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

[patineto]

So we have fallen in love with this 2001 X5 with about 130.000miles, But the more a read about the more scare I get, I'm pretty handy with tools and in fact I enjoy doing it very much, But I like to do it for "Fun" and not because the machine keeps breaking down all the time, I do suck with Electronics and this X5 look to be really heavy on that field.

We don't have a lot of money, Sufficient to buy the car and keep with normal upkeep for sure, But no way we can afford the "$3000 surprises" every few months.

So we are looking for a Honest answer, Will you buy one after your past experience with your current X5

Thanks

Lauren & Ricky

[huntertec]

The only reason I wouldn't update to another X5 is I'm not too fussed on the E70 shape. As for reliability I have an 05 model and I'll say I'm not unhappy is the most honest answer I can give, the X has character like all the european cars I've owned. If I was after reliability and bought Japanese I'd feel like I was missing out.

[Isambard]

Yep! If there was a next time I'd get the 4.8 instead of my current '01 4.4. I say 'if', because I like my X so much I'm taking it to oz with me.. reasons for getting the 4.8 (next time) would be because of the extra power, the wheels, and the speedo (which is akin to the M series-same as my M3 and M5 anyway..), plus I think the seats are more bucket-like. (M series again)

[Weasel]

I knew exactly what I was getting in to, and still couldn't help but get one! But I may be fixing any issues I have and selling it within the next year or so depending on possible upcoming life changes... Should there be an interview process to see if someone is right to buy your car? If the guy is a dumbass I can snatch the keys back and shout "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"

[TriX5]

Count on 3000-4000 per year in maintenance unless you do A LOT yourself. I am rehabbing gearbox after the torque converter failed. The V-pan gasket change is underway. I had already done the water pump. Previously I had the vac hoses done which was way expensive, not to mention 2! Aux fans....

[tomgtv]

I have an X5 with 254,000 miles and counting. Mine cost over $18,000 so
far in repairs with most of the labor done for free under trees! (shade tree mechanics).

The parts prices are pretty steep.....$200 for window regulators (needed 5), fuel pump was $405 (plus $200 to put it in), PCV (Oil Seperator) went bad twice, only $150 but hours to get it in and out, Oil canister gasket $5 (but you have to take 1/2 the motor apart to get to it), transfer case $900 (refurb, would have been $2200 OEM part, plus $300 labor), ABS brake module $300 (refurb service out of Idaho, would have been $1200 OEM), etc.

I would say your mileage is just about where all the $#$# starts! Of course you have to do brakes, rotors, hoses, bulbs, water pumps, bearings, etc. like any other car.

Even though mine is running the motor mounts are shot and its $1500 to replace 3 that are needed.

BTW I never had a transmission issue (don't change the fluid ever) and the core motor is bullet proof......just that lots of stuff breaks way sooner than I think it should have on a $47,000 car.

I'm going back to Japanese........

[JohnD]

I have a 2001 4.4 with 100K miles that I have owned since 19K miles. At around 70K the car fell apart, new transmission, waterpump, intake gasket, MAF, etc. After shelling out 6K in repairs it has been very good for 2 years. Over the last week I have had to have some routine stuff done, front end $1,000, front brakes $300, and two new rear tires (damn wife ran over a spike) $750. The only known issue is has is with a leak in the timing cover, which will cost $1800 to repair, so I plan to just live with it. As for buying another one, that is what I plan to do in the fall. I am going to dump my 325CI coupe for a 2006 X5 with low miles. I am going to swap the mods from my 2001 over to the 2006, drive the 2001 through the winter, and then trade it in towards a 2007 M3.

[1stE53]

I would! I love the how you can do most of the maintenance yourself. I love working with my cars, makes me feel like a real man :-) Safety, style, and performance... I would do it again; V8 this time.

[Naz24]

Love my X5. Would do it again. Just get a trust worthy independent mechanic and perform PREVENTATIVE maintenance... That is key.

[Jordo]

Well, I have been a motorcycle mechanic for 12 years so I feel I can handle most repairs. BUT knowing what I know now, I still would have bought one. I WOULD NOT BUY ONE IF I DIDN'T HAVE THIS WEB SITE !!!!!

Even tho I am very mechanically inclined, I would not want to have to figure out all of the issues my self. It's great t have a place like this, that already has most of the issues figured out. You just have to find post with the same symptoms as yours, and more then likely an answer will be given to. (and you didn't even get dirty yet!)

So without this site, no I would not get one. With this site, absolutely ! (and mine even had a tray failure 1 month after I got it) the symptoms it had made it difficult what the problem was, motor or trany. This site made it 10 x easier to figure it out.