Yep, I left myself open to that and fair call.

The difference is because it is our sole family car and I do all the repairs myself

(yes all, coolant transfer pipe, valley pan, valve stem seals, front suspension, CV joints, water pump, radiator, alternator, dozens of engine gaskets and seals, brakes and rotors, rear air suspension, the list goes on)

and so I'm always repairing it and everytime I repair something something else breaks which if it were just me then I'd be happy but my wife wants something that you literally have to fill with fuel and drop it into the dealer when a light comes on so instead of being cranky at me when the car breaks she can be cranky with the dealer so its a perceived reliability of a new car.

I ended up getting it on a 3 year lease so giddy up.

As for comparing with the X5 it is the only vehicle I could find that comes close to a comparison to the X5 (hear me out)... It doesn't have the pull of the V8 but it's V6 goes alright for an SUV, it looks stylish (IMO) which the prado, land cruiser,patrol, pretty much every jap equivalent don't. And it has the safety of a big yank tank chassis. So I was looking for a big european tank or a big yank tank for the safety of my family and ended up basically having a choice (lets face it it was my wifes choice) between the Jeep and the european range (Toureg, X5, Range Rover Sports) because we need a new car.

Because I couldn't take out a second mortgage to afford European we decided to go the Jeep...

Hm, I think I've spent about $3000 in about a year and a half... so about $170/month.

That's what many fail to consider, that monthly cost is next to nothing compared to the cost per month of a newer vehicle with low miles. Regardless of how you purchase a vehicle, either the payments or the cash purchase price spread over 3-4 and likely 5 years will be greater, on top of that there is the greater cost of depreciation.

Certainly reliability decreases as age and mileage increases, is that really a surprise to anyone? If you want reliability in an older or high mileage vehicle make preventative maintenance the priority rather than waiting for stuff to wear out or break. If it ain't broke don't fix it is the wrong way to look at things with an older and/or high mileage vehicle. If it ain't broke fix it before it does is.

Reliability alone is not the bottom line for satisfaction for any vehicle, value is. How it handles, how it looks, how fast it accelerates, stops, even smells or it it puts a smile on your face, etc. --- a much longer list of features and benefits.

When reliability trumps all else the right thing to do is sell it. It is no longer a value to that individual, but to that individual only. Each of us have our own value equation and our personal experience with reliability.

In my case, if I only used reliability in the value equation, my E53 would be a great value.

:iagree:

Wow another one bites the dust. Good luck bro. Eventually these cars will piss us all off.

Are you an unhappy owner?

I am content with my vehicular decisions. Once I get my gangsta lean (air leak) issue resolved, I will be all sunshine again. Did I sound unhappy?

Kinda. I wasn't sure, that's why I asked. I assumed all included you and me. I can say definitively, I won't ever get to that point.

Drive the x5m with a tune for a few days and you will reconsider. Just too much bread for something I know that should be bought close to new, if not new. Someday.