BMW X5 reliability

mkaresh · 10-26-2009, 11:26 AM

I wanted more up-to-date car reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. TrueDelta now reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to track cars closely as they age.

We've had good participation by owners of the 1, 3,and 5. Hoping to have the same with the X5. So far 177 X5 owners are signed up, and a few years are in the survey. But more owners are needed to fully cover all model years.

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 X5, for free.

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

Car reliability research

mkaresh · 02-11-2010, 09:12 AM

Now 206 X5 owners signed up, but we're still falling a couple participants short of being able to provide reliability stats for it like we do for other BMWs.

Not yet signed up? Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

kw335i · 02-11-2010, 10:55 AM

Just signed up

halfclue · 02-16-2010, 10:48 PM

Signed up as well.

magown · 02-17-2010, 01:19 PM

Just signed up

chuck92103 · 02-17-2010, 03:22 PM

Can you truley get accurate results when your sole marketing target is car forums that are known for discussions about car issues?

People without issues rarely visist these forums so I am wondering what you do to recruit others because something of this nature took JD Powers and Consumers Unions decades to do across a very broad spectrum.

mkaresh · 03-19-2010, 10:09 AM

Less than ten percent of my site traffic comes from forums. And, by using a longitudinal survey that only collects data going forward, the source of the sample isn't a significant problem--old repairs are systematically excluded from the analysis.

About one in ten participants reports a repair each month, not all of which count for the purposes of this analysis. This is consistent with the stats published by J.D. Power, and not nearly high enough to support your hypothesis.

The sad thing about both CR and JD Power is that, even after decades in the business, the information they provide remains far less useful than it could be, and far more potentially misleading than it should be. CR's methods leave much to be desired, while JD Power surveys only two time points and won't provide model level scores to the general public.

I've got a far superior system, just a matter of getting enough people involved. Great participation by BMW owners in general, but we're still short on X5s.

Car reliability research

chuck92103 · 03-19-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Less than ten percent of my site traffic comes from forums. And, by using a longitudinal survey that only collects data going forward, the source of the sample isn't a significant problem--old repairs are systematically excluded from the analysis.

About one in ten participants reports a repair each month, not all of which count for the purposes of this analysis. This is consistent with the stats published by J.D. Power, and not nearly high enough to support your hypothesis.

The sad thing about both CR and JD Power is that, even after decades in the business, the information they provide remains far less useful than it could be, and far more potentially misleading than it should be. CR's methods leave much to be desired, while JD Power surveys only two time points and won't provide model level scores to the general public.

I've got a far superior system, just a matter of getting enough people involved. Great participation by BMW owners in general, but we're still short on X5s.

Car reliability research

It would be much easier if dealers were required to link their repair histories to a central metrics database.

As don't think the average buyer can tell you the difference between service and repairs. Most cannot even sync a bluetooth phone.

mkaresh · 03-19-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck92103

It would be much easier if dealers were required to link their repair histories to a central metrics database.

As don't think the average buyer can tell you the difference between service and repairs. Most cannot even sync a bluetooth phone.

Better yet would be if manufacturers divulged their warranty data. But it's not about to happen. I prefer to focus on the doable.

We review every reported repair. If someone reports service as a repair, which doesn't happen often, it's excluded from the analysis.

pmeloche · 03-19-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck92103

Most cannot even sync a bluetooth phone.

I can't. Until I realized I did not own a Bluetooth phone.

mkaresh · 08-10-2010, 12:11 PM

Updated stats for hundreds of other models in about a week.

The X5 didn't quite make it into this update.

The 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010 are each only two or three participants short of the minimum. With a few more participants per year all of these could be in the next update, in November.

Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

BrunoT · 08-17-2010, 10:36 PM

My observation is that TrueDelta's reliability info jibes well with general perceptions and other sources of data on reliability, as well as user reports from all over the web. It also helps to look at specific repair reports from owners to see what is going wrong and if it's something you consider serious.

If cupholders are breaking that's one thing. If engines are dying that's quite different!

The only downside is the small samples but he's here to fix that. So sign up. Imagine if every car out there was part of a database like this.

scollins · 08-26-2010, 01:15 AM

I'm signed up for my E90 335i, so when I pick up my X5 35d on Saturday, I'll get it into the database as well. Sadly, the E90 is being traded back to get the X5.

mkaresh · 09-23-2010, 12:35 PM

Thanks, I appreciate it.

A few years are now (barely) in the survey, and others are close. Hoping for some stats in November.

Not yet signed up? To help get your year fully included:

Car reliability research

CMH75 · 09-26-2010, 08:39 AM

signed up - I like the concept....let's see how it plays out....

mkaresh · 10-30-2010, 10:14 AM

Thanks, I appreciate it.

We'll have an initial result for the 2010 next month. With just a few more participants per model year we could have results for six additional model years with the following update, in February.

To help make this happen:

Car reliability research

mkaresh · 12-20-2010, 10:37 AM

We have an initial results for the X5 based on owner experiences through September 30, 2010.

With a reported repair frequency of 124 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the 2010 X5 is worse than average.

The sample size was very small, so this result is not precise.

Thank you, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

BMW X3 reliability ratings and comparisons

X5dieselfan · 12-20-2010, 11:42 AM

Excellent site!

X5_Krush · 12-20-2010, 04:57 PM

So the only model you have data on currently is the 2010 model?

Any Idea when the E53 data will be available?

BrunoT · 12-23-2010, 08:18 AM

Reading owner reviews from edmunds and accross the web, I'd say the X5 was fairly disappointing in the reliability area. In fact, the only thing I considered that was worse was the horrible VW touareg, most of whose reviews contained the words "horror story", and the Audi Q7, its platform-mate.

Still, the difference is BMW is more likely to competently and w/o delay fix the issues, while VW had some problems in that area. Hopefully newer models will continue to improve as they fix problem areas.

This kept me from seriously considering a used model. Well, that and they resale so great the nicer used ones are not bargains anyway.

10-26-2009, 11:26 AM	#1
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	BMW X5 reliability I wanted more up-to-date car reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. TrueDelta now reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to track cars closely as they age. We've had good participation by owners of the 1, 3,and 5. Hoping to have the same with the X5. So far 177 X5 owners are signed up, and a few years are in the survey. But more owners are needed to fully cover all model years. 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 X5, for free. For the details, and to sign up to help out: Car reliability research
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02-11-2010, 09:12 AM	#2
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Now 206 X5 owners signed up, but we're still falling a couple participants short of being able to provide reliability stats for it like we do for other BMWs. Not yet signed up? Help get your year included: Car reliability research
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02-11-2010, 10:55 AM	#3
kw335i Private First Class 13 Rep 158 Posts Drives: X5 ///M Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 Ducati 1198s [0.00] 2012 Porsche Cayenn ... [0.00] 2012 BMW X5 ///M [0.00] 2011 Porsche 997 Turbo [0.00] 2013 Porsche Paname ... [0.00]	Just signed up
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02-16-2010, 10:48 PM	#4
halfclue New Member 1 Rep 22 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive35d Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SE Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Signed up as well.
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02-17-2010, 01:19 PM	#5
magown Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 05 330i ZHP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (0)	Just signed up
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02-17-2010, 03:22 PM	#6
chuck92103 Major 91 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Can you truley get accurate results when your sole marketing target is car forums that are known for discussions about car issues? People without issues rarely visist these forums so I am wondering what you do to recruit others because something of this nature took JD Powers and Consumers Unions decades to do across a very broad spectrum. __________________ 2011 535i 2008 VW GTI
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03-19-2010, 10:09 AM	#7
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Less than ten percent of my site traffic comes from forums. And, by using a longitudinal survey that only collects data going forward, the source of the sample isn't a significant problem--old repairs are systematically excluded from the analysis. About one in ten participants reports a repair each month, not all of which count for the purposes of this analysis. This is consistent with the stats published by J.D. Power, and not nearly high enough to support your hypothesis. The sad thing about both CR and JD Power is that, even after decades in the business, the information they provide remains far less useful than it could be, and far more potentially misleading than it should be. CR's methods leave much to be desired, while JD Power surveys only two time points and won't provide model level scores to the general public. I've got a far superior system, just a matter of getting enough people involved. Great participation by BMW owners in general, but we're still short on X5s. Car reliability research
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2010, 12:11 PM	#11
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Updated stats for hundreds of other models in about a week. The X5 didn't quite make it into this update. The 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010 are each only two or three participants short of the minimum. With a few more participants per year all of these could be in the next update, in November. Help get your year included: Car reliability research
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-17-2010, 10:36 PM	#12
BrunoT Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2012 F-150 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	My observation is that TrueDelta's reliability info jibes well with general perceptions and other sources of data on reliability, as well as user reports from all over the web. It also helps to look at specific repair reports from owners to see what is going wrong and if it's something you consider serious. If cupholders are breaking that's one thing. If engines are dying that's quite different! The only downside is the small samples but he's here to fix that. So sign up. Imagine if every car out there was part of a database like this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2010, 01:15 AM	#13
scollins Bootleggin' 'n Gunrunnin' 137 Rep 2,372 Posts Drives: 2024 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (3)	I'm signed up for my E90 335i, so when I pick up my X5 35d on Saturday, I'll get it into the database as well. Sadly, the E90 is being traded back to get the X5. __________________ Scott 2024 G01 X3 M40i, Brooklyn Grey Metallic /// 2015 F15 X5 35i, Space Gray Metallic, 99K miles /// 2013 F30 320xi, Mojave Metallic, 112k miles 2019 Ford F450 STX, Oxford White 2013 Ducati Multistrada Touring S, Red
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09-23-2010, 12:35 PM	#14
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Thanks, I appreciate it. A few years are now (barely) in the survey, and others are close. Hoping for some stats in November. Not yet signed up? To help get your year fully included: Car reliability research
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2010, 08:39 AM	#15
CMH75 Private 6 Rep 57 Posts Drives: '11 X5 35d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (0)	signed up - I like the concept....let's see how it plays out....
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10-30-2010, 10:14 AM	#16
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Thanks, I appreciate it. We'll have an initial result for the 2010 next month. With just a few more participants per model year we could have results for six additional model years with the following update, in February. To help make this happen: Car reliability research
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2010, 10:37 AM	#17
mkaresh Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2000 Lexus GS 400 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	We have an initial results for the X5 based on owner experiences through September 30, 2010. With a reported repair frequency of 124 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the 2010 X5 is worse than average. The sample size was very small, so this result is not precise. Thank you, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years. To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help: BMW X3 reliability ratings and comparisons
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2010, 11:42 AM	#18
X5dieselfan Enlisted Member 4 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2011x53.5d Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N.Cal usa iTrader: (0)	Excellent site!
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12-20-2010, 04:57 PM	#19
X5_Krush Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2003 E53 - X5 4.4i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Mexico iTrader: (0)	So the only model you have data on currently is the 2010 model? Any Idea when the E53 data will be available?
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12-23-2010, 08:18 AM	#20
BrunoT Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2012 F-150 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Reading owner reviews from edmunds and accross the web, I'd say the X5 was fairly disappointing in the reliability area. In fact, the only thing I considered that was worse was the horrible VW touareg, most of whose reviews contained the words "horror story", and the Audi Q7, its platform-mate. Still, the difference is BMW is more likely to competently and w/o delay fix the issues, while VW had some problems in that area. Hopefully newer models will continue to improve as they fix problem areas. This kept me from seriously considering a used model. Well, that and they resale so great the nicer used ones are not bargains anyway.
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