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  #1  
Old 07-27-2022, 03:16 PM
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Starting out, looking for a used X5 - advice?

I haven't seen a sticky for someone starting out looking at an X5 as a vehicle, so excuse me if I've just missed it.

I'm looking at getting an X5 as a neat used vehicle for my needs - occasionally driving on adventures in Oregon that my current electric eGolf won't take (80 miles / charge on a good day). I used to own BMW motorcycles, and have a history of doing car work and tinkering - they sound like the bikes in that maintenance is costly, but you CAN do a lot of it yourself.

--> I can rent a Jeep (Free2Move) in my neighborhood if my car is in the shop super easily, have an eBike, and I work from home, so having it available 100% of time isn't a requirement, I just don't want to get stranded in the woods.

Are X5's in general reliable? They seem to start having major problems ~ 100k miles. Is this a fair assessment?

Would you get a xDrive 3.0 or 3.5? It looks like 3.0 is more bulletproof since it's a non-turbo engine.

Similar, a diesel or gas?

Should I get a used 2012 for about $15k + plan for things to go wrong, or a CPO/Newer 2015-ish for $25k, that has a warranty and not have to deal with stuff breaking. Should I hold out and find a used one with good complete records from a BMW dealer?

Any pointers on what usually goes wrong at about 100k miles? Am I just looking for trouble? Any checklists for what to look for in a used one?
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  #2  
Old 07-27-2022, 03:58 PM
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Starting out, looking for a used X5 - advice?

The 3.0 is a dog vs. 3.5. I have 2012 3.5 bought with 144 has 155 (k miles). Runs like a top but it's starting to weep oil from the oil filter housing so I'll be doing that repair in about a month.

The improvement in mpg 3.5 vs. 3.0 is substantial. I get 24+ highway (even made 50 miles at 29 when trying to maximize mpg)

Carfax should show most of the after dealer repairs but a dealer can scan a key to find out any dealer repairs(though you'd have to take to a dealer on a test drive)
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Old 07-27-2022, 04:10 PM
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Does it like to be run hard? Mine would mostly sit idle, shuttling kids around, with occasional road trips.

I had a VW TDI and it REALLY wanted you to ride it hard otherwise the intake manifold would get crudded up with carbon. I'm curious if the gas or diesel turbo's are similar where they don't like to sit or just plod along.

Are you doing the maintenance yourself? Is there a service guide floating around? When I had my k75 there were really good tech manuals (from BMW) and forums with DIY tips/tricks/videos - spline lube, general wrenching, etc.
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Old 07-27-2022, 06:21 PM
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Starting out, looking for a used X5 - advice?

I do my own maintenance. At 150 I will prob do an intake clean soon as the intake valves don't get sprayed with gas so: carbon.

I'll likey work in intake/oil housing/vcg into fall catch up.

N55 seems quite ok with moderate or hard driving. You get rewarded nicely for moderate use of throttle. I have gotten >21 mpg city (usually I get about 21 mix up from 16-17 with my e53).
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Old 07-28-2022, 12:00 PM
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170k miles on a 35d I picked up eight years ago. I've put over 100k miles on it. Been pretty good to me. A lot of the emissions parts were replaced under the BMW 10 yr/120k mile extended warranty years ago. It needs NOx sensors now and I have both advisory DPF replacement DTCs. Still gets 28+ mpg consistently. Recently, I got 30.3 and 30.6 mpg on consecutive fill-ups. Those are calculated figures. My OBC always says I get less than that. Drivetrain and engine is solid. Plenty of power, especially with a simple DDE tune. It's the stupid ancillary systems mandated by bureaucrats that will give you issue.

I found mine by familiarizing myself with the options available for the model I wanted. I had determined pretty early that I wanted the diesel. Then I decided I wanted an LCI model. There are several websites that let you enter the VIN of the vehicle you're looking at and see all of the standard and upgraded options, build date, paint color, interior type, etc. This makes comparing vehicles very straightforward. Don't trust the dealer's copy because they often don't know what they're talking about.
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Old 07-28-2022, 12:25 PM
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Quote:
Don't trust the dealer's copy because they often don't know what they're talking about.
That's good advice about the VIN decoders!

Here are 2 I found. I'm wondering what the thoughts are on these - a low mileage 2011, with what looks like good dealer maintenance, but it's a 2 hour drive away.

https://www.lexusofbellevue.com/sear...8&tp=pre_owned

And another newer one, but it's certified so I'd at least get a 1 year warranty out of the deal. Though I can't see how it's "BMW Certified" because it has > 100k miles - isn't the limit 60k miles?

https://www.kunibmw.com/inventory/ce...r0c59g0s85571/
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Old 07-28-2022, 02:09 PM
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The whole 'turbos are unreliable' are 1980s thinking. IMO. (and Im not a spring chicken) The technology has gotten much much better.


The things that will burn you are not turbos. Tranny, diffs...AC..Alt... real lift gate...weird module problems... water leaks shorting stuff out


IMO nothing a DIY cant address. You WILL need a laptop w software or a scanner. But this is under 150.


Dealer maintenance SUCKS...betcha that second on didnt get an ATF change at 100k. Betcha if you ask, they will claim (and beleive) that changing the ATF is dangerous.


If that 37k mile 2011 is real, thats a sweet deal
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Old 07-28-2022, 04:12 PM
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I would go with the '11 one out of the two. We bought our '12 one about 2 years ago with over 90k. 2 hours away? We picked up ours 5.5 hours away, all the way in Idaho.
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Old 07-30-2022, 01:24 AM
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Just noticed the 2 hr drive. I drive 2 hrs for a good dinner.
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Old 07-30-2022, 11:00 AM
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I flew to Maryland to pick up my 2011 35d and then drove it back to Maine.
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