Is there a car less reliable then the X5?

[irfan]

i jsut wish another SUV handled as well. though the new X5 doesnt feel as nice as the 2011 I have. everytime I test drive another car and then get back in the X5 im shocked with how much nicer my car handles. I havent tested a Cayenne though. Compared to an ML, Grand Cherokee (which i really like, and it actually has a remote start option... seriously, these germans needs to give americans a remote start option), etc... those just feel so damn sluggish that I keep tempting fate with the X5 even though I know it will explode soon.

[retrocar66]

Is there a way to get failure stats on used X5s?

I'm considering buying a used one. I need a (smallish) tow vehicle and don't want to pay the ridiculous new prices.

However, based on this thread... maybe I will look for a Japanese equivalent (Toyota?) I am a little worried about maintenance in these over-complicated used "luxury" cars.

Any input from X5 owners that are 80k miles or more? 130k miles? How's your X5 doing? What repairs have you had to do? Are all the accessories working, or have all the little James Bond features begun to break off of the car and fall down between the seats?

Just wondering...

[ard]

A Toyota is not "equivalent"...but seems like it would be a better idea for you.

[mart_dev]

Not sure if you get them in the USA but here in South Africa if you want the same (almost) level of luxury with serious off-road ability and capable of 3 ton towing...and still very comfortably on the asphalt then the Toyota Prado VX turbo diesel is the only real smart option. The newer models (2012 and up)

[bawareca]

Originally Posted by mart_dev

Not sure if you get them in the USA but here in South Africa if you want the same (almost) level of luxury with serious off-road ability and capable of 3 ton towing...and still very comfortably on the asphalt then the Toyota Prado VX turbo diesel is the only real smart option. The newer models (2012 and up)

Oh yeah,with the capabilities the similarities end

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by retrocar66

Is there a way to get failure stats on used X5s?

I'm considering buying a used one. I need a (smallish) tow vehicle and don't want to pay the ridiculous new prices.

However, based on this thread... maybe I will look for a Japanese equivalent (Toyota?) I am a little worried about maintenance in these over-complicated used "luxury" cars.

Any input from X5 owners that are 80k miles or more? 130k miles? How's your X5 doing? What repairs have you had to do? Are all the accessories working, or have all the little James Bond features begun to break off of the car and fall down between the seats?

Just wondering...

You're going to base your purchase decision on 1 thread on an x5 forum?

[Aquamania]

Originally Posted by m5james

^ This.

I just drove my X5 from Seattle to Hollywood and back for Bimmerfest, and trust me when I tell you, I wasn't nice to it at all. 136k, fairly maintained by previous BMW owner, etc. Buying off-lease vehicles means that the dealership did as little as possible to keep it on the road, then they do *** check points and sell it for a markup claiming it's the cream of the crop when in reality it's in need of more than little bits here and there. Once these things start passing 100k, we're no longer replacing one control arm here, an expansion tank there...it's an $45-$100k truck that was bought for most likely half the price, so when something goes wrong w/ one suspension part, I replace ALL the suspension, when the expansion tank cracked, I replaced the ENTIRE cooling system. A thousand here and a thousand there is still cheaper than what someone paid full sticker for and I get to enjoy it all the same.

I agree with this whole heartedly!!!

[London Lad]

I find these threads quite strange.

BMW is known for quality and reliability in the UK and Europe. I have owned three x5s, all from new. Two E53s and one E70. I ran the 53s for three years each and have been running the e70 for over five years now. I use them quite hard as day to day work horses and on rural roads. I have had zero warranty faults and only ever replaced service items such as tyres, brakes and one battery. I do however read the manuals thoroughly and I don't mess with the cars for no reason, or fit non standard or pattern parts or cheap oils etc. YMMV

[Ron07x5]

What I think is the x5s are experts at leaking. Fundamentally mechanically not bad. Leaking valve covers, timing covers, oil thermostat or alternator bracket gasket, expansion tank, valley pipe and others like leaking suspension air bags.

So these little things and the fact that bmw service seeks to increase their service bills by doing twice of what is needed and get a premium for parts and labor hours adds up to notorious. If bmw didn't sell its cars with a 4 year warranty covering parts and labor very few would buy them.

Now if you diy one can tame the beast. Me I am thinking the prior owner had fixed and replaced many of the weaknesses and given some pre-emptive diy I may enjoy the x5. A great tow vehicle and all wheel drive boat pull out vehicle.

[Ron07x5]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

You're going to base your purchase decision on 1 thread on an x5 forum?

I think if you you can't diy and you are not willing to pay a lot for service these cars are not for you. I would think on average service costs on a x5 is three fold of a Toyota. But I doubt a Toyota can keep up with the x5 or is as posh.

My wife loves her cute x5. My job is keeping her liking it's reliability with my pre emotive diy. Got to replace the leaking oil cooler gasket before it may totally fail and irritate my wife and cause her to think where did my totally reliable but wimpy rav4 go?😁