To keep or not to keep??

[Stewthebassman]

Our 2004 X5 3.0 is at 280,000kms. Our indy mechanic who is pretty good is recommending a number of regular repairs like a ball joint, table, and Power Steering Pump. But there are some seals that need replacing too...I think the oil pan and the valve cover. The first three repairs are 2k and the last two are almost 2k.

Do we keep this truck? My wife loves it and really doesn't want a new X3 but she drives a lot and needs a safe, reliable ride.

The engine etc are all working great otherwise.

Thanks!

[upallnight]

Safe and reliable??? The BMW either new or used didn't make the top ten for 2014.

Top 10 Safest SUVS 2014 | Autobytel.com

[motordavid]

For ~$4Gs, you get your X back in good shape, you 'know' the car, and while no one can predict when something will go kaboom or need repair, it may well run fine for you another year or two...

If you trade it on a new ~$50G X3, the costs are considerable, esp the depreciation as you drive out of the dealer.

For a commuter car/grocery getter/get around town ride, $4Gs is fairly inexpensive for another year or more service from that car.

None of us can know your financial situ, or how much you/your CEO is Jonesing for a new car.

X3s are nice, though I understand their higher price in Quebec; maybe something smaller with AWD, and considerably less initial cost/maintenance costs, post warranty?
GL, ,D

[Joshdub]

It sounds like you are getting taken for a ride. I am not sure what a "table" is, but a rebuilt ZF powersteering pump is only $300us and looks pretty easy to swap out. It is not in a tough location. Valve cover gasket is the same situation and is only $60us for the kit. The oil pan is probably a bit more labor intensive. Are you sure it isn't the oil filter housing gasket? That would be significantly cheaper. Depending on what those others seals are, 4k seems like a pretty hefty bill.

[GSXRliterbikz]

Seems like 4k is a ton of money for those repairs. Valve cover gaskets are an easy job. Even if you do a vanos rebuild at the same time, its less than 250 in parts and no more than 5-6 hrs labor. Suspension can get expensive due to labor. But even a full front and rear rebuild shouldnt cost more than 1500 parts and labor. And why does he say you need a new PS pump? Not really a common issue. Maybe the lines need replacing, but rarely the pump.

[admranger]

$4k/12 = what? $334/month. What car are you going to replace this one with that will do everything the X5 will for $334/month?

[Ricky Bobby]

^^^ I agree with Kirk above. I factor out my yearly maintenance/running costs/insurance etc to factor whether I would ever "need" something new, let alone commit to those payments for 60 months or longer. The short story is, I haven't found the need yet, and most likely won't for the foreseeable future. The X does everything I need and more and still keeps me engaged day to day drivin.

A new X3 or CPO E70 is still going to be 45k or so, a conservative payment is $550 a month = 33,000 a year.

Even at 4k a year for the next 5 years I doubt very much you'll be putting 20k into the X to keep it running for the next 5 years and still be substantially lower than a new car note.

[Stewthebassman]

Ouch! Not fair tho, to compare those cute-utes to an X5...

Originally Posted by upallnight

Safe and reliable??? The BMW either new or used didn't make the top ten for 2014.

Top 10 Safest SUVS 2014 | Autobytel.com

[Stewthebassman]

Wow, thank you for the thoughtful opinions and calculations!

I should have detailed the proposed repairs better. But yeah, even if the bill comes to 3-4k it is amortized easily into the long term use of a what has been a good truck. And we have towed with this truck too, part of the reason for it's longevity is that when I bought it in 2006 it cost me about $1200 to install the tow hitch and even more for the brake controller. It has been a real brick!

UPDATE: I found an uncertified 2011 X5 35d today at a Honda dealership nearby. The Used car manager buys cars from a local (Montreal) leasing company that leases a variety of luxury brands. The X5 (not X3) we drove tonight has about 55,000kms and is selling for $38,000. Which, here in Canada seems pretty competitive. Prices on CPO 35ds are higher than this Canada-wide, and availability isn't that great.

I LOVE my X5 Diesel that I bought last March (CPO). it's a tank and it is perfect on our third-world roads in Montreal. So we are considering a second 35d for our house!

I should also point out that my wife is a busy professional who drives about 30,000 kms a year, as I do. So time in the garage for her is expensive.

Did I mention that the X3 doesn't really "feel" like a BMW? You know what I mean, that "on rails" tracking, that weighted, hefty steering, that engine growl, and that built like a brick s**thouse overall feel? At least the 35d X5 does!