BMW X6 reliability

[mkaresh]

TrueDelta reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, to report on new models quickly and track cars closely as they age.

We currently provide results for the 1, 3, and 5, but the X6 isn't included in the survey yet. For a model year to be included, at least 25 owners have to sign up to participate.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for the X6, free of charge.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Car reliability research

Feel free to also post your individual experiences in this thread. We can only use information submitted through the survey in our analysis, but forum visitors will also find individual experiences posted here helpful.

[mkaresh]

One thing that would enable the X6 to be included earlier is to pool its sample with that for the X5. This would make sense if the great majority of failed components were shared between the two.

The biggest difference is, of course, the engines, since none are currently shared in the U.S. On the other hand, most problems during a car's first few years are not powertrain-related.

So, what do people think? Combine, at least initially (they can always be split later), or keep them separate?

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

One thing that would enable the X6 to be included earlier is to pool its sample with that for the X5. This would make sense if the great majority of failed components were shared between the two.

The biggest difference is, of course, the engines, since none are currently shared in the U.S. On the other hand, most problems during a car's first few years are not powertrain-related.

So, what do people think? Combine, at least initially (they can always be split later), or keep them separate?

I think they should be kept separate as it would probably confuse too many people that do not know the difference between the X5 and X6 to make an informed decision.

Also, if you have a look through this forum, you will notice that most 'issues' on X6 that has been brought forward are really only related to the X6 and I don't think that would be in any way helpful to the X5 statistics!

Also whatever statistics you may have gathered on the X5, would most likely not apply to the X6, especially considering that they do not share the same engines, so fuel economy for example would be different between the X5 and X6.

[mkaresh]

Fuel economy would be separate, regardless. That's reported by powertrain.

The combination would affect only the repair rate stat. If people are reporting many X6-specific problems, then they should be reported separately. Thanks for that info.

[mkaresh]

The downside of keeping them separate is that we need 25 per model for the X6 alone. That won't be easy, though we have large samples of a few other low volume models.

All depends on how many owners elect to sign up.

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

Updated results for 250+ models this month. Looking forward to including some of the XBimmers, but need more people to help make this happen.

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

The 2008 X5 has been added to the survey.

Still wavering on whether to combine the samples.

Have the problems people have been experiencing involved parts shared with the X5, or not?

[Kojak]

x5 and x6 use different engines; most x6 problems have been engine related; so don't combine

[mkaresh]

Thanks, Kojak (loved thata show when I was a kid).

One thing to keep in mind is that engine-related problems are much more likely to get posted to forums. But I'll keep them separate.

Another thing that might make sense is to combine the 2008 and 2009. What month were these first sold in the U.S.?

[Kojak]

I think they started taking orders early April 2008. I was one of the first and took delivery mid May

[baufix]

Short update:

My X6 3,5d, 20000km's, still as good as new, no repairs.

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by Kojak

I think they started taking orders early April 2008. I was one of the first and took delivery mid May

Thanks. So when we get close I'll probably combine the 2008 with the 2009 by considering them to be 2008.5s.

This puts us about halfway there.

For the details, and to sign up if you haven't already:

Car reliability research

[mkaresh]

Updated results recently posted for the 1, 3, and 5. Hoping to include some of the X's in future updates...just a matter of getting enough owners involved.

[mkaresh]

Now just ten owners short of getting started with the 2008.5-2009. Thanks, guys.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

[archwerks]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Now just ten owners short of getting started with the 2008.5-2009. Thanks, guys.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

I'm surprised u haven't had more people sign up considering how active this forum is!

[mkaresh]

Not everyone is interested in stats like these, and interest varies a lot from forum to forum. The more performance-oriented a vehicle is, the lower interest tends to be.

But I do what I can to provide the stats for those who are interested.

[sesh1957]

I'm in at Truedelta. The only problem I have had is the headlight washer popped out and the DVD player mis reads/lose nav. 14,000 miles.

[mkaresh]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Updated results recently for the 1, 3, 5, and Z4. Still not enough participants for the X's...

[mkaresh]

Now just ten owners short for the 2008-2009.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

[GJM]

done, make that 9

[mkaresh]

Starting this month we have a new question to measure, as objectively as possible, the severity of a problem. Many people have been asking for reliability stats that weight problems by how severe they are, and once we have enough responses with the revised survey we'll start providing this.