other than a recalled alternator, my '95 Isuzu Rodeo was trouble free for over 10 years. Then its GM transmission failed it. Way to go Isuzu. RIP.

E70 issues were mostly gizmo related for me, plus a moonroof that has had its share of issues. Recently, a critter has made my car its winter home and chewed my O2 sensor once, and my gas lines twice.

I am totally happy with my 05 X5 4.4l. I bought it 2 yrs old w 35k on it. The only real prob Ive had was the "transmission glitch" that's what the dealership called it. It took it in every month for a computer reset until they got so sick of me they finally replaced the tranny for free, and that was under a cert preowned warranty. Ha ha

When my 05 dies, since its paid for, I'm pretty sure I'm trading in for new X5, because I just love the stinking car so much. I just thought I'd ask the forum what they thought of my mechanics silly comment. I am using another mechanic by the way.

Hee hee

Thanks to all for the great response.

Given how fast technology is progressing, I wouldn't keep one of the newer BMWs forever. Not only are the complex computer systems hard for most indys to fix, but engines are rapidly becoming more efficient.

Prior to the MOST-BUS system (E46, E83, E53 etc...) stuff was pretty easy to diagnose and most BMW independent shops have the resources and tools. Since then, a LOT more computer-dependent diagnostics and parts came into play and the operating software is horrendously expensive. Hence why the E9x depreciates like a piano off a building once the warranty runs out. E70 will probably do the same, if not worse given its greater complexity.

Combine that with rapid improvements in efficiency and reduced emissions, it'll only be 5-6 years before a vehicle is completely obsolete. My X3 isn't even 10 years old and the new X3 xDrive20d makes the same power, more torque, better acceleration, yet consumes half has much fuel and emissions. From a 4 cylinder............diesel! Makes my X3 seem like a caveman.

so i guess "yes" is the ultimate answer, but for all makes and models..

all of the newer vehicles will continue to have more advanced technology features each year... (NAV, backup camera, bluetooth, touch screen, advanced monitoring systems and maintenance reminders, google, internet access, wifi, digital this and digital that...)

plus they are making them lighter, faster and with smaller engines and cheaper materials to accomplish that...

it will never end and we will continue to pay more for it each year...

don't forget this world is also brainwashed into believing we must always upgrade to the latest and greatest version of everything we purchase...

phones, laptops, software, etc... now cars...

the manufacturers know this and they play into it just as well...

My first X5 in '99 (first year out) did have alot of nickle and dime service issues, except with BMW it costs alot more to fix. But I loved the car and traded it in on a 4.8is X5 which was problem free until 105,000 miles, needed transmission work so I traded it in on a Lexus SUV for my daughter. I was already driving a X5M. BMWs are quality machines, find a food shade tree mechanic to use when out of warranty. Their reliability is quite good, but parts are expensive. Makes you think about how long you want to keep the vehicle, not wether you want one or not.

technically all BMW's are getting to the point where they are "throw away" vehicles. The premise is pretty simple and with the current computer cars, this is becoming more evident. More electronics and BMW's drive to keep any duplication of the software to truly fix these cars is making the long term feasibility harder and harder. The parts don't get cheaper the older the car gets, the car just gets cheaper and the parts cost the same. The globalization of parts to reduce the price of cars continues replace parts which should never wear out (say made out of aluminum) with parts which are made of plastic which will ultimately fail. The .10-1.00 per part savings adds up to a great deal of money for the manufacture but not for the consumer when you need to replace or fix. Perfect example. BMW has plastic radiators, plastic water pump impellers ect which fail constantly and it is recommended by most experts to replace these items around 70k. Please tell me how much more a metal impeller which will most likely not fail cost compared to a plastic one which will eventually fail. Now you have to spend hundreds on a water pump instead of $1 on the initial cost of the part if made from metal........ This list goes on and on.

Fixed it for you. I just don't see it as being in any way limited to BMW.

As to the plastic water pump impellor, a BMW tech has previously posted on here that as of 2010, no BMW X5 has a plastic water pump impellor, and that BMW stopped using plastic impellors in 1998, two years before the E53 was introduced, let alone the E70. I don't have a second source for that, but I don't see any diference between the plastic impellor, metal impellor, and composite impellor, they can all fail. It is an internet myth that plastic impellors are a problem these days, IMO. When the original does fail, however, if you buy an OE water pump you get a lifetime warranty on it. That should last.

I am not going to debate if the water pumps have plastic impellers or not. If you read roundel or bimmer, there are times of articles referencing the plastic impeller failures. Maybe the x5 is metal. BMW has repeatedly replaced parts which used to never and replaced th with partsade of materials which do. Ask anyone who wanted to replace the bogus lifetime trans fluid on a 5 series. The trans pan is plastic which cannot be reused because it is plastic. The list can go on forever

I think you will find modern OE impellers to be composite, not plastic. Trouble is that the Internet has as long memory

I'm guessing you will not be a fan of the new plastic engine oil pans under development, complete with a lifetime built-in oil filter

I think all of you have missed the point...

All BMWs are made to be disposable vehicles now due to EU rules on vehicles being biodegradable...

If you do a bit of research you will find that BMW has been designing their vehicles to degrade over time for quite a while.

European Law about cars being Biodegradable - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3)