Time to replace the E53, what to get?
 

Hey Everyone!

I'm at 230,000 miles on this beautiful 2001 X5 3.0i. I'm running into a horrible oil leak, hard shifting at times, rear door open sensor failure, etc. etc. etc. I think it is time I let her die a respectable death.

With that being said, I don't know exactly what I want to look for to replace her. She was loyal, almost like a good friend, we had so many adventures.

I want another vehicle but:

Cons: Expensive. they cost more than other cars, new and used. Maintenance/Parts. They are pricier, and mechanics are expensive to fix even the most mundane item. Fuel. God will this thing slurp it up. I'm not too keen on the premium gas thing (I knew what I was getting into when I purchased it though). I was thinking maybe a diesel model.

Pros: The Ride, the handling, the design. Enough said.

If I don't opt for an X5, what other recommendations do you all have? Perhaps a 5 series, or a 3 series. I don't imagine I could afford a new vehicle, so I'm looking at used. I'm thinking a 2008 X5 diesel, or a 2009 5 series. But I haven't discounted another brand either. I love the look of 2008 and newer Chevy Tahoes. If I'm going to spend a lot of money on gas anyways, I can spend it on regular gas on a big vehicle, as opposed to a smaller vehicle with the same gas mileage.

So what recomendations do you have?

P.S. I live in California, no snow (occasional trips to Lake Tahoe), dry heat, so no real road condition issues to deal with.

I like E70 diesels for sure. I just can't stand how involved newer vehicles are to work on.

Jeep GC?

Yeah, the newer vehicles do look a bit more complicated to work on. It's almost like rocket science. lol. I'm not a Jeep fan, been there, done that.

What is the reliability on BMW X5s and 5 Series from 2008 up?

Any issues I can look forward to running into on these later model vehicles?

I snagged a 2008 535i. It has similar issues we've all seen. It had 120,000km on the clock when I picked it up. Needed turbos, had lots of oil and fluid leaks. I knew these issues going in to it, snagged the car for a decent price and threw the repairs at it to get a well sorted car for a fair price. Rides like a dream now.

My parents are looking to purchase a 2015 Subaru Forester XT. As such I've test driven them and have been very impressed. You can buy one new for < $30K.

I almost replaced my x5 with a 2008 535xi not long ago it is a heck of a car. My first thought is why not just buy a 2005 or newer x5. Personally I'd consider the newest nicest e53 I could afford to replace mine.

While a 2005 sounds nice, it is also a 10 year old vehicle at this point, and I don't want the "same" vehicle as I already have, as the 2005 model is basically the same body style. I want to know the reliability of those after 2008. Also, the Subaru is something I haven't looked into. I'll have to check them out.

We are getting near end-of-life on our 2005 X5 4.8is (e53) so we just bought a 2008 X5 4.8i sport (e70) that came up sort of locally and through the BMW club. Well kept and reasonable miles/price. We didn't want to get the turbos (had a 2013 X5 5.0 for 45k miles) so stayed in the pre-turbo years. That means we may give up some MPG.

We will keep the old one for use with the dog and as an extra winter beast until it gives up the ghost.

Was also considering an X5M but much more costly to buy and keep, and I have an M3 for the serious driving fun!

Obviously what you choose to replace yours with depends on your needs, desires and budget.

What do you guys think of the Touareg?

I've driven and liked the do-rag, but it has had some pretty bad history (diesel) that kept scaring me off. Like everything else, do your research and especially on the vehicle you are looking at (PPI), and you should be fine or at least eyes wide open :)

Touareg is a great vehicle, my mom had an 05 with 140k when traded in.

The 4.2L V8 WILL need timing chains at some point above 150k, and it will require dropping the motor since the chains are at the back by the firewall

what? Oh fuck that!

FWIW, the parts prices are pretty comparable across most makes. And the premium vs regular debate, let's assume you drive 18k per year (your x5 is roughly at 18k per year), average 15mpg, and average a 30cent spread from reg to premium. You will only spend ~$360 extra over that 18k miles running on premium vs running on regular. In my opinion, I wouldn't put much weight into which octane a car runs on when picking a new one considering how negligible the difference is overall.

As far as what to pick, it really depends on what you want to spend. A newer X5 is nice, so are the Cayennes and Touaregs. I'm a big Audi fan but I am not impressed with the fit and finish of the Q7. What about an A8, A7, or A6? Mercedes has a couple nice options for SUV's as well.

I have friends with a 2011 5 series [gas, manual tranny] and an 09? Diesel X5. I like that newer 5 series sedan a lot, and would consider one if in the sedan market, either diesel/auto or gas/stick [since no stick available in the diesel]. I've been in the Diesel E70 and like it, too, would be advantageous for fuel mileage [though that advantage isn't what it once was, with complicated emissions and higher price spread on diesel fuel] and particularly torque for towing, which you may not need. My better half drives a 2011 Benz ML diesel. She loves it; I don't care for the ride, personally.

All cars are running into more expensive parts, that much I agree. BMW still are a bit more pricier. I'm in California, so the price differences per gallon is sometimes as much as 50 cents difference per gallon. I'm used to paying the premium price on gas, but the gas mileage really doesn't change so that was my issue in regards to the regular vs premium. As far as my spending limit, I don't want to go anywhere near >$20,000. I want to keep it below that.

Are diesels harder to maintain in your opinion? I always thought Diesel engines lasted longer too.:thumbup:

Diesel engines are great.

I like 'em too, especially for the torque! But the diesel reputation goes back to the old days when they were indestructible and ran for a million miles without much needing to be done to them. Modern diesel engines have turbochargers, direct injection, urea or other emissions systems, and all the electronics we love in the cabin. I would guess those "enhancements" plus normal cost reduction efforts have brought diesel life down, or maintenance frequency and cost up, or both. That's a guess, you can probably verify with some research.

Dont know if you need a big car but the e70 35d is a option, if you can go smaller get a 335d.

Premium gas only costs $3-$4 extra for an entire tank when compared with regular. It really isn't that expensive like so many think.

More like $6-$8 bucks in all the places/states I drive in...
I agree the cost diff is minimal, but the diff you quote is about half of what it really is.

Knowing what I I now know, I would get a car that doesn't have a CCV system. so that you can take those short drives to the market or take the kids too school when the weather outside is in the Polar Vortex degrees and not having to worry about mayo building up inside the CCV system and possible freezing and hydro locking the engine.

A car that doesn't need the timing chain guides replaced at 100K or a car that have regular maintenance schedule for such thing as ATF and not lifetime ATF. A car that I can replace a simple part like a battery and not have to go to the dealer to get a new battery coded for the car or any other replacement parts. A car that I can go to a locksmith and get a spare key with programming for under 100 bucks.

And that is why I brought an Infiniti G35 Coupe last week.

Folks have made great recommendations....I must say I would love to be in your "predicament" :D. Now for every recommendation you like, label a 25 cent coin with the name of the recommendation and put them in a box. Shake the box thoroughly until your hand hurts and your head aches. Now pick only one coin in the box without looking. What you have picked is your choice. And do this only once! ;)

Don't forget to let us know what you picked! Good luck! :D:thumbup:

I'd highly recommend NOT a Range Rover.

They're wonderful (We loved our 95 LWB) but if you think that the X5 is a maintenance nightmare, it's only because you haven't had a Rangie.

The Tuareg is a nice vehicle, but just coming off of VW ownership, I can tell you that they're not all that much more reliable than BMW and not really much cheaper to keep running. My GTI ran fantastic, but it was a constant battle with minor electrical issues. CEL would come on warning of impending doom and most of the time it was just the friggen sensor or a bad connection.

If you don't mind something a little smaller, (and I know it sounds like a big step 'down') you ought to check out the Hyundai Tuscon. My dad has had a couple of them and the newest one is remarkably nice. The handling isn't stellar, but you could spend a couple grand on suspension upgrades and probably make it vastly better.

gosh your 4.8i is so noice!