Bought an 2006 X5 4.8is last week...

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Many new owners think that just because it's a BMW it has to be good. After all it was designed by German Engineers and because it cost so much more compare to other cars it has to be good.

BMW are great cars when they are new, but the E53 series are 8-15 years old and for most people they are just a money pit. From frozen CCV valves that can hydrolock an engine to broken door carriers that can leave you lock out in the cold if your battery has die, to intermediate levers that goes out of tolerance and timing chain guides that break because of age, etc, etc, etc. If not now, when do you tell a new owner that these cars are money pits? After they have sunk $15,000 into it?

Perhaps directing them to the Thread BMW X is the worst car built?

If you look at the number of people on this forum compare to the number of people on the other X5 forums you will note that there is always more people on this forum. Most people that post on this forum are posting because they have a problem with their X and are seeking some advice as to how to fix the problem.

If you look at my past postings you will see that I am one of the few poster that post not because I have a problem, but because I tried to help X5 owners solve their problems, including telling them to bring it to a tech instead of trying to fix it themselves or perhaps a BMW was not the right vehicle for them.

As for your job comparison, I wish someone had told me at the beginning of my career not to become an Architect (the building type, not the IT type) before I wasted 5 years in college, 3 years apprenticeship and 3 years taking the exam to become a License Architect.

How many is many? How many is most? How do you know the reason there are more people on this forum is because X5s have more problems. What fact base has convinced you of your perception?

I don't know if I would ever tell anyone their X5 will be a money pit. I can't find the logic where I would even think about making that declaration. Even if I had personal experience with that model, I would have awareness that my experience is an insignificant share of the universe.

I do strongly believe it has no constructive content when directed to a new owner or a new forum member. I see it a version of bullying--seemingly deriving enjoyment from attacking self esteem at the expense of others, those at a distinct disadvantage.

A fact---I have not had one of the issues you list as inherently chronic X5 problems.

I agree, you have made many great contributions in your posts. I always read your input with interest and have learned from it many times.

I completely discount the Worst car built thread. Per it's title it is clearly a haven for all those that have had problems that for some reason they feel should not have happened. Since I have no idea what kind of person they are or where they are coming from I don't expect to see much of anything positive. I expect a variation of a pity party. I also believe that it is human nature to be able to harbor the bad of anything and have little to no recollection of anything that is a counterbalance. I have had much experience with asking a group to list the good and bad about something. The extent of bad lists indicate what we have now is very bad and the good of anything new is insignificant and that bad is worse and an even longer list.

You miss the point of my analogy. That said, I believe no one told you not to be a architect because no one knew you personally would be making a mistake. They knew there was some number that they knew of, or, didn't know of that were very successful, happy, proud, gratified and felt they made the best decision of their life. Most of all, you had already made the decision-- that is what you wanted to be. They were in no position to fault that decision. They were not you and had no idea of your outcome.

I am sorry you wasted 5 years becoming an architect and your personal experiences with BMW have been so negative. Did you drop being an architect after you got your license?

I have considered an SRT8 SUV many times. The interior on the new models is dramatically improved. I would still keep my X and it would not be because I think the SRT8 has less problems or is better engineered but because there are more bolt on aftermarket performance options. I looked at buying it through Hennessy and having them take it to 700 or 800hp.

[bigmixxx]

I look at it this way. I had a 97 rover. The first month was good. Then the front air bags. Then the rear, then the ac, then the blower motor. Then couldn't find new GEMS parts. Then had to find reconditioned. The worst experience ever In a vehicle.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[tmv]

I wonder why those still have their X5

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by tmv

I wonder why those still have their X5

Saving my money for a SRT8.

[Brandon002]

I have an N62 with 151K on the clock. trans shifts like butter and the engine is smooth as silk. I've had a few cold start issues and need to replace a few gaskets, but other than that it's been great. The grumble it makes is awesome and it pulls like a mad man when you nail the accelerator. I love the N62.

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by Brandon002

I have an N62 with 151K on the clock. trans shifts like butter and the engine is smooth as silk. I've had a few cold start issues and need to replace a few gaskets, but other than that it's been great. The grumble it makes is awesome and it pulls like a mad man when you nail the accelerator. I love the N62.

Same here ...wow thanks for that cool breeze Brandon !

[electricalserv x5]

I love my 4.8is,alot of guys on this board are just jealous .best of luck, use Castrol Oil snytech.5 30

[tmv]

This thread has been derailed greatly! There should be NO negativity/bad experience in a welcoming/introduction thread. As I said before, that will take away the enjoyment of the new owner(s) and make them second-guessing their decision.
BMRSEB, let me know and I'll have you experience "The Beast". Warning: the Dinan exhaust sound is VERY addicting

[Ricky Bobby]

Jealous of your running boards bigmixxx.

Hope the compressor repair kit I linked to you does the trick and gets the air susp back on track!

[bigmixxx]

Well -- there is a suspension saga that's started. Having done a little work and watching when I had a rover, I'm pointing to the place where I bought it. Taken it back twice.

Last night, I followed some instructions from the good guy that PM'd me. I opened the battery hatch and what I found was that the air hose was being pinched by something. I had the code reset this morning and let's see where this goes.

if it continues, I'll open another thread.

What's a good OBD II reader to get?