Thinking of getting a second gen X5...

[pjb515]

Hi all,
I'm thinking of a second-gen X5 for my next car and wanted to know what you all thought of them. I currently have an E90 (328i) and it's been reliable but it's time to go back to an SUV. Is the X5 reliable? Is there a noticeable difference in size between the X5 and X3? Again I'm thinking about the second generation E70. X3-wise, I guess I'd be thinking about the same year-span if I go that way...
Thanks for any thoughts!!

[Molez93]

Oiy. I've owned 5 E70s (two leased diesels; owned 1 50i and 2 Ms). "Reliable" is definitely not a word I would use to describe them. If I were not intoxicated by the mix of power, luxury, handling, and utility, I would have run away screaming after my 2nd E53 4.4 and never touched a single E70. ;-)

Many, though not all, are maintenance intense. I "budgeted" $4k per year in non-routine expenses. After two years of owning an X5M outside of a warranty period, that number is about right. Add in fluids, tires, brakes, and the number goes still higher for me.

Not sure X3s are any better, but at least their cargo capacity is pretty close to that of an X5 (though the exterior size would lead one to expect otherwise).

Good luck, but you've definitely been warned.

[NorthCountryGuy]

I have two X5’s.
They are they 35i six cylinder engined.
In two years of very Northern winters I have only had 1.5 issues.
The water pump went on The Horse. Covered by my extended warranty so it cost me the 200 deductible. The other 0.5 issue was the oxygen sensor threw the code. I changed them myself.
So far so good.
I am very happy with the N55 engined 35i’s. Incredibly good on gas. Has enough punch when needed. Very good as my daily driver and a sturdy SUV for my girl in grad school up North. The xDrive is phenomenal for the snow. I do have sets of winter wheels/tires for the season.

Add: don’t get the X3. To small.

[Poppyboy]

My ‘11 35i has been bulletproof. Oil changes every year, brake and power steering fluids, coolant and air/cabin filter changes every two years. Trans and diff/transfer case fluids every 50k mi. Easy peasy.

[pjb515]

Thanks for your thoughts so far, everyone, keep'em coming. NorthCountryBoy, I think I'm with ya, I think I'll start with looking at X5's and if nothing is found maybe consider X3.

[NorthCountryGuy]

Originally Posted by pjb515

Thanks for your thoughts so far, everyone, keep'em coming. NorthCountryBoy, I think I'm with ya, I think I'll start with looking at X5's and if nothing is found maybe consider X3.

Best Wishes,

NorthCountry Guy.

[Huz-Z]

If you can't get the car covered by a solid and dependable third-party warranty, then do not buy a used X5. I love my X5 (2012 X5 35i with about 55,000 miles) but this year I have had some significant issues (transfer case, brake caliper, high pressure fuel sensor, high pressure fuel pump, misc steering / front end parts). Nothwithstanding the fact that BMW really needs to start taking reliability much more seriously, these were all covered by my warranty. But without it, the cost to me to repair the car would have been well into the thousands of dollars, and way more than the price of the warranty.

[pearlpower]

My E70 X5M has bee solid mechanically. Had a noise at idle which went away when I switched from Castrol to Liqui Moly. Turbos might be smoking a little, but I also have 100k miles on it and only reared itself after installing downpipes (common it seems). Also replaced parking brake switch and the fan speed button cover. Everything works on it.

[pjb515]

...Just went to look at my first one, indy dealer, the guy wasn't there. A helper offered to do a conference call but I declined.
I'm enjoying all the comments, feel free to pile on!

[avocet]

I have a 2007 e90 328i, and got a 2011 x5 35d as a winter/tow vehicle. I have had a few emissions related issues. but have been able to rectify these issues for a few hundred(versus thousands by dealer/indy) by doing some research and DIYing. Fluids, filters, brakes etc are all done DIY. Otherwise, it has been awesome.

I love driving this thing. With no sport pack, and around 120000km(75000miles?) she still drives really nice and for a big tank, handles very well. It is a much larger vehicle than the e90.

I was initially looking at the v8 models, but the maintenance issues scared my away. Never really condidered the gas 6's(n52 not enough torque for towing, and feel the twin turbo 6's have too many problems).

[X5MBeast]

Originally Posted by pearlpower

My E70 X5M has bee solid mechanically. Had a noise at idle which went away when I switched from Castrol to Liqui Moly. Turbos might be smoking a little, but I also have 100k miles on it and only reared itself after installing downpipes (common it seems). Also replaced parking brake switch and the fan speed button cover. Everything works on it.

What liqui moly did you switch to?

Special tec?