Want an X5M but have Questions...
 

I was pretty much ready to put an order for a leased X5M but after doing a bit of research on the car I'm having second thoughts...

1. I came across the paint chipping issue and seems to me the current solution is to install clearbra in the front & side areas of the car but this comes at the owners expense because BMW's 3M solution does not cover all the trouble areas. Second option is installing the new mud flaps which will look weird? I'm also wondering if I choose not to install the clearbra or mud flaps if BMW Financial will turn around and ding me for excessive wear if the paint is all chipped?

2. I also read about really bad brake squeals and seems like the standard dealer answer is "performance brakes" which I know is BS given my experience w/ other vehicles. I did come across a couple of post relating to a "repair kit" bmwna came out w/ (new pads it seems) but wonder if I'll have to fight the dealer to get them to do this if I end up w/ the same brake squeal problems others have?

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!

To own the car and drive it every day is worth the annoyances of an occasional squeking brake and the rock chips. All you need from my view is to 3M the lower rocker panel and half of the rear wheel lip. Just get it and you will not regret it.

Good point & that's why I'm still wanting to pull the trigger but some of the posts I came across on those 2 issues makes it sounds like the brake squeak is REALLY bad and all the time. I guess if 3M those spot solves the issue I can live w/ that but wondering if the BMW product does a good enough job. Again on a lease I'm not tempted to spend a lot of $ on doing things that I would if I intended to keep it longer than 3 years.

The brake noise is only in reverse and when its really cold or a couple of times after you wash it it seems. Not all the time and you can bed the brakes to get rid of it for awhile. I have not had "the fix" done to mine as its not terribly bad.

The BMW chip treament should be good enough to cover the problem areas. My 3M application was only $250 so not talking a huge amount of money.

I have owned quite an array of cars by different manufacturers and this X5M is hands down the best all aorund vehicle I have ever owned.

Cool. I was under the impression that 3M treatment was more like $1500 so good to know it's cheap. Yeah I have an Audi S6 & had some break squeak issues due to "performance" brakes but once I had them replaced w/ something other than OEM the problem went away but even when they squeaked it wasn't as terrible as I read here. Man o man looks like I'm getting closer to ordering my first M! Thanks!

On that note.... do dealers discount the X5M from MSRP much? There's only 2 around here & one I spoke w/ said very little discount from MSRP because demand. Is this true?

In my view its like any other X5 depends on the number around and number of dealers around. Like here around the Seattle area there are not too many dealers but I think you could still get $1500 to $2K over invoice. But I see some around the country get better than that that.

Well, having had a carbon black X5M my opinion is that, for the money, the rock chip issue was big for me. Actually, smaller of two deciding factors as to why I did not buy another X5M.

The rocker panels and lower rear door trim, and wheel arch all need to be covered to get effective protection. I had significant chips, and I have fairly good roads to drive on. Never took the vehicle on anything but well paved roads during my tenure...

J

i have had two X5Ms now and only one of my Ms had a squeak,they fixed it and i never heard it again. (for free)
just 3m it and you will be fine

Ended up talking to a guy from this forum who lives in my same city & he said the 3M treatment has worked well for him & he loves the X5M so I think I'm going to go for it & just plan on doing the 3M treatment.

Now I have to figure out if I can get the local dealer to come down from MSRP. They don't have any X5Ms on the lots so this would be ordered so he tells me there's very little he can do (like $2K below msrp). Does that sound right?