Subject: I think it really depends....Here are my thoughts...... Author: Magnum : member since January, 2004 : 3968 posts Posted on: 2006-02-06 13:37:45

We leased '02 X-5 3.0, and although the engine was not a problem everything else seemed to be. It never left us stranded, but the shop time was really annoying!

> It always needed cooolant top up after it was parked on a hill for a short period of time. I could park it in my driveway [which is a bit steep] and like clock work "gong - check coolant"

> Burned oil a bit, top up....never got a reason from the dealer.

> Multiple lock actuators replaced.

> Drivers side window regulator.

> Rear tailgate made constant rattling / clicking noise. Recall issued and dealer supposedly replaced locking mechanism, still did it.

> Seatbelt rattled, again dealer supposedly fixed it, still did it.

> For an AWD SAV it sure handled like shit in snow, rain and ice. The ABS system was way to sensitive........

> Something definitely wasn't right in the front end, whenever you hit a bump it felt like something was going to snap. Tough one to explain, but on one of the ways out of our neighborhood there is a concrete gutter type run for runoff and then asphalt, well it is seperated a bit and every time you hit that the front end felt like it was going to fall apart....Mind you it does not feel like that in any other car we own. Even took dealer tech over it and was told normal....WHATEVER...!

> Interior door handles peeled, service bulletin was issued and we had one replaced but the other started late and we were out of the full maintanence warranty when lease expired, well BMW had the balls to charge me for it at the end of lease...Fuckers....

> Battery went dead a couple times for no reason at all, dealer never gave reasonable explanation.

> Constantly blew turn signal bulbs, and the fronts are a PITA to change.

> Rear tailights allowed moisture, both relaced.

> Headlight washers were a total POS, I can't count the number of times they were replaced, but they just kept leaking.....

I'm sure there is more that I can't remember, but as we neared the end of lease and the full warranty expired I made the decision to park it and get the wife something different. I didn't want the expense of fixing out of warranty items..... I can also tell you that the Full Maintanence warranty is total BS, I always double checked what was supposed to be done at different service intervals and can tell you it didn't get done and each time I was told the tech must have forgotten it......OK, whatever......

BTW, BMW was quick to charge me for stuff at the end of lease.....This was the most expensive lease turn in I've ever had, and the car was meticulously maintained. They are just down right assholes on lease turn-ins.......maybe it was because I was not going to get another BMW...but why would I unless I wanted to get a job at the dealership! It's also not easy listening to my wife complain about the shop time.

So if you consider an X-5 I would say proceed with caution and make sure you do all your research.

The 2 things my wife misses are the heated steering wheel and the way the windshield washers squirted. That's it!

None of this was anything major, but annoying nonetheless....A new car should never be in the shop as much as this was!

• Is this a common problem with the X5? (url) - johngoga 2006-02-06 12:26:34 (3430 views)
  • I guess some have had some problems, but I absolutely loved the X5 - DavidC 2006-02-06 23:12:39 (1745 views)
  • You need to really test drive an actual car for X5 because - sunobmr7 2006-02-06 21:29:35 (1772 views)
  • GET THIS ONE (find a way) (url) - JibbaJabba 2006-02-06 17:54:43 (1844 views)
    • Well all these problems just steered me clear from buying one Phew! (nt) - kingdom7 2006-02-06 21:31:19 (1676 views)
  • X5 problems ... yes ... maybe not so bad - duke550is 2006-02-06 17:02:16 (6449 views)
  • 2003 X5 with no major issues (pic) - tbyrns 2006-02-06 16:46:03 (3082 views)
  • I doubt they're much worse than any other bimmer... Experiences (longer) - eDoug 2006-02-06 14:55:50 (1562 views)
  • I think it really depends....Here are my thoughts...... - Magnum 2006-02-06 13:37:45 (1764 views)
    • Ohh one more and probably the best.... - Magnum 2006-02-06 14:49:31 (1495 views)
    • After reading all that i will stay away from the X5, Thanks Magnum... (nt) - johngoga 2006-02-06 14:02:22 (1577 views)
  • No, that's not a common problem. The X5's use the same - DavidC 2006-02-06 13:17:52 (1918 views)
  • I've been looking at X5's too and so far, 3 have had bad windows regs...... - tdaniely 2006-02-06 12:43:52 (1673 views)
    • If you liked the 4.4L - try the 4.6is, or better yet, the 4.8is!!! - eDoug 2006-02-06 15:07:43 (1620 views)
    • I think the engine in their case was an exception. It has - bmw635 2006-02-06 12:52:19 (1416 views)
    • I know but... - johngoga 2006-02-06 12:49:04 (1382 views)
      • I know the 3ser wind reg was common- a friend's 330 had - bmw635 2006-02-06 12:53:52 (1406 views)
      • I kinda skimmed the article...was it a 3.0L 6 or a 4.4L V8 ? (nt) - tdaniely 2006-02-06 12:52:10 (1485 views)