Would you buy your X5 again?

[MMachines]

Would I buy my house again? Maybe
Would I marry my wife again? Absolutely
Would I buy my E92 M3 again? ABSOLUTELY
Would I buy my wife's E90 328i again? Sure

Would YOU buy your X5 again? In all of my research I should stay away, but is that because I know too much? I have a high mileage 2006 4Runner and an M3. The M3 is what I try to drive the most but the 4Runner gets 2x the miles (bike rides in the mountain, weekend trips, etc) and I'd like something nicer, especially for passing and holding speed in corners through mountain passes.

2012-2013 35i with favorable options is what's on my radar. I know about oil pan leaking, oil filter housing leaks, valve cover replacement + gaskets. These don't phase me. What's going to leave me on the side of the road? What else is there to be aware of?

People trade in junk cars and I keep reading carfaxes of 3, 4 owner X5's that are not that old (getting 10k miles per owner, or less!), or see them passed around through 2-3 dealers up for sale for a year. I can get a PPI but honestly they may not catch anything I wouldn't (I'm reasonably proficient having done my own rod bearings on the M3 for example) and I'm worried about getting someone elses POS.

So, would you buy yours again?

[Poppyboy]

Hell yeah. ‘11 35i w/SAV package, 58k miles. Best car I’ve ever owned. Bulletproof. No leaks at all. Only regular maintenance (+recalls) required.

[StatenEye]

Yes, no big issues. $500 in repairs over 4.5 years of ownership. Best car I've owned.

[jiggz]

I have the N63 powered 50i and I would buy it again without hesitation.

Yes, it's been into the dealer for a ton of work, but everything has been covered by BMW for free. All those service loaners I got w/ an inline 6 or 4 cylinder turbo confirmed my decision to buy the TT V8.

Great vehicle, would buy again

[RichardR0404]

Would I buy my house again? No
Would I marry my wife again? Absolutely
Would I buy my Focus RS again? No
Would I buy my F450 again? Absolutely
Would I buy my E70 35d again? Yes and No

Yes for its durability, no for the stupid issue like it won’t start at -45C, random check engine light, electronic issue, fake TPMS sucks, not be able to work on the motor myself.

[boneca]

Would I buy my 2011 X5 35i again? No
Would I buy my 2013 X5M again? Yes

I bought 2 years old 2011 35i in November 2013 after it came off lease, first year of ownership I had no issues at all, money went to gas and regular maintenance as expected, sure my gas mileage wasn't as great comparing to my previous VW CC but if I compare that mileage to X5M I really shouldn't complain!

In to second year of ownership I had a bad patch of issues all happened in about 2 mths period and the one that took first place was loosing the drive shaft on highway (killing the transmission and some) after the car was in the shop 2 weeks prior for maintenance and overall checks (the recall for drive shaft wasn't done!)
Yes BMW took care of the issues and I ended up with new transmission, drive shaft etc., but I lost faith in that car and traded it in for X5M.

Buying X5M really wasn't a goal at the time, I just wanted something else and possibly cheaper (due to some events happened in my life) but X5M accidentally found me, it was only 100 miles away from my house and it was in the color I always wanted, so I couldn't pass it!

I mentioned that I would by X5M again and its true but this is one of those hate-love relationships! Yes I had some mechanical issues in the last 3 years of ownership but all of them were related to first owner that didn't take good care of the car so I had to fix some (front shocks, washer motors etc.,). I was lucky enough not to have any major issues with my car besides mentioned above but even without major issues maintenance, gas etc., is very expensive (yes its an M so expected).
The love part is about driving experience, hands down one of the best cars I ever own or driven!

Lastly based on many, many posts I read through the years you will never now what you going to end up with! Yes there are number of common issues that might or might not happen to your car!
My advise is to get car inspected and if it comes clean and you like the car get in to it! Sounds like u are DIY person so you will be able to perform most by uself and it will save you lots of money down the road.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Nexo]

no I would not buy my 2011 e70 3.5

I'd keep my E90 M3 and picked up a cheep Japanese truck possibly a Toyota

[oil_burner]

I'd totally keep my 35d! It's been great on long trips, and has enough power for my uses. I might trade it in if we get the G05 M50d here in the US.

[omgboost]

No, I have a 35i but I do not want to get rid of it. I love the way it drives but I'm looking for a row, probably from a Japanese

[335dsleeper]

Yes!

[NasN55]

Originally Posted by jiggz

I have the N63 powered 50i and I would buy it again without hesitation.

Yes, it's been into the dealer for a ton of work, but everything has been covered by BMW for free. All those service loaners I got w/ an inline 6 or 4 cylinder turbo confirmed my decision to buy the TT V8.

Great vehicle, would buy again

What year is your X5? Would you own it without a warranty?

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by NasN55

What year is your X5? Would you own it without a warranty?

2012.

Hmm, not sure. I had CPO, now have a 3rd party warranty. Ideally yes I'd have a warranty vs. not having one. Though mine has had all the big ticket items done now, so not sure how much use my warranty will be at this point going forward? Still best to have have one with a 50i, and I got a great price on mine.

[sunny_j]

Yes!

[MMachines]

Thanks guys. I feel I'd be ok with the 35i since I'd be getting into it 6 yrs old and without reasonable 3rd party warranties available the DIY, availability of used parts, and risk, should be lower with an N55. I also have the M3 as my 'fun car'.

This timing couldn't be better. There I am last night pulling the exhaust on my M3 to replace an exhaust donut and my wife asks me when I'm putting the battery that's sitting on the floor in her 328, I tell her 'let's deal with one BMW at a time', to which she replies "so, you still want to replace the Toyota with a BMW?"

FWIW this one fits what I'm looking for with exception of heated steering wheel:
X5 For Sale

[suspenceful]

Originally Posted by MMachines

Thanks guys. I feel I'd be ok with the 35i since I'd be getting into it 6 yrs old and without reasonable 3rd party warranties available the DIY, availability of used parts, and risk, should be lower with an N55. I also have the M3 as my 'fun car'.

This timing couldn't be better. There I am last night pulling the exhaust on my M3 to replace an exhaust donut and my wife asks me when I'm putting the battery that's sitting on the floor in her 328, I tell her 'let's deal with one BMW at a time', to which she replies "so, you still want to replace the Toyota with a BMW?"

FWIW this one fits what I'm looking for with exception of heated steering wheel:
X5 For Sale

That white one looks nice! Seems like you're going thru the same exact scenario that I was about a month ago. With a 750whp 135i, I was looking for a nice reliable daily driver.

Check out my thread: https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1537580

Maybe there are a few cars in there that fit your criteria (loaded M-Sports with heated steering wheels). I'm happy with my choice and can't wait to mod it! Obviously, I'd suggest you test drive one first to make sure you enjoy the X5 in general.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by MMachines

Thanks guys. I feel I'd be ok with the 35i since I'd be getting into it 6 yrs old and without reasonable 3rd party warranties available the DIY, availability of used parts, and risk, should be lower with an N55. I also have the M3 as my 'fun car'.

This timing couldn't be better. There I am last night pulling the exhaust on my M3 to replace an exhaust donut and my wife asks me when I'm putting the battery that's sitting on the floor in her 328, I tell her 'let's deal with one BMW at a time', to which she replies "so, you still want to replace the Toyota with a BMW?"

FWIW this one fits what I'm looking for with exception of heated steering wheel:
X5 For Sale

Looks like a very fair price for year/miles and has some nice packages/options. Definitely doesn't have 'every luxury option available' as the ad reads but I know that just dealer talk. A nearly fully loaded E70 X5 is a very rare find (still never seen one with every package/option).

You thinking of making an offer on this one and having it shipped to you?

[MMachines]

suspenceful - I've read the thread the other night, that long drive must have pissed you off! It's great that you managed to get what you want. I've driven an X5 but not with 20" wheels, this would be my 5th BMW, I like how they drive in general and I've never had one less than 3.5 yrs old.

jiggz - that white one is local to me. There's another I like as well, very different build, also local. Been for sale for a year though at a few dealers, haven't seen it yet. :S
Grey X5 for sale

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by MMachines

jiggz - that white one is local to me. There's another I like as well, very different build, also local. Been for sale for a year though at a few dealers, haven't seen it yet. :S
Grey X5 for sale

Ah yes, I was looking at Jakes's (suspenceful) profile and saw WI. No harm in shipping though - I've done with a few times. Increases your candidate pool exponentially, but in most cases you wouldn't see it in person prior to purchase.

That gray one is nice. Always thought platinum gray metallic was one of the better E70 colors. That one has the multi-contour seats, those are a big plus.

Why has it been for sale for so long? Is the Carfax suspect?

[mavic1010]

I've had my well-equipped X5 3.0si (supposedly more reliable N52) for the past 8 years (bought it CPO in 2011, MY2008). The past 4 months have been a nightmare. Its starting to be in the shop every 2 weeks for something going wrong. Do I love driving the car and would I buy another X5? Absolutely, but only if I had a warranty. I don't drive much, as mine only has 70k miles now. I've still got 2 more years left on the warranty, but this is the first year the car has stranded me..... 2x! Enough that I've gotten AAA now in case it breaks down again.

[MMachines]

Grey CarFax

I think it looks good. Listed at 78k miles when clearly it's had over 82k for a long time though, long before this dealer got it which I suppose this is to try to get around some search filters, odd.

I'd consider shipping a car that wasn't so common. There are a handful around that have never seen salt/snow that suit my criteria.

[MMachines]

Originally Posted by mavic1010

I've had my well-equipped X5 3.0si (supposedly more reliable N52) for the past 8 years (bought it CPO in 2011, MY2008). The past 4 months have been a nightmare. Its starting to be in the shop every 2 weeks for something going wrong. Do I love driving the car and would I buy another X5? Absolutely, but only if I had a warranty. I don't drive much, as mine only has 70k miles now. I've still got 2 more years left on the warranty, but this is the first year the car has stranded me..... 2x! Enough that I've gotten AAA now in case it breaks down again.

If I had to guess, water pump? and?

[mavic1010]

Originally Posted by MMachines

If I had to guess, water pump? and?

Past 4 months:
1. Water Pump (Tow)
2. Fuel Pump (Tow)
3. Eccentric Shaft Sensor
4. Ignition Coils
5. Spark Plugs (maintenance)
6. Passenger + Driver Thigh Support motors
7. Injectors
8. Passenger Door Actuator
9. Front Tension Strut Bushings
10. Vanos Solenoids
11. Oil Leak
12. Driver Sun Visor (not covered under warranty, looking @ ebay for replacement)

Rear airbags are starting to leak now......