Getting closer to a X5 !!!! DONE, I FOUND IT !!!!!!

[03BamaX5]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Again, the negativity... No room for that on this board. You have given zero concrete reasons, and only bitched about them. Typical.

I've got over 40k + another 10k to 15k in reasons to b-word about them.

How much more concrete do you want?

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by 03BamaX5

I've got over 40k + another 10k to 15k in reasons to b-word about them.

How much more concrete do you want?

If you had specific problems that can help the OP look out for or avoid those same problems or give him specific information on why he should not buy an X5, that would be more helpful than just a rant.

You're entitled to your opinion but help the guy out by listing what problems you had.

[03BamaX5]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

If you had specific problems that can help the OP look out for or avoid those same problems or give him specific information on why he should not buy an X5, that would be more helpful than just a rant.

You're entitled to your opinion but help the guy out by listing what problems you had.

I would say that I've had problems with everything but the paint. But I can't even say that since mine has the well known paint issue as well.

I guess I can compliment the metal and plastic. Oops wait. I have to take the plastic part back. Had some slight issues with moldings on the outside falling off.

I would brag on the engine but since it's had to have every thing on it replaced prior to 100,000 then I can't do that either. Lets see, water pump, alternator, cam/crank sensors, hoses, oil seperator, ever vacuum line known on the thing.. Coil packs, valley pan gaskets, valve cover gaskets, a/c compressor, the air pump thing that has helps with emissions.

The ONLY parts I can come up to right off the top of my head that are factory is the radiator, condenser, engine short block and drive train. The seats are stock.. Carpet. Although the torque converter is about to go out. When it finally does I'm not fixing it. It will call a tow truck and had it and the title over to the metal scrapping place and tell them to call me when they put it in the shredder because I want to watch.

Everything else for the most part has been replaced. Even a rear tail light that was arcing between the metal and bulb and filled the rear of the truck with smoke one night sitting at a red light.

Don't even get me started with the ignition trouble.

They are pieces of junk.. period.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by 03BamaX5

I would say that I've had problems with everything but the paint. But I can't even say that since mine has the well known paint issue as well.

I guess I can compliment the metal and plastic. Oops wait. I have to take the plastic part back. Had some slight issues with moldings on the outside falling off.

I would brag on the engine but since it's had to have every thing on it replaced prior to 100,000 then I can't do that either. Lets see, water pump, alternator, cam/crank sensors, hoses, oil seperator, ever vacuum line known on the thing.. Coil packs, valley pan gaskets, valve cover gaskets, a/c compressor, the air pump thing that has helps with emissions.

The ONLY parts I can come up to right off the top of my head that are factory is the radiator, condenser, engine short block and drive train. The seats are stock.. Carpet. Although the torque converter is about to go out. When it finally does I'm not fixing it. It will call a tow truck and had it and the title over to the metal scrapping place and tell them to call me when they put it in the shredder because I want to watch.

Everything else for the most part has been replaced. Even a rear tail light that was arcing between the metal and bulb and filled the rear of the truck with smoke one night sitting at a red light.

Don't even get me started with the ignition trouble.

They are pieces of junk.. period.

Wow. You definitely got a truckload of problems with your X5. Sorry to hear that and understand the frustration. Out of curiosity did you buy yours new? Maybe you got a lemon or if you bought it pre-owned you bought someone else's troubles. Either way, your perspective should adequately warn a prospective buyer of what a worst case could be.

I'm fortunately not one who has had any big problems. Yes, window regulators, door handle carriers, peeling door pulls, and a few other common problems but overall, my 104,000 mile X5 has been fine. (Knock on wood.) My moonroof has recently gotten stuck open and doesn't work properly anymore but I've got closed and intend to leave it that way. It sucks but it doesn't affect the way the X drives so I can live with it.

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Don't worry guys.
After many months of reading this forum, I'm aware of the problems of the X.
I wish I'll have as few as possible though, but since I can do my repairs myself and have a cut on dealer prices for parts, I think I can deal with that.
For the money I'll spend on the X, I could buy a brand new car or truck, but in that price range, nothing interests me. Also, I need to be able to pull a 5000lbs trailer.
The more complicated a vehicle is, the more parts are prone to fail. My wife's ex-car was a 2000 Corrola, no problem, never, BUT, the car is so basic, no doorlock, no AC, manual tranny, no Vanos... etc. and provides no fun at all for the driver.

I wil try to evaluate to the best of my knowledge the truck, test drive it, and run a Carfax, and if all that is OK, well, I'll take the plunge.

[btmed]

Ill have to agree with 03bama. Mine 2001 3.0, has consumed way too much of my time. The tech at moritz on my last diagnostic visit put it in perspective. He talked how great these little engines were with the exception of this, as he thumped the flange on the radiator, plastic. He said with all the plastic parts and the higher but normal operating temps of these engines the plastic sensors fail. Im not a mechanic but that sounds like common sense. Ive replaced all the same common parts that everyone else have, Disa, ccv, cam sensors, valve cover gaskets, fsr, instrument cluster, cv boots front half shafts, window regulators blah blah blah. You cant take your x to the dealer, youll get screwed and diagnostics are difficult if you don’t have specific bmw tools. I just got peake tool which has helped. I bought my first Honda in 1988. Ive had five with over a combined 1 million miles, over 200,000 miles on each except one my daughter totaled, 150K, and the one I drive to work now 147k. Literally, I have replaced 3 cooling fans, 1 cooling fan relay, 1 cv half shaft and 1 fuel pump, that’s it other than tires and batteries! I think these x’s are a hobby to some. Ive got far too many other things to do besides work on cars. My wife loves driving this car. She says she feels safe on the road but now I wont let her drive it anywhere other than work. Im afraid it will break down. My recommendation to anyone buying a later X5, be prepared to work on the car unless you have a lot of money to spend. And if you have that much money just buy a new one with a warranty then get rid of it before the warranty expires. For older models, buy a peake tool, you will need it. For goodness sakes don’t buy aftermarket, they wont work! You’ll spend more on parts but remember your saving money cause your doing the work yourself. When its running right you will enjoy but when not you will be cursing it. Right now ive got to get back to trying to get this thing running so I can get more on a trade in, been offered $5500. I wont sell it outright to anyone, my conscious wont let me.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by 03BamaX5

I've got over 40k + another 10k to 15k in reasons to b-word about them.

How much more concrete do you want?

Everyone is entitled to their opin...
fwiw, our '01 3.0, owned since new, has run like the proverbial top for a decade.
Yours sucked, but they obviously all don't.
GL, mD

[03BamaX5]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Everyone is entitled to their opin...
fwiw, our '01 3.0, owned since new, has run like the proverbial top for a decade.
Yours sucked, but they obviously all don't.
GL, mD

OK - Make a exception for the 3.0 i6. Show a 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 that has not had a ton of issues. I'm sure they are out there but there will be a significant amount of them that have had major problems vs those who have not.

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by 03BamaX5

OK - Make a exception for the 3.0 i6. Show a 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 that has not had a ton of issues. I'm sure they are out there but there will be a significant amount of them that have had major problems vs those who have not.

I think your statement is an exaggeration but I will say that any automobile will have problems, some more than others, some will run perfectly for hundreds of thousands of miles, some will be lemons. I can say that your statement is an exaggeration because of my observations and interactions with X5 owners since 2002 have not borne out your conclusion. Some on this and other X5 forums have had little issues and some have had lots. That's how it goes with machines. Plus, the nature of Internet forums is to voice complaints. More people have problems and post about them in search of solutions than come here to blow sunshine about not having problems.

Again, if you would list your issues it would be far more helpful than just crapping on X5s as junk. I'm not challenging you but if you want to help the guy avoid a collosal mistake, as you see it, shine some light on why you hated your X5 so much.

[javierh8]

Originally Posted by 03BamaX5

OK - Make a exception for the 3.0 i6. Show a 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 that has not had a ton of issues. I'm sure they are out there but there will be a significant amount of them that have had major problems vs those who have not.

2004 X5 4.4I 118k and running super strong (knocking on wood as I type this) Had few expenses, air suspension related and a bad alternator, other than that, cant complaint. I know some friends that have bought, pilots, MDXs, tahoes, and they dont believe that my X5 is a 2004. Their SUVs have very cheapy materials and finishes. Those SUVs suspension parts wear out within 60k of ownership. They rattle like crazy. And during guys night out, guess who gets volunteered to drive? papi right here!!!. The minute my friends get in my X5, their personality change. They feel younger, rejuvenated.


My advice is get a 2004 or newer X5.!!!