If you want an honest appraisal of what your X5 needs, I can recommend (highly) that you take it up to BMW of Idaho Falls - ask for an appointment with Bri - Tell them Mark Burkley recommended you come up there - Let me know if/when you are coming up - I'll take you to dinner, catch a movie while they look it over, let you take a spin in my Dinan X5 - They have looked after my 2001 X5 since I bought it used in June 2005 - rates are less than what you pay in Salt Lake - IMHO, they are the best dealer in the country

come up the evening before, stay at the Ameritel here in Ammon (walking distance from best eats, mall, stores, & movies) - if you want them to do any repairs, I can drive you home - Just a thought

I have a friend that looked up what they were going for at auction and he said 17 which really suprised me. I thought he was going to tell me around ten. The dealership wanted to give me 8500 and that was before the tranny problems. But they have them listed on their lot for 16 -19. My thinking was if I fixed all the problems because it is almost paid for then because I have fixed almost everything and then with a new tranny I wouldn't have as many issues with it anymore, keep it and buy a fun sports car of something or my other option is sell it at auction but then I would have to get another suv because I have a huge dog and need a suv and the bmw and the new Acura are the only two that I like and after having the bmw I don't think I would be happy with the acura anymore. I was hoping someone would tell me the dealership was full of it and that I had a minor problem, lol. Wishful thinking. It sounds like some of you fix your own and have fixed some pretty big jobs with your x5's.. Thanks for the help

we're all here to help one another - my offer is good until I head back east sometime in early Sept

wow! I hope people like you are still around when my tranny goes south :rofl:

my '01 4.4 X5 has 138K miles on her. Just reporting that yours has over 100K isn't a death sentence. If you don't have any drivablity issues with your tranny I suspect that they may have found a bogus code for the tranny. If the noise in your front end is not constant I would not worry about it just yet. When it starts happening every time you turn the wheel it is most likely time to change your lower control arm or even easier, you sway bar links. As for the FSR, you can take that to any Indy to have it done for a fraction of the dealer cost. There are a lot of folks who have followed the instructions, here, on the very forum, and have sucessfully changed it themselves.

Besides, what makes you think the car you'll buy at auction will be any less problematic. At least you have an idea of what's wrong with your X.

I say keep it!!!

helping hand
 

Only trouble is, I don't know any good/inexpensive dealers in the northeast. (am originally from NJ)

Now if you're willing to come down to Charleston,SC; there is a good indepedent down here - Exclusively Bimmers:thumbup:

Thanks flyboy..I may seriously take you up on that. I have been searching for a mechanic here and can't find one and I have talked to serveral other bmw owners and they have the same frustration as far as having to take it to the dealer here. This dealership have proven thier dishonesty. Anyway, I will let you know and thank you again.. The verdict is I'm keeping it. I do love it and yes, you never know what I might get at auction. At least I do know the history of mine. Ok now the question is do I buy a corvette for a second car. I had a newer one a couple years ago and loved it or do I get the BMW 6 series or M5?? Your all so helpful, I would be so lost without you all. Thank you

corvette versus a m6 or m5? BMW FOR THE WIN!

I personally love the e39 M5's and I think the M6 looks almost fantastic =)

Corvette as a second car?!?!?!?!?

You realy must like paying for getting you vehicles worked on.

BTW, It keeping with FLYBOYS offer, If you find yourself driving to Hilton Head Island you'll drive right past me. If you, or anyone else here, needs a hand let me know.

Flyboy when you come back up to the northeast let me know,
 

Take my car for a spin, let me know what you recommend I need. for one I think i need shocks and belts, I am from NYC