2008 X5 4.8i longevity / reliability past 60K miles?

[jwchi]

Hello all. I've been searching around a bit on the forum for a thread / post that discusses the longevity, reliability, and common problems I may face on my 2008 X5 4.8i. If I've missed it, I sure would appreciate the link! If this hasn't been discussed, I'm curious about the future of my X5 past 60K miles.

The good news is that I haven't had many issues at all since buying the SAV 18 months ago. I'm still under CPO and recently had brakes done under the extended maintenance. I have the same compliant that many folks have about the transmission / engine programming, shift points, etc. With that exception, I am very happy with my purchase. I had a very weird thing happen with the sound system a while back that freaked me out a bit. It was a VERY LOUD static sound that wouldn't go off (car off, locked, etc). The only way I got it to turn off was to pop a panel in the back and pull a fiber optic cable out. Once reseated it was fine and never did it again---the strangest thing I've ever experienced with a vehicle.

I'm looking for information about any issues that may come in the next few years. I'm thinking about the big stuff that could bite a chuck out of my wallet, but am certainly open to any thoughts if anyone has "the list" or a perspective.

Thanks for your help.

[zx45]

Try a search on "Valley leak" issues, tipical on the V8 x5. It can be very scary and could lead to serious damage cost anywhere between 4to10 grands.

[Quicksilver]

Save your money. It's a BMW not a Toyota. You will pay the price to keep it
up just as we all are doing. No one that I know of has a crystal ball that will
predict what will or will not fail and when. But if you put your money aside
when something does happen you'll be ready to pay to keep it going.

Enjoy and don't worry about the small stuff......

Originally Posted by jwchi

Hello all. I've been searching around a bit on the forum for a thread / post that discusses the longevity, reliability, and common problems I may face on my 2008 X5 4.8i. If I've missed it, I sure would appreciate the link! If this hasn't been discussed, I'm curious about the future of my X5 past 60K miles.

The good news is that I haven't had many issues at all since buying the SAV 18 months ago. I'm still under CPO and recently had brakes done under the extended maintenance. I have the same compliant that many folks have about the transmission / engine programming, shift points, etc. With that exception, I am very happy with my purchase. I had a very weird thing happen with the sound system a while back that freaked me out a bit. It was a VERY LOUD static sound that wouldn't go off (car off, locked, etc). The only way I got it to turn off was to pop a panel in the back and pull a fiber optic cable out. Once reseated it was fine and never did it again---the strangest thing I've ever experienced with a vehicle.

I'm looking for information about any issues that may come in the next few years. I'm thinking about the big stuff that could bite a chuck out of my wallet, but am certainly open to any thoughts if anyone has "the list" or a perspective.

Thanks for your help.

[jwchi]

Thanks guys. I'm not purely concerned about the money, more important is reliability and avoiding the shop time / inconvenience. Any other thoughts out there?

[blondboinsd]

I'm at 90k and mine has been great. I really love it

[ard]

Originally Posted by jwchi

Thanks guys. I'm not purely concerned about the money, more important is reliability and avoiding the shop time / inconvenience. Any other thoughts out there?

I'm trying to understand what it is you are planning to DO with these "thoughts"....

Are you seeking to take a handful of random testimonials from internet strangers and somehow apply this to a predication about how your one copy might behave?

Pay for a consumer reports subscription- WAY better statistics to make a decision.


Oh, how often do you change the ATF?


A


PS Trick question...nobody does it, and when the tranny fails at 90k BMW shrugs and says "Welp, it lasted the lifetime"

[Quicksilver]

Check it out!!!!

Few people I know combine BMW and reliability in the same sentence.
That being the case you "WILL NOT" avoid shop time / inconvenience.
Notice all the people who come to this Board looking for advice on
how to solve their problems??? Search the board for your vehicle
and gather the information (other board member thoughts). You
should be able to gather enough information to formulate your
own opinion. That's my 2 cents.

OBTW. Wanna avoid inconvenience? Rent a car. That's what I do.

Originally Posted by jwchi

Thanks guys. I'm not purely concerned about the money, more important is reliability and avoiding the shop time / inconvenience. Any other thoughts out there?

[jwchi]

Originally Posted by ard

I'm trying to understand what it is you are planning to DO with these "thoughts"....

Are you seeking to take a handful of random testimonials from internet strangers and somehow apply this to a predication about how your one copy might behave?

Pay for a consumer reports subscription- WAY better statistics to make a decision.


Oh, how often do you change the ATF?


A


PS Trick question...nobody does it, and when the tranny fails at 90k BMW shrugs and says "Welp, it lasted the lifetime"

What's your suggestion on the ATF, do you suggest changing at regular intervals? Does the X5 4.8i have more issues with the transmission failures? I don't run the thing hard, but don't hesitate to feel the pony's once in a while.

What would I "DO" with the information? I'm just looking to get a better feel for more common problems that the 2008 (Dec '07 build) has. I do believe that there are common things that may or may not apply to my "copy", if there are many examples, I would want to understand that to get a feel for the risk (financial, safety, inconvenience, etc) going forward. I may get out of this one earlier rather than later, not spend the extra on the best tires if I know I won't have the vehicle for more than 10-15K miles, no put that hitch on I'm thinking of, etc.

To answer you directly, no, I'm not looking for random testimonials, just a little guidance.

Thanks!

[swisstype]

I have a 2008 x5 4.8. I just turned 115k on teh odometer and I am ok with teh vehicle. WHile the only thing that has failed was a left rear wheel bearing, I am a bit ambivalent overall with teh vehicle. First off, I love this car. I absolutely love driving it. My concern has been that I have had something, a rock, says the delaer, that has made it through the grill and damaged the airconditioner and now the radiator. each one was over $1k to replace. That sucks, especially since I dont tailgate, just lots of highway time. So , I am fervent about teh maintenance and upkeep and do my best to take car of this vehicle. It is still a tight vehicle an da joy to drive.
The dealer service here has failed me 3 times, dumb stiff like not putting hoses on tight enough or not putting the transmiossion drain plug in tight enough that has cause dsome dismay on my part. Unfortunately I live in an area where there is only one dealer, and I am considering moving to the new 2013 GL550 if this persists.
Overall, It has been a good vehicle and more expensive to maintain, but that is the cost of doing business with BMW.
If my dealer was better, there would be no issues at all.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by jwchi

What's your suggestion on the ATF, do you suggest changing at regular intervals? Does the X5 4.8i have more issues with the transmission failures? I don't run the thing hard, but don't hesitate to feel the pony's once in a while.

...To answer you directly, no, I'm not looking for random testimonials, just a little guidance.

Thanks!

The semi-handy Search Tab, upper right side of each page, yields threads on some of your questions, eg the 'change or not change the trans fluid':
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ir-tranny.html

Some good opins, some 'guidance', and the usual anecdotal/random testimonials.
GL, mD