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

I had my valve seals replaced about 2 months ago. I have an 07 4.8 and it cost me $3000. Originally, bmw told me $6000 but since the car only had 63k miles, they comped 50%. Good gesture on there part but I feel your pain. I have had nothing but bmw's my whole life and I'm starting to get annoyed with all the problems I've had on this x5.

Your forgetting a service center is a business
Them saying they comped you 50% is nothing but a sales tactic.
They prob still were $1000 higher than an independent shop.

You'd be quite surprised I bet if you looked up standardized labor time in the Bentley manual for that job.
Never ever get work done at a dealer if your out of warranty.

And having a first year model doesnt help either.But all the problems with the N62 should have been ironed by then.This engine is an easy candidate for the worst BMW engine ever(reliability,not efficiency),but only after it's 4 cylinder brother N42.Which we are very lucky was never imported here in the US.

Hearing the horror stories I am happy I have an M62TU.

It is just marginally better,but at least easier to repair.And the horror begins after 80 k miles instead of 40 k miles ;)

Double the miles is marginally better?

I mean,I have 06 530xit with 182 k miles with only alternator and electric water pump replaced ;)

That's great but not all X5s have major failures early. It's not written in stone.

Those small things i cannot consider "failures",just some annoying expensive repairs.Failures indeed dont happen very often,except some replaced engine or tranny here and there.

V8 nah, 6 cylinder is the way to go....they only break the door handles, and tail light guts....Oh, and still waiting for the seat/air bag parts that were supposed to be replaced by MARCH...but then again you could wait 12 years for GM to even ADMIT that they have a problem that is KILLING PEOPLE....
You just have leaks....they all suck.........(off rant)

In for the stories when OP has to pay for the infamous coolant valley pipe leak :D

Post warranty, an indy will become your best friend.

My 3rd party warranty company covered the mechatronic sleeve which had a leak. Are warranties supposed to cover wear & tear items like those?

I quit X5s for this reason. Got rid of my last one about 4000 miles out of CPO warranty.

I had the same issue at 55,000 miles and my service department went to BMW on my behalf and I was able to get the repair covered as goodwill. They covered 50% on a separate repair for my wife's e61 last year as well. My recondition is to at least ask the question. You may get lucky. My argument was low mileage and that I always brought it in for all scheduled maintenance to the dealer. That said, it's ridiculous that something like this happens in the first place.