Getting closer to a X5 !!!! DONE, I FOUND IT !!!!!!
 

I just sold my E46.
Now the hunt begins for a 4.8is :D

BTW, did the E53 come with 4 keys (2 remotes + 1 valet + 1 wallet) like the E46?

My '01 E53 has the 4 keys, yes.

+2...
Though the 'valet key' is overkill, imo and, never used.
GL, mD

What you really need to be doing is RUNNING from a x5. They are horrid pieces of junk that will only give you trouble. The only reason people defend them is they are trying to save what little bit of respect they have left for themselves knowing they paid what they did for them at one time and got TOOK! Just like I used to.

They are satans nutsack of a vehicle.

Again, the negativity... No room for that on this board. You have given zero concrete reasons, and only bitched about them. Typical.

I've got over 40k + another 10k to 15k in reasons to b-word about them.

How much more concrete do you want?

If you had specific problems that can help the OP look out for or avoid those same problems or give him specific information on why he should not buy an X5, that would be more helpful than just a rant.

You're entitled to your opinion but help the guy out by listing what problems you had.

Everyone is entitled to their opin...
fwiw, our '01 3.0, owned since new, has run like the proverbial top for a decade.
Yours sucked, but they obviously all don't.
GL, mD

OK - Make a exception for the 3.0 i6. Show a 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 that has not had a ton of issues. I'm sure they are out there but there will be a significant amount of them that have had major problems vs those who have not.

I think your statement is an exaggeration but I will say that any automobile will have problems, some more than others, some will run perfectly for hundreds of thousands of miles, some will be lemons. I can say that your statement is an exaggeration because of my observations and interactions with X5 owners since 2002 have not borne out your conclusion. Some on this and other X5 forums have had little issues and some have had lots. That's how it goes with machines. Plus, the nature of Internet forums is to voice complaints. More people have problems and post about them in search of solutions than come here to blow sunshine about not having problems.

Again, if you would list your issues it would be far more helpful than just crapping on X5s as junk. I'm not challenging you but if you want to help the guy avoid a collosal mistake, as you see it, shine some light on why you hated your X5 so much.

I would say that I've had problems with everything but the paint. But I can't even say that since mine has the well known paint issue as well.

I guess I can compliment the metal and plastic. Oops wait. I have to take the plastic part back. Had some slight issues with moldings on the outside falling off.

I would brag on the engine but since it's had to have every thing on it replaced prior to 100,000 then I can't do that either. Lets see, water pump, alternator, cam/crank sensors, hoses, oil seperator, ever vacuum line known on the thing.. Coil packs, valley pan gaskets, valve cover gaskets, a/c compressor, the air pump thing that has helps with emissions.

The ONLY parts I can come up to right off the top of my head that are factory is the radiator, condenser, engine short block and drive train. The seats are stock.. Carpet. Although the torque converter is about to go out. When it finally does I'm not fixing it. It will call a tow truck and had it and the title over to the metal scrapping place and tell them to call me when they put it in the shredder because I want to watch.

Everything else for the most part has been replaced. Even a rear tail light that was arcing between the metal and bulb and filled the rear of the truck with smoke one night sitting at a red light.

Don't even get me started with the ignition trouble.

They are pieces of junk.. period.

Wow. You definitely got a truckload of problems with your X5. Sorry to hear that and understand the frustration. Out of curiosity did you buy yours new? Maybe you got a lemon or if you bought it pre-owned you bought someone else's troubles. Either way, your perspective should adequately warn a prospective buyer of what a worst case could be.

I'm fortunately not one who has had any big problems. Yes, window regulators, door handle carriers, peeling door pulls, and a few other common problems but overall, my 104,000 mile X5 has been fine. (Knock on wood.) My moonroof has recently gotten stuck open and doesn't work properly anymore but I've got closed and intend to leave it that way. It sucks but it doesn't affect the way the X drives so I can live with it.

Don't worry guys.
After many months of reading this forum, I'm aware of the problems of the X.
I wish I'll have as few as possible though, but since I can do my repairs myself and have a cut on dealer prices for parts, I think I can deal with that.
For the money I'll spend on the X, I could buy a brand new car or truck, but in that price range, nothing interests me. Also, I need to be able to pull a 5000lbs trailer.
The more complicated a vehicle is, the more parts are prone to fail. My wife's ex-car was a 2000 Corrola, no problem, never, BUT, the car is so basic, no doorlock, no AC, manual tranny, no Vanos... etc. and provides no fun at all for the driver.

I wil try to evaluate to the best of my knowledge the truck, test drive it, and run a Carfax, and if all that is OK, well, I'll take the plunge. :D

2004 X5 4.4I 118k and running super strong (knocking on wood as I type this) Had few expenses, air suspension related and a bad alternator, other than that, cant complaint. I know some friends that have bought, pilots, MDXs, tahoes, and they dont believe that my X5 is a 2004. Their SUVs have very cheapy materials and finishes. Those SUVs suspension parts wear out within 60k of ownership. They rattle like crazy. And during guys night out, guess who gets volunteered to drive? papi right here!!!. The minute my friends get in my X5, their personality change. They feel younger, rejuvenated. :bustingup


My advice is get a 2004 or newer X5.!!!

People that have had problems with their X5's tend to be pretty vocal on the forums. (Which I can understand if you feel you got ripped off by a particular model or manufacture.)

However people who have had good experiences (like me) don't seem quite as loud. Other than routine maintenance and performance upgrades, I've replaced exactly one O2 sensor. Not too shabby! :thumbup:

That's what I'm looking for, a 2004-2005.
I just have to take a decision.

Option 1: a 4.4i with low mileage (110000Km) + $3000 for: 20'' / 315s / flares
Option 2: a 4.8is with higher mileage (180000Km)
Both would equal the same amount of money.

Personnally I don't think that paying a premium for a lower mileage X5 will be a 'peace of mind' as far as repairs are concerned. It all depends of the maintenance and luck (lack of...) that the previous owner had.
The only problem is that a 4.8is is harder to find in my area than a 4.4i, but I have a spare car in the meantime, so I'm not in a rush (that's the adult talking, but the child in me really wants a X5 NOW!)

Take your time and buy what you want. Never driven a 4.8is but i bet those extra ponnies are fun. You can pay for a pre-pruchase inpection, and can give you a pretty good idea of what the x5 needs maintenance wise soon. Good luck with your purchase.!!:thumbup:

Sounds to me like you're on the right track. Besides you've had Bimmers before, judging by you're signature pictures. Of course theres never a guarantee with a used vehicle, but take your time, do your research, (which it looks like you have also), and hopefully you will enjoy your choice of buying an X5! Happy hunting.

i like to think of my x5 3.0d as a thorough bred and as such it needs a little extra care, that said my experience to date has been all good.

not like someone i know who has a Ferrari, it needed a service, i think its only done about 10,000 km but it 7 or 8 years old so the timing belt needed to be changed.

to do this required that the motor be removed from the car (mid engined)

wait for it, that service cost him $7000.00 yep no typo $7000.00 AUD

so stop complaining

yo, you know what? Yes, my X5 was a trouble car, but guess what? I'm not defending it because I have it. I sold it, And going to buy an 4.8is. So if your car screw you and you couldn't keep up with it, it dont make us selfish. we like power, looks and everything and we get it.who cant keep up, sells it. that's life, get used to it.

I now have a LeMans blue 4.8is in my garage :D

Yesterday night, as usual, I scanned the adds on internet. Then I saw that new add; a very low mileage 2005 4.8is (76000km). All original and in good shape from the pictures.
I called the BMW dealer where it was serviced to check the mileage they had on file, and it matched.
So, this morning I went there to see it, and I was pleasantly surprised by the good shape of the truck. Everything works, the engine bay is so clean, no rust nor oxydation on aluminum tubes. I think the PO didn't use it very much during winter. I'm almost guilty to drive it this winter in salt, rocks and slush...
Well, its not a collector car, so I guess I will use it and enjoy the ride.
Oh, I almost forgot, that V8 sound is so... ummm, sexy, I think it will make me burn some extra gas in the first months. Can't wait to remove that resonator!

Here are some pictures from their add:

http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/Weblinks/X5left.jpg


http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/Weblinks/X5rear.jpg


http://www.angeleyescontroller.com/W...5frontseat.jpg

What a BEAUT!

Throw on a coat of wax, polish those tail pipes, and you'll be ready for winter. !

Wow, a lot of complaints in here. Whenever buying a used european car whose original MSRP was high, you have to expect that the maintenance is still going to be high. It's a fact of life. Sure my X5 is high-maintenance, but it also drives better than anything else I've owned. To me, it's worth it.

woo hoo, i just love Lemans Blue heheh

+1

7 years, 100K miles on bullet proof '04 X5 and over 10 years, 80K miles on mother in law's '01. I liked my '04 so much I bought another '04- Nearly identical to the OP's!

Best of luck in your new ride. It sounds as if you are prepared for some common maintenance items and that you will take them in stride. This is the best way to approach any used vehicle. Use it in good health!

Dude nice ride! :thumbup: enjoy it!!!!

Very good looking X, Finally Congrats. Like The interior trims/seats also. Have Fun.

I got my X5 used 2 yrs back, did PPI and it did come up with hoses and some stuff that needed to be replaced, which the previous owner did before selling the car, it's been fine so far (2005 x5 4.8is), honestly I am scared of the expensive issues that I see some of the X's owners have discussed that I thought about trading it in for a Lexus ( not like I was having any issues, just the things I read in the forum made me want to trade in), but then I did drive the Lexus and well it's not something I think abt while at work. the X drives so much nice, it's better than a 328 handling wise (my opinion) so much so that my buddy (335i owner) is not looking for a 4.8is as well.
I have put 5k in a separate account for potential issues I might have, however so far I've only had a dead battery (From a third party lcd monitor).
So in short drive it cause it does not feel like any other suv within it's price range if you love to drive.

Congrats on your new X!!!! Looks like a peach, enjoy!!

Not only that, but does anyone else remember the results of the offset crash from the IIHS? I took these pics at the BMW Zentrum in 2002 when we took delivery of our 330:

http://my02.com/images/330/crunch.jpg

http://my02.com/images/330/insidex5.jpg

Look at that. The dummy in the crash bumped his KNEE on the underside of the dash! This shows that wearing a seat belt, most drivers should walk away from a crash like this. Little did I know that two years later these pictures would steer me towards our '04 X5 when our baby almost was due. It's very compelling to see in person the safety and handling characteristics built into these cars despite their performance and size. Very few automobiles- especially in the price range for used cars- can match the value.