New to the X's

[Hotes]

Hey, I am brand new to the forum as I have just got my first BMW and it's an X5. I am pretty pumped about finally getting it but I have a few issues with it and was hoping to get some input.

The X5 is E70 2008 4.8 with 36,xxx miles that I got from Carmax. It was listed for $28k and I got the MaxCare after reading about this guys experience with his Land Rover.
Why Your Next Unreliable Luxury Car Should Come From CarMax

I've been looking on CL for a while and I feel for what people are asking for there that my deal wasn't too bad, but I do feel I overpaid, but by how much?

My questions relates to your anecdotal reliability experience and if you think the MaxCare is worth it? I was planning on taking it to a BMW dealer in the next week to get it checked out completely and have CarMax replace anything that is found wrong. I was reading here that the water pump may need to be replaced since it is older with low miles and I have no way of knowing the driving schedule of the previous owner.

It was only one previous owner which is nice, and I like the low miles. But oddly enough for such low miles the BMW decal on the hood was scratched and the P button for park is chipped. I chalked it up to OCD.

I am still in the 5 day grace period to return it and I am looking to see if I made a wise choice here. The MaxCare is refundable at any time but I think it may be useful as I am already having issues with the thermostat only putting out heat if I put it to 84*.

Sorry for the long post, but I am going nuts with these questions on my own. I would appreciate any help and hope to be on the forum for a while.

Thanks

[lanbrown]

There are two heat settings, so most likely that is your issue.

I'm not 100% certain what is in your vehicle. If you have the adjustment knobs where you can see the temp, that is one setting. The other will be where/how you want the heat to blow and you can adjust the heat setting there as well. I would suggest you look at those places first to see if it cures your temp issue.

[Hotes]

Admittedly I do need to read over the war and peace that is the manual but I haven't had much time lately. I am hoping your right and it is due to some operator error.

Any idea on keeping a warranty on the X5?

Thanks

[lanbrown]

The N62 is known for valve stem seal issues.

[creisa]

With as many probs as these X's seem to have, keep the truck=keep the warranty....

[Suge206]

Do not keep the X5 without a warranty unless you are a mechanic. The 4.8 is fun as hell but can be incredibly problematic and they are insanely complex probably over engineered money pits.

[Hotes]

Thanks for the input. I figured it might be a money pit and a few thou up front may save me a lot of headaches.

Glad I found the forum

[creisa]

I was only able to get a Powertrain warranty for 2 years so better than nothing. Call me whatever, but I have actually been looking for a parts/donor X5 to use as needed lol. Found a 3.0 but doesn't really help me......

[creisa]

And sorry, still trying to navigate this site and add info on my vehicle like others. Thought I had it.....

[johnmn]

Per Doug DeMuro on Jalopnik, the CarMax warranty works out well when needed.
My Air Suspension Failed (Again): Another CarMax Warranty Update