Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about:

08/13/2010 13,851
Tire condition and pressure checked
Computer(s) checked
Drivability/performance checked
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed

12/03/2010 18,125
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Transfer module/computer reprogrammed
Drivability/performance checked
Computer(s) checked
One tire mounted and balanced
Maintenance inspection completed
Tire condition and pressure checked

03/22/2012 33,649
Pre-delivery inspection completed
State emissions inspection completed
Fluids checked
Computer(s) checked
Drivability/performance checked
Battery charged
Maintenance inspection completed
Four tires mounted and balanced
Washed/detailed

04/11/2012 BMW
Certified Dealer
Westbury, NY Offered for sale as a
BMW Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Silver exterior
Gray interior

As I was saying that's just normal diagnostics.

Def not normal diagnostics. Drivability/performance checked along with Computer(s) checked re-occurring over and over tells me that there is an underlying issue that the dealer cannot solve and most likely tells you is normal operating behavior. Bear in mind this was just one sample that I found within 1 min of looking. IMO I would not call this normal diagnostics, I would call it a problem vehicle that I would want to avoid.

Again, this is normal diagnostics. If there was something replaced or broken then it would show what was done. This car has been in only 3 times in 33K miles and is a problem ? There's no red flag at all on this one especially compared to the service of the one that was listed earlier.

I'm not going to settle and what's ok to you may not be for me or anyone else. I see the same faults within a few months and then again later in its life. That could mean the owner just put up with it for a year. How do we know? I'll give it to you that the sample wasn't so bad compared to others i've seen, this was one of the "nicer" examples. I just wanted to highlight my point of things to look out for. The OP original example is way worse, I agree.

There are no guarantees on any used car even if it was in one time for just oil service. If you are that concerned just give the VIN to a dealer and they will pull up the detail of what was done.

I am going to agree with CT on this one...multiple return visits for driveability issues make me nervous IN THE ABSENCE if other evidence. The whole trans/lage thing comes to mind. As we ALL know, the stock BMW line is 'no problem found'

It is NOT, an indictment of ALL x5s. as he seems to indicate earlier in the thread.

Driveability issues can be anything--they might have put too much tire pressure in it and was riding different or something similar. Just need to get the actual invoice of what was done on it from the dealer.

I disagree. I'm siding with BGM. That all looks normal to see. I remember my service tech saying they are required to check both things each in-service

so i took everyones advice and passed on this one. I did just find another 2009 x5 black with everythig less the sport package. It has 44800 miles and one owneer. I can pick this up around 33800. i am going to pick this puppy up. i will get the rims i want and add the aero package to trick this out. I feel a little more comfortable with this one. Thanks for everyones feedback.