My wife's looking for a house in a nearby state. The real estate lady took us around in a new-ish X5. I was amazed by two things: First the suspension was so stiff over bumps that I thought I was in a F350. Second, when anyone shut a door it sounded like the thing was going to fall apart. There was also a big clunking from the rear but she said that was after a light bulb change so maybe a relay was hanging inside the body bumping around or something. i didn't hold that against the truck. Not to throw a grenade here, but is the build quality on these things poor?
Buddy had one, good truck/suv. Drove GREAT. Maybe she had sport suspension? Only fault I could say was that he needed new ball joints after like 55k miles.
I have a new 3 series and have to tell you I like it but damn the famous sound of the door slamming on the typical German sedan is missing on it; too tinny....
Hey man, if your wife is looking for a house in a nearby state, you have more to worry about than the build quality of the X5!
Never been a big BMW fan however, my buddy just picked up a new X5 4.8? and apparently they've addressed those issues. Rides and handles quite well and fit/finish is spot on.
We never had an X5 but a relative owned one. I believe it was an '04 or '05. Last may, on our way to Nissan/Infiniti dealership, we passed by a Subaru dealership and saw them. We quickly pulled over and talked to them. I quickly asked Glo (aunt's husband's sister) with her husband and son what are they doing there? She quickly replied "I just bought a new Tribeca, I just traded in the X5 because it has been always at the shop lately for repairs". After that, the sales man approached her to sign some papers so I didn't have any time to ask her what kind of repairs is she talking about. Since then, we haven't had any communications again. Since then, everytime I see an X5, I always ask myself, is it the way they drive the car or is it just the car that has problems? I still haven't found the answers to that..
The only issue that I am aware of is that the earlier models had a lift gate problem, but I am sure that is addressed by now, if you live in an area with alot of snow and need it for that purpose, Do not get the sport package, you will be driving on ice skates. Personally I really like how they drive, but I have owned 3 BMWs.
These items have been replaced at or by 40,000 miles: - entire engine harness (kept going into "Engine Failsafe Mode" and would not go faster than 30 mph) - Windshield was replaced by dealer at some point in it's life and they "forgot" to seal it. It was basically just resting inside the window trim. (Water was pouring in behind the dash into the drivers side footwell) - Sunroof Cassette replaced along with sunroof seals. - Bushings and balljoints as well as one front A arm went south at 40k all had to be replaced and when I asked around this was the norm. I was told by tech BMW underspeced the balljoints on the X5's and replacement at 30-50k is common - Stereo panel replaced pixels crapped out - Climate control panel replaced same problem Everything but the suspension issues were covered under CPO and fortunately my BMW dealer does not charge the CPO deductable. All that and I still love the car. Mine has sport suspension and is a 5 speed manual. It was the only family truckster type vehicle I could find that was any fun to drive and BMW at the time offered a 100k CPO and 3.9% financing. It has 55,000 miles on it now and is running strong. Knock on the overvarnished dashboard wood.
X5's are BMW's and aren't the most reliable vehicles made. The suspensions are tough and heavy duty. People who go to an X5 from a small car, continue to drive like they're in a small car. They need brakes often, suspension parts often and use more fuel then they really need. The interior is nice but cramped for 5 adults and they are fairly solid when it comes to the body. I would buy one if the price was right.
