That is indeed a powerful statement. Great to hear your thoughts, sir :thumbup:

Now I’m dying to know what the 1st one was?? [emoji16]

Until the wheels fall off. But then I'll probably put them back, fix the body damage, and carry on.


But if there's terminal rot, it's OUT!

Totes +1 :popcorn:

Not that difficult for me to justify, really. Even if I had to spend $2k per year in maintenance (rarely the case, BTW), I'm still ahead of a new car payment. Besides, I don't plan on selling it anytime soon, so who cares what it's really worth.

I'm of the same mind. Some years I spend a few hundred and others a few thousand (doing work myself). But to buy a used luxury X5 (or other brand luxury SUV) with a warranty would cost $6000-9000 a year.

The payback from owning these cars (and especially working on them yourself) comes during ownership, not necessarily at resale like it does on Toyota, Lexus, etc vehicles.

+1

I've been driving and wrenching on my X since about 2016. Even with costs for full suspension refresh, brakes and CCV and a variety of other repairs, I couldn't be driving a BMW. It's in good shape and I keep making it a little better as time goes by. No it doesn't have all the modern bells and whistles, but I'll get close soon when I replace the head unit.

I bought my 2004 3.0d almost 4 years ago with 160,000kms. It is now at 312,000 and I hope to keep it till I retire in 6 years time. (500,000+kms?)

No idea what I'll replace it with as I don't like the idea of no dipstick or temp gauge as on the E70's onwards.
The X5 is my 5th BMW and I have been a die hard Bimmer man but that may end after this one.

Till I can't buy parts for it anymore

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Totally hear you on the newer BMWs. That is why our X5 and M Coupe may very well be our last BMWs. We have already moved onto an Audi S3 for my wife instead of a 3'er for 2 main reasons - Dipstick and a Spare Tire.