Should I buy an older X5? Answer NO
 

An older X5 is like a high maintenance girlfriend who can go bat shit crazy anytime. When things are good they are great.. Cruising around in my x5 with the 4.4 it could haul ass and hang with most new cars and I always thought they looked great. Handled well.

Then there is the flip side. Before this I had a Mercedes SUV and other Mercedes and Infiniti before that. Do not buy one of these vehicles unless you have lots of time, money, and willing to expect something to go wrong or a new problem every month.

When an E53 is running correctly then they are great. Just don't whack a pothole to hard, with the toothpicks holding front and rear suspension together that require special tools (I replaced everything).

Out of all the members on this forum I would guess 98 percent are worried about one issue or another in the back of their mind everytime they drive. No one would ever take this on a road trip across country. It's an older car yes, but compared to others this age it's a nightmare.

Xoutpost has been very helpful but don't know why you guys torture yourself. Bmw = a crazy hot girl who is batshit crazy. That's my summary after owning one for 18 months.

Good luck to all. If anyone wants to buy a parts car cheap PM me.

And thanks for all your help xoutpost!

Thanks, Erick

You're upset your 19 year old car needs maintenance? Seriously?

Not upset at all, I have worked on it continuously since I have owned it, more than any other car I've owned lols. So wanted to share with others.

Fair enough, I understand your frustration but it is pushing 20 years old. Not sure exactly what you were expecting. https://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/im...ilies/iono.gif

As I look around on the road, I don't see many other manufacturers models being driven as daily drivers and still on the road 20 years later.

I agree, and from the pic in your signature your x5 looks great.

But even you know your the minority if your car is running great with an e53

I share your efforts to keep my X5 in pristine condition but I really don't spend that much in a year. I guess I spend more money retrofitting and modding than I do maintaining it but I do spend some money.

I am currently planning on some rear suspension maintenance that will be $500 but at the end of the day, it is still less money than a car payment a new car for this month.

As far as throwing back a few beers, I will buy and we can certainly share some stories. :thumbup:

PS. Click on the links in my signature to see how bad the addiction is. I should seek some professional help or some kind of 3 step program. https://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/im...ilies/rofl.gif

My Lotus are no longer daily driver because they are too expensive to drive. The PORSCHE is only used during the summer and when there is no probability of rain.

The G35 is another summer daily driver that is now put away for the winter.

That leave us with the soccer mom minivan which is used for trips in the summer and a daily driver throughout the winter. It is the most reliable car that I have owned. Just regular maintenance and gas fill up keep her purring along.

When we had the X we would rent a car for long trips instead of driving the X. With the price of using the cheapest gas in the rental car compare with using Premium in the X, the rental was just a wash. But the thought that if the rental broke down we would just call the rental company that their car broke down and can they send another car to us (Priceless).

I love road trips in mine. Driven it from California to Texas after purchasing. Texas to Miami and back. Houston and Dallas at least a few times a year.

I see so many of these things on the road... They aren't that bad. I avoid working on it constantly by doing while systems at once. IE: complete cooling system, complete front suspension, etc. I usually replace many things before they fail so I can schedule downtime rather than being stranded somewhere. @ 15 years old... These things do need love. But they are cheaper than any comparable new or used car options.

But we all have our tolerances for such things. Can certainly understand wanting out of the platform. Good luck with your choice of replacement vehicle. :thumbup:

It depends...
- M54 is probably less troublesome than the V8s.
- Service records, the P.O. did a good job with servicing, I have all the records.
- Mileage, I bought it at 110K, I am now at 130K, zero issues other than preventive maintenance.
- A DIYer, yes, one should not play with these toys if one does not know how to fix these toys...

So what you are saying is, I am grossly negligent on getting help!


If you come to Houston, and your schedule is free, let me know. I would like to make your acquaintance and see the X5’s parked. Same if I go to Austin.


Knowing how to fix one of these amazing BMW’s is one thing, having the right tools is a completely different subject.