Should I buy the X6?

[2lazy2drive]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post here, been lurking around for awhile and decide to sign up.

Ok here's my problem. I live in Cambodia, there isn't a BMW branch here. Closest would be Vietnam, its about a 5 hour drive. There are new X6 sold here but its from an importer. I am thinking of getting one but being careful as I am I've been doing some research looking for any particular fault that could come with the car and cannot be fixed here. I found a few, and the one i'm really scared of is regarding the High Pressure Fuel Pump that i've been reading about. I am wanting to buy the 35i and that uses the n54 engine with the famous FPFP problem.

Now the car I am looking at is produced in 2010 March. I really love the car and I know there's a big risk since there isn't a BMW branch here, even though there are plenty of BMW driving around including the X6. My question is, is it worth it? How much chance would I run into that HPFP problem. Here there are good shops that can fix any car, its just spending a $110,000 on an X6 I don't want to buy a lemon. Yes the car tax here is VERY HIGH. The X6 cost $110,000 USD and thats what I am spending.

So.. to buy or not to buy.

Other choice would be a Mercedes they have a branch here but I really don't like Mercedes.. they are perceived to be an old man car here. I have decided to buy the X6 but the only thing holding me back is that fuel pump thing.

[Kassfy]

Pretty sure everyone here would say buy the x6....it being an x6 forum..i had the same problem..was deciding between the range rover, mercedes and x6....crossed out the mercedes cause ya it is pretty much a family suv...not sporty....range rover crossed out cause it always has problems and no maintaince coverage like bmw....So x6 was my best choice

[Batke]

As I just received my X6 last Tuesday I would have to yell YES! What an awesome automobile. This thing rocks. It sucks to hear that your closest BMW dealer is 5 hours away. That would scare me a little, not because BMW's are bad cars, but they have sooo much tech in them that it really is a gamble. To me it sounds like you could afford to have a X6 towed to the BMW dealer if it came to that, which I would hope it never will. As an X6 driver I just want you to get it for the sheer fun you will have driving it. Good-luck on your choice!

[dmlgc]

I've had my X6 since the launch and my advice is that unless you have a BMW dealer close at hand this could be a very difficult car to own. It is full of technology and some that is new and not in other BMW's yet. Now after all the initial issues were ironed out it runs like the finely tuned machine that it was meant to be (just did a run from NorCal to SoCal across desert to Scottsdale,AZ and back).

So I love my X6 but if I was in your position I would think twice about it . The HPFP was one of the problems some had , early folks (and even some still) had the wrong battery problem and list goes on. If it does have problems can you just punch the button and have BMW assist send someone to tow it to the dealer ?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

BOTH the BMW and MB are packed with technology.

That said, if it came down to having local servicing or not -- that's more than a tie-breaker in my tally sheet.

If you can swing it, maybe get an AMG MB? Closer to a BMW and you get the local servicing when the need eventually arises..

G/L!!

[2lazy2drive]

No, theres no BMW assist whatsoever. Gosh but I love the X6. This is a really hard choice.. I'm gonna go try asking about the 50i instade but the tax will be crazy since its a V8 with bigger engine.

[RQP]

If you are 100% sure all the roads you will drive on are paved and all you ever carry is just a few bags of luggage and you don't ever need to drive any more person than 4 (or unless you have other car for these need), then get X6, if not, go with X5

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by 2lazy2drive

No, theres no BMW assist whatsoever. Gosh but I love the X6. This is a really hard choice.. I'm gonna go try asking about the 50i instade but the tax will be crazy since its a V8 with bigger engine.

Lol!! Don't every drive one...I did and never quite got the TT V8 out of my system once I did..

Yes, I have on understanding wife...

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by RQP

If you are 100% sure all the roads you will drive on are paved and all you ever carry is just a few bags of luggage and you don't ever need to drive any more person than 4 (or unless you have other car for these need), then get X6, if not, go with X5

agree if you are hauling kids and things X6 is not right car. As for unpaved roads X6 does better than most people would think, most are not willing to leave pavement.

I think his biggest problem is he doesn't have local dealer, X5's can have issues also as can all new cars. So basically he's stuck with deciding if he's willing to live with having either one towed 5 hours when it breaks.

[archwerks]

May be wait 'til you can get the x6 35i with the N55 engine & 8 speed transmission.

[vladberca]

^ very well said
X6 has a great handling and with the new N55 + the new 8 speed sport auto u'll love every second spent in the car..

[2lazy2drive]

OK I hope this N55 engine is a god sent. But right now I have to hold of buying the X6, I've been to the Euro garage where they fix high end car and they said several X6 has came in having the HPFP problem. Seriously this problem is not minor, there are only very few X6 here.

Thanks guys for the input, I really hope BMW fix this.

[archwerks]

Nothing's / no one's perfect.
U don't get anything without giving up something else.
Same with cars.
life's a compromise,
C'est la vie.
Be prepared for these, within 39,000 km or 2 yrs.:
A) Wrong battery direct from the factory!
# of visits to resolve, (only AFTER I discovered that Car & DRiver's longterm tester had the same problem! & TOLD them ), 3 visits !

B) Engine Malfunction Reduced Pwr: HPFP replacement, 1 visit

c) EMRP: One of the turbos' actuator flap broke, Both turbos replaced, 1 visit

d)Engine Oil level sensor. Indicates engine oil lvl too high when it is not! 2 Visits so far, still unresolved b/c BMW repair protocol has not indicated sensor replacement as required, only "REPROGRAMING" as of the 2nd visit.
appointment made for 3rd visit!

That's on top of regular maintenance visits.

So if you r prepared for this level of "QUALITY" for the premium u pay for the "JOY" of this marque... BUY
If not.... don't get closer than 100 yds of a dealer!

[giants84]

Hey when is the X6 with the N55 engine & 8 speed transmission going to be out?

[2lazy2drive]

Gosh archwecks you sure is patient with BMW. I'll be so pissed if this happen to me. I am thinking of going to put a deposit on mine tomorrow. It is a March 2010 model X6 import from Germany. Does anyone know what are the differences between the US X6 and the Euro X6?

[Rac10000]

Originally Posted by giants84

Hey when is the X6 with the N55 engine & 8 speed transmission going to be out?

It's out already. All 2011 35i's ...

[RQP]

Yes, I think the different is that Euro get the 40d version.

I hear many people said that if you like the car, prepare your mentality to go through difficult stage as much as archweck. However, one think as one assurance is that whenever, wherever I have problem with my car( in U.S.), BMW dealer can provide towing and loaner car free of charge (I assumed, my car have not arrive yet).
That's is not going to happen for Cambodia. I doubt the BMW dealer in Saigon will cover that far to Cambodia. However, if you know the shop and have money to spend for the car, it will not cost much more to fix those problems. After all, if you really like it, go for it. Driving X6 over there would be the same as driving exotic car.

[ronald_adi]

Originally Posted by 2lazy2drive

I am thinking of going to put a deposit on mine tomorrow. It is a March 2010 model X6 import from Germany. Does anyone know what are the differences between the US X6 and the Euro X6?

i hope you are aware that if this is a new X6 you are buying, it is coming from the states and not germany! X6's are only made in the states.

[2lazy2drive]

Yes I am aware of that. What I meant was since that X6 is imported from Germany, is there a different to the X6 US version?

[archwerks]

Originally Posted by 2lazy2drive

Yes I am aware of that. What I meant was since that X6 is imported from Germany, is there a different to the X6 US version?

An oxymoronic marketing program. Same car, different standard equipment & options packaged for maximized profit, for different markets worldwide.
Where do u think they get $$$,$$$,$$$ to spend on racing & R&D!

[2lazy2drive]

One more question, does anyone know when exactly does the N55 engine be fitted to the X6? Is there people driving around with N55 in X6 right now?

Reason I ask is I know the exact date when I can make an order for that particular X6 with N55. Yea import dealer is different from the official dealer, they don't know about engine code and stuff, they only order what you tell them to so..

Sorry for the many questions, this forum is very helpful compared to others. Thanks guys for the input, you guys are shaping my decision on the purchase

[archwerks]

Originally Posted by 2lazy2drive

One more question, does anyone know when exactly does the N55 engine be fitted to the X6? Is there people driving around with N55 in X6 right now?

Reason I ask is I know the exact date when I can make an order for that particular X6 with N55. Yea import dealer is different from the official dealer, they don't know about engine code and stuff, they only order what you tell them to so..

Sorry for the many questions, this forum is very helpful compared to others. Thanks guys for the input, you guys are shaping my decision on the purchase

Even if u have A DEALER in your area of travels, the BMW TRAINED MECHANICS can run out of directions from BMW on how to fix a lot of the electronics glitches & problems.
[B]I'm getting sick & tired of all the glitches that shows up every couple of months[/B].
There's a limit to how unreliable a car should be in this day & age. NO matter how well it drives, when it drives, & not sitting back at the dealer's garage!
So if ur dealer who will be doing warranty work is in the next county, across the state line or border, Stay away from BMWs!
No "JOY" in posting this message , but somebody has to tell it the way it is!
Even Roses have thorns!