A Simple Honest Question
 

I realize that I am reading a forum where people come to get help with problems that they are having with their X5s. That leads to a feeling that these cars are continually in need of repair. So my question is, do you have long periods of time when your Xs run fine? I ask because I am used to driving cars with 100, 200, or more thousand miles on them that rarely give me trouble. General maintenance must be done on every vehicle if you want it to live a long and healthy life, but you shouldn't need to repair and replace parts all that often. I'm just wondering as I make the decision whether this BMW experience is really going to be worth it. I love, love, love, driving this car, but I do need something that is reliable too. Just an honest question, looking for an honest answer, from those who know.

I think very few people come to the forums to report that their car is running fine, so you're more likely to read of issues rather than compliments on any car forum. As long as you keep up with appropriate maintenance you should be fine, as with any other car. For BMW's in general the cooling system requires special attention as that is their weak point (all plastic components that deteriorate with heat and age). If you're a DIY kind of person, you should be able to really keep the car running fine for longer periods as I think for the average DIY, they're relatively easy to work on.

All the best!

I'm not too familiar with the 4.6is, but I do know that it is possible to take the E53 for a long ways with out issues that would impede your travel. I've got two that have around 300K miles on them and they both have had about the same problems. Mostly small things like window regulators, door handles, and some suspension parts.

In my experience, to answer your question: It comes down to the previous owners of the vehicle. If it was properly maintained and continues to be maintained, you can easily get 300K miles out of a 3.0. If it's had a rough life and has been Frankenstein'd back together like one that I know well and daily... :rolleyes: it may take a few more parts. From what I understand the V8's normally have transmission issues from lead feet and timing chain guide issues. But I have seen a 4.6 go more than 200K miles.

I agree with X5only, The only people that really hang around the forum are the ones that have issues and need answers. If there's nothing to report, why report?

Just my 2 cents, I'll leave the floor open to the big guns.

Not only is this a forum for those that are having problems, but I've always found that internet reviews are generally skewed negative. Happy people seldom take time to tell you how great their car, motorcycle, or hotel room is.

Glad to hear what you guys are saying, just thought I'd ask. I do all of my own maintenance, and a lot of moderate jobs. I have someone else do the things that are too complicated for me, or that require very special tools.

I have replaced wheel bearings (hub module), axels, wiring harnesses etc., on my Outback. I generally would do alternators, starters, obviously hints like plugs, wires, filters, oil changes, transmission drain and fills. But I'm probably not going to pull the transmission, or dig into the engine past valve cover gaskets.

In my recent situation, I was headed out of town for 10 days, so I had a good shop replace the alternator that left me on the road. Who ever heard of a water-cooled alternator?:yikes:

Anyway, you are all giving me some good encouragement. Thanks.

On my 2004, nothing was needed (other than basic maintenance) for the first 8 years. I decided to overhaul the cooling system on year #8 (waterpump, T-stat, hoses, belts, expansion tank, fan clutch, etc.) - still nothing broke...just doing it as precaution. Then minor stuffs (valve cover gasket along with Vanos overhaul, oil filter housing gasket, crankcase vent, alternator, window regulator, etc.) about every other year after that. The Vanos overhaul wasn't really necessary - it was one of those "while you're in there" sort of thing during the valve cover gasket job.

The only time that the car almost left me stranded was with the dying alternator. But it got me home on that outing.

I too, almost didn't buy the X5 13 years ago due to all the negative reliability reviews on it. I'm glad I had ignored all those nay-sayers because I would have never get to enjoy this beast otherwise.

As has been said, the single most important factor when buying a used BMW (not just e53) is how well the previous owner(s) cared for it. If it was well maintained you will spend about $1000/yr in maintenance. If it was poorly maintained you will spend $2000-4000 the first year, and less than $1000/yr after that.

The above are just rough observations/figures from owning 15ish BMW's. Once they are up to date on maintenance/repairs/upgrades they are as reliable as anything else.

The fact that we have a few X5's with well over 200k miles is a good indicator. My X5 4.6is has 214k miles on it, and that's on the original engine. I did have to do a chain guide rebuild at 213k miles, but the fact that the engine made it to 213k miles without any major work is quite impressive. The original transmission made it to 200k before its rebuild as well. The i6-powered X5's last even longer.

From what I've learned and has been stated, the forums will rarely have people chime in saying the car has been great and nothing else. I did a bunch of research before buying my X and knew what the major problems where and associated cost to fix them. I'm a big DIYer and will tackle most things. The one thing with Bimmers I've noticed is parts are relatively cheap and if you DIY, up keep cost is not that bad. If you can't DIY you have to have deeeeeppp pockets. Once the major issues are addressed these things will run a long time. Big things being cooling system, alternator, timing guides, tranny, tacse/front drive shaft issue. After that there will always be little things but every car has them. I personally enjoy working on cars and "driving" them, so for me having a estroil 4.6 is awesome. It's rare, looks awesome and driving it is sublime. I would put it like this if you need transportation get a honda, if you want to actually drive get a bimmer, but having a back up car isn't a bad idea.

You're more than likely going to run into some type of problem if the PO didn't already fix the problem before selling the X. I've had mine since January 2014 and so far my back door outside handles have been broken, my passenger window regulator has broken (due to horrible tint by PO), sunroof leak and broken guide, and the front driveshaft clunks due to the AC drain. Other than that the car runs fantastic, haven't had any major engine problems besides a coil pack going out which was replaced the next day.

Here's my ditto...pile on...beat dead horse contribution.

If you hang out in front of the hospital everyday...then you're gonna see a lot of sick people...and may soon feel that everyone is dying! But how long have the staff (doctors, nurses, volunteers, etc) been working at the same hospital and are doing fine?

If you work in law enforcement/court system...you can become jaded into thinking that the world is all full of scum bags, theives, and degenerates...and loose hope in humanity.

Hanging around here is similar to hanging out around a hospital...must come here because they have a problem that they're trying to solve. But some of us (usually the regular posters that actually respond to posts) are not having issues...and either bought and maintained their BMWs, or shopped around for good examples and have gotten on a routine maintenance schedule...or found a project and brought her back to life. :)

If buying a used BMW...know that you may be getting a deal (as far as buy in price)...but even 10 years or more later...the vehicle is still a LUXURY vehicle and the cost of upkeep stays in that catagory. There's a lot of "extra" stuff that some brands/models don't have and are easier to maintain because they are simpler vehicles. The more "goodies" you add...the more it will cost to maintain that vehicle.

So yes, a 16 year old may be able to get into a formally $65K vehicle for $2500...but the cost of maintaining a 10-20 yr old used luxury vehicle is not for the faint of heart or heft of wallet or lack of mechanical experience or aptitude (especially if you're not a DIY'er or "hands-on" owner). :)

PPI's are a good start (pre-purchase inspection or post-purchase inspection) is highly recommended...from either a BMW dealership or good Indy. Even if the dealership's
"list" causes you to go into slight heart palpitations...at least you have an idea of the condition of the car. You can look at it multiple ways...run because it's more than you want to take on...or you can look at the things that need to be done immediately...determine if you can do them or if you'll need to pay to have it done...then look at the things you can put off to do later in the near future as you shop & collect the parts to do the work...and also know what maintenance/repair work that may be looming in the next few years. You may also be able to negotiate the price downward if the PPI reveals a lot of work needed. Again, its the best $100-$200 dollars you can spend...you'll know whether to walk away, run away, or buy. :)