Thinking out loud: It'll stop when I sell it!

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by romeokc10

This is a good thread giodog2000, I'm sure the replies are pretty much how you thought they would be. Those that have dumped a ton of cash and countless man hours into keeping theirs running are fed up, while the fanboys think BMW can do no wrong. I think your problem is that you have two of the damn things, for gods sake man what were you thinking...lol!!

Since you listed only two categories I choose the "fanboy" side even though it sounds like you are saying I am one tire short of a full set. I don't think BMW can do no wrong but my X has never been a money pit.

I am amazed that those in the fed up category still have a BMW and they are here advertising their mistake while still dumping cash and hours keeping it running. Even as a nutcase fanboy I would have cut my losses a long time ago. At least I am doing the same thing over and over and experiencing a more than satisfactory outcome.

FYI- I also have 2 BMWs and intend to have 3 at some point.

[e30cabrio]

I have never been called a fan boi but we are selling a perfectly good & running 2004 CR-V 4 wheel drive because my Wife wants an e92.

[Brandon002]

I have owned my share of BMW's and while there have been issues with some, they are the same issues that 99% of other cars have. They are just a lot more expensive to fix if you can't find your way around a tool box or are afraid to get your hands dirty. Parts can be had for similar prices to any other car thanks to the internet, most jobs can be performed yourself as well thanks to the internet if you have any technical knowledge or can follow directions.

If you bought a 10 year old car, thinking it was going to drive for years without normal wear and tear items finding their way to the grave you should just buy a new car, with a warranty. Any used car is going to eventually need repair, if you can't fix the car yourself I'd suggest buying something that you can afford to pay a mechanic to repair for you.

It's a car that was 70 grand when new 10 years ago (or there abouts), they are worth around 10k now... there is a reason for that and that reason is maintenance costs if you are relying on a mechanic.

[RFaber]

I like how this thread is going, Giodog, i picked up my X for a song, because it needed alot of work, (possibly bought from an owner who like you was tired of his X "thousand dollar billing" him to death! this guys wife finally said its me or the X, I would have taken either, however, i ended up with his X5, it did need alot of work. I was able to get most of it done myself, using parts from the wreckers, and a few select "stealership" parts. Found alot of GREAT help on here from alot of GREAT people. Now i drive a SWEET X5 makes my day each time i make my way onto the freeway and it pulls away from everyone!
I learned alot about BMW engineering, and actually i have alot of respect for them. there are a couple things i scratch my head at, but all in all , the X is a nice looking truck with an amazing ride!!! my wife doesnt even mind it when i am speeding down the freeway at Bonneville salt flat speeds!! actually she hardly notices the speed, its smooth and quiet!
The X5 is a bit of a maintenance pig, there is alot of maintenence that needs doing, or else things start getting REALLY expensive!!
(side note, you may wish to change out your timing chain guides, as a pre-emptive measure, as they seem to fail at the most inopportune time.)
I also agree with other posters, that if the X is paid for, then the extra hundred or so every other month for parts, is just little gifts you buy for the fun of driving her! thats my rational for spending money on the X
Nothing compares to the handling and feeling the X gives you when you drive it as intended

[giodog2000]

Originally Posted by RFaber

I like how this thread is going, Giodog, i picked up my X for a song, because it needed alot of work, (possibly bought from an owner who like you was tired of his X "thousand dollar billing" him to death! this guys wife finally said its me or the X, I would have taken either, however, i ended up with his X5, it did need alot of work. I was able to get most of it done myself, using parts from the wreckers, and a few select "stealership" parts. Found alot of GREAT help on here from alot of GREAT people. Now i drive a SWEET X5 makes my day each time i make my way onto the freeway and it pulls away from everyone!
I learned alot about BMW engineering, and actually i have alot of respect for them. there are a couple things i scratch my head at, but all in all , the X is a nice looking truck with an amazing ride!!! my wife doesnt even mind it when i am speeding down the freeway at Bonneville salt flat speeds!! actually she hardly notices the speed, its smooth and quiet!
The X5 is a bit of a maintenance pig, there is alot of maintenence that needs doing, or else things start getting REALLY expensive!!
(side note, you may wish to change out your timing chain guides, as a pre-emptive measure, as they seem to fail at the most inopportune time.)
I also agree with other posters, that if the X is paid for, then the extra hundred or so every other month for parts, is just little gifts you buy for the fun of driving her! thats my rational for spending money on the X
Nothing compares to the handling and feeling the X gives you when you drive it as intended

I Totally agree with your mindset....

BTW: both my X's are paid for so repair costs was never the issue (for those who were wondering). I've read people on this forum wonder if they should take their X on the family road trip...They are basically saying they do not trust a 70K car (aging I must admit) to be capable of going on a road trip with and make it back...It can be the most trilling car to drive but what good is it if while driving, you always think about if it's going to make it back safely or not. We all agree they need maintenance like most cars do , but the repair intervals are so short , it makes you question how far from home you are willing to risk the next fail.

[giodog2000]

Originally Posted by giodog2000

Please share your experience. When was the last time you said to yourself that it was enough. What made you decide to keep it and do you look back and regret that decision?


Here is my story.

February 28 2013 bought the 4.8 and it was in great condition. Really, the previous owner pampered it. It looked great , smelled great , engine bay was like if it came out of the dealer when new. No leaks , no funny noise....WOW!

A few weeks after and to this day:

-Air suspension leak (arnot replacement) ......1000$ + a few hundred labor.
-oil leak .......................1200$
-Actuator gear (DIY)........150$
-Angle sensor repro.........200$
-A few diagnostics ..........200$
-windshield washer pump (DIY)..50$ (if I remember corectly)
I'm not mentioning the normal stuff like break pads , oil , battery , tires, etc.

A few days ago coolant leak coming from the bleeder screw..... 7$ plus 20$ for coolant

Today the expansion tank failed..... I need it Monday morning so I'll have to order from dealer not sure how much they go for and I'll DIY....

Just about the same story for my wife's E70 but thats another story and lots of the repairs were done under warranty before it ended.... so basically you can almost say it caused us lots of trouble in the past year without counting 4 to 5k in repair.

So, today it's my "It'll stop when I sell it (them) " moment. A few weeks ago I announced that if the X failed again before spring , that would be it. Well it happened again. So before I sell it, I'd like to hear from the ones that have been in this situation before and what made them change their mind and did they regret keeping it...
On the positive side, In a few months I'll have a private garage to bring them in if they fail and do most of the work myself but is this enough to convince me.??????

Whats your story....

EDIT:
Expansion tank was installed today only to learn that the quick connects do not seal anymore.... ordered ALL the hoses ...another 300$
The fun never ends

[Doru]

When I purchased my X, I knew I had to fix stuff. Test driving and looking at it didn't reveal anything. No papers either, and the dealer told me it had "all the necessary maintenance done" without going into details, or willing to pass me the info, even I told them to black out the P.O. info.

As timed passed, lots of things were wrong. The car was not maintained to my standards (and probably to many other people standards), but I was OK with that. I knew in what I was heading into. A few things were fixed, more are waiting to be fixed. Once it's done, it will be an allright vehicle for many months to come. What's made by man, can be fixed by man.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Not trying to arm wrestle, but I re-read the 4 pages and didn't see any 'fan boi' posts...
Some of us have had the plethora of repairs, problems and glitches, and some of us have had very few. I am in the latter group, though the crap could hit the fan tomorrow.

Also in the latter/luckier group, there are dozens of posters here, (some very infrequent or currently absent), that have run hundreds of thousands of miles with remarkably few repairs.

These kind of thread almost always devolve into a few segments:
-my X sucks and it's costing me a fortune to repair monthly
-my X needs a lot of repairs, but I like doing them
-my X is the worst car ever built/owned
-my X has been basically problem free, other than normal maintenance and a few repairs.

The noise level increases by the month as more old, older and seemingly 'cream puff' used Xs find their way into 2nd, 3rd or 4th owners' hands.

Back at the What Should I Do Ranch, per the OP, if it were mine, it would be gonzo, regardless of how many BMWs I had/have, based on that litany of repairs, with potentially more to come. But that's just me...

Some people like used cars, some people like used fixer uppers...I love cars, but am not sanguine about used ones.

Everyone has their own bag, but Fan Bois are few here, in my years of reading and posting, other than raves over how a 2 1/2 suv handles and 'feels'.
GL, mD

....... 100%

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

....... 100%

....... 100%

[e30cabrio]

300%