 3.0 was reliable, it had 100K on it when I traded it in. After reading some of the posts here it gives me the willies.

My 2000 Yukon that I purchased new has 215K, driven daily by my daughter and has had routine stuff (fuel pump, ABS module repaired, water pump, and the brakes finally needed replaced at 200K miles). But very reliable.

My 2011 Tahoe has 48K and is also dependable, reliable, never had an issue.

I've got this feeling in my gut that if I sell my Tahoe and buy another X5 I might be sorry But hey, I realize these boards are where people with problems congregate so there's that.

Hmm, what to do. The only thing else that strikes my fancy is the VW Touareg. Haven't driven one of the newer ones yet. I did drive the '12 model X5 and very much liked it, seemed to be a lot quicker than my '05.

[upallnight]

Nope, I would look for something that can be repaired on the road without costing me an arm, a leg, and one of my nuts.

That is why I rent a car when the trip exceeds 200 miles one way.