X5 4.4 owners, what are your thoughts on your car? I'm looking into buying one (check out OT for a detailed thread)

All info is appreciated!

I have a X5 4.4 2003 SO FAR SO GOOD. I looked at Mercedes ML 320 350, Porsche Cayanna, Touareg VW, Lexus knock off of a Mercedes, Ranger Rover love it to many electrical problems, X3 to small, X5 3.0 and 4.4.
I believe after much research, that the VW Touareg and X5 4.4 had the best value. BMW has had there hand in the SUV market for a very long time. I am at times frustrated with there software.
The heater comes on when the vehicle is started, even after making sure the heater is off before shutting down. PDC parking system drives me nuts, I guess there is no way to permanently disable.
The navigation voice system can’t be silence permanently. So far the software is going to be a problem as the vehicle gets older. I guess for a $65,000 car its doing pretty good.

I love my X5 4.4 so far...have only had it a month now but I feel like I am driving a car moreso than a SUV or whatever group it falls into. The blindspots took a little time to get used to, but other than that, so far so good!!!

had my 01' 4.4 sport for 5 years... no troubles at all. an outstanding vehicle. 75,000 great miles.

i an planning on purchasing the new body in a year or so.

Stay away from a non-CPO higher mileage one.

-Radiator WILL go
-All four window regulators WILL go
-CV boots WILL tear
-Pray to God the self leveling suspension does NOT break (BMW paid $3000 in warranty work on it)

Otherwise it is the best SUV you can buy. Handles and accelerates like a tall 540i wagon.

Some advice: Make sure you have a great extended warranty.

Our 01 4.4i Sport has been with us since new and is gorgeous but has it's share of the known X5 problems. The extended BMW warranty we bought is going to end soon, so it may even be sold/traded in before it does get that old.

A 4.6is/4.8is is looking REAL good haha.

Love my '03..2001,2002,and 2005 were not good years.I don't know about '06.2007 body style does not sound promissing.Make sure you get the sports package,it's a lot of fun.

What kind of gas mileage are you getting with the 4.4's???

I use Sunoco 93 octane.I get from 17 to 20 mpg.

Have the Dinan S2 upgrade and this thing rocks. Will take most cars on acceleration, pulls a trailer like a champ and leaves all the other suv's sliding off the clover leaf. Truly the Ultimate Driving Machine in a taller version.

Tell me more about your Dinan performance.What did you pay and what did you get in the S-2 stage?I was looking into it but I heard about a little hesitation on take off.Do you lose that jump off the line?
I was quoted the following for total $5336.04.Is it worth it?

freeflow exhaust X5.....$1699.
Throttle body-V8.........$599.
Trans. software...........$349.
Engine software-ST.-4..$799.
Cold air intake X5 4.4....$699.
Air flow meter X5 4.4....$449.
+ labor $440.+ tax $302.
One stage down would cost me $3716.
Is my list S1 or S2? It's been a while since I got this quote.
Thanks for your feedback.:95

For the S2 badge I also had the new intake plenum and the front strut brace.
It seems like mine was over $8,000.

No hesitation that I have seen. This thing romps and the growl out the exhaust is awesome!!! For me it was worth it because it puts you up to the specs of the 4.6 monster and a hell of alot cheaper.

I have also looked at the ESS and Dinan Supercharger packages but thtey were I think $12K and $15k respectively.

Thanks for the info.
I guess my quote was for the S1 stage,since it is close to $3000. cheaper.
That would give me 310 bhp as apposed to S2 321bhp.
By the way...the supercharger would give you 421bhp.Now that is impressive.

get ready to drop a big chunk of change on it by 85k miles.

valley pan leak, half shafts, coolant system components, various suspension parts.

it does drive and handle great for a 5000lb vehicle.

Are you saying,Dinan add-ons will cause problems later?I've heard mixed reviews,that's why I haven't done it yet.I've also heard it messes up the warranty.They do sound good,though.

Think he is just chiming in an experience with the vehicle in general. Unless things have changed Dinan products do not void the manufacturer's warranty.
Now it will affect a CPO warranty or I have been told. For me to get the extended warranty they wanted me to return the truck to stock.
So far at 70,000 miles mine has only had one a/c problem and one cv boot. A/C was covered under warranty and the drivers side was $10 and a couple hours of my time.
Worth it to me if you look at the other suv's out there.

Did you also add the high flow intake manifold?That seems to be the only thing missing on my quote.

Intake plenum is the manifold. I had to also add the front strut bar to make enough dinan points for the S2 serial number

Thanks for all your input.Looking forward to the extra power.

Love my '03..2001,2002,and 2005 were not good years.I don't know about '06.2007 body style does not sound promissing.Make sure you get the sports package,it's a lot of fun.

Why would you say the 05s were not a good year? Its essentially identical to the 04s. Currently I have an 03 that has been FANTASTIC. Did have a problem with the CD changer and the NAV, both replaced under warrenty (The CD changer twice).

My lease on it is up at the end of this month and I already got an 05 4.4i to replace this one. Love the 6 speed tranny on this one.

This was reported by "Consumers Report".
They did not state the details,but those years had some reliability issues.
I'm sure there were cars in those years that were trouble free,however.

My '03 had some battery problems in the beginning but since then I've had no problems.

Good luck with your new wheels,I'm sure you'll be fine.
Sometimes the reliability of "Consumers" can be in question.
Every car mag. has their own opinion.

Love my 06 4.4L, great tow vehicle, but I miss the 450+hp I had in my M5.

Tows my car and trailer nicely, optioned out, love the heated wheel and heated rear seats. Sirius is integrated so well, and the aux input is nice to hook up my IPOD for long trips.

Kinda late on the thread but figured I would chime in