Looking to buy a used X5. What year?

[jgermany]

I have found a few 2013's I really like, but as 2014 was the start of the F15 would I be better served spending more to get it? Is the F15 that much better?

Additionally I don't know what engine trim I should get. I'm leaning towards the 50i, but I've read that the 35d might be the way to go. I'm not against the 35i either. I'm in Colorado so xDrive is a must.

Can anyone offer any insight? Is any one engine model better or more reliable than another? I am definitely getting a CPO.

Thanks in advance!

[KCLARK]

Im in the market for one as well, and from all the information I keep reading over and over the 35i is the more reliable engine out the bunch. I would suggest getting a LCI 11 - 13 (has newer lights). I haven't even considered looking into the F15 model, but me personally would like to get my hands on a 2013 X5M

[-c-]

Well what's your budget? Usually the newer the model the more bugs have been worked out, the f15 borrows much from the E70 in the underpinnings, same platform but design is all new. At least that's what I heard somewhere.

The F15 prices are starting to become more attractive price wise but you can also get a fully loaded e70 for a great price. If your going CPO then the 2013 e70's will be about the latest age id look at otherwise the f15 will be your best bet for a CPO.

[Mikes5.0]

I wanted a X5M or 50i but after reading all the horror stories and never finding one owner that would own one out of warranty I didnt want to take a chance. I decided to buy a 2013 35d and just ordered all the parts needed to delete the emission parts. I plan on keeping mine for a long time and in my county diesel engines are not required to have yearly emission checks. I know Ill miss the v8 sound and performance but the N63 engine sounds like a time bomb. Lots of good info on this forum so just take some time and do a little searching.

[UglyBuzzard]

I went with a CPO e70 with the M Sport N63 over the F15. I did not like how the F15 drove or held the road. Gave up some technology but I bought a BMW to drive. Wish there was a certified M at the time I pulled the trigger but I do enjoy the 50i. Would I own it out of warranty, probably not. But, it is so much more fun to drive than the the V6 or F15. If the next generation drives like the F15, I may be back in a GL550.

Moral of the story - prioritize what is important to you and go with it.

[BzsBimmer]

I just picked up a 2011 X5M with about 42k miles on the clock. Just had driveshaft and injectors replaced under warranty, however, there is a light in the door out, engine hood seal broken (typical I've read), windshield washer nozzles broken, driver power lumbar was not functioning, and the rear passenger comfort access isn't working. I wonder if the heat in the engine bay is fatiguing all of the plastic bits.

[marc6SPD]

Originally Posted by jgermany

I have found a few 2013's I really like, but as 2014 was the start of the F15 would I be better served spending more to get it? Is the F15 that much better?

Additionally I don't know what engine trim I should get. I'm leaning towards the 50i, but I've read that the 35d might be the way to go. I'm not against the 35i either. I'm in Colorado so xDrive is a must.

Can anyone offer any insight? Is any one engine model better or more reliable than another? I am definitely getting a CPO.

Thanks in advance!

I just picked up a late '13 x35i CPO with 25k miles on it. I also thought about the '14s but couldn't really justify the price difference for whatever improvements or tech that car has over the '13. I don't think the reliability between the two years will really be that much different so I chose to keep the extra $5-10k, but that's just my opinion.

Personally, to me the '13 looks better but that's obviously subjective. It's also plenty fast for day to day driving. Full disclosure, I do have an M3 for fun weekend drives, so maybe that's why I was ok without the V8 in the X5. Like someone pointed out earlier, focus on the features that are important to you personally. You're the one driving the car at the end of the day.

[frankenm]

Originally Posted by Mikes5.0

I wanted a X5M or 50i but after reading all the horror stories and never finding one owner that would own one out of warranty I didnt want to take a chance. I decided to buy a 2013 35d and just ordered all the parts needed to delete the emission parts. I plan on keeping mine for a long time and in my county diesel engines are not required to have yearly emission checks. I know Ill miss the v8 sound and performance but the N63 engine sounds like a time bomb. Lots of good info on this forum so just take some time and do a little searching.

There are some of us guys on here that own the X5M out of warranty ... just need to DIY, go to indie's or have very deep pockets to maintain at BMW dealerships as costs are usually upwards of 10x what DIY costs.

I've owned mine for over a year now without any warranty and the truck has so far never let me down other than when I let an indie shop do some work on it and fuck it up.

I would look for a 12 or 13 model year.

[Mikes5.0]

Originally Posted by frankenm

There are some of us guys on here that own the X5M out of warranty ... just need to DIY, go to indie's or have very deep pockets to maintain at BMW dealerships as costs are usually upwards of 10x what DIY costs.

I've owned mine for over a year now without any warranty and the truck has so far never let me down other than when I let an indie shop do some work on it and fuck it up.

I would look for a 12 or 13 model year.

Good to know, I really wanted a X5M and do most of my own work. Maybe one day Ill pick one up. Im happy with the 35d TQ and mpg but miss the v8 sound.

[smq42]

Originally Posted by UglyBuzzard

I went with a CPO e70 with the M Sport N63 over the F15. I did not like how the F15 drove or held the road. Gave up some technology but I bought a BMW to drive. Wish there was a certified M at the time I pulled the trigger but I do enjoy the 50i. Would I own it out of warranty, probably not. But, it is so much more fun to drive than the the V6 or F15. If the next generation drives like the F15, I may be back in a GL550.

Moral of the story - prioritize what is important to you and go with it.

I tried the F15. Loved the interior but hated the numb electric power steering.

I ended up going with the 2013 X5d (E70) as I liked driving it much more than the newer version.