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

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

This threads confirms absolutely nothing and is ludicrous to even suggest that it does.

1) Comparing cars to SAVs is apples to oranges. Comparing cars of the 20th century to SAVs of the 21st century is worse.

2) Extreme self restraint to say--no comment.

Maybe I'm not reading this comment right, but having owned & worked on a couple of BMWs cars from the '80's, a couple more from the '90's, and now this e53 "SAV", I feel far more comfortable calling the e53 a "car" than a "truck" or even an "SAV". There is nothing remotely truckish about the e53; it has more shared genetics with the rest of the CARS in the BMW fleet than you can shake a stick at. I have to stifle a laugh any time anyone here refers to their e53 as a truck. If you want to call it a truck, that's fine, I just think it's a little silly. I've owned & driven trucks, and the e53 is much more refined and comfortable than the truck-based vehicles from GM/Ford/Dodge. When I think of a truck, this is what comes to mind.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by davintosh

Maybe I'm not reading this comment right, but having owned & worked on a couple of BMWs cars from the '80's, a couple more from the '90's, and now this e53 "SAV", I feel far more comfortable calling the e53 a car than a "truck". There is nothing remotely truckish in the e53, and more shared genetics with the rest of the BMW fleet than you can shake a stick at. I have to stifle a laugh any time anyone here refers to their e53 as a truck.

You will notice I called it a SAV not a truck---however-

Elaborating, my point is that the X5 is much heavier, higher center of gravity, etc. than a "car". As an example, Automobile magazine would compare the Porsche, Mercedes, Land Rover and the Jeep SRT versions of SUV/SAVs rather than the X5 with the M3 and the C class AMG. There is no measurement that makes sense including the total cost per mile comparing a SAV to a "car." AquilaBMW is accurate, the only logical overall comparison is to the category of SUVs.

I do think that keeping with recommended maintenance schedules or even sooner for the X5 are more critical than a "car." If one doesn't it will lead to much more expensive repairs sooner than lighter, lower, used differently, vehicles. The same would be true of other vehicles in the SUV category.

(The following is an exaggeration used only for clarity) By abuse, I mean by those that were status buyers or used the X to haul their two children to school and to their 16 activities each week. The only scheduled maintenance done was under warranty, after that--natta. They drove it 60 to 70,000 miles and traded it in the first time they had a significant problem, or, to buy the new face lifted version. These X5s become part of the group of used X5s purchased with unknown history--a very critical purchase error relating directly to ongoing reliability. Simply--hit yourself in the head with a hammer until you would never consider taking that route.


If there is anything WORST, it is that this thread was ever started.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

You will notice I called it a SAV not a truck---however-

Elaborating, my point is that the X5 is much heavier, higher center of gravity, etc. than a "car". As an example, Automobile magazine would compare the Porsche, Mercedes, Land Rover and the Jeep SRT versions of SUV/SAVs rather than the X5 with the M3 and the C class AMG. There is no measurement that makes sense including the total cost per mile comparing a SAV to a "car." AquilaBMW is accurate, the only logical overall comparison is to the category of SUVs.

I do think that keeping with recommended maintenance schedules or even sooner for the X5 are more critical than a "car." If one doesn't it will lead to much more expensive repairs sooner than lighter, lower, used differently, vehicles. The same would be true of other vehicles in the SUV category.

(The following is an exaggeration used only for clarity) By abuse, I mean by those that were status buyers or used the X to haul their two children to school and to their 16 activities each week. The only scheduled maintenance done was under warranty, after that--natta. They drove it 60 to 70,000 miles and traded it in the first time they had a significant problem, or, to buy the new face lifted version. These X5s become part of the group of used X5s purchased with unknown history--a very critical purchase error relating directly to ongoing reliability. Simply--hit yourself in the head with a hammer until you would never consider taking that route.


If there is anything WORST, it is that this thread was ever started.

Here ya go....

THIS IS THE WORST THREAD IN THE WORLD!!!!!!

[PropellerHead]

I'd like to know what BMW's anyone was driving that thinks they were ever 'reliable.'

The first?
A 1987 E24.
What happens (to all of them?) At ab ~75k miles or 6 years or so, the rubber suspension components dry rot or otherwise fail. Symptom? Braking at over 75mph feels like the car might fall apart.

Mine?
1975 2002.
If anyone ever drove one of these things, then you know: Metric Mechanic made a mint off of the failing 2nd gear synchros. 1-2 gear shift? CRUNCH. New tranny. How bad was it? BOTH the 1975 AND the 1976 (both of which I still am the second owner and still own) had the trouble. The '76 had less than 60K miles.

Oh, and I replaced the 'rock solid' M10 with a new one in 1987. Oh, and by the way: Window regulators. Count 'em: 6 in 10 years. On only 2 doors.

1991 E34 (i6 only)?
The body fell apart around the engine and transmission. Bullet proof running gear. WIndows switches and regulators that failed if you closed the door with a window down.

Don't get me started on the rear suspensions of E36's. Freakin disaster. Ripping in two. Yep. Even (and especially) the E36 M3.

1995 E38 740.
Nikasil. We actually got lucky. This car is still in service with 175K on the original nikasil motor. Stranger things.

That having been said, the radio comes in and out. Electric seats work when they want. Plastics are all over the place, and the leather is stained with GA red clay. Damn thing runs though. Most pleasant highway hauler I've been in for awhile.

I really think that people think (in error) that all things including cars used to be more reliable. It's true, maybe of washers and dryers and dishwashers, but cars? Ya gotta remember that Detroit was struggling against the replace it at 50K miles mindset. Honda killed that. Even my wife's 1986 Honda Accord had a service plan where they replaced the timing belt at 100K. If they didn't: BOOM! Dead motor.

If a 1972 BMW got to 125K miles by 1982, it was a freaking miracle of engineering- or more importantly- Maintenance. Which is what it all comes back to:

1. If it breaks, fix it.
2. If it might break, fix it before it does.

It doesn't matter if its a 13 yr old BMW or a 23 yr old Honda. People don't want to be bothered with their own responsibility these days. nearly 30 years driving and maintaining BMWs. What you get is what you put in. BMW or not.

[bulbec]

I have to a agree on X5 crappy built.Its 2001 4.4i I bought it 180 000 km a year ago. Its 218 now. Besides all the suspension issues air suspension went, rear struts, abs, vacuum leak, camshaft sensor, bearings, 2 lock handles, 3 windows (I mean plastic attachments??? come on...), post cat O2 sensors and last but not least chain guides($$$$$$$$). I realize those are the COMMON issues. But for a car that boasts german engineering there should not be COMMON issues that are prevailant through all the models and never get fixed.

[Quicksilver]

Really? You bought a 2001 4.4i I bought it 180 000 km a year ago. Its 218 now
and you were expecting what?

Nobody knows what kind of condition it was in when you bought it or how it was maintained.
So with all due respect in your case I can't agree. Any vehicle can be called a crappy build under those circumstances......

Originally Posted by bulbec

I have to a agree on X5 crappy built.Its 2001 4.4i I bought it 180 000 km a year ago. Its 218 now. Besides all the suspension issues air suspension went, rear struts, abs, vacuum leak, camshaft sensor, bearings, 2 lock handles, 3 windows (I mean plastic attachments??? come on...), post cat O2 sensors and last but not least chain guides($$$$$$$$). I realize those are the COMMON issues. But for a car that boasts german engineering there should not be COMMON issues that are prevailant through all the models and never get fixed.

[TiAgX5]

Full service history, documentation of where vehicle was registered/operated and a thoroughly executed PPI are ALL musts when purchasing ANY used vehicle.

Those who don't do all 3 like to complain that BMW is at fault when in fact they didn't do their homework before purchase.

I spent over 1 yr driving to see/researching EVERY M62 powered '02 & '03 X5 within a 200 mile radius of my home. Got a superclean, never seen snow, central FL owned (Lake Mary, near Sanford/Orlando)/operated, dealer maintained (even tires) 100k mile '03. At 173k miles now with only minor repairs. Waterpump, upper rad hose, coolant tank, FSR, battery, brakes, tires, all fluids changed, NEVER had any issue removing a fastener due to rust. Currently needs front control arm bushings and a new radiator (slight leak at seam).

BMW spells out regular chassis washes MUST be done when their vehicles are operated in snow/exposed to salts/mag chlor yet 99% of the owners IGNORE this fact. Don't blame BMW because POs neglected your X.

[740ilDuke]

Unless I hit the lottery or triple my salary, Id never buy a new BMW. The depreciation is crazy. I've only been in my X5 for about 10k miles - but I knew what I was getting into as I have the same year model E38. For me, its a 540 on stilts, I love driving it. The 4.8 is even more fun! To me it comes down to the level of excitement behind the wheel. Sure, I could go buy a Toyota, but it will never handle or feel like a BMW. Nor should it. I got lucky with my X5 purchase, as it came from a friend and I paid $1k for it. Ive put about $4k in it because I wanted to, and I know it will reach 300k. the transmission might not, but who knows. Thats a crap shoot.

No regrets, title in hand = I'll gladly throw a few parts at it or even a major repair here and there. In the end its cheaper than any new car ever will be. Cars are for the most part the worst investment ever, sunk cost - but I am mostly smiles driving either my X or my 7. It's just a game.

[Doru]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Stuff deleted

BMW spells out regular chassis washes MUST be done when their vehicles are operated in snow/exposed to salts/mag chlor yet 99% of the owners IGNORE this fact. Don't blame BMW because POs neglected your X.

I didn't know this. I drive my car(s) year round, so they see a fair amount of white stuff mixed with God-knows what type of salts they spray on the roads. But common sense always told me to wash those darn things (chassis included) every now-and-then, which sometimes is a 2 week interval when it gets really wet/snowy. I never had a rust issue on my BMW's (knock on wood), but I did have some minor rear fender rust (taken care of) on my Tribby. No undercarriage problem though.
And because of the conditions I'm driving in, the mating surfaces of rotors/hubs/wheels are always greased slightly. Never had an issue taking off rotors, wheels or suspension components.

[tmv]

OP, thanks for letting me know that I have THE WORST vehicle built in the world. Where were you in June when I decide to upgrade from an 01 3.0i? Should have talk me out of it then.
Now I need to go PICNIC to get away from the disappointments.

P.S Maybe a video of your X being set on fire will help with my depression. Hurry up and do it.