X5 E70 Secondhand Purchase Disappointed

[Ck101]

Hi all,

I have been a lifelong BMW driver, I'm now starting to lose the faith, in the last year the turbo went on my 2008 320d and the timing chain slipped in the wifes 116i (35k mls). The 320 turbo was done under warranty and the 116 cost me a fortune, head re bore, bent valves/pistons etc.

Due to an expanding family I have just purchased privately a Fully Loaded 2007 X5 E70 Carbon Black, Dynamic Pack, 20" Y alloys, Heated Front and Back Seats, Third Row etc, FBMWSH..

It has 55K mls & I knew it needed a little work, dent in the door, a few dings, kerbed alloys, new rear tyre and a good valet. Nothing 2K wouldn't sort.

However now I have noticed some significant issues...

1. Clock resetting, date is ok thou, when this happens the service light comes on. I rest the clock and all is well for a few days.

2. Both the tail lights on the boot lid are filling with water and one is blown out altogether. 16 week wait for new ones due to demand. sound like a product recall that didn't happen.

3. Both the roof rails are beginning to rust.

4. A vibration between 65-70 goes when I accelerate. Had the front wheels balanced and its still there.

Looks like I could be spending another 2K sorting this lot and I feel its not what I expected from a 100K car...

My goodwill claim with BMW was shot down...contemplating litigation in the small claims court.

Have I bought a dog?

Thx,

CK...

[ard]

^^ What? Really, you bought a used car- likely without an adequate inspection on the road- and now think it is somehow BMWs fault??? 55k miles, no original warranty.

Very surprising...

[viva la Reagan]

i'd take it to a reputable collision shop and have them check it for repaired damage. many items you describe could be the result of a collision that was cosmetically repaired.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Ck101

I have just purchased privately ...contemplating litigation in the small claims court.

Did the private party you bought it from provide a warranty or promise anything that is grounds for litigation?

Doesn't sound like the pre-purchase inspection was very thorough. Agree with the previous poster that it sounds like there may have been collision damage, or possibly submersion.

[Ck101]

It did have a mechanical inspection but wasn't taken out on the motorway.

It hasn't been crashed or submerged either. I spoke to the BMW service centre that have serviced the car for the last three years, they gave it the all clear.

From what I read on this forum:

1. Tail lights leaking are a common fault apparently, most get repaired under warranty. BMW now use a different seal, demand for these lights as spares is so high there is a 16 week delivery.

2. Battery drain has also cropped up in a number of threads, seems to be common in the e70, my local BMW dealer tells me that he has just replaced an e70 battery a few months ago and the same thing is happening.

3. I have also seen a number of posts re roof bars rusting. Seems to be common enough also. It's a real pain because the roof liner has to be taken out to replace them. They are cheap enough at €130 each.

4. I replaced a rear tyre yesterday and had the rear wheels balanced and that seems to have the vibration sorted thankfully.

I suppose the reason for the post now is buyer beware re the battery, roof bars and lights.

Ck.

[ukwildcat]

Sorry to intrude, but after reading all this, I'm curious..

I did a great deal of research before ordering my 2011 E70 and didn't really find much in the way of problems (save the 35d, but I'm not a diesel fan). It seemed as though there were way fewer problems in '10 and '11 models (by default, I suppose) than say '09 or earlier.

I've gathered that BMW likes to change things quite frequently, but..

Is it the age or have there been that many improvements in that time?

[Richard in NC]

2007 was the first year for the E70 and its not uncommon, especially for BMWs to have more problems in their first year.
The balance issue could be a rim issue, not just the tires. I would suspect a weak battery for the clock issue.

[deutsch100]

Sorry to hear this. Both my 2007 X5 3.0si and 2008 4.8i were nightmares (being fair, the 2008 was marginally better). I am currently back to BMW after having a 2008 ML63 AMG and a 2009 ML63 AMG. I have had my 2010 750i for about 7 months. It so far, has been MUCH better than both my X5s. It has however, needed a Comfort Access replacement and was in the shop for TWO weeks to have an oil pump replaced (this is becoming a worldwide problem for the 2009 & 2010 7 Series). My past 5-6 BMWs and 3-4 Mercedes' have all been this way. Handling, Performance, looks, comfort, features were awesome...but none were or are problem free. This goes for my last 2 Range Rovers, Audi A6 and 2 Porsches. The ONLY cars I have ever owned that were 100% problem free, were my 2 Lexus RX400hs. 2 years, NOT one single issue (not even a nit picky tiny issue/problem). They were also though, the 2 most boring cars I have ever owned or driven in my entire life. BMWs and Mercedes have always been like this. You must decide how important ultimate reliability is, vs. ultimate performance.

[roadkillrob]

I have the opposite problem my Lexus GX470 and RX350 both had tones of problems, my E93 and X5 have been much less problematic - guess it is just luck of the draw sometimes!

Even if the Lexus was perfectly reliable, it is still a toaster and boring as hell - I would take a BMW that is in the shop a bit over a Lexus with no issues ever!

[ukwildcat]

I can't second (third?) the "the Lexus was boring" enough times.

It's really the reason I switched. I had a GX470 for nearly five years, and an RX before that. Good cars, absolutely nothing wrong with them, but geez.. SOOOOOOO dull, in pretty much every way.

I also realized they weren't quite as nice or as comfortable as the BMW, when you really took a good look.

Time will tell, but so far, I am EXTREMELY pleased with the X5.