X5 WORST BUILT CAR IN THE WORLD!!!!!!

[jspdr]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

History includes the location where prior owners have used the vehicle. Even 1 or 2 years of severe winter use will continue to cause rust if the materials applied to roads remain on the chassis/suspension components. Wet weather/humidity re-activates them.

Has no relationship with OP thread.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by jspdr

Has no relationship with OP thread.

Read the 1st page of posts and you will see the relationship. OP has suspension parts that not coming off due to rust and bcredliner asked about history. OPs response lacked any details on location where X was operated.

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by KCMoore2013

..

I'm not arguing that parts might fail sooner on this vehicle because of it's weight or whatever...what I don't understand is why all the steel parts tend to "weld" themselves together or rust together...especially since I live in the Midwest where rust just hasn't been an issue.
Thats just common with any older car, thats why they make wd40 and stuff

....there was no wheel wobble at all. (expecting the common wheel bearing wear)
Thats really that common?

...

... looking for a 36mm 12-point socket for the drive shaft. Nobody had it. Took the vehicle to a local shop asking them to just break it free for me so I could replace the drive shaft, but they didn't have that size either so had to special order it from the web.

What?? a 36mm 12 point socket? wtf is that, ive took the driveshaft put with just a wrench and rachet.

Also had a hard time finding a 16mm socket, which seems to be a pretty common size for this vehicle, but no other vehicles. Before you guys write me off as an idiot...do a little homework...go look at metric socket sets at Sears and auto parts stores...no 16mm and usually no 19mm. Same with open-end wrench sets.
They come in the most basic cheap autozone toolkits.

Now I have a garage full of BMW-only tools and code scanners that I'll never use again and will never get back what I paid for all of it.

All I can say about BMW now if someone asks is, "buy a new one, and buy the most expensive extended warranty package they will offer". "If you don't have $10,000 just lying around for repairs, don't bother...you will be taking a taxi."

...

[Russianblue]

Originally Posted by Ogopogo

I previously had a '97 528i, with a lot more mileage that never gave me a fraction of the issues that this pig has.

i think this is at the core of a lot of folks' frustration. These X5's not holding up to BMW's long-earned rep. People assume they are getting one thing...and get another.

I saw that British car mechanic on youtube (Ed, I think his name is) who has that show where they buy old classics and flip them. He said "BMW makes the best cars out of the worst steel." I thought this was very interesting.

these are 100,000 mile cars with 300,000 mile engines. after 100-120k miles, To run at 90% of new performance (which is relative of course), a 10 year old X5 often needs work and replacements which exceed the value of the car itself. it would be NOTHING to spend $6k in repairs on a 2003 X5 and depending on the condition, 2003 X5's are going for $5-$10k. New tires, suspension all around, cooling system, drivetrain maintenance, brakes, CCV system, aux fan, HVAC (if necessary), valve covers, vanos seals, dead pixel repairs, door handle carriers, window regulators, airbag units, factory paint bubbling and peeling. I have had ALL of these happen on mine, and my car was purchased new, softly driven and DEALER MAINTAINED the first 7 years of its life. I have had it for three yrs.

Again, BMW's are turning into 100k mile cars, intended to be owned and cared for the life of the OEM and/or CPO warranty. BMW I believe has found a 'profit sweet spot', whereby it no longer pays for them to build these cars to last much longer than the average NEW BMW DRIVER will own them. Frankly, i don't blame BMW one bit. They are catering to an impulsive society driven by conspicuous consumption. People don't care that they have a $1000 car payment and a $500 net worth. Leases allow for 'instant gratification purchases.' Rarely does one have to SAVE to own a new car.

So who SHOULD BMW market to and create cars for? A plummeting segment of society which appreciates fine engineering, craftsmanship, product longevity and quality? no way. they are mandated by their shareholders to increase profits. profits = 100k mile cars. i have nothing against profit or big corporate mind you. this one is on society in general.

i bought my 2003 X5 with the idea i would keep it for 10 years, NO problem based on the fact that my e28 simply will not die. it is a friggin piece of granite that is 25 yrs old now. not a CHANCE this car lasts that long. tranny will go for sure. interior has held up well but has barely been used. when the interior starts to go and the rest of the paint peels off....i am ditching it and will shopping other brands.

the big catch though is that i think the whole automotive industry is headed in the same direction and i will likely run into the same predicament with any other vendor. it'll just drive worse.

it would probably be wise for me to quit thinking about my car like i currently do and just realize that it is only a temporary implement of mine and develop no real attachment to it. incidentally, this is probably a good lesson for life. after all, cars don't make people happy despite what the latest BMW commercial might lead you to believe.

in the end, i will always love BMW because before i owned one, i didn't even know how to change my brakes. it's been a long and lovely ride. but it could be on the home stretch now.

[e30cabrio]

Seeing as you have owned many cars I find it odd you are upset a used 12 year old car needs attention.

Mine is 11 years old with many fewer miles and has no real issues.

I got my X in late August. I have done a bunch of PM and a CV boot failed. I have also had many cars in my 35 years of driving and BMWs are by far the ones I have liked the most.

When I drive my 2004 CR-V it feels cheap compared to my BMWs.

[white lancer]

Originally Posted by KCMoore2013

Just hit 140K miles and every single part of the front and rear suspension has failed in the last month...okay, fine...wear and tear. The reason I am so pissed is because NO MECHANICS, not even the DEALER, can get the brake disks off, the ball joints out, the control arms off, etc.

I have broken a dozen "ball joint removal" tools working on this suspension, gone through dozens of propane torches, and destroyed several 4lb hammers trying to remove a front lower ball joint (the one in the really tall knuckle that no tool seems to fit).

Tried air chisel, air hammer, pickle fork, etc. So now I have this $10,000 hunk of metal sitting in my garage that I can't drive over 30 mph without the wheels literally shaking the steering wheel out of my hands.

I am on my third X5 and on every one I have done the front suspension around 80000 miles, new torsion arms, lower ball joints, control arms, bushes, sway bar links, discs and pads. I have never used any special tools just the ones in my tool box, ring spanners, socket set, torx drivers and a 2lb hammer. Don't know how you can't get the discs off. on mine there was a single allen bolt and then a hefty thump with the 2lb hammer to dislodge the disc????? easy job. The control arms are a single bolt either end????? I guess you had a bad one.

[frozenwaffles]

How can you possibly have a hard time finding a 16mm or 19mm socket?!?!?!
What kind if toolsets do you have in Kansas!?
Lol that's the funniest thing I've heard in a longtime...

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by frozenwaffles

Lol that's the funniest thing I've heard in a longtime...

+1

I find it interesting that people (even in this thread) blame an inanimate object for the troubles they brought upon themselves.

• THE OWNER thought you got a good deal on a high mileage X5
• THE OWNER decided that you would not proactively repair or replace known wear items
• THE OWNER can't remove something virtually everyone else with motivation and the right tools can
• THE OWNER thinks the 13-14 yr old wearable parts on one of the most capable cars of its size are to blame
• THE OWNER decided too late to give up
• THE OWNER 'wasted' his income- no doubt trying shortcut end-arounds that won't work
• THE OWNER has decided that it's not 'worth' it to HIM to repair and drive the car.
• THE OWNER has lost his faith in the car- given it's maintenance record, an entirely useless thing in which to place ANY faith

THE OWNER could decide to pony up the cash, repair it the right way- or find someone who can- and DRIVE it. All the while... REPAIRING it. Or, THE OWNER could just do what most ADHD people do who buy 100's of cars, keep them for 3-4 months and move on. YOU could just move on. Why should anyone expect anything different?

I've driven or have responsibility for 3 X5's over nearly 13 years. All 3 still in service. Beyond maintenance- both scheduled and expected/proactive repair items- absolutely ZERO major issues. Were they a 'great deal'? Compared to spending $8K on a beater and hoping for $40k worth of service? YOU bet they were a great deal.

[e30cabrio]

Additionally I need to say Yugo & Skoda.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Additionally I need to say Yugo & Skoda.

Yugo came to mind when I saw this thread. They littered the NE roads within 1 yr of release in the NA market.

The rear window defroster was actually a hand warmer for winter pushing!