Considering an X5 for me and an X3 for my wife

[Ahmed303]

The 2004 X5 4.4L is Jet Black with 44K miles and the 2006 X3 3.0L is Alpine White and has 41K miles. Clean CarFax with 1 owner on both.

Are there any known issues with these Model Years? Anything specific I should look for when I go to inspect the vehicles?

I am a long time owner of various BMWs (E38 740, E31 840 and 850, Z3M, E46 330i) and able to wrench and do my own maintenance. I am just not familier with the X line.

All input is highly appreciated.

PS. I considered Porsche Cayanne but changed my mind because of the maintainability and staying with the BMW marquee

[NoSoup4U]

My 2 cents - I have an '06 4.4i sitting on driveway and an '09 4.8i. Both with sport package, NAV, CWP, xenons, PDC, etc. My wife also has an RX400h.

I think if your wife and you get the BMW's - it is a bit redundant (not necessary). In fact, I think having 2 SUV's is redundant. The RX400h is 'okay' because it actually gets around 28-29 mpg. So, in effect, it does act like a sedan/car. The 4.8i - well, let's just say, it gets around 14 so far. I only have had it for about 2 months and it now has around 140 miles or so on it.

The 4.4i I drive daily - and I get around 19.1-19.5 mpg (according to OBC). It's decent; but, nothing to write home about. If gas increases significantly because of inflation or something else, you will have 2 cars that will get potentially not so great gas mileage.

I think the X3 is a better fit. X3 is pretty quick - and has great handling characteristics, gets better gas mileage, and pretty much does 99% of what the X5 does. X5 really is not that spacious - it's big, but, no more cargo room than a 5 series in my opinion. I am having my dealership look for a 5-series .. so, I plan on getting rid of my X5. Depending on what price you get for your X5, make sure it is a fair price. You should be able to get your X5 for around $18-22K. $22K being pristine condition and 50K miles or less.

My X5 is CPO'd and has extd. maintenance with all options (and clear bra) -- and, I think it would RETAIL on a BMW dealer lot for around $28-30K, and should sell for around $27K-28K. It's tan interior with topaz exterior and has 49K miles on it.

Just my 2 cents - I would recommend getting one vehicle with better gas mileage just to offset X5/X3's gas mileage. I think X3 gets 24 mpg on highway? Not bad at all ... I had a 2006 X3 a few years ago ... and, I was seeing around 20-21 combined. It was also cheaper to insure X3 vs. X5 for me. I think I pay around $600/year with $500 deductibles on the X5 at 15K per year; but, I get a pretty good multi-car discount (7 insured with same company).

[Ahmed303]

Thanks Man. I hear you on the 2 SUVs. We are just trying to consolidate our garage. Just 2 (or maybe 3 at most) vehicles for the household. I have 3 pre teen boys and both my wife and I need to haul a bunch of stuff (Sports and camping gear, etc.) in turn. My wife is flexible on the type of vehicle but her requirements are decent cargo space and AWD/4WD.

I was not thinking of the RX. How do you like the RX so far? How is the maint? I am sure they are very comfortable.

Thanks for your input. It was worth way more than 2 cents my friend.

[sprocket1200]

um, you have an 09 and you are worried about MPG? the depreciation alone makes this discussion not relevant.

to the OP, if you can do your own maintenance, then you will have no worries. the 3.0L engine is soooo easy to do. same as 2.5 and 2.8. the 4.4 while harder won't be a big deal either.

[Ahmed303]

Originally Posted by sprocket1200

to the OP, if you can do your own maintenance, then you will have no worries. the 3.0L engine is soooo easy to do. same as 2.5 and 2.8. the 4.4 while harder won't be a big deal either.

Thanks dude. I am very familier with the 3.0L, 4.4L M62 and the 5.0 M70 engines and worked with all of them. I have done VC gasket changes, spark plugs and coils, fuel injectors, MAF replacements, Brake boosters and more along with the regular maint. work (Oil, brakes, AC Recharge,etc.).

Engine wise I am pretty good, Is the suspension going to throw me for a loop? It's not that important as I am planning on taking to to my trusted indy shop for things I don't have the tools or skills for.

Thank you.

[NoSoup4U]

Originally Posted by sprocket1200

um, you have an 09 and you are worried about MPG? the depreciation alone makes this discussion not relevant.

to the OP, if you can do your own maintenance, then you will have no worries. the 3.0L engine is soooo easy to do. same as 2.5 and 2.8. the 4.4 while harder won't be a big deal either.

No - you are not reading correctly. I said having 2 'vehicles' that potentially gets crappy gas mileage might not be the 'smartest' thing for another individual to do the same. Typically, you want one car that gets around 28-33 mpg vs. 2 getting 15-18 mpg. I was simply stating that an X5 and X3 is similar - neither getting really good gas mileage. Anyone buying an X5 period, is not really worrying about gas prices (whether it is a 3.0 or 4.8i).

I bet gas will go to $3-4/gallon in 1-2 years timeframe, if not sooner, and I do expect gas to hit $5/gallon in 3-4 years. You might laugh at me; but, I fully expect it. I have a '07 X3 3.0si as a loaner for past week, 95%highway driving (avg. speed of 65 mph), I'm seeing 24 mpg. Combined - seeing around 19.5 mpg.

Most of the issues on the '06 X5 4.4i were electronic crap that required tools that I did not have. They were minor nuisances; but, costly fixes if not under warranty. I would also recommend that 'tires' be factored into your equation. Even though DC does not get much snow, if you get the 19" sport rims, you will need a winter set. Not because you cannot drive on the highway; but, because other idiots around you slamming on brakes, etc.

Plus, the 19" tires cost A LOT. Rears only lasted me about 10-15K and about $300-350/tire. I was not hard on them at all - just highway driving on 95. Fronts will last 2 years about - but, still not cheap. I do not think 'mechanically' there are issues. It's mostly electronic crap. I did find transmission to surge a bit (and software update helped). I also find the rear tailgate power closing mechanism needed repairs, self-leveling suspension went wacky, the passenger side mirror would make popping sounds when adjusting (motor going bad), NAV screen pixels out, NAV unit could not read DVD sometimes, power folding mirrors stopped working, final stage resistor unit (common problem), auto-leveling xenons did not work right, etc. So, without the warranty, these items would cost quite a bit.

However, mechanically, nothing really wrong. I did find the transmission to be a bit clunkier though as it got older. X5 causes a lot more wear though to suspension components (RTAB's, LCAB's, FCAB's, etc.).

I would recommend taking a look at a used RX400h depending on your price point (even a used RX330/300 would be good). I do not drive the Rx - it's my wife's car. As much as I dislike it, it DOES get great gas mileage, the NAV system is 100x better than BMW's, it rides quietly and can make you fall asleep. So, my wife loves it. It's also not too bulky and easy to handle. Never any problems with it except normal maintenance. I would estimate about $300-500/year on average. I think comparable to a BMW's cost per year out of warranty. Where you start saving money though is the longer you own a BMW (or more mileage you put on it), the more $ you put into it vs. a lexus tends to be static at same yearly cost. The RX400h actually gets up and goes pretty quick ...

Other car you might consider - '04-'06 MDX touring (not before that though because you want newer changes). I was really impressed with the MDX. It's the older bodystyle (no xenons). It has 3rd row seating, vey nice navigation system, etc. Probably a better bang for buck against anything out their in the mid-size SUV luxury category. I do not like new '07 bodystyles ...

If your wife wants decent cargo space and AWD/4WD - you might want to consider 530xi ('06+ b/c of 255hp engine). But, they are still kind of expensive in my opinion. A 330xi would be a nice alternative and cheaper than a 5 series. As long as you get the rear-seat fold down option, you can carry a lot of crap in either one. If you are set on BMW, get an X5 and a BMW xi sedan - I think you'll be happier with that choice than 2 SUV's - especially when gas hits my target of $4/gallon in near future

[Nick Batzdorf]

I would get your wife an X5 4.4i instead of the X3.

The 2004 X3 gets a poxy 1 MPG better mileage than the X5 4.4i, which in turn gets 1 MPG better mileage than the X5 3.0 (because the 4.0i X5's engine was redesigned that year). 3.0s and 4.4s are the same price on the used market, and maybe $1500 more than X3s.

It's a far better deal.

[SecretAznSauce]

This is funny, seems like a cycle of a bimmerhead..

I too have an 4.4 X5 now and the wifey 3.0 X3

honeslty I like her x3 more. feels more car like. x5's power is nice though.

we;ve gone from e36's to e39's to Z3's to e46's including m3 and now x's

[sprocket1200]

I totally agree with Batzdorf. if you are doing your own maintenance, then get the same engine in both cars. in fact, think of the efficiencies of having both the same vehicle...

i think X5 is more refined and luxurious than X3, and the X5 is safer. bigger, heavier, safer..

[Nick Batzdorf]

I should qualify my opinion by saying that I haven't driven an X3 - I'm just going by how much I like the X5 and by all the things the 4.4i comes with. It's just awesome; the only exception is that the ride is very stiff (especially with the sport suspension). That's the price you pay for responsive handling.

Bit I might feel the same as SecretAznSauce if I tried the X3.

[SpeedsterBek]

I don't know why you want 2 SUVs but if you must get two then getting 2 money pits (bmws)is not a great idea. Get a 4Runner for your wife and X3 with a manual for yourself. You should atleast test drive 4Runner, it rides and drives really well. Limited Sport trims are pretty nice inside, and as a bonus you get a bulletproof reliability and good resale value. Just my 2 cents.

[Nick Batzdorf]

Because they're great cars and they aren't all money pits. This is my third BMW plus my wife has one. The only one that was a money pit was the '95 740i, and that was the first year they made that model - yet it was still a great car.

I paid $9000 for the 6-year-old 325 I had before it and drove it for ten years with practically no problems. My wife's '01 525 continues to be great, and my X5 doesn't look or act anything like a 5-year-old car. I've had it 5-1/2 months and not had any problems at all.

Touch wood...

[BJO]

i have a 3.0L X5 and my wife has a 3.0L X3. Both have been good, reliable vehicles. The X3 can do almost the same thing as the X5 can, except tow my race car. The x3 is a tad smaller on the inside, but not by much.

[SecretAznSauce]

put 3 kids in the back and you can tell the difference in teh x3 and x5. for a DD though the X3 would be better of the choice

[Ahmed303]

Great conversation guys. The biggest thing I am considering is the maintenance that I can do myself vs. a mechanic. As I said before, I have experience in maint. and repair of BMWs. I guess I could learn about other brands but some things in a BMW is much easier to do (Like Oil change of the X5 vs Oil Change of the 4 Runner my brother in law has).

My experience with BMW has been good so far and they proven themselves to be very reliable if proper maintenance are kept up. Each BMW series comes with their own set of challenges and I learned from them (Electrical issues and mechanical complexity of the M70 V12 of the E31 to the VC Gasket leaks of the M62 E38 to the suspension/shock tower issues of the E46 and MZ3). I was trying to get a better idea of what unique challenges could the AWD or other things the X5 or X3 could bring.

I did take my wife to drive the 330Xi and a 530Xi, a RAV4 and a Ford Edge. Here are her thoughts after driving the X3 and in comparison. We will go for a X5 test drive as soon as it rains again.

• 330Xi: Very nice and great zoom factor but space constrained for transporting the kids and gears.
• 530Xi: Very nice and comfortable. Decent space. Less power. Looks ugly (Her view) and don't like that round thing in the center console (I-Drive)
• Rav4: Decent power, Less zoom, decent space but smaller back seat seating surface. AWD felt flakey (The wet road we had in MD Dc area the last few days)
• Ford Edge: Very nice design, not good interior quality/fiut/finish, Good space and strong engine, Smooth 4WD and shift. Very sensitive throttle