Thoughts on problem X5
 

I have a 2007 X5 that I bought CPO in 2008. It is a beautiful black sapphire car that is fully loaded.......It came with every option available including comfort seats on a sport model. The car drives great.....when it works and I have full warranty (both types) until November 2012.

The problem is that the damn thing keeps breaking. There is something wrong with the electrical system and it has been in the dealership a dozen times for these gremlins. It has broken down on the side of the road two times (and the number would be higher but for the fact I am now keen on the warning signs) The alternator, battery, comfort access system and just about every thing possible has been looked at or replaced. I've been told that I need to trickle charge the battery every few weeks (which I do). While the dealership is nice and responsive it has gotten to the point of absurd.

I know the easy answer is sell the car, but when I buy my cars I like to keep them. I just feel like I'm getting screwed because BMW can't fix/find the root issue.

Other than sell the damn thing and never buy another BWM (my other car is a 330) does anyone have any ideas? It just is not right.

mileage? how often do you drive it?

i really feel like you have to drive these things "like you stole it" to get them to act right.

Close to 60k.....It is driven every day averaging about 15,000 per year. The dealership at one point gave us the stock answer of "you do not drive the vehicle far enough on your average trip"........whatever!

yeh, that sounds like BS. sadly as it is the first year of the E70...................... trade it for a 35d.

I have an 07 X5 and experienced similar issues when I first got it. I am now at ~60K and (knock on wood) the gremlins have subsided. You can look it this way, hopefully you have had many parts replaced (w/newer fixed one), and should not be having the same issues over/over again. If you still though, consider the 35D. One of the advantages of getting the car new and not CPO is the lemon law car protection (varies by state) that says if you get the same issue multiple times, you can get your money back or a new car.

I only wish that the 60,000 mile threshold was the ticket....but the vehicle went into the shop yesterday and was the impetus for this posting. Fortunately, I live only a few miles from the dealership so it isn't a huge inconvenience.

I guess I am trying to determine what should be my realistic expectation from the dealership? I know they are trying to fix things, but DAMN......shouldn't they say we are sorry but your vehicle is just fixable but we will work with you to get you into another BMW? (they cynic in me thinks if I try and work a trade it will hardly be to my financial benefit!)

well, you will never know until you ask. my dealer contacts me about twice a year to see if i want to trade into a newer vehicle. you should have some good positive equity in that vehicle i would think if you have had it for three or four years now.

shop some other dealers in the area also.

My X just have 25627 miles on it and been in the shop for over 45 days now.

I sent it in for the navigation, DVD changer and USB issues. They replaced all those parts and still having the same issues. Now they are replacing something else. These guys do not trouble shoot, they just replace parts and bill you.

I am going to drive for few months after I get it back to see if the problem is resolved, if not I will have to make decision to sell and change brand or sell and upgrade.

With all the issues I am reading on multiple forums with the newer models I am very reluctant in an upgrade........but we will see:dunno:

Sorry to hear about your story...seems oddly similar to mine.
I have an '08 4.8 with around 32K miles on it. Since day one, it's been nothing but trouble. Battery issues. Transmission issues. A minor engine issue. Sunroof issue. It's been one thing after another. Currently I'm having a noise issue that the dealer can't seem to figure out. It's been extremely frustrating. Trying to figure out what to do next...should I just keep on dealing with it or get rid of it? I don't think I would get another BMW after this - and they have been my last 4 cars.

If a trickle charger helps, perhaps you need a new battery or need the battery cable replaced...

I recall seeing some issues with the "iintelligent battery sensor/cable" on all models that are faulty.

You could check the battery with a volt meter after having it sit overnight to see if it's staying powered up or if it is down and all the systems are going into low battery mode. AFAIK, a low battery doesn't always trigger a low battery message on idrive.

My only next option is the Mercedes GL450 or 550. They seem to be more reliable, couple friends have the GL550 and none of these type of issues have shown up. Plus the 3rd row is useable.

Most of the X5 options are standard on the GL550......temping, but again we will see.

My vehicle is a 4.8 too.....the dealership told me that all the factory options* on the car causes a heavy electrical draw and hence the need for the occasional trickle charge (and yes my battery and "intelligent" sensor have been replaced. Every time I take it in they put it on an electrical discharge meter for days to determine what is causing the excessive draw. As one might imagine in this situation it is a moving target.

What frustrates me the most is that BMW has put me in this ethical dilemma. I can trade the car to a dealership and get screwed on value or I can sell the car privately (with the warranties) and make thousands more but are dumping a problem car on a poor soul (not good karma). It just isn't right!


*options: cold weather, technology, rear climate, 3rd row seating, sport, heads up display, premium sound, comfort seats, comfort access, tighter steering ratio

I am willing to take a hit for piece of mind...if it comes to that.

I have a 05' S55 AMG and I tell you i have only issues like tension pulley and alternator, thats it.

but if you trade it in to BMW you would be passing the karma back on them as they sold it to you. :D

Have you ever tried another dlr? You mentioned the one you go to is close by/ convenient, but in ATL area there are several; why not try another one that may have a fresh pair of eyes/ideas. If that doesn't solve it, I would toss it like an old rock.
GL, mD

have you tried installing a new battery?

Yep... and they made me pay for half the cost if I wanted it done!

Are you able to lemon the car? seems like there's something else going on besides just a battery issue.

you guys are all freaking me out :tantrum:...
I had an 08 X5 3.0 and never had a mechanical or electrical problem other than a dvd unit that gave me read errors and was replaced immediately after delivery...

i have traded that in for an Acura MDX because i wanted more HP and they have a really nice advanced interior/tech pkg..

the MDX also gave me some NAV problems eventhough it was hard drive based. froze a few times and even lost track of where i was headed.

these jap vehicles do not compares to the bimmer when it comes to performance and handling... i wish i had gotten the V8 from the get go..

now i'm back to BMW and looking at a 2012 50i but you guys are scaring me into keeping my Acura.. wft is up with all these issues? :dunno:

Excuse the hijack, but I left Acura for BMW. Acura would not resolve my brake issues on my brand new RDX (apparently common), which caused my SUV to stop long, make horrible grinding noises in the brakes and hallow chasis during routine driving (no time for lemoning). I would gladly take the BMW electrical issues over Acura's lack of customer care and horrible SUV brakes FWIW!

that's true Acura does have terrible breaks.. no confidence in fast driving/stopping at all... plus the ride is too loose even with the sport pkg.. i have all the options but again it's no bimmer!

miss the X... can't wait to get my next one.. :thumbup:

I came from Acura as well. Got my 07 3.0 after my transmission problems on my MDX started surfacing. The x5 sure is a better drive but you really notice the extra weight and the lack of cargo room.
It's a compromise.