Wow, X5 repairs are expensive and too frequent

[Black5]

You've done well so far, there's more to come....

Based on the list of issues mine has had in it's 150K (Km not miles) history, (Albeit E53, not E70),



sunroof rails warp, (Panoramic)

Airbags need replacing,

transmission needs a rebuild,

engine needs a rebuild - and carbon build up means it will happen again

Starter motor fails - twice

Fuel pump goes - twice

Cooling system goes - twice

Amplifier fails

Window regulators go

Nav display fails

wheel cracks

Seat heaters fail

Starter switch fails

It's needed to be towed on at least 5 separate occasions.



There's much much more but that's all I can come up with off the top of my head.

If I didn't have a decent indi shop that kept the cost of repairs lower than the stealer, (Still not what I would call reasonable though!), and my wife didn't love the abominable thing so much, I would have got rid of it long ago.



Last straw was when the fuel pump was replaced again last week and within a day started spewing fuel all over the ground. Unfortunately this was when she was next a petrol station - requiring her to abandon the car and emergency services had to be called to clear the area before she could get it towed. The embarrassment of her very identifiable car, (Vanity plates), being very publicly towed away in front of a gathering crowd, with a firetruck following it through the area we live in was the final straw.



It will NOT be replaced by another BMW. This one has killed any affinity I may have had with the brand. Still great to drive, but I'm happy to leave the ownership hell to others.



I'd be many thousands better off if I had learned that much earlier.







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[Budarooski]

Originally Posted by Black5

The embarrassment of her very identifiable car, (Vanity plates), being very publicly towed away in front of a gathering crowd, with a firetruck following it through the area we live in was the final straw.

I totally get it...I broke down ON THE WAY TO BMW for service on the suspension air bag with the electrical problem. I'm sure dozens of folks driving past were laughing at "Mr. BMW" broke down on the road. That was the last straw for me.

I loved this X5...best looking SUV (SAV) on the road, manly, fast, handled like a dream...but there comes a breaking point in every man's life when you have had enough. Just wish I'd hit that point earlier this year...could have saved thousands of $$.

[MAK3N3]

DAMN! That sucks man...sorry to hear that. You could of made a little $ back on those 215's selling/trading to someone else but then again that'd be another headache in itself. Good luck w/the new car....saw a rare CTS-V wagon other day I'd take that in a heartbeat!

Originally Posted by Budarooski

I totally get it...I broke down ON THE WAY TO BMW for service on the suspension air bag with the electrical problem. I'm sure dozens of folks driving past were laughing at "Mr. BMW" broke down on the road. That was the last straw for me.

I loved this X5...best looking SUV (SAV) on the road, manly, fast, handled like a dream...but there comes a breaking point in every man's life when you have had enough. Just wish I'd hit that point earlier this year...could have saved thousands of $$.

[Budarooski]

Originally Posted by trader4

I feel your pain. And when I post in the E53 forum about some of the things that have failed prematurely that I find unacceptable, they act like I'm an unfair, critical, nattering nabob of negativity. And then they make excuses for BMW. IMO there are a lot of problems with these cars, where they are failing prematurely compared to not only similar vehicles, but even Hondas that cost 1/3 the price.

Some folks take it too personally. Yeah, I've probably vented a bit too much on this thread, but I feel it's just not right for an 80K car to have so many issues, especially when I drive 10 miles a day, NEVER beat on it, always babied, very well taken care of, garaged at home and work. Under CPO it was in the shop six times...warranty expired and then the big issues started. I have lost a lot of faith in German engineering (and I'm full blooded German, born in Bad Tolz, W. Germany - when there was an East and West Germany). I should have learned my lesson on my 2002 X5...that one also had its share of issue.