X5 electrical problems continue, time to go back to Audi

[TowX]

Since the day I bought this X5, CPO, it's had nothing but problems. Almost all electrical. I attribute most of it to the kinked sunroof drain tube that had water coming in every time it rained. Dealer "fixed" but the next time it rained, I had an inch of water on the front and rear floor. There's no possible way the PO didn't have this problem in the 3 years before itgot traded. Second repair finally fixed it, but not before I'd had water coming out of the overhead console and onto my feet.

The final straw was when I picked up the X5 yesterday at the dealer. Been there since before Christmas, went it because the PDC, Self Level Inactive, and Bluetooth all crapped out at exactly the same time. They replaced 3 PDC sensors (2 rear, 1 front), and a self levelling arm, and couldn't find the BT problem. Pick the car up, get 2 miles from the dealer, Self Level Inactive comes back on. Get another couple miles and the DSC/ 4x4 Inop came on. Finally got home (in 6 inches of fresh snow and the DSC is clearly not working), put in reverse to back into the driveway, and PDC comes on solid. I checked thinking snow was covering the sensors, cleared them off, but PDC is again Inop.

This is on top of the steering rack, the Nav screen, thrust rod bushings twice,and A-pillar air bag failures. In 13 months of ownership, it's been at the dealer 8 weeks and needs to go back again. 8 weeks= 15% at the dealer. What a shame, since the X5 is such a nice vehicle to drive on a semi-daily basis, and tows so well. But the reliability is nowhere near that of my 528 which has made it 97,000 miles with almost no issues. We've also had 4 Audis since '95 and sure they had a few issues (thrust rod bushings too), but I don't think all 5 combined have spent the amount of time in the dealer as this X5. Hmmm, what's the difference? All the others (528 included) were built in Germany. But that can't be either. Our '04 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, with 55k miles, is trouble free, only going to the dealer for service. Heck, we just put our first set of tires on it.

So I've told the dealer I expect them to buy the vehicle back, and either but me in another X5 of my liking or I'm headed back the Audi brand for a Q7.

[X5Newb]

I would think the "lemon law" would come into affect. Wow, that's quite a list of annoying problems! I'd be pissed too. Hopefully they step up and do the right thing.

I've had my 318ti since new (1996) and hardly any problems in over 235k miles, just routine and preventative maintenance (and mods!).

Sorry you've had all those issues, affecting your enjoyment of the X5. I just picked one up around the middle of last year. Only real failure I've had so far is the Final Stage Resistor (FSR) which caused the fan to run with the vehicle off and drain the battery overnight (luckily it didn't drain it enough when we went out skiing so it still started when we returned to the vehicle). I guess luckily you got it as CPO and all that stuff has been covered, right? It would truly suck if you'd had all those problems with a X5 purchased without any warranty coverage.

[TowX]

CPO doesn't cover anything in the air suspension system, thrust rod bushings or the PDC system. Dealer has been "goodwilling" the parts. I have yet to figure out what CPO DOES cover. Oh, and it doesn't cover Nav components either.

I guess what really ticks me off is that this isn't my first BMW. I've been driving BMWs since the late 70's- 2002, 320i, E30 325, 530, 323 Hartge, current 528 ( all purchased new). After a few Audis, thought it might be time to try another BMW.

[slickp]

MY BLUETOOTH ALL OF A SUDDEN DOESNT WORK ANYMORE AND THE PDC IS GOING WACKY LIKE U NOTED ALSO, HOPE TO GET BOTH RESOLVED

[haigha]

Originally Posted by slickp

MY BLUETOOTH ALL OF A SUDDEN DOESNT WORK ANYMORE AND THE PDC IS GOING WACKY LIKE U NOTED ALSO, HOPE TO GET BOTH RESOLVED

And, apparently, your CAPS LOCK key is stuck

[haigha]

Originally Posted by TowX

Since the day I bought this X5, CPO, it's had nothing but problems.

Sorry to hear, TowX.

Zero problems here since 04 brand new. Only unscheduled maintenance has been two transmission software updates.

[CT_X5_Joe]

Hi. I know this was an older post, but I was looking to see if anyone here could help me. Ive got the same problems mentioned above (well not all of them, not yet at least)

Mainly my bluetooth stated to act up one day. And then the PDC system as well. Also one of the HID's (passenger side if it matters) is also acting up, in that it only comes on some 50% of the time.

Any help on these?

[aimtimes100]

Originally Posted by CT_X5_Joe

Hi. I know this was an older post, but I was looking to see if anyone here could help me. Ive got the same problems mentioned above (well not all of them, not yet at least)

Mainly my bluetooth stated to act up one day. And then the PDC system as well. Also one of the HID's (passenger side if it matters) is also acting up, in that it only comes on some 50% of the time.

Any help on these?

Well first sharing what kind of X u have(year and engine) usually helps.2nd.im no where near an expert but the OP did say the dealer made repairs to wat it sounds like water problems.sometimes u can do jobs better then the dealer so finding drain lines with leaks or pools in them and fixing them might work out better yourself.as for the HID problem it sounds similar to a problem i saw with the acura TSX when it first came out which was condensation in the headlights.try removing the headlight and checking the seals around and see if theres more of an unecessary opening where the wire harness connects to the bulb and the bulb goes into the headlight(that general area lol)im no expert in this situation but i always find some help better then staring at your computer waiting for an email to say "replies to your subscribed post" or w.e. If this doesnt help i can probaby get u a link to a person who knows a lot about water problems so could he probably tell if this is your issue

[heuer21]

why would you turn the car on when it is obviously taken on water? Isn't that electronics 101?