I'm interested in buying an X5, I just love the looks of them and they handle amazing in comparison to other SUV's.
But I'm concerned about the reliability, Anyone here own one and would they like to post their thoughts/experiences on the repairs and issues of the X5? I don't mind fixing a BMW, I just want to be sure that they are reliable..

just recently sold my 03, hazzard lights went kookoo for about 5 minutes once, thats all I can remember as far as problems go. Im told the 01-03 have issues but my 03 was great, the 04 on up seem to have less issues. Maybe I was just lucky but it was a great vehicle. My wifes brand new 330 has been reprogrammed at least 4 times, each time they do it it fixes one prob then another pops up 2 weeks later. She has the key fob you keep in your pocket for keyless starting, it is not supposed to lock the doors if the key is in the vehicle, 3 weeks ago I had to leave work on a Friday at 4:00 because the piece of junk locked the doors with the key in it. Needless to say I was cursing BMW at that point. her 330 has everything possible so it seems to me the more complicated the systems the more problems you have period. Except my X5 it was 4.4i loaded to the gills but very reliable. some front end suspension parts need to be replaced at 50 to 60K miles and you burn through rear tires because of camber. thats it

thanks a lot, any more responses/experiences?

I have an 02 4.4 that I bought new that currently has 55K miles on it. Here are a list of things that have been repaired/replaced.


2 rear window regulators that went bad at different times in the 35k mile/2 year range - warranty
headlight replacement due to condensation at 10K miles/1 yr - warranty
front CV boots at 50K miles - $600 at independant
valley pan gasket at 52k miles - courtesy warranty
crankcase vent hoses at 40K miles - DIY
front brake pads and rotors and rear pads at 37K miles - under warrantyI'd say my vehicle has been very reliable, but as you can see it's not high mileage. Oil is changed every 7500 miles, all fluids including brake fluid and coolant were changed per BMW recommendation and I went ahead at 50K miles and replaced transmission fluid and filter, differential gear oil, transfer case fluid and power steering fluid and resevoir (which the filter is built into)

Get a good independant BMW mechanic to look things over. Pay close attention to the valley pan gasket which is known to fail and is a fairly labor intensive repair. I would also look closely at the entire front suspension. My biggest fear is the dreaded transmission failure which is a very big ticket item. This one is hard to figure out since I've read about failures at different mileages as low as 27K miles. Of course there are many X5's with 100K+ miles without having had a transmission failure. I've read different opinions on the value of a transmission fluid change (vs lifetime fluid or 100K miles) and decided to go ahead with it.

Good luck with your decision. It's been a great vehicle for me and very fun to drive. I guess my best recommendation would be to get a trusted BMW knowledgeable mechanic to look things over.

I assume your refering to an automatic tranny/

yes

My mom had an 02 3.0i

Problems included
- Drivers door lock motor replaced multiple times
- passenger door lock replaced once
- rear door lock (passenger) replaced once
- Constant rattle from trunk/cargo area
- Lights went haywire one or two times
- at 40,000 miles just before she got rid of it, I went to check the oil, and opened the cap, nothing but white goop, which indicates somehow moisture was mixing with the oil. Cleaned it and checked it again about 1500 miles later and it was starting to form again. My guess, bad head gasket and coolant was mixing with the oil.
- brakes replaced at 30K miles
- horrible on gas and maintenance

Overall, my mom's was eh..... It drove great, handled awesome, but it was cursed from day one. I was just happy to see it go.

really doesn't sound that great... i'd be looking at an 03 and up

yeah, get the newest possible for the $$$ you want to spend. 03+ seem to be less problem-prone

for model year differences visit www.consumerguide.com, automotive, used, bmw, x5

then under highlights the differences should be listed
I would say 04 is the one to get

for model year differences visit www.consumerguide.com, automotive, used, bmw, x5

then under highlights the differences should be listed
I would say 04 is the one to get

I agree...my 04 3.0i have been rock solid thus far (knock on wood), which is at 35k miles now. As with all cars these days, they're complicated beasts...so a few gremlins here and there are to be expected.

BTW...johnny2k's comment about the white goop in the oil cap is indeed due to condensation not burning off from the oil. But it's not from any leaks...that white goop is from not driving the thing enough to let the oil warm up to temperature. The thing holds 8-8.5 qrts of oil, so it does take a bit longer than your average car to warm up it's oil. If you live in a cold area and drive less than 20-25 minutes per trip, then expect to see this white goop.

i live in Canada haha

I'm interested in buying an X5, I just love the looks of them and they handle amazing in comparison to other SUV's.
But I'm concerned about the reliability, Anyone here own one and would they like to post their thoughts/experiences on the repairs and issues of the X5? I don't mind fixing a BMW, I just want to be sure that they are reliable..

I'll be able to answer this sort of question in the future, but right now I'm still waiting for more X5 owners to sign up to help out with my reliability research. Owners' posts about the problems they've had provides useful detail, but you can't judge problem rates this way.

My mom had an 02 3.0i

Problems included
- Drivers door lock motor replaced multiple times
- passenger door lock replaced once
- rear door lock (passenger) replaced once
- Constant rattle from trunk/cargo area
- Lights went haywire one or two times
- at 40,000 miles just before she got rid of it, I went to check the oil, and opened the cap, nothing but white goop, which indicates somehow moisture was mixing with the oil. Cleaned it and checked it again about 1500 miles later and it was starting to form again. My guess, bad head gasket and coolant was mixing with the oil.
- brakes replaced at 30K miles
- horrible on gas and maintenance

Overall, my mom's was eh..... It drove great, handled awesome, but it was cursed from day one. I was just happy to see it go.

not exactly what i wanted to hear but helpful

03 X-5 3.0 with 69,000 miles. Other than oil changes, new rubber and last week replacing a Driver side wishbone due to bushing destroyed by Pittsburgh potholes, not a problem. Take it up into the backroads in our mountains, and back & forth to Chicago about 4-5 times a year. Only wish they made a X-7!

2001 with 72k on , no major problem, door lock at some point was replaced, rattling in trunk compartment ( 2 sprays of silicone lubricant took care of that), brakes at 24k. and that's all i remember, I love it, I love it altheway, wouldn't trade for nothing else...

thanks guys, anymore comments??

yes, you live in Calgary, the most prosperous place in North America

go buy an X5...

My son works part time during University and he makes $20 an hour driving a forklift. The market is actually incredible here!

thanks guys, anymore comments??

Pretty much what everyone has said here. CV boot is a guaranteed thing to go at one point. Depending on dealer/timing it may or may not be under warrenty. Window regulators are next, usually warrenty. Water pump is something to watch out for. '00-'03 X's and 3ers have particularly troublesum pumps.

Other than that each car is different. Get an extended warrenty hands down. Also, if you can afford, go for an later year model so you can still get whats left of the scheduled service warrenty.

03 X5 4.6is with Dinan Stage 4. I have 90k and plan to get a few more. hoping beemer releases a hotter 4.8 in the 400 horse category, otherwise I may trade brands and try the 520hp Porsche. gas has been steep. I get abot 16.5 with heavy driving, 18.5 on the highway. I have replaced no failed parts. have been zealous with oil changes at 5k. Rubber is pricey on the 4.6, but it is fun! A great car, highly recommended.