E70 problems

[M40CCA]

Looking at getting a e70 x5 7 seater for the Mrs

Is there anything to look out for when buying?

We used to have the model before and had the usual things go wrong like exhaust manifold cracked where it met the block, door handles break when frozen

Thanks macca

[getafewlives]

There's a lot of possible issues and a lot of them can be very expensive. And as I have found out, just because there's no symptoms when you buy it, doesn't mean you won't have those issues in a couple months.

The V8s tend to have the most issues.

[Revnato]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

Looking at getting a e70 x5 7 seater for the Mrs

Is there anything to look out for when buying?

We used to have the model before and had the usual things go wrong like exhaust manifold cracked where it met the block, door handles break when frozen

Thanks macca

There's an engine malfunction thread that's definitely worth reading.
I recently bought a 2012 X5M with 50k miles and have already spent over eight thousand dollars in maintenance repairs.

However I'm probably not the best example because I bought the lemon of all lemons ever to have fallen from a lemon tree

[sycd]

Originally Posted by Revnato

There's an engine malfunction thread that's definitely worth reading.
I recently bought a 2012 X5M with 50k miles and have already spent over eight thousand dollars in maintenance repairs.

However I'm probably not the best example because I bought the lemon of all lemons ever to have fallen from a lemon tree

Had about $13k of repairs done on our 50i X5 in the last year. About 85k miles. We love that beast but I wouldn't buy one used without a great extended warranty.

[-c-]

On the other end I've got 120k miles on mine and the only bad thing I've had go wrong is the transfer case starting to fail. It was still drivable and vibrated when turning sharp. Other than that just normal maintenance and the normal n55 oil leak issues where fixed.

Mine is a 35i inline 6 however not the v8.

Much better for a reliable daily driver but not as fun as the v8 for speed.

[E70'11]

+1

35i as well I've had zero issues even though I'm in the mid 80k range myself. T-case as stated and that was fixed which was a great thing as well. I think one thing was the gasket seals on the head needed to be replace because you saw oil in areas that clearly weren't needing to be there. Other than that, I'd say a solid 8/10 for this vehicle

Originally Posted by -c-

On the other end I've got 120k miles on mine and the only bad thing I've had go wrong is the transfer case starting to fail. It was still drivable and vibrated when turning sharp. Other than that just normal maintenance and the normal n55 oil leak issues where fixed.

Mine is a 35i inline 6 however not the v8.

Much better for a reliable daily driver but not as fun as the v8 for speed.

[egames0153]

Is it the 50i or the 35i/d?

I think it really comes down to that, if it's the 35i/d then it might work out well but I would recommend staying away from the 50i!

[protecon]

After almost getting a 50i before importing my M, I'm glad I didn't. I looked at it for the same reasons as you, thinking the third row would be useful, but we don't have seven members of the family yet, and the last row is only really suited for kids.

From what I've seen online, if you're dead-set on the 7-seater, try to get a later one with the N63TU motor.

[2011diesel]

Bought my 2011 35d with 67k miles. Had no issues for a few years, up until now, at 78k miles. Have check engine light with intake air temp sensor and cylinder 5 glow plug sensor. Replaced the IAT sensor, check engine light is still on. Other than that it runs good. Just found out it needs a new thermostat, cause mpg is 25, should be 30. If I would do it again, I wouldn't buy it.

[serge1]

If it is for the Mrs, I assume short drives like school runs and grocery shopping, maybe work commute.
In that case, do not get the diesel, as it is not able to achieve operating temperatures for that driving profile, and all kinds of issues come out (clogged DPF, carbon buildup).

In my observation on E70 forums in last 5 years, it appears 35i (3.0L turbo gas) is the most reliable of the 3 engine choices.

50i used to hold a firm 1st place on issues, but now as 35d ages, emissions components begin to fail for more people.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by serge1

If it is for the Mrs, I assume short drives like school runs and grocery shopping, maybe work commute.
In that case, do not get the diesel, as it is not able to achieve operating temperatures for that driving profile, and all kinds of issues come out (clogged DPF, carbon buildup).

In my observation on E70 forums in last 5 years, it appears 35i (3.0L turbo gas) is the most reliable of the 3 engine choices.

50i used to hold a firm 1st place on issues, but now as 35d ages, emissions components begin to fail for more people.

Not to mention the gas mileage gap lessened when the 35i was introduced and mated to an 8 speed and the diesel was carried over. Add to the fact that the MPG do suffer on the diesel if not well maintained their pretty much neck and neck, all that money savings on MPG's goes out the window when you start replacing expensive diesel sensors and such.

Plus the N55 and the 8 speed are both used on the newer F15's so your still working with the latest tech vs 10 year old tech.

Your only downturn is the torque but that can be alleviated with a good tune of the 35i.

Diesel ain't bad but when she starts getting old all the maintenance can sour the feeling.

[007_e350]

If you delete the soup then diesel is virtually problem free...

[X5 MAN]

Don't buy diesel unless you are towing.

3rd row could not fit even my 10 year old.

[quick]

Bought my '12 X5M with 39,000 miles back in Jan '09. The current mileage is 42,000 and really have not had any issues. Only recently I had " DSc and xDrive malfunction" popped up on highway only to disappear once the car was turned off. I am sure it's some sort of sensor or else it would ahve stayed on all the time
Love the dang thing though

[Sophisticated Redneck]

For the 50i (and to a lesser extent the M), are plagued by issues surrounding all the plastic & rubber bits under the hood.

Its a reverse-flow Hot-V engine design with ZERO airflow in the engine compartment. So all of kinds of neat stuff wears out early, from the valve guide seals the CCV system, vacuum lines, etc. Parts are not really that bad if you can fix yourself, if not you will get killed by the labor hours. Quite a few items are covered by BMW extended warranty though. If you get one, get low miles or one that just had all those parts replaced. The Engines are amazing when running right and worth it if you want that kind of power and performance in a SUV

[Colodano]

From what I have seen, between my own M at 125K miles, and working in the auto parts field, the big issues relate to the cooling system i.e. expansion tanks, water pumps, coolant sensors etc. Also the crankcase vents and related plastic bits under the hood.
Sway bar links and front control arm bushings go bad, brakes are pricey, the auto rear hatch struts are prone to failure, small things in the seats can have issues, i.e. thigh support motor gear, or active module if equipped.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

For the 50i (and to a lesser extent the M), are plagued by issues surrounding all the plastic & rubber bits under the hood.

Its a reverse-flow Hot-V engine design with ZERO airflow in the engine compartment. So all of kinds of neat stuff wears out early, from the valve guide seals the CCV system, vacuum lines, etc. Parts are not really that bad if you can fix yourself, if not you will get killed by the labor hours. Quite a few items are covered by BMW extended warranty though. If you get one, get low miles or one that just had all those parts replaced. The Engines are amazing when running right and worth it if you want that kind of power and performance in a SUV

The problems with plastic embrittlement is not unique to v8 bmws. It affects all bmws regardless of engine choice. It happened with my diesel, it happened with my n62, it happens all the time with the cooling systems on n54s, and n55s. It’s the nature of engine bay plastics.

My experience is the plastics in the engine bay in Houston on bmws begins to go bad around year 5, and will happen again. Engine partitions, expansion tanks, PCV lines, filtered air ducts, radiator end tanks, and etc.

Just know any bmw engine is susceptible to embrittlement problems.

The S63 in the m, is basically a souped up N63, with a low temp thermostat and better cooling. But I’ve replaced darn near everything in the engine bay that is plastic on my 2011.