Shopping for an X5M

[AndyW]

I have been a BMW guy for a while. We currently have two, a 2008 335i and a 2012 135i. Looking at getting a used 2013 X5M with low miles (44K). I did some lurking here and on google and it seems that injectors, PCV pipe cracks and rod bearings are some of the big issues. Anything else I should look for? The Carfax looks good and was last inspected/serviced by a local BMW dealer last month and I know they actually checked stuff because "Transfer case module/computer replaced" was in the report... bmw records indicate no open recalls either, so they must have completed all of them (hopefully have all current injectors...that was the big issue with my 335, besides the HPFP saga).

TIA!

[BXMMMMMW]

Footwell module and you're probably about to need a new battery. With the battery, make sure the installer fully charges it before you drive away. The new batteries discharge on the shelf and will throw all kinds of crazy codes if they install it that way.

Your oil pan gasket will probably be leaking, but that's not a major issue.

The rear air suspension could also be leaking.

I've also had 3 ignition coils go bad, but I'm at 78k.

Enjoy!!!

[Autobacs]

For sure I would have an INDY BMW shop inspect it first. I've had mine for a year and a half and not one issue (knock on wood) BUT, it had major repairs done to it just before I bought it, i.e. new transmission, new turbos, new vacuum lines, filtered air ducts, suspension, so the Dealer report was 8 pages long. Good Luck!

[randrews15]

Valve cover gaskets and oil cooler gaskets can start to break down. I've done those on my '13 X5 at around 55k. At 44k miles you'd be close to being due for plugs which isn't too bad to do yourself.

[X5 MAN]

As Scotty would say, " endless money pit "

[Autobacs]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

As Scotty would say, " endless money pit "

That's why you get an aftermarket exclusionary warranty with it, that is if you can get one for a good price, which I did. Unless you can wrench yourself, and in the words of a few people I know that KNOW BMW's, including a service manager, there is no way they would recommend owning a used, out of warranty BMW, without a decent warranty. This would apply to modern, computerized editions, not to old school BMW's. My X5M had a grand total of $30K of repairs done by the previous owner's warranty company before I bought it. It would be frankly stupid to own this vehicle without a warranty, unless you can wrench it yourself. Just my opinion.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

That's why you get an aftermarket exclusionary warranty with it, that is if you can get one for a good price, which I did. Unless you can wrench yourself, and in the words of a few people I know that KNOW BMW's, including a service manager, there is no way they would recommend owning a used, out of warranty BMW, without a decent warranty. This would apply to modern, computerized editions, not to old school BMW's. My X5M had a grand total of $30K of repairs done by the previous owner's warranty company before I bought it. It would be frankly stupid to own this vehicle without a warranty, unless you can wrench it yourself. Just my opinion.

I second what Autobacs said, only get one with an amazing Warranty, or you have the ability to wrench on it Yourself, or your sleeping with someone at BMW....The problem with these trucks is the rubber and plastic bits under the hood (hoses, seals, etc.), and there are miles of it.

The perfect candidate would be a low mileage truck from the northern states/Canada that was only driven during the mild summers or one from the southern states only driven during the mild winters. Good luck and post pics when you get one

[AndyW]

Well, the one I was looking at wasn't "the One" so...thx for the advice all!

[Thecastle]

Ill 3rd this and say I’ve had about 30k in repairs as well over the course of 3 years. Not including tires, oil changes, and etc.

Common failures on this vehicle not listed above
Rear main seal (will go if you haven’t had it done)
Evap coils
Expansion tank
Turbo coolant pump
Turbo,coolant lines
Turbo pneumatic pressure converters
Filtered air duct cracks
Oil coolant lines and return block leaks
Valve cover seals
Alternators
Engine partition
Map sensors


Common e70:failures
E brake actuator
Heater control valve
Sunroof
Power rear hatch struts
Engine partition
Alternators
Hatch rattles



Rod bearings are not common. There are 3 tuned vehicles written about here with suspected rod bearing failures. I’ve yet to read about a stock one that has had this.

Get an extended warranty. I would not own one without it. I do wrench on it myself, but a lot of repairs are very very time consuming. I purchased my 2011 with 41k miles in 2017 1 owner with an extended warranty. It covered almost all of the repairs. I bought a second one same coverage with an additional 5yrs and 72k miles. Haven’t used it yet. So mine should be under warranty until 2025 and about 115k miles. Of course if it keeps on it’s current trajectory I’ll exceed the policies lifetime max before 2025. Most warranties have a life time coverage max equivalent to the market value of the car at the time of purchase. I think the 2nd extended warranty is 27k lifetime max.

[Dave00]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

Ill 3rd this and say I’ve had about 30k in repairs as well over the course of 3 years. Not including tires, oil changes, and etc.

Common failures on this vehicle not listed above
Rear main seal (will go if you haven’t had it done)
Evap coils
Expansion tank
Turbo coolant pump
Turbo,coolant lines
Turbo pneumatic pressure converters
Filtered air duct cracks
Oil coolant lines and return block leaks
Valve cover seals
Alternators
Engine partition
Map sensors


Common e70:failures
E brake actuator
Heater control valve
Sunroof
Power rear hatch struts
Engine partition
Alternators
Hatch rattles



Rod bearings are not common. There are 3 tuned vehicles written about here with suspected rod bearing failures. I’ve yet to read about a stock one that has had this.

Get an extended warranty. I would not own one without it. I do wrench on it myself, but a lot of repairs are very very time consuming. I purchased my 2011 with 41k miles in 2017 1 owner with an extended warranty. It covered almost all of the repairs. I bought a second one same coverage with an additional 5yrs and 72k miles. Haven’t used it yet. So mine should be under warranty until 2025 and about 115k miles. Of course if it keeps on it’s current trajectory I’ll exceed the policies lifetime max before 2025. Most warranties have a life time coverage max equivalent to the market value of the car at the time of purchase. I think the 2nd extended warranty is 27k lifetime max.

Damn man - you need to start learning how to work on your own car to save $$$.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by Dave00

Damn man - you need to start learning how to work on your own car to save $$$.

I don’t think you read all of my post. Nor autobacs post

I do wrench on it myself. But I’m not going to do a rear main seal in my garage, too time consuming that’s what extended warranties are for. Plus I’ve had 2x in 60k miles rear main seals. Which is dang common on Ms

[Dave00]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I don’t think you read all of my post. Nor autobacs post

I do wrench on it myself. But I’m not going to do a rear main seal in my garage, too time consuming that’s what extended warranties are for. Plus I’ve had 2x in 60k miles rear main seals. Which is dang common on Ms

Gotcha

[YASSA]

Issues that have prevailed in my ownership:
Fried FRM Module
Cracked PVC Lines
Camshaft (Exhaust Side) VANOS Sprocket

Common Issues:
Injector Failure
Valve Stem Seals
Fried FRM Module
Cracked PVC Lines
Rear Air System/Bag Failure

[Dave00]

Originally Posted by YASSA

Issues that have prevailed in my ownership:
Fried FRM Module
Cracked PVC Lines
Camshaft (Exhaust Side) VANOS Sprocket

Common Issues:
Injector Failure
Valve Stem Seals
Fried FRM Module
Cracked PVC Lines
Rear Air System/Bag Failure

Valve Stem Seals is not common on the S63 - It is on the N63 motor, but doesn't pop up as much on our motors