Looking to buy an X5... what to look for?

[Thecastle]

Youtube is a great place to go and find car repair videos. Let's be frank here, it's full of people who have no credentials to actually give a real car review just view bait. So they can make some money by getting you to watch. There are tons of threads on this very issue should I buy an i6 or v8.

Anyway the 5.0i problems are well documented if you use do any searching for them on google.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/h...ail-96527.html
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...ns-bmw-n63-v8/

Most BMW enthusiasts would say stay away from a used BMW v8 unless you love the engine and don't mind spending a lot to keep it going. If you love it go for it, as buying a v8 isn't a rational choice (finically) its the performance choice. But then again buying an SUV isn't a sound finical choice either, so go with your heart! If americans bought what they actually needed the F150 would not be the number #1 selling car.

IF power/saving cost is what you need then get the 35i and tune it. It will be less expensive to maintain and will give you nearly the performance of the untuned v8, without the sound...

The N63 V8's eat fuel injectors, leaks oil, and needs valve stem seals about every 70K miles, and batteries... This is the tip of the maintenance ice berg. These were 70-90K cars when new and come with pricing on repairs to match. This is not an economy car.

Having owned 2x BMW X5 v8's a 2008 4.8i (N62) and a 2011 X5M (s63).. I'd say if you're not prepared to spend on average 6-10K a year in repairs/maintenance skip these engines. Now they will hold up fine to 200K+ beyond but take a lot of money to keep from smoking like a forest fire, and stinking like a burning tire dump. haha

If your a masochist in terms of repairs there is always the diesel :-) Which I also own.

Both my 2011 X5M and 2011 335d make my mini cooper look like a Toyota corolla in terms of low maintenance ;-)