Not going to rant. Want an honest answer

[holzie]

I have owned my 01 4.4 x5 for 10yrs. Bought it certified at Dealer when it had about 32k miles. It now has 126k miles. I feel its been very reliable with the exception of the fact I am on the third transmission. Pretty funny, when I bought the car they provided a new set of tires for the vehicle. When the transmission failed for the second time at 92k miles they thought I was a cowboy until I pointed out that the car had the same tires they installed when I bought it. In other words my tires could last for 60k miles but not the transmissions. BMW paid for both.
Yeah I have replaced water pumps, radiators, window regulators etc over the years but I know its a BMW, my 5th as a matter of fact.

[bnw]

9400 miles per year. Three transmissions and the plural of pump, radiator, window regulator? No offense to you, but that is really disgusting.

[xxxxxman]

It is a very difficult math problem.

You can get a great X5 with fairly low miles for $18K USD. In that price range you would be looking at high mileage MDX', old Jeep Grand Cherokee's, or very high mileage lexus.

The thing is, your $18K X5 is really costing more like $28K because of all of the repairs, poor gas mileage (premium), and huge depreciation.

A $28K 2007 MDX with 66K miles v. a $18K 2004 BWM X5 with 70K miles...
Are they equivalent?

[holzie]

Originally Posted by bnw

9400 miles per year. Three transmissions and the plural of pump, radiator, window regulator? No offense to you, but that is really disgusting.

Actually the only plural was window regulator and not on the same window. Keep in mind machines age not only by use but also time. Even though I have low annual mileage it still is turned on and off everyday. Doors opened and shut, seats sat in, radio turned of an on gear shift engaged so on and so forth.
The car although 01 model year was delivered new in spring of 2000. Car is on its 13th year in less than a few months. I don't care what you say I will put the car up against any other German or American. Asian autos are in a total different category. The have low maintenance history and an equally low fun and pleasure factor.

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by xxxxxman

It is a very difficult math problem.

You can get a great X5 with fairly low miles for $18K USD. In that price range you would be looking at high mileage MDX', old Jeep Grand Cherokee's, or very high mileage lexus.

The thing is, your $18K X5 is really costing more like $28K because of all of the repairs, poor gas mileage (premium), and huge depreciation.

A $28K 2007 MDX with 66K miles v. a $18K 2004 BWM X5 with 70K miles...
Are they equivalent?

Xman you make a really good point. When I bought my 02 3.0. I wanted a BMW because of their reputation as a Driver's car. I paid %15k in '09 at 82K miles. I guess I got what I paid for because it is the funnest SUV I've ever driven.
That said the aggravation factor is something you need to think of if and when you need a reliable car. Twice in 2 years my car quit on the hiway and had to be towed, all the electrical stuff and sensors that are just to fussy cause shut downs or malfunctions to the point that I needed to replace all of the computers and the radio and nav system at 135,000 and $4000. Why did I do it? I am hooked on this car...

Why can't BMW build a car like the Asians? I need a spare car. this last time in the dealer for the computers and electrincs was 5 weeks, the rental car was over $2000 and I returned the rental on weekends. So, for 5 weeks I had the added agravation of picking up and dropping off... this can only be love, because it makes no sense!

Domestics are more reliable than the BMW now. I also have a Ford Explorer with close to 100,000. It has never broke down in 6 yrs. I have not had 1 repair except tires, belts, fluids etc. It's not fun to drive though.

You can have both fun and reliability. Ask Lexus and Infinity how they do it.

I will buy another BMW when this one goes... I guess the abuse is worth it, for the days of satisfaction I get from this car.

[PropellerHead]

'01 3.0 X5 bought new. Maintenance, tires, and a window switch I think. Still in service for mother in law.

'04 3.0 X5 CPO with 17K miles. Any major issues were taken care in the first year under CPO/new car warranty while I drove my dealer's loaners. Maintenance and a door handle over the next six years and 100K miles.

'04 4.8is with 11K miles purchased last year. I've spent more on mods in first three months than I did on everything in 7 years on the 3.0. No service issues. Now with 21K miles.

But I'm ready to spend money on it. I didn't buy an appliance. I didn't buy a status symbol and I did NOT buy a deal. Over the course of 7 years, I sought, found, and purchased exactly what I wanted- because it*is*what*I*wanted. Being happy with your decisions is all about your expectations and nothing more. If you expect to drive a problem free used BMW, you'll be disappointed. Every*single*time.

[faranks]

The X is made from shit. Be like me, own spare vehicles, and keep replacing all the broken X5 plastic parts with more plastic parts.

OR... get the Lexus RX. I have taken this car apart many times, it goes back together just the same. It might look like a dinosaur egg, but they drive nice, don't break.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by faranks

The X is made from shit. Be like me, own spare vehicles, and keep replacing all the broken X5 plastic parts with more plastic parts.

OR... get the Lexus RX. I have taken this car apart many times, it goes back together just the same. It might look like a dinosaur egg, but they drive nice, don't break.

I have to disagree. Had an 08 rx. No way does it drive anywhere near the 4.8is. No way in hell. Nothing you can do to it either to make it more fun. But it's safe, never a problem, no issues at all. It has scared me more than once with it's lack of handling. Wife car 100%.

[bnw]

Well, I made my move. For the same money I spent on my 02 3.0 manual, I have gone "back" to the Grand Cherokee. I have purchased a 2005 Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi. I will miss the 5 speed, the heated steering wheel, the 24 gallon fuel tank. I will not miss the fear of using the power windows in the winter, the fear of a frozen CCV, the unpleasant experience of a door that will not close, broken door handles, the intermittent door lock actuators, half the radio display missing, the tail and brake lite warnings, the rattling tail gate, 3700 RPM at 80 MPH, and for those of you with the v8 autos, the oil and coolant leaks, chain problems, and of course, the auto trans that can't go 80 thousands miles. I will not have to replace the complete cooling system anytime during the life of the vehicle. These vehicles easily go 200K plus. CV boots and axles last well over 100k and replacement new complete axle assemblies are cheap. The AWD system with the Hemi package is arguably the best in the industry. It way out performs the 02 3.0i. I have no experience with the later model x5s, but it will be hard to beat electronically controlled locking front and rear diffs and a locking T-case for traction. I don't like the anti lock brakes as well as the X, but the mileage on 89 mid range is similar, 18 to 20. And handling on dry pavement damn close to my X. Much better on sloppy pavement. Jeep has been playing this game for a long time, longer than anyone else in the industry. So, I leave the Outpost and return to the general Bimmer forums for my M Roadster. I have enjoyed my stay, fixed my tail lights, rattling t gate and a few other nit picking items thanks to you. It's not BMW as a whole, just the X5 that is the real letdown. They dropped the ball on this one.

[diyanich]

Well.
Just by sitting into that Jeep,you probably feel like at home,aren't you?
It may not be the case for everyone though.I don't know about the 5.7 Hemi trim,but I once test drove same model with smaller engine and won't say anything about power train,but come on,myself being 6'3",it's not a choice for me.That crumpled interior with small windows and awkward sitting position doesn't even come close to my X,the rear bench is just terrible,so the leg room for rear passengers.
Steering,OMG,3 turns from point to point vs. 5 in the X,good luck going on highway with that ratio and uninformative power steering.
Ergonomics just suck.
Who? Just tell me who is buying BMW for mud and crap?
Performance wise,you are right that Toyota Tundra will tow more lbs. than your ex 3.0i,it's a silly comparison of engines with twice a displacement.
Better handling you say. I just doubt,but again it depends what you define under handling,but just one thing that I remember about that.Did you notice any sticker anywhere in your X saying to drive carefully because the vehicle is gonna flip and roll? No,I don't remember seeing one of those in my X,but I do remember one of those in the Grand Cherokee.
Oil leaks and Cooling system is usually the consequence of an abuse and negligence of the owner,and for many of us,a previous owner.
We all have a different taste almost for everything.You found your love and leave.Best of luck and many years of joyful ride to you.

Originally Posted by bnw

Well, I made my move. For the same money I spent on my 02 3.0 manual, I have gone "back" to the Grand Cherokee. I have purchased a 2005 Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi. I will miss the 5 speed, the heated steering wheel, the 24 gallon fuel tank. I will not miss the fear of using the power windows in the winter, the fear of a frozen CCV, the unpleasant experience of a door that will not close, broken door handles, the intermittent door lock actuators, half the radio display missing, the tail and brake lite warnings, the rattling tail gate, 3700 RPM at 80 MPH, and for those of you with the v8 autos, the oil and coolant leaks, chain problems, and of course, the auto trans that can't go 80 thousands miles. I will not have to replace the complete cooling system anytime during the life of the vehicle. These vehicles easily go 200K plus. CV boots and axles last well over 100k and replacement new complete axle assemblies are cheap. The AWD system with the Hemi package is arguably the best in the industry. It way out performs the 02 3.0i. I have no experience with the later model x5s, but it will be hard to beat electronically controlled locking front and rear diffs and a locking T-case for traction. I don't like the anti lock brakes as well as the X, but the mileage on 89 mid range is similar, 18 to 20. And handling on dry pavement damn close to my X. Much better on sloppy pavement. Jeep has been playing this game for a long time, longer than anyone else in the industry. So, I leave the Outpost and return to the general Bimmer forums for my M Roadster. I have enjoyed my stay, fixed my tail lights, rattling t gate and a few other nit picking items thanks to you. It's not BMW as a whole, just the X5 that is the real letdown. They dropped the ball on this one.