My 2001 X5 4.4i has quite a streak going.
 

Since early November, it hasn't gone 1 week without having something break. Since November, I've done the following:

1. Replaced DSC unit.
2. Replaced Speed Sensor
3. New Valve cover gaskets
4. New transfer case gasket
5. Replaced front guibo joint
6. New Rack & Pinion
7. New Tail light assemblies (old ones were corroded beyond belief.)
8. New Radiator & Thermostat and hoses.
9. New rear brake pads, rotors and parking break assembly
10. New serpentine belt
11. New Electronic display (Thankfully comped by BMW NA)
12. Replaced Driver's rear window regulator
13. Replaced front washer pumps.

I just got it back from the new brakes and now the fuel guage quit working. I realize some of this is regular maintenance, but enough already!

Ahhh, brings back (bad) memories from a few years ago...spent about $12K in repairs from '07-'08.

Original Car warranty and CPO FTW!

I've got an extended warranty, but it doesn't cover everything. The biggest problem for me is the inconvenience of having your vehicle out of commission so often.

My streak is streak is better than yours
 

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I also purchased and still have a 2001 X5 4.4i, purchased in Feb/2004 with 22K miles. I have spent $30K+ for labor and parts from 2004 to present and still going. But, I really enjoy the SAV. It has 108K now and has really calm down on maintenance costs for the past year. I also depend on X5 World (Outpost.com) to resolve most of my problems now to cut maintenance costs. This is a really resourceful and informative web site.

I fully respect your love for the vehicle and they are good looking vehicles but after a certain amount of money for repairs and a certain amount of down time/making arrangements to drive other vehicles at what point do you say enough is enough?

I agree that it is the best looking vehicle in my driveway but it is also the most poorly engineered, cheaply made, poorest running, most expensive to repair vehicle in my driveway. Luckily when my X does breakdown I have my Lexus to drive around. BTW, my Lexus has between double and triple the mileage my X has on it and is 10 years old and I have never spent $1 on it for any type of repair other than regular maintenance.

It reminds me of that girlfriend I had in high school/college. It really didn't matter to me what issues she had because she was incredibly good looking. But after a while all her other issues made her not so attractive despite her good looks. So i dumped her for a Lexus, figuratively speaking.

I love the look of the X too and I too have had several repair issues. I do the work myself so the highest repair bill I've had so far was an alternator for $146. But make no mistake, when I get the slightest inkling of an expensive repair coming, I'll drop her like 3rd period French.