I am so done with BMW!!!
 

Found an oil puddle in my garage...looked under my 2007 4.8i X5 with 56K miles on it and found oil EVERYWHERE underneath...took it in and was told the right side timing cover was leaking, the left side was seeping, and oil was coming out of the alternator bracket...wtf??? The alternator bracket??? Yes...oil and coolant run through this bracket. Go figure...

Total to repair...$4,500. No, that is not a typo...$4,500!!!!! First estimate was $6,700 because they said a few bushings in the front looked a bit worn. Did I mention this POS has 56K miles on it? I drive it 10 miles a day to/from work. So BMW said to save money, they could fix just the right side and the alt. bracket for $3,040 because the left side was just seeping and I had time to go before it leaks. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

So I took it to a reputable shop near my house that only works on high-end Lambo's, Ferrari's, BMW's, Porsche's, etc. Their bill is $2,800 compared to BMW's $4,500...and that included BOTH timing covers and the alt. bracket. The owner of the shop told me X6, X5, 7, and 6 series are the worst build cars he has seen (and he drives an M6). Given my X5 has spent more time in the shop than any $75K car should confirms what he told me.

If your X5 is nearing the end of its warranty and you're offered the extended warranty, by all means BUY IT!!! I sure wish I did!

I love my X5 for its power, looks, and handling (325's in back look mean as hell), but I hate its guts for the repairs I've had to pay for.

Sorry for your troubles.

Hope you feel better having gotten that off your chest.

I'm almost sure the BMW extended warranty excludes leaking seals and gaskets in addition to suspension components, so make sure you study the exclusions before purchasing from BMW.

Hyundai has some great deals...

you should try going to a non high end shop.
a shop with all those fancy cars typically are used to owners who could care less about how much it costs to fix something.
and i also find typically take the longest to get stuff done

I try to do all the repair myself, that is the only way I can enjoy my BMW, the alternator bracket gasket cost $4, I have to replace the one on my car soon along with some other stuff, it takes a crazy or rich person to keep a BMW without oil leaks :)

We are all in this boat. 4.8 all the way.

To give you an idea: in Atlanta I've had this repair done for about 2K.
Valve cover, timing cover and alternator bracket gaskets.

Good Luck.

Hunday :bustingup

Where did you have that done for that price? I usually go to Harrison Motorsports up in Alpharetta (I highly recommend them, BTW), but I'm sure even he would charge more than $2000.

Damn, I have an X5 that doesn't leak, I'm down to 2 Harley's, an 08 Ultra and an 83 Shovel, neither of them leak any fluid (yes there is fluid in them). but it would seriously suck to have 2 leak free HD's and a leaky BMW,,, just sayin.. ;)

Harry

On my 2010 X5 35D my SA had it inspected for oil leaks at the last service before the warrantee expired. There were no oil leaks found. I did end up buying the 7/100,000 platinum warranty and within 2 months it has already saved me $1300.
Chuck