Talk Me into an X5
 

Greetings,

I have been lurking on the forum for quite a while and I am strongly considering purchasing an X5 for my next vehicle.

I ma the current owner of a 97 328i (Wife's car) and my trusted 97 pathfinder is starting to show its age. It is still great mechanically, but my wife hates it, and the resale value is dropping very quickly.

I understand the additional maitenance that a BMW entails (water pumps, window regulators, etc.), but i am a little concerned with the transmission failures that seem quite common. I would primarily be looking into an 02-03 with either the V8 or the I6. I am leaning towards the V8 so that I can occasionally tow my 65 mustang, but I feel as though the I6 would be adequate as well.

Talk me into/out of an X5.

:wavey::xoutpost::wavey:


No one will talk you out of an X5 here!

:xoutpost: :wavey:

You won't find a better online reference for any other vehicle you could buy!

An 03 would def be better in terms of reliability. Other than that,

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/g...my-bmw-x5.html

Do a lot of searching for topics you a concerned about. I think we need a stat on tranny failure in general. Drive some vehicles also to help
make your decision. I can't think of any other daily driver for myself.
g/l!

:xoutpost:

lol. that is hilarious, but a lot of it is true. HAHA. :thumbup:

Here's what talked me into an X5:

1. www.xoutpost.com
First, the *huge* collection of links and articles on the front page of this place. Amazing resource and educational / diy opportunity.

2. http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...-used-buy.html
I put a similar thread to you up - should I buy an X5 used? And within twenty minutes I had about five replies. Of course, they all said YES YES YES BUY IT NOW NOW NOW or something similar, but the fact that there are that many people around prepared to pay attention to lil'ol me with a simple question is testament to:
(a) the quality of teh community here
(b) the quality of the X5 that drives that community

I have always been a Ford gal but when I saw the first X5 I had to have one. It has taken me until February of this year to buy my '01 4.4 and I LOVE IT!!!!! The main reason I went with the V8 is because of the same reason that you are considering it...towing my '95 Cobra track car to the track. We are currently looking at an '05 4.8is because of the extra horsepower and torque. I am hoping to find out how it tows this season.

I have to say there is no way I would talk you out of the purchase of the X5 because it is soooooo much fun. This is my first requirement of any car and my second is that it has to perform. I currently own an '04 Focus SVT and a couple of mustangs and the X5 does out handle and out perform these cars in many areas. IT IS INCREDIBLE!!! :thumbup:

For me, choosing a X5 was a decision of emotion rather than facts or recommendation. Like you, I've owned other BMW's and felt their claim of "Ultimate Driving Machine" to be true. BMW's are a world class automobile with a long history of performance, comfort, beauty, and mechanical superiority. The X5 is no exception, the X5 is arguably the ultimate SUV. Drive several in deciding and the decision will be clear, the X5 is a great choice.

I have found bimmerforums and bimmerdiy very helpful with my 3 series. (Especially when the ICV froze and the car wouldn't start)

I would agree that the support here is top notch. I would still like to see a few more responses.

Have you driving an X5? That's the real selling point.

I know how my 3 series drives, I'm afraid that if I drive one now, I will want to buy before I have the economic support.

If you already have a 328, then you know about the BMW driving dynamics. Very little in the price range can touch it.
Drive an X5 and then drive anything else in the segment. Nothing else comes close.

Sure the X5 has its issues, but every car does. Even the Toyotas. The toyota owners just never talk about the problems they have because they are trying so hard to maintain their image of 'I have a Toyota and it never breaks, and it (and me) are just so wonderful'. If Toyotas never broke, then Toyota dealers wouldn't have service departments, would they?? :rofl:

I put myself through college working at autozone. There are plenty of yodas with problems.

I just don't want to replace a 5 grand transmission after a couple years of owning the car.

PR,
As mentioned, I'd lean toward an '03 vs '02. Another strong consideration,
in my mind, would be a car that is "CPO'd" via a Stlr. The CPO warr. is
not as comprehensive as the oem warr., but it does offer some safety
net. These Xs are great cars, but I would not want to step into someone's
used X, as the warr. expired. The only other option would be to grab an
'03 or newer, with some remaining orig warr., and pick up an aftermkt
warr. before the orig. expires. I and others here, have one through
Warr. Direct, but this is not a pump job.

I have the IL6, (with man. trans), and while I don't tow, I have never
wondered where the "oomph" or get up and go, were. A few here, from
memory, tow with the IL6, though the majority probably tow with the
4.4 V8. For 95% of your driving needs, the 3.0 is no slouch; whether
you might feel underpowered when towing, is beyond my experience.

We've had our '01 since new, and it is a remarkable car, esp if one
considers the CoG, the weight, etc. Ours is Sport suspended which
is stiffer/tighter, but the handling for a car of this size is outstanding.
It feels "tank tough", has amazing emergency handling capability, feels
refined and is a very well done suv-like vehicle.

I would go drive a few examples, too: 3.0, 4.4, sport, non-sport, etc.
Find a friendly/hungry Stlr that has a "lot full" and is looking to move
one.

Good Luck with your decision.
BR,mD

Mines a 2000 and have never had a transmission issue. I double dog dare ya to buy one!:thumbup:

Here is my experience
At first, somehow I didn't even consider X5. dont ask why :rolleyes:
day 1, test drove RX330 and RX400h.... :yawn:
day 2, test drove Touareg and old MDX.... :dunno:
day 3, test drove the new ML and Cayenne.... :rofl:
waited 2 days...
day 6, decided to test drive X5 ... :wow:
day 7, brought in the check and ordered a X5 without regret :thumbup:

I have a friend with a 2003 4 Runner, V8. ECU, Cluster replaced twice.
Back in the shop now with the same thing. Toyota can't figure it out.

Link Toyota tranny failures

Also Honda:Corporatehttp://world.honda.com/news/2004/image/usa_flag.gifJune 30, 2004 American Honda Expands Voluntary Transmission Recall to Certain Honda and Acura Automobiles
TORRANCE, Calif., June 29, 2004 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that it will expand its existing voluntary recall of light truck models for a potential transmission defect to include certain Honda and Acura passenger cars. The voluntary action involves approximately 499,000 Honda and Acura passenger vehicles with V6 engines and 5-speed automatic transmissions. Affected models include certain 2003 and early 2004 model Accord V6 sedans and coupes, 2000-2003 and early 2004 Acura TL sedans, and 2001-2003 Acura CL coupes.

The company has found only one confirmed instance of a transmission failure related to this defect in its passenger cars, with no accidents or injuries. “We are acting out of an abundance of caution to ensure that this doesn’t become an issue for our customers,’” said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The situation is created by insufficient lubrication of the transmission’s secondary shaft second gear that can occur under certain driving conditions. Prolonged operation under these conditions can lead to heat build-up and under certain circumstances may eventually result in chipped or broken gear teeth or breakage of the gear. In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, the owner will likely experience abnormal noise from the transmission and seek repairs. In rare instances, this condition may lead to gear breakage and possible locking of the vehicle’s transmission, creating a potential safety hazard.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted via mail and will be asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer to be repaired free of charge. Customer mailings will begin in late July. In most cases, the repair involves a simple gear inspection, which is accomplished without removing or disassembling the transmission, and a modification to increase the flow of transmission fluid to the affected gear. If there is any indication of damage to the gear, the dealer will replace the complete transmission assembly. Customers concerned about the condition of their vehicle may visit Honda’s Ownerlink website. Customers may also contact their local Honda or Acura dealer, or call Honda customer service or Acura customer service.

Note: This information is being released in conjunction with an announcement concerning a related recall action for Honda models in Japan.

One thing to remember: There is, what?, over 500,000 X5s on the road. Membership on this forum is several thousand, and one of the reasons for the forum's existence is for people to discuss the problems they are having. So, as a result, there is a lot of talk about problems. But if you add up all the tranny failures on the X5 as a percentage of the number of them on the road, you'd probably find that the number is within industry standard. Its just that the problem gets seemingly blown out of proportion on an internet forum.

As noncom23 pointed out, the japanese guys have their own problems too.

If you consider a car as something fun to drive, get a BMW. If you consider a car to be in the same category as your toaster, then buy a toyota or honda. Or, heaven forbid, a Kia!! :yikes:

:iagree:

Look, every vehicle has its problems. Some more then others. Now as for Toyota, I'm going to have to disagree with whom ever thinks that they break down as often as BMW. Let me say for the record that Toyota does have there own little kinks on some of there cars, but not all have the same problems. If you look at reliability Toyota is Number one (Lexus brand as well) where is BMW it is right under GM... Now that is the truth and anyone can look this up if you don't believe me.
To finalize what I'm trying to say, BMW is a solid automobile, especially the X5. There is nothing like it out there. When buying a used car you don't know what the previous guy/girl did with the car. So you take a gamble. I think I speak for the majority in this forum, you need to get some type of warranty if you seek this X5. The cost of labor if anything goes wrong is sooooo $$$$$$$$, if you don't have some type of warranty you will be hitting your head against the wall. Trust me, I speak from experience, my warranty has saved me thousands of dollars from stupid little things that broke just this winter. So to make up your mind, buy it and buy a warranty with it. Forget the amount it will cost to purchase one. Think of it as an investment. I've made my money back and a lot of profit with it. This is just my opinion. Hope this helps...

I did a lot of reading on this site regarding warranties and I agree it is a necessity. It will be a while before I purchase an X5, but I like to research before I buy.

The warranty direct site someone mentioned seems to be a good route. Another option would be to buy from carmax and get thier warranty.

I would highly recommend getting a cpo'd x5 from a dealer. while you may pay a premium for one of these cars, its insurance that i'd rather have. I also purchased the extended maintainance plan. the entire cpo purchase process is quite painless and bmwfs usually has good interest rates when you buy off their cpo inventory.

don't get one... says the reverse psychologist..;)

Buy it used and change all the usual suspects, belts, control arms, final stage res., plugs (if necessary), battery, inspect expansion tank, water pump, valve cover gaskets, valley pan gasket, that's all I can think of right now, buy parts online they are much cheaper.
If you can afford a cpo then that's much better but obviously more expensive.
Did I mention that the sound from the 4.4 engine is intoxicating?
Good luck.

Its a BMW. Enough said.

I think you need to try one out for yourself, not hear what everybody else says.
We are all individuals, so try an X, both I6 and 4.4, and see what you feel after an extensive drive.
CPO is a good thing you really should think about, X is a big heavy car, and parts are somewhat expensive.
Good luck!
:popcorn:

Welcome to the boards and all. Drive the X5, that will talk you into it...


No offense and all but why are there all the sudden these discussions or comments about X5 transmission being unreliable or an issue? I could count on one hand the amount of serious transmission issue posts. I'm not talking software upgrades but all out...stop dead..replace slushbox failures.

Once again Wagner took the words out of my mouth. You won't need to be talked into it after you drive it. Make sure you bring your checkbook :thumbup: