Noob here..wanted to say "hi" and get some advice purchasing my first BMW!

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Ck101

Read my posts, I have an 07 60k e70. It's a disaster zone.

Lots of expensive problems. On top of this tyres walk off these things.Something to do with the camber set up and a bad design.

I believe the q7 is fairly reliable.

You also have a first year model run--a basic no-no if you want a trouble-free car.

[ukwildcat]

Originally Posted by Ck101

Read my posts, I have an 07 60k e70. It's a disaster zone.

Lots of expensive problems. On top of this tyres walk off these things.Something to do with the camber set up and a bad design.

I believe the q7 is fairly reliable.

I test drove a 2010 Q7 before going with the X5.

It did not help that the Audi sales guy knew nothing about his product, but..
I expected to very much LIKE it, but the moment I sat down in it, I instantly hated it. I also hated how it drove - another surprise. And it's gadgets seemed half-baked. I was very disappointed.

When I got my X5, some of the Porsche people in the office asked how I liked it..

"Well, one week and nothing broken!"
And they said, without pause..
"Well, that's the difference between you and an Audi owner!"

I know we have some Audi owners here, so feel free to chime in.
My best friend had two leased A6s (three years each, so six years worth) until 2007, when he bought an Acura RL.

In the shop four times a year, like clockwork. Usually broken O2 sensors, early tire wear, etc. I dunno about now, but just a few years ago, ONLY your Audi dealer could do a proper alignment, at $400 a pop.

And every time they failed to fix something, they were unapologetic. He exaggerates, but swears he spent more time in a loaner, which was always in very poor shape.

Of course, YMMV, but.. I was not impressed. I can put up with an ignorant dealer for a good product - and certainly BMW has at least their fair share of these dealers as well - but the product itself was underwhelming.

To be fair, it was somewhat less expensive, but it didn't offer as many features, maintenance was not included, etc. etc.

I would wager that, much like BMW, Audi's reliability has improved - probably substantially so. I much preferred the X5 to the Q7 (and I found the Q5 too small).

Both are very popular around here, but I notice most Q owners are new and most X5 owners have had theirs quite a long time (I don't see too many '10s or later).

[Kloogy]

For what it's worth , I do not buy used European cars, and rid myself of them before the warranty expires. It has been a good policy for me. I've seen my friends encounter costly nightmares on so called " great deals", they found.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by Kloogy

For what it's worth , I do not buy used European cars, and rid myself of them before the warranty expires. It has been a good policy for me. I've seen my friends encounter costly nightmares on so called " great deals", they found.

Agree 1000%. Years and years ago, after owing an S500, G500, 300TD and 300D well past warranty...we made a deal to NEVER own a car past it's warranty period. Every time you sneezed it seems like $1100 here, $600 here, $300 here, $500 here, $2400 here, parts wearing out, worrying about parts wearing out, etc, etc.

The worst time was in 1995; we bought a 1989 Alpine White 325i Cabriolet (blue leather, blue top...awesome combo). It was a local purchase, from the original owner. Car had about 65k miles on it. We kept it about 10 months...and the car needed $3000 worth of mandatory repairs during the 10 months we owned it. PLUS, we had it inspected by a BMW dealer before we bought it! These $3000 worth of repairs just popped up! NO more Euro cars, NO cars period, without factory warranty!

IMO, it just does not pay to keep an expensive car, with very expensive repairs past warranty! Times have changed. Cars are VERY expensive to maintain and keep. Cars are meant to be junked and recycled...we must all just remember a car is just a luxurious wear item. Use, love, enjoy and then retire for good!!

Without warranty...can you imagine having to pay for multiple and routine software updates that take hours or an entire day to do (some are very, very time consuming).

[Kloogy]

I was offered a great deal on a 2009 M5. Almost too good to pass. But after pondering about why the dealer wouldn't CPO it, I passed. Specially if you're buying a used car you can barely afford. Just remember what simple regularly scheduled maintenance costs on these cars. You might think twice.

[pbalias]

Motordavid...I couldn't agree with you more. Sounds like a lease might be a better way for me to enjoy the X5 without having to worry (financially) about the repairs/maintenance. However, I'm originally from Texas (now in NY/NJ) where leasing doesn't seem to be as popular an option as owning. Leasing is a new concept for me, but might be a better option.

I'ma total car guy though, and when I see something on 4 wheels that I like, I have to have it.

My Vette is an '01 Z06. My pride and joy.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Agree 1000%. Years and years ago, after owing an S500, G500, 300TD and 300D well past warranty...we made a deal to NEVER own a car past it's warranty period. Every time you sneezed it seems like $1100 here, $600 here, $300 here, $500 here, $2400 here, parts wearing out, worrying about parts wearing out, etc, etc.

The worst time was in 1995; we bought a 1989 Alpine White 325i Cabriolet (blue leather, blue top...awesome combo). It was a local purchase, from the original owner. Car had about 65k miles on it. We kept it about 10 months...and the car needed $3000 worth of mandatory repairs during the 10 months we owned it. PLUS, we had it inspected by a BMW dealer before we bought it! These $3000 worth of repairs just popped up! NO more Euro cars, NO cars period, without factory warranty!

IMO, it just does not pay to keep an expensive car, with very expensive repairs past warranty! Times have changed. Cars are VERY expensive to maintain and keep. Cars are meant to be junked and recycled...we must all just remember a car is just a luxurious wear item. Use, love, enjoy and then retire for good!!

Without warranty...can you imagine having to pay for multiple and routine software updates that take hours or an entire day to do (some are very, very time consuming).

You are asking for trouble when you buy ANY car with 65K miles on it. I think the OP here needs to realize he could be in the same boat with buying one with 50K miles--I would recommend to him to go lower miles there are a lot out there under 30K miles.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by motordavid

pbalias, I responded to you earlier, but here is another 'version':
you are discerning in realizing that some of us have had very few problems, (our '01 3.0 E53 has had but a handful in its entire 9 years/78k miles), while others are pulling out their hair.

I'm right there with you motordavid as you know---before my current '08 4.8 I had an '01 e53 for 9.5 years until this past Labor Day weekend when I was t-boned and it rolled--was totaled. It had 103K miles on it and was in perfect shape with very little problems.

[LeMansX5]

If you wait couple of months the 2011 35i in used car market will be available for around $45k. They have been in market since April 2010 and are faster than 48i.

[SJCFlyer]

Hey, I just wanted to point out what a great (and really civil) dicussion this thread has been. No one's ideas or views where "stupid" or declared "wrong" -- it was truely the great debate.

And the originator of this thread said it best when he said "there's been some many points made, I have a hard time deciding" Ahhh, but at least it's an informed decision, rather than "I like the color and engine it has" THAT's what these forums are all about. I applaud all contributors!