I hear a lot about this problem but I have not had any issues with them. I have had the X5 since the end of November in some pretty nasty weather and I can't say I've noticed any issues and I've been looking. I like them and think they make the X5 look better.

Amen.

Brought it in for something simple and promptly got quoted $1200 for diffs, transfer case and brake fluid...... Not to mention some 250 for the diesel filter. Needless to say this will be done for about $200 in materials when the weather improves.

Owners should learn to say no when they are quoted stuff they did not ask for, then re-evaluate calmly before making decisions.

Anyway, a friend of mine regularly gets screwed by the Acura dealer this way. His battery collapsed but it jump started just fine. Next I heard the battery was free, less than one year old....but they charged him 600 for a starter motor. That was after they sold him an 800 dollar brake pad replacement. I told him not to tell me about his adventures anymore, as he won't take advice and authorizes everything they call with. Weird thing is, his shocks are bicycle pumps, totally wasted OEMs after more than 80k. The car is dangerously unstable but they steadfastly refuse to replace them.....

I am finding the X reasonably reliable these days but I have had about 5k worth of goodwill fixes and would be very hesitant to buy another one because these issues I had are reported here by almost every owner.

At a dinner last night I was sitting next to the owner of a local independent shop that does European cars. He told me BMW has serious issues with most of their latest gen engines.....

Seriously, why can't everyone do brakes, oil, & fluid changes themselves? It's certainly NOT rocket science. There's much more joy in ownership if you can do such basic maintenance on the vehicle. We need an icon for "Man-Card Pulled"! :)

Some of us don't have the time or space to do it. I live in the city and can't jack my car up on a street side and do it there..

If you live in a condominium or a neighborhood with a homeowners association, your options are limited or nonexistent. If you don't have a garage, a good working surface or at least covered parking, there may be little "joy" to be had performing some of the maintenance you mention.

I went to do rear brakes on our X3 two weeks ago. It is the limit of the work I can do in our condo garage (no fluids to drain). Parts were $500 for pads, rotors, and the sensor at the dealer. BMW value pricing applies to these parts, but only if the dealer installs them. I paid $503 CDN, about $400 US, for them to do it, including parts, labour, and taxes. Couldn't justify doing it myself at that price.

My manhood doesn't feel threatened.