Speedo/Tach dead!
 

I started up the X5 today after leaving it in the garage during a 1-week vacation...the instrument cluster is dead! No speedometer, no tachometer, no fuel gauge, no info readout, etc. The radio/nav and all center stack stuff still works. I assumed it was a fuse but nothing seems blown in the fuse panels fore or aft. Bringing it in tomorrow. Anybody else experience this?

I've had my X parked for weeks outside (airport parking ;) ) and I didn't have any problems with my 07 4.8. Sucks it's acting up. doesn't sound too serious but I'm not an expert so... Good luck. keep us posted please.

update
 

So I brought the X5 to the dealer. After a quick diagnosis, they called to tell me that I need a new instrument cluster. Oh, and it's backordered and won't be in for "about" 10 days. So no X5 for a while...

Too many issues with the X5- I am beginning to worry about the reliability?
Brake Failure
Bad Front wheel bearing
Dead instrument cluster
Wind Noise
Rattle from the back
Noise when cornering.......

^ those aren't all that common.

The common complaints include backup camera quality, idrive freezes/anomolies, battery issues, rough transmission (lurching forward [4.8]), seat vibration / noise.

I'll think of more... but to be honest, it's not like you'll get all of those problems together (or at once) in 1 vehicle. It's not as bad as it seems... these boards are for reporting problems usually and if you spend enough time on another board, you'll compile a nice list for every vehicle out there.

What I do want to know is, how does this compare with previous BMWs?

Like you say its a compromise the E70 does a lot of things better than an E53, but it also does some things worse, Id say on balance E53 reliability was better .. less to go wrong, but having lived with my E70 for a while now, its a better car :thumbup: If only theyd sort the damn transmission :rolleyes:

but the instrument cluster- it's covered under warrantee right? it best be.

Anyway, did they give you a loaner car? I'm still waiting to get an decent 5 series loaner from my dealer when i go to visit. :) (yeah right, dream on)

Update
 

I've had an X3 loaner from the dealer since I brought the X5 in on 8/25. It's not bad, but it's no X5. I called today, 10 days since I brought it in. I was told that the part (i.e., instrument cluster) is still on backorder in Germany and there is no news available on when it might come in. So, my $70K 6-month-old X5 has been sitting in the sun on the dealer lot for 10 days and there is no end in sight!

I told the dealer that this was really unacceptable and they promised to get back to me quickly. More to come...

BTW, is there risk of tire flat spots and other "lot rot" issues if it continues to sit?

Speedo/tach dead - AGAIN!!!
 

So here's the full story to-date: Aug 24, instrument cluster goes dead. No tach, no speedo, no information, no turn signals. Brought it to dealer on Aug 25. We were told the cluster needs to be replaced but the part is on "global backorder" so we'll need to wait about 10 days. (Question: Wasn't BMW still producing new X5s in Spartanburg during this time? Didn't they require instrument clusters?) We got the car back on Sep 12, almost 3 weeks after dropping it off. Sep 13, started the car, and instrument cluster fizzed out again. Car is back at dealer today. I'm guessing there is some electrical problem that caused both clusters to die. I'm worried about this vehicle...

So, after having the vehicle for 6-1/2 months and 8,000 miles, car has been out of commission for 3 weeks (and counting)...

wow did they not test the thing after the fix? They should state that in the workorder. Did it start ok for you from the dealer to home?