New X5 4.8is Owner...Sort of :(

IM5ORRY · #1 04-02-2014, 01:44 PM

My story is the perfect example of why to do adequate research on the car model you want to buy, as well as always performing a PPI on said car. So My wife and I bought a 05' Lemans Blue x5 4.8is with 69k mi with alcantara interior and chrome rims...it was her perfect car so we had to pay the high asking price of 22k for it. The interior and exterior were clean and the only known issue the dealer made us aware of was that the rear tires neeeded to be replaced asap. So we drove the car for a week and that's when the problems started, white smoke emitting from the exhaust and a check engine light soon to follow. We had the car evaluated at a local indy shop and they determined that the car needed, valve stem seals, valve cover gasket, air filter, spark plugs, drivers side cv boot,air suspension compressor and oil pressure switch and probably a few other things I can't remember. For the few miles that we drove the car it was nice, with the intoxicating v8 sound and the ride quality of a 3 series sedan...but never have I met such a maintenace WHORE in my life. That says alot because I'm 27, I've owned 10 BMW's total including this one , 2 e46 330i's,1 e46 325i, 2 e46 m3's, 1 e30 325is, 1 e36 m3, 1 e28 535is and one e39 m5. Without further ado, here's what you all really came here for.

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romeokc10 · #2 04-02-2014, 01:49 PM

Welcome, sorry about the problems, but you said it yourself, they are maintenance pigs, fun to drive but constantly need work. Just wait until the window regulators and door handles start breaking, and of course the constant oil/fluid leaks...lol! But it sure is pretty, take some time and read some threads here to further educate yourself on future problems that are sure to arise, lots of good info and helpful members here, also find yourself, if don't have one already, a good independent mechanic, dealer prices will break you...lol!

IM5ORRY · #3 04-02-2014, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romeokc10

Welcome, sorry about the problems, but you said it yourself, they are maintenance pigs, fun to drive but constantly need work. Just wait until the window regulators and door handles start breaking, and of course the constant oil/fluid leaks...lol!

Had I known they were unlike any other BMW, We would've passed on it and just got a regular SUV and left the performance value for the M5. Were hoping that the car would be good to go after all of these repairs but if we have to chase oil leaks and fluid leaks then I'm itching to ditch this bit$# before she takes all of our savings plus eats away at our credit cards.

Ricky Bobby · #4 04-02-2014, 02:04 PM

chrome wheels are ugly but other than that sounds like standard maintenance items for a 10 year old formerly stickered at 75k Bimmer.

IM5ORRY · #5 04-02-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

chrome wheels are ugly but other than that sounds like standard maintenance items for a 10 year old formerly stickered at 75k Bimmer.

Yeah they came with the car. Everything except for the valve stem seals and the air suspension compressor, too many x5's seem to have the valve stem failure because of the shoddy material BMW made them out of, and the air suspension I would rather replace with coilovers because they are less of a headache to deal with leaks and pump failures.

Ricky Bobby · #6 04-02-2014, 02:20 PM

I hear ya man, night after I picked up my '03 I went out to a slammed front axle, the original air struts were shot, and I had to dump $1500 into new Arnott air struts, plus the install and alignment, and had to buy a used compressor since mine was burnt out.

CV boots are maintenance items every 40-50k as well. As long as the air suspension works properly, and you are doing the valve stem seals, you really got most of the big ticket items out of the way, from there on out should be standard maintenance.

I always remind everyone the first year of used car ownership is the toughest especially when you are an enthusiast who does things properly.

tmv · #7 04-02-2014, 03:28 PM

Sorry about your experience with the 4.8iS. I consider PPI is a very wise investment. Good luck.

motordavid · #8 04-02-2014, 07:50 PM

Nice looking X...
You bought that car from a BMW dlr or a used car dlr?
GL, mD

IM5ORRY · #9 04-03-2014, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I hear ya man, night after I picked up my '03 I went out to a slammed front axle, the original air struts were shot, and I had to dump $1500 into new Arnott air struts, plus the install and alignment, and had to buy a used compressor since mine was burnt out.

CV boots are maintenance items every 40-50k as well. As long as the air suspension works properly, and you are doing the valve stem seals, you really got most of the big ticket items out of the way, from there on out should be standard maintenance.

I always remind everyone the first year of used car ownership is the toughest especially when you are an enthusiast who does things properly.

Ouch, I'm sure that was a painful sight. Well the air compressor was replaced today so I know that's good to go, so if and when the air struts go thats just 500 dollars less that we have to pay for that repair I guess. Yeah I found out about the valve stem seal problem after I bought the car so i was hoping it wasn't in fact that issue when I saw the smoke, but I'm happy to have it in my rearview mirror now.

So as you said hopefully it's just regular maintenance items from here on out for at least for 20k miles.