If you knew what you know now, Will you buy a X5..!?!? - Page 22

Doru · #1 09-11-2014, 02:06 PM

For quite a while, the cars get more and more complex. There is also the demand for reliability. The engineers in the design stage, set everything all right. Enter the bean counters & Gvt regulations for recycled materials, low emissions & reduced fuel economy.
Engineer re-designs the car with updated (read recycled plastics) materials. then he shaves off weight with more sub par materials. Then he has to re-design emission control in a manner that satisfies recycling, weight & bean counters. Then bean counters reject a few 2$ part for a subpar 1$ part, which if they sell 100,000 units x 1$ = 100,000$ savings, which will make the shareholders happy and fill the CEO pockets.
Then the car hits the showroom & costumers buy said car.
Car starts having issues due to above mentioned parts. Car is no longer in development, and if not safety related, complaints are shoved under the carpet. This car brand is every car brand from A-Z, Audi to Volkswagen and everything in between. The more performance you pack in it, the more premature failed parts you will have to deal with.
If you want a BMW for example, as said in numerous above posts, just buy one that looks decent, has some history if possible, then start fixing what's obvious, what has a chance to let you down, and everything you change, try to use something that could improve the O.E. design of such (failing) part.
BMW's are beautiful machines, which for a daily use has plenty of power, great handling and are very comfortable. DIY most of the "problems" and I know from personal experience, that you end up with a very reliable and comfortable fun to drive car. As an example, my e39, which in consumer reports is not shining by any means, hasn't seen a wrench in ages. It had lots of parts changed, and sees regular maintenance (my schedule, which is close to the "Miller" maintenance). The e53 I have has seen a bunch of parts changes, and I am sure it will be very reliable as well.

0.02

RickM5X3 · #2 09-11-2014, 08:40 PM

No, if you mean E53. After years of owning multiple BMWs, having reasonable expectations on what to expect in terms of basic reliability, and even with the benefit of the wisdom of this board, the E53s that I owned outdid themselves in terms of being high maintenance trouble-prone vehicles. If it wasn't for positive experiences with an E39 M5 and E83 X3, I probably would have left BMW for good. it was the E70 that saved it for me, and keeps me lovin the X5. In my view and based on experience, the E70 is a far superior platform in terms of reliability, creature comforts, and performance. I can't recommend the E53 X5 in good faith to anyone who doesn't have a high tolerance for wrenching and enjoys the challenge. All that said, the E53 does offer an incredible driving experience and the body style STILL looks sharp today IMO.

Johnny_5 · #3 09-12-2014, 01:06 AM

No matter what car you get Import or European used you are going to have to put money into it to keep it running good. Of course European will be more expensive to upkeep but you get what you pay for. I just picked up a X5 and I was shopping around for a while and was looking at Acura MDX's, Lexus RX330, Mercedes ML's and they all have transmission issues. I think the only Import that was comfortable and felt luxury was the MDX but even that its no comparison to the ride and feel of a X5 and ML. Now between just those two it was a no brainer for the X5 as Im into sporty luxury vehicles. Handling of the X5 is far more superior than the ML and from what Ive seen and read the X5 has stronger transmissions than the ML.

Im not saying that the X5 are not problematic and don't have issues but as the years go by theres more electronics involved. Compared to the older cars I also own a 95 M3 they are very well built and I rarely have any issues with it.

Quickid · #4 09-12-2014, 09:37 AM

It's definitely a love-hate relationship with my E53. Damn, I love how it looks and how it rides but there's always something broken. I'm amazed when a month or two passes by without an issue.

If I knew what I was getting into, I probably won't buy an E53 but now I can't get myself to trade it in.

ny x5 guy · #5 09-12-2014, 11:07 AM

So I've had my manny tranny 3.0 2003 model for 2 months. The other day my doorman in my apartment building says to me: this lady saw you getting out of your car and wanted to know who you were, said I just saw this man getting out of this incredible new top of the line bmw, does he work in the movies? No joke this really happened to me. I said I used to drive a '98 subaru all beat up clearly the worst looking car in front of my building and now to this, I didn't even pay that much money for it. My doorman said you went from zero to hero.

So - Yes - I would definitely buy my X5 again, it's wunderbar!

TiAgX5 · #6 09-12-2014, 12:07 PM

I picked mine up (6yrs old and 100k miles) while going thru my divorce.

Soon to be ex-wife and her lawyer saw me getting out of it in the parking garage at courthouse, they went before the judge (with pics of the X) and insisted I had just bought a new + $70k BMW and wanted to see the purchase docs/title. Provided requested docs, Ex/lawyers/judge could not believe the docs showed under $13k for vehicle.

Judge joked he wanted me to go car shopping with him!

StephenVA · #7 09-14-2014, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I picked mine up (6yrs old and 100k miles) while going thru my divorce.

Soon to be ex-wife and her lawyer saw me getting out of it in the parking garage at courthouse, they went before the judge (with pics of the X) and insisted I had just bought a new + $70k BMW and wanted to see the purchase docs/title. Provided requested docs, Ex/lawyers/judge could not believe the docs showed under $13k for vehicle.

Judge joked he wanted me to go car shopping with him!

Loved this version of "it not a new car?"
Ex's looking for $$ are such fun. Over the years I have seem more guys loose everything car wise and family wise due to divorces. Not a good time in your life. Power through if you are not over it yet. Life does get better.