Enough is enough!
 

I have finally reached the last straw with my 05 X5 3.0i. At 122,000 miles the auto trans has failed. It slips like a bad clutch and BMW has been unable to diagnose and simply says replace it. I bought the car new and have exceeded the recommended service schedule. $4-5k to repair. Here is a short list of all that has failed on it:

• Sunroof cassette @ $3500 (not repaired)
• Replacement of all electronics in "money corner" as the dealer puts it. Back left corner due to sunroof drain plugging. $3600.
• Pixelated dash (not repaired)
• Auto wipers and headlight sensor failure. BMW says replace the windshield for $1300.
• CV joint failure
• Power steering pump replacement
• Thermostat replacement
• Passenger mirror failure

This is supposed to be an upscale vehicle that was almost $50k when new. I have been a huge BMW fan. I also have an 04' 330Cic. This is a ridiculous amount of failures for the mileage and the care this car has received.

Time for a new Audi SQ5.....:dunno:

Other than the electronics and sunroof cassette (unless it's the pano)...everything else is normal as far as repairs at that mileage/age. BMW doesn't rebuild transmissions, they only R&R them....if you want a specific diagnosis for the trans, it has to go to a trans shop...

unfortunately it is Panoramic. I agree that CV joints and moving parts such as the pumps can wear out, but as a total package the large expensive repairs are way above anything I have experienced with my past Volvo's, Toyotas and the like. The worst part is that it looks like new inside and is such a joy to drive. I am an enthusiast and take of my cars accordingly.

Now that I have decided to get rid of it, even without factoring in the stuff that doesnt work it isn't worth squat. At best it shows a trade in of 7-8k and retail of around 10. Depreciation is a wonderful thing.

But it's true, older expensive cars don't get cheaper to maintain properly.

I'm sure the factory fill fluid is still in the trans if the BMW dealer maintained the X. Really sad that "lifetime" in BMW speak is 100k miles.

This isn't meant as a "kick you while you're down" statement so please don't interpret it that way...:thumbup:

Going into an X5 expecting Toyota/Honda/Volvo or some other standard in reliability is mistake many who come and go around here make. They simply didn't do their homework before diving in. An X5 is not a vehicle you buy and expect NOT to have to either work on it, or get it worked on (for the non-diy'ers) --- They are maintenance intensive vehicles, and definitely full of expensive quirks/mistakes right from the factory. ALL of those silly design flaws and common problems are by now extremely well documented on this site as well as a few others.

I understand what you all say. I would normally be the last to join in on the "whiners " that normally populate auto forums. I didn't expect it to be a JDM car. I do much of the normal maintenance myself. Oil changes, etc. are done by me. I had the local independent shop change the fluid at 60k and 100k (and follow the correct fill procedure and use proper fluids). When trying to diagnose the issue with the trans, the Dealer in Seattle told me that I screwed up by changing the fluid as I removed all of the sludge and particulate matter that kept the trans working well. I raced in SCCA and conference classes for years and I know my way around a car. This "known" issues do not excuse either poor design or engineering. I am not afraid or unable to spend money on a car or it's maintenance. No one should expect to replace a trans or sunroof at 120,000 miles as normal wear and tear.

Sorry to hear all the bad luck you had with your E53. GL with your next one.

not to be a dick, but do you really expect the Audi SQ5 to not have its own electrical gremlins and quirks? That thing has more computers than Bill Gate's cyber porn cafes.

I would be the last one to call you a dick.....I expect a certain level of performance and even the more "basic" vehicles these days have more computing power than an old supercomputer. If I want simple, I will take my 65 TBird out for a drive. An interesting bit of information is to look at JD Powers and Consumer Reports rankings of my X5.

Bottom line is I apparently expected too much from my X5. My fault.