24th Dec 2007, 18:01

I own a 2003 X5 4.4l. 64000k. I just purchased it used in September 07 and I wish I had never done it. For the past 4 months I have been to the dealership more than 5 times and it cost me close to 1900$. I had to replace valve cover gaskets, i had problems with the starter so had to replace it, flushed all the fluids for 500$; the damn thing just doesn't start after staying two days in the garage so I had to boost it, my CD player sucks it skips brand new CD's, and now after not driving for a week I see three yellow lights on: Brake, ABS, and DCS, so once again I am headed to the dealership to waist another 500-700$. my advise to those who own an X5: YOU are SCREWED! and to those who are thinking of getting one: Stay AWAY from that piece of sh"t!

Thanks.

29th Dec 2007, 14:00

I want to thank all of you for sharing your experiences. I was about to buy an X5 (of course for its cool looks) and I had always thought BMW is a reliable car.

Could all of you from Canada send this guy an email and complain? He is the head of USED BMW of North America. I recently complained about them charging $500 for cars brought to Canada from US. Please send a complaint; hopefully they will hear: Bruce.Caton@bmwgroup.ca.

He is the horse himself...

16th Jan 2008, 22:12

Well, well, well! I am entirely angry! I thought I was buying the "Ultimate Driving Machine"??? BOOOOOHHoo! I got it last week CPO (certified) Yada yada, but it's been in the shop twice for the "check brake & check rear light coming on. Angry is not the word.

Even though the X drives smooth, all these blogs have got me shaking in my boots! They call today and said they replaced the rear lights, but I don't know if I am going to have to bring it back. Like the first time when I brought it in and they only replaced a light bulb and sent me on my way. Hope this is the only problem, because this is my dream truck.

I traded in a Jag X-Type 3.0; the suspension was horrible, you could ride over a pebble and feel it. It sucked!

15th Feb 2008, 17:09

Well well, I also own a 2003 BMW X5 and I have had problems with the blower motor resister; $380.00.

Both rear window regulators; $468.00.

Front and rear lights keep going bad, and a fuel pump sensor; $1300.00.

The dealer here in Houston loves me, they even know my name already. I will never buy another BMW in my life, but I tell you what, the BMW 650 convertible sure does look nice.

28th Feb 2008, 12:36

BMW LOVER.

All vehicles have problems. I have X5 2002 4.4. I had a stall out a day age. I think my battery is getting weak. I think that many dealers and shops are ripping us off. I had problems that seem big at the time, but was something minor.

Be cautious BMW owners.

5th Mar 2008, 02:32

I have a 2001 X5 3.0 that I have Owned since new. I can't say I will never buy another again, but I will add to the list of issues>

1) Eats brakes. I'm Changing brakes at a pace of 30K miles for a cost of $600 + per axle.

2) Constant stalling in a left turn in the middle of an intersection. Caution, I waited too long to finally get mad enouh to take it to the dealer to be fixed. Out of warranty. Cost me $1,700 to have a wiring harness replaced. It did fix the problem.

3) Constant tail light issues. I have a box of tail lights because I didn't want to pay for the assembly.

5) Cam shaft position sensors both upper and lower had to be replaced. Something about the 'O' rings leaking and getting fowled by oil.

6) Stock battery didn't last past 60K miles.

7) Paint has pealed away from the primer in unexposed areas such as under the hood, in the door jams.

8) Had to have some resistor pack replaced to fix the AC.

9) Rubber seals around the doors are falling apart.

10) Door handles (interior) chipping. (Dealer replaced outside of warranty)

My dealership mechanic and I are on first name terms. With all these problems I have a love hate relationship with this vehicle. Although I have to admit, my wife simply hates thus vehicle.

Bottom line, if you are going to buy the X5, get the extended warranty for as long as you can and enjoy the ride.

2nd Apr 2008, 22:25

BMW X5 3.0 L 2001 - family owned throughout. Driven very carefully, primarily by my wife. Currently at 120k (I don't expect that this car will last beyond 130k, for the electrical problems outlined in other posts and in this post).

- Suspension (CV joints, rear trialing arms, etc) ~$3k CDN (dealer quoted well above $5.5k)

- Brakes (similar price to post above) - pads go every 20-25k, rotors every 40-50k.

- Interior falling apart

- X5 intermittently will not start (battery dead - I have replaced it twice). Upon turning the car off, sometimes the fan will stay on for hours. Sometimes the light on the automatic transmission shifter will glow (on the 'P' or Park position) for hours. Sometimes nothing seems to be on.

Irrespective, like others I keep booster cables and a charger in the hatch. Battery doesn't have enough 'juice' to start the engine about 25% of the time.

I think BMW should provide a built-in charger, so at least we can just plug it straight into the wall, rather than having to pop the hood and attach cables. Or, build a car that is worthy of the price tag.

22nd Apr 2008, 16:06

To all of you whom are having problems with there X5, I agree with your issues. But I also think everyone should have done some research before buying. I did mine. And I'm just fine with my X. I bought an ext. warranty and it has saved my rear end a few times. I've done a lot of maintenance on this X but I did buy it used with 60k back in 2005. I also have joined a website called "X5world.com" This is the best site to join for free to search for real world problems that many and I mean many can be fixed by any novice. I love my X5 even with its little problems that have been corrected and all under warranty. I can't complain with BMW at all. This truck is a tank and I have 100k on it. Runs and drives better then brand new. I will buy another BMW, nothing drives like a Bimmer, nothing. By the way I have a 2001 X5 4.4i sport, with a dinan stage 2 performance package. This truck kills many sedans and sport cars on the road. Even these new ones. Good Luck, but don't bash Bmw because either you don't know, or your dealer or mechanics are not experienced enough with them or just are trying to scam you out of money. This is very typical of dealerships, not all, but the majority. "If you don't know, now you know" quote...