Is there a car less reliable then the X5?

[m5james]

Originally Posted by JCL

Looks like some of your issues were related, and perhaps the first repair only addressed the symptom, not the problem. Battery and voltage regulator were likely linked, same with the three throttle issues. Radiator and expansion tank may have been linked as well.

Reliability can be fairly assessed on a new car with respect to design and manufacturing issues. Lack of reliability on six year old used car has more to do with previous maintenance practices than the vehicle design and manufacturing, IMO.

I don't think BMWs are known for poor reliability. But then I've had five BMWs and have never been stranded once. They are known for not responding well to neglect.

^ 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.

[ART-qitec]

Originally Posted by motordavid

ART-qitec,
Helluva Pair of 'weekend' rides!

The 458 is first on my list, when I hit the lotto!

Better luck with your X; some of us get lucky, some of us have less luck, esp when driving used vs being orig owner, imo.
GL, mD

Thanks MotorDavid! We're extremely envious of your travel photos on Flickr! We might have nice cars, but your travels are way more valuable then any super car.

Originally Posted by 14thbmw

I don't know what the reliability stats overall are for BMW or the X5, but my personal experience is much better than on any of the boards, and I have had a few BMWs over the years. Not Lexus reliability, but certainly fine and low hassle for me.

To the OP's question, there are all of the true British cars (what, Morgan? - are there any others that aren't part of some other car company?) and Alfa is coming back to the USA with what I certainly hope will be better reliability than when they left (Fiat did it).

I know what you mean about British cars, we've had Land Rovers and Aston Martins and they are pretty bad in the reliability department but their components never failed as frequently as my X5...who knows, maybe I just have a dud..

Originally Posted by JCL

Brings back memories. My Morgan was somewhat expensive to run. Worth it to me, but expensive. Lucas electrics. Rover engine. Assembly issues. And a front suspension manually lubricated by pressing a valve and spraying hot oil from the main gallery near the crankshaft, over the sliding pillars. I had a policy with free towing, and used it.

That's a very beautiful car! I hope one day to own a nice vintage car like that!

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 understand what you're talking about and I do expect that from 100k+ mileage cars but my X5 is only nearing 70k miles. Maybe the previous owner was so dense that they didn't know that oil changes were a necessity

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ART-qitec

That's a very beautiful car! I hope one day to own a nice vintage car like that!
(

That isn't vintage. Built in 1997. Photo was taken when I bought it in 2000. It had 2400 miles on it then. Had to sell it when I moved back to Canada because it wasn't vintage.

[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