soon to be owner
 

I am getting ready to purchase a 2004 X5 and was just wondering what issues I really need to look for. I am looking forward to shopping next weekend and do not want to get stuck with something with known issues. I bought a MB E320 4-Matic wagon 2 years ago and have and second thoughts on it ever since. I knew I should have gonna with the E53 back then. I have since bought a an E30 and an E46 and have totally few I love with the BMW family.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Thats cool man!! X5's are amazing. i love mine but somethign i dont like is the side mirror which tilts down when your in reverse and sometimes it doesnt come all the way up. also if you get the six disc changer you always have to go to the back to change cd's and gets annoying after a while.

3.0? 4.4? 4.8?

Which option packages are you looking for? At least youre getting the face lifted one.

I am looking at the 3.0 with premium, cold weather, rear climate, and xenons. I would love to find a 4.4 or something with a sports package but I dont really need them and I have heard there are issues with the 4.4.

Check to see if/when the CV boots were replaced last. Have these checked before buying it. Also check to see if the waterpump has been replaced.

Do a little more searching around here and you will see some other, though seemingly minor, issues that are common for all E53's.

ok thanks. The few that I have found all have about 6 to 10 months left on the factory warrany. all have around 40 to 45 thousand miles on them.

I had my reverse-down mirror motor replaced under warranty. Mine would seem to only go half way down the bounce off an artificial bottom. I have a 2005 4.4i.

I love my 4.4i. No issues here. I have 53,000 miles on my 2005 and I drive like like I stole it every day I'm in it. It's a thrill!

CGSTL i have a 4.4i 2005 as well and the reaer view mirror sometimes doesnt come back all the way up after putting in drive. then i have to stop put it in reverse wait for it to go down then put it in drvie and wait for it to go all the way up before i drive off.

Yup. Same thing. If you're under 50,000 miles they will order you a new mirror motor and fix it for free :)

kay thanks man imma get tihs fixed. it gets very annoying.

My MB E320 does the same thing.

My 2001 gets stuck sometimes too. If you tip your memory button on your seat it should return to normal programed position - you can do this even while driving. Not perfect but it's a workaround. If you don't want the tilt down feature - switch it off by switching the mirror adjust selector switch to the passenger side.

Also if you swap out the CD changer for an Alpine MP3 changer (cheap enough) you will get many more miles between swapping discs.

Thanks for telling me the trick for the mirror. I'll try that next time i drive the X5. I will also look into the MP3 changer.

My 2004 4.4 has had a few issue related to cold start idle and the variable value timing system, the dealer has made a few repairs, not sure I would want to own this car out of warrantee.

I aslo woulldn't want to own a Beamer that is out of warranty.