X5 50i reliability - MY2013

[V8LIFE]

Hi there,

My cousin has been looking for a used E70 50i as his daily drive, and he found a 2013 with about 60k miles for $25k. I’m trying to talk him out of it since the N63 is notoriously prone to have its problems. But he really likes the power, and he can’t afford a 2014.

How has the reliability been so far, specifically for the 2013 model years? For anyone past 60k miles (and out of warranty) have you encountered any major issues/expensive repairs?

Any difference between a 12MY and 13MY? Has bmw fixed some of the problems on 13MY? Any other problems he should be looking into except the engine?

Thank you guys

[Naz24]

He'd be better off with the V8 in an X5M.

The N63 problems are across all e70 platforms.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by V8LIFE

Hi there,

My cousin has been looking for a used E70 50i as his daily drive, and he found a 2013 with about 60k miles for $25k. I’m trying to talk him out of it since the N63 is notoriously prone to have its problems. But he really likes the power, and he can’t afford a 2014.

How has the reliability been so far, specifically for the 2013 model years? For anyone past 60k miles (and out of warranty) have you encountered any major issues/expensive repairs?

Any difference between a 12MY and 13MY? Has bmw fixed some of the problems on 13MY? Any other problems he should be looking into except the engine?

Thank you guys

Sounds like my first E70 50i test drive many years back - once I drove the V8 I had to have it.

Reliability is not great. I hate admitting that because I love this vehicle, but mine's been in the shop a ton over the years. With that said, most of the work was recall/service campaign related, or fell under my CPO warranty, so just about everything has been paid for by BMW. It's just the inconvenience to taking it into the dealer.

I'd highly recommend your cousin get a warranty if he purchases a 50i, though worth noting it's getting harder to find a company that will sell an exclusionary warranty on an E70.

No difference between a 2012 and 2013 in terms of reliability. A few small package/option differences, but that's it.

The biggest ticket item of all on these is the valve seals. They will fail between 50K & 100K miles. Dealer cost to replace is roughly $8000 to $9000. Other expensive items on mine were the coolant lines to the turbos (not covered by CPO) and the upper oil pan gasket - $3000 at the dealer though CPO covered that one.

If he can find a well maintained example, and secure a warranty, these vehicles offer a lot of bang for the buck these days. Depending on configuration, it's likely an $80K vehicle new 5 years ago and can now be had for just $25K, or less.

[chris604]

"The biggest ticket item of all on these is the valve seals. They will fail between 50K & 100K miles. Dealer cost to replace is roughly $8000 to $9000. Other expensive items on mine were the coolant lines to the turbos (not covered by CPO) and the upper oil pan gasket - $3000 at the dealer though CPO covered that one. :"

valve seals? Do those fail on the X5M as well?

[X5 MAN]

If you can keep aside 10 thousand dollars additional for repairs then buy it.

Otherwise buy a Ford Edge

[MMachines]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

If you can keep aside 10 thousand dollars additional for repairs then buy it.

Otherwise buy a Ford Edge

This number is exactly what I was thinking. There's a "broken one" near me for 11k. Even with 10k into it, it's a decent price. I called the guy and he has no idea what's wrong with it, it died going around the block he said. If it's around once I get back to town I'll go see it.

[Vitalität]

First of all, you are a nice cousin for discouraging him to get the 50i. Second, occurrence of issues on specific engines varies, some are too soon and some takes a while. My take is, if you are a true BMW enthusiast, roll your sleeve and do the work, I don't care if I have to fix it every 20K, 30K or 50K, I would replace/repair what is needed. I normally drive my other car while I fix my BMW. My X5 is my 5th BMW since I dunno when but If one worry too much about BMW, like what was posted her, get a cheaper car, Ford Edge or Corollas and Civic. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. If you care for your car according to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule found in your owner’s manual, then you’re likely to avoid significant repairs.

Also, like what x5man said, he can set up a car fund. Establish a savings account dedicated exclusively for the care of your car. If he face major repair costs, then he can tap the account. Unused funds can then be applied toward a down payment on his next car.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by chris604

"The biggest ticket item of all on these is the valve seals. They will fail between 50K & 100K miles. Dealer cost to replace is roughly $8000 to $9000. Other expensive items on mine were the coolant lines to the turbos (not covered by CPO) and the upper oil pan gasket - $3000 at the dealer though CPO covered that one. :"

valve seals? Do those fail on the X5M as well?

No. X5 50i = N63; X5 M = S63

[V8LIFE]

Thank you guys for all the kindly advice.
I will show this thread to my cousin, and hope he may change his mind.

[chris604]

Originally Posted by DeeO

No. X5 50i = N63; X5 M = S63

Yep, got it. What will fail on the S63 then, in the engine I mean?

[chris604]

Also, for the X5M, does the tranny usually fail? mine shifts hard going into 3rd gear, every other gear is fine.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by chris604

Yep, got it. What will fail on the S63 then, in the engine I mean?

Refer to this thread: Cracked Vacuum Line on X5M

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by chris604

Also, for the X5M, does the tranny usually fail? mine shifts hard going into 3rd gear, every other gear is fine.

You can search the forum, but I can't ever recall reading about anyone complaining about tranny shifting problems on the M.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by chris604

"The biggest ticket item of all on these is the valve seals. They will fail between 50K & 100K miles. Dealer cost to replace is roughly $8000 to $9000. Other expensive items on mine were the coolant lines to the turbos (not covered by CPO) and the upper oil pan gasket - $3000 at the dealer though CPO covered that one. :"

valve seals? Do those fail on the X5M as well?

Occasionally the valve stem seals do fail in the x5m. It’s not unheard of but fairly rare. The valve stem seals are the same on the n63 and s63. However the n63 has a standard coolant temp around 112-116c where as the e63 has a normal coolant temp around 96-105c. This seems to help with seal longevity.

The dealer I service my x5m at has only done valve stem seals on one f10 m5. Similar engine to x5m. But pretty much like clock work at 60-70k miles every n63 needs valve stem seals.

As for transmission issue never heard of any issues with the x5m. Hard 3-4 shift issues maybe a bad guibo. Even highly modified x5m have no transmission issues. It’s not a weak link on this car. I have nearly the same transmission in my 335d. Folks in the diesel side regularly push them in to the 600-700lbft without notable issues.

[myounder]

When I got my 2013 x35i, the local mechanic replied "ah, good" when I enquired about service and reliability and that I wasn't looking at the V8...

[UglyBuzzard]

My valve seals went out around 40k. Also, both turbos and a plethora of other repairs. Estimate the dealer put close to $20 - $25k into my CPO with Warranty.

BMW bought car back it was so bad. Honorable company.

Read the tea leaves here. Fun car but frustrating money pit majority of time.

[pearlpower]

I really wanted a 50i, found a gorgeous example, then read up on the timing chain isuues, valve stem seals, batteries, coil packs, and on and on. I picked up a S63 instead, verified it had Index 12 injectors, and it has been great.