I purchased my extended warranty based upon my concern about something going wrong with the transmission after research and searching these forums.

Well that worry did come to light. About 2 years ago I had the transmission reprogrammed for the shifting issues discussed earlier which never really helped. Then it started to hiccup every 5 seconds at a specific speed which came and went for the last year.

I finally got it diagnosed as the mechatronic module and had it replaced (this month), under my 3rd party warranty. Cost of repair was $4,200 and I paid $100 deductible. I paid $3,600 for the warranty; I win!!! (from Security National). Now that the part is replaced I don't have the shift issues and the hiccup is gone as well.

I think the X5 drives better than it did 2 years ago. :)

I believe a '04 or newer X5 is the way to go. Get it inspected, know the history and consider strongly a warranty for the big items. My .02 cents.

if you can find one with the Zf 6spd ,something may go wrong with it as with any part on any car but you will have a lot of fun driving the beast .
really the only way around the worry is keep some cash in the bank for unforseen drama's if you don't you will never really enjoy driving .
when I first bought ours 4 mnths ago I didnt have a car fund and was always stressing about something going wrong , so I stopped wasting cash and put a few thou in the bank just for car and now I can't wait to drive the X every time I can

I have a 3.0 with 261,000 miles on the same transmission. So it has been very reliable. Not to mention I spend most of my driving in the sport mode. But I wished I would have gotten a 4.4, 4.6 or 4.8. I need that extra power:wow: and the exhaust note is awesome.

Buy the one you like, as you already all cars have their issues.

I love mine. bought in Jan, put about 31k miles on so far...she's doing great. One bulb failure...set of tires, brakes. Other than that routine maintenance. She's going in tomorrow for a tranny check, some slight new feelings when cold, and a very occassional rough downshift. I still have about 8 months or 30k miles on warranty left...so...just want to get it documented. It's been a damned good car, and has been through hell on road and off, with quite a few thousand miles put on it with a 6000# trailer behind her. I simply love this vehicle. Even the fuel mileage with the 4.4i is what I consider good. I'm getting 15.5 in town, and about 19 on the highway (80mph), and about 13mpg while towing 6000#. My neighbors Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Hemi gets 12mpg in town...though his highway mileage (with cylinder deactivation) is 20mpg. And the X is light years ahead in vehicle dynamics.

The best BMW I've owned thus far, and I look forward to many more years with her in the stable.

Prgsxr, you sound like a Dave Ramsey disciple. I was thinking if I find an X5, I may have to do the same thing.

I'll check on the water pump, that's a new wrinkle I've not read about.

WallyX5, that's good information. Did you buy yours new or used?

Thanks again for all the comments.

-J

haha just had to google dave ramsey had never heard of him before ,
But yes I am not on a big income also paying off house and have 2 kids ,so it can be a stress waiting for something to happen that might never come about , so just put the cash aside and if you don't use it your in front , if you do it's not a stress

mines an AUS version 2006 4.4 6spd auto sport ,if someone out there has built a better all round vehicle that just does everything you want it too I would love to drive it because I find it hard to believe it could be any better than an X

I bought it used with 80,000 miles on it back in 05.

Have done a little more research...any 3.0 owners out there had transmission work? Seems like the GM transmission has fared a little better than the ZF.

When I was looking at buying an X5 last year, I called around a few independent mechanics in my area. They all suggested that 3.0 would be more reliable and less problematic than 4.4 ("definitely get a 4.4 with extended warranty" they ALL said.)

I have been on this forum for the last year perhaps, and every new thread that comes up with regards to transmission issues during my time here, has been from a 4.4 owner. (I eagerly look at these threads since, without an extended warranty, I would like to know what kind of signs/etc. I need to look for ... and I realize the thread is about a 4.4 and not a 3.0... this has happened in many threads... I may have missed one or two here and there... but I would say a good majority of them while I have been on this board have been about a 4.4.)

The 4.4 obviously has better performance and is a much better 'driver's' car than 3.0 will ever be. It may have more problems/maintenance to go with that better performance... if you are after that kind of performance, pay to play and enjoy the performance.

Now that I have said the above, obviously my 3.0's transmission is going to disintegrate and explode on my way home tonight. It will serve me right. :)