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

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by julezw

After my not so perfect ownership record of an 04 4.4 which is my first BMW, common sense would tell me to RUN AWAY from a 2nd purchase! BUT, I'm not sure these cars are about common sense....luxury isn't a necessity in life and perhaps even suvs given how most people use them, myself included. Luxury is just loads of fun and also expensive, the more expensive your gear the more expensive it is to maintain, generally speaking. In an ideal world luxury should also be reliable....perhaps it isn't, my experience points to this. All I can do is hope it becomes more reliable because when I test drove a more economical vehicle I just couldn't purchase it. It wasn't a great experience.

I'm cursed now and my wallet is too!

Well said sir, well said! I love mine, and thanks to this forum I have saved Thousands!!!!! no joke. I even saved almost a grand on my W211 using knowledge carried over from here. Without this site, I would NEVER touch my complicated as hell 211. I also saved my cousin over $900 in one Sunday doing various items on his E60; again using knowledge learned here. That was even after factoring in a 650 mile round trip for him to get here.

In closing, and again 100X, YES I can never see myself in anything other than BMW or Mercedes... BMW first though.

[lacrosse]

Are these vehicles really THAT bad? I have an 06 4.4i and have put about 9,000 miles on it since I purchased it this year. Reading everyone's horror stories has got me freaked out. I don't use my pan. roof because I'm too nervous. Have I made a mistake in my purchase?

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by lacrosse

Are these vehicles really THAT bad? I have an 06 4.4i and have put about 9,000 miles on it since I purchased it this year. Reading everyone's horror stories has got me freaked out. I don't use my pan. roof because I'm too nervous. Have I made a mistake in my purchase?

Nope. i use my panoramic roof with no issues. Most people that are going to be posting are people who are pissed off--its just human nature.

there are more people who have had success with these vehicles. i would not fret

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Most people that are going to be posting are people who are pissed off--its just human nature.

+1

Over 17 years combined of solid service out of E53's in my family. My mother in law's '01 3.0 has been rock solid for ~80K miles and +10 years. My '04 3.0 was the same for 98k miles and 7 years. My replacement '04 4.8 has only 16K miles, so it's not a solid comparison.

I don't know what people expect when they drive a car that is anywhere from 6-12 years old, but you know what? Light bulbs burn out and axles/CV joints fail on every car eventually- it completely depends on how it is driven and maintained. Drive a 6000lb truck like an E46 coupe and you're looking for trouble. Believe that there is such a thing as 'Lifetime Fluid' and you're down the same path.

Google 'BMW Old School Maintenance' You path to peaceful X5 (and any modern BMW) ownership.

[huntertec]

While I can't overstate the importance of regular servicing/maintenance its not any guarantee of trouble free motoring. The problems I've encountered with my X over the years have had nothing to do with maintenance or servicing IE: EGR valve, Transmission lurch, Pixels in radio, Thermo fan, Glow plugs (diesel), electrical, mirror glass, etc. I've had more problems with my X than any other car I've owned, but I've also had more driving enjoyment to. There haven't been any issues for nearly 2 years now so hopefully we can both enjoy life together a little more

[joeboch348]

I was VERY unhappy spending $6000 to replace my tranny at 75000 easy miles and angry when my sunroof leaked and cost me $1500 in electronics, but the x5 is in a class by itself.
What are you gonna buy? a tahoe? mercedes suv (junk) lexus? range rover? it's all bmw parts anyways.
the x5 is the best looking best running longest lasting one. you just have to pay to play. oh and yes i'm glad i bought mine

[bigwave2255]

after 18 months i,m still enjoying my X, typically for me ive found that with a new car the novelty wears off after 6 to 12 months and then theres just the payments, however for me as stated i still get heaps of enjoyment out of driving and owning my X, oh the indicated 38 mpg the other day also doesnt hurt ( i really tried to drive economically for a week, no A/C its our winter)

i have to say though that i have spent more this year on my car than i have in the past but i see that as the price of entry.

i also find that after owning this car for 18 months i find most other cars inadequate in so many ways, lightweight materials body flex and overall feeling of not as solidly built as the X

so for me the simple answer is YES

[Jordo]

Originally Posted by joeboch348

I was VERY unhappy spending $6000 to replace my tranny at 75000 easy miles and angry when my sunroof leaked and cost me $1500 in electronics, but the x5 is in a class by itself.
What are you gonna buy? a tahoe? mercedes suv (junk) lexus? range rover? it's all bmw parts anyways.
the x5 is the best looking best running longest lasting one. you just have to pay to play. oh and yes i'm glad i bought mine

Well put!! A Tahoe! Bawahahahahahaha! I'd rather push my beemer to the stealership than drive a Tahoe problem free for 20 years! It's the White Trash X5 !!!!

[Spanker]

I definitely would buy another one. BMW has made me their bitch for life!

[o. l. t.]

Hot chicks are high maintenance, so are hot SAV's. Gotta pay to play. I'd buy it again because I accept the fact that it will cost me to enjoy it. That doesn't mean I will WILLINGLY fork over every dime for repairs, but I do accept it must come with the territory.