That's a lot to be thinking about at this point, I'd have trouble thinking clearly too.

Start with your car, you may not have to junk it. You eliminate a lot of distractions right off if so. It could be a totally destroyed engine, or it could be a head gasket job, or anywhere in between.

Once you know for sure what's broken, let us know. There are lots of knowledgeable people here who will share their experience to help you decide on the best course of action, but only if they know the whole scenario. The less info we have, the more we tend towards the worst case option. :D

Lol you know the worst of it. I can't decide if it is worth another $3000. My brother says that all cars need maintenance and I am just paying mine upfront lol. The x5 is in excellent condition for a 15 year old car. I just don't want more headaches after the engine replacement.

Wrong choice of words. I meant to sell it whole for parts. I want to keep it but I felt like I got an amazing deal when I bought it but now I feel like I am losing money. I could have bought an 04 of 05 for $6000.

Did you get service history of vehicle? Owner history/geographic registration locations? Rusty underside from winter use?

No history and heavily rusted underside, sell!

Selling it "as is/not running" is not part-out, someone with a good engine might be in the market for a non-runner.

If you can not DIY or have someone that will DIY for you for free or a "few bucks" a used e53 or any BMW is not for you. Sorry to say. The m54 x5 has the lowest maintenance costs compared to the m62 or n62 v8 models, but it still is not cheap.

You have cv boots or axles to deal with since it is awd. Cooling systems need to be replaced before failure as a best practice, ccv's on both engines are not quick work. And so on.

Do you have someone that can do work for you cheap/free? The labor charges are what make owning an older BMW a risky venture for those that can not/will not DIY.

Completely agreed. You'll need to keep up with your maintenance on these things (fix whatever that's about to break - almost have to be in tune with the car or psychic :bustingup). Otherwise, it will snowball and things will get expensive real fast as you've seen first hand.

Car fax was clean. No rusty underside.

Isn't this true of all cars or just bmw's? I own a 99 Mercedes and it does not give me a lot of trouble. I was always told German cars had longer lives...it that not true for bmw?

Well, I enjoy these cars, but they are rolling headaches lol!

Your brother is right, all cars need maintenance and these BMW's are not the cheapest or easiest to do that on.

Only you can decide if the enjoyment and use you get out of your X will be worth the maintenance costs.

Do you guy's have other cars that are as much work? Or is it just the x5.