Sell my X5 or drive it into the ground?
 

2005 X5 3.0i sport 120K miles

I normally don't keep my cars for too long but something about my X5, I am not getting tired of it and want to keep it forever. FYI, I bought it new and it drove beautifully for about 7 years. Maintenance's done regularly and it's kept in the garage so still looks glossy. But in the last 3 years or so, mechanical problems started to appear.

- Had to get hoses, fittings, pcv replaced after serious oil leak during arctic winter

- Another minor oil leak, gasket replaced

- Coolant sensor and thermostat replaced

- Rear door carrier replaced

- Wear and tear items like CV boots, window regulator, wheel camber, etc... all corrected

What other costly problems may be knocking at my door soon? What to do prevent costly repairs? Many people have been telling me it's time to sell it while it still have some trade in value. Because of it, I'm kind of afraid to take it for a long trip.

What to do? Chicago winter scares me and this car isn't quite built to battle it IMHO.

The engine will outlast the vehicle IMO (straight 6 BMW dead reliable) if its maintained. I plan on driving mine to the ground.

Agree with Rb. Gonna drive it till the wheels fall off.

I think since it is a paid for car you should get a spare car. Maybe a used Honda or something. And then go to work on doing all of the preventive care on the X as needed. You know its history and can replace some things before they bite you. It sounds like you have done many of the big things already.

My MT is getting driven into the ground.

Do you DIY or pay someone to do it for you?

It is kind of hit and miss at your mileage if the fuel pump or alternator will go out.

2005 4.4 sports at 110K miles and have had the car for 8 years. Updated wheels (style 87), the head unit (dynavin N6) and the wipers (E70 wipers). Feels like I have a new car. I do all the work myself and will drive it to the ground.

babyduke,
None of us knows your situ, so whether or not it is a good econ move, jump ball...

New cars are like dope, but if a couple thou a year on your current car, (or less), doesn't seem less costly than a new car I must be old and stupid. :)

If our '01 X was my only car, I suspect I would think about it carefully. But, it's one of 3, so I also plan on keeping it for another few years, short of some catastrophic cost popping up.

Nothing lasts forever, and I like some new cars out there in Jonesing Land, but for me and our situ, the current stable is fine.

Your car, you know it, and only you can know your econ/budget situ, but if you like the car, why not?
GL, mD

Chicago has an excellent transportation network, from Uber rides, to Divvy bikes to the CTA, PACE and Metra.

I limit my driving of the X when temp is below zero and only drives the X if the trip is greater than 30 minutes. I mainly drive my FORD Ranger pickup during the winter.

For long trips I rent a car and if the car break along the way I just call the rental company and tell them where there car is and could they get me a replacement car.

Since 2004 the x5 3.0 never left me stranded,
Although it is not the best truck to go through a thick pile of snow
or slipper icy roads ! (It is Heavy and fat a$$).

Repairs, factory recommended maintenance and preventive maintenances can be overwhelming for some owners ( case to case basis - financial aspect)

With the 3.0 you are many percentile better off than those of us with the 4.4. I wish now I had looked harder. As to use in winter, I put Hakapalittas on wife's car-just 255-80-17. It will go anywhere we point it, winter of 13-14 was the worst around for decades and it was super car. Only thing I wish is I could get a reliable car starter installed. My big fight now are oil leaks, but we don't allow the age to slow us down driving it on some desolate winter highways.

I have an 01' with most OEM options. I have been updating it and adding features (nav, V8 only comfort seats, etc) to make it A) more modern and B) add more OEM-esq features. I am still working on adding more OEM offerings, i.e.: heated rear seats and so forth. My sister just bought a CPO E70 X5 about two weeks ago. I have been driving it a LOT since she bought it. Though it is a perfectly nice car and I do like it, I would never get rid of my E53 for it!!! The E70 has some additional features, not available on the E53 and such but feels somehow 'numb' to me. My E53 has so much personality and the E70 just feels 'blah' and cookie cutter to me. I don't hate it, I like it but I LOVE the E53!!!

There's my two cents when it comes to the E53 and the thought of replacing one.