2007 vs 2008 X5

Hello folks I'm in the market for a used X5 and wondered if there were a lot of changes between the 2007 and 2008 X5? Also were the 2007 more problem prone being that they were a first year production?

I have a 2007 and its perfect!

Anyone else care to reply?

If you can save some significant amount of money, go with 2007, otherwise 2008 will give you an additional year of warranty. I don't think they are very different otherwise, although manufacturer almost always fixes some problems in each subsequent production year. If you will keep it for another 4-5 (or more) years, it will probably make little difference in the resale value.

I researched the the 07 vs 08 X5 4.8i for about a month (the 3.0i was never a consideration). I have been a BMW owner since the late 70's and owned probably in excess of 10+ BMW's over the years. My one cardinal rule has been to NEVER buy a BMW model in the first year of production. Finally I decide to purchase a 08 over an 07 because of the number of NHTSA bulletins on safety and service - http://www.safercar.gov/. Check it out, but also check out other forums and what people are saying ... All this doesn't mean that 07 X5's are bad. It just means "caveat emptor".

Originally Posted by PAX5

My one cardinal rule has been to NEVER buy a BMW model in the first year of production.

Agree except substitute the word "ANY" for "BMW". You might get lucky though like some do.

I had a 2007 and still have a 2008, both 3.0's.

The spare tire was standard in the 2007, optional in the 2007. The steering wheel in the 2007 was a nicer grade of leather. The 2008 had RTTI (forget if this was an option or standard with the Nav), the 2007 did not.

Other than that they were equal. Both had iPod connectors, the ame reliability (almost perfect), the same glitches fixed under warranty (creaking liftgate, minor interior trim issues, and clunky transmission shifting - solved by a software update), and the same recalls (passenger side heated seat). The 2008 just got another recall this week for the fuel pump in the fuel tank - since we no longer have the 2007, I don't know if that model year was affected.

Whichever way you go, I would have your dealership confirm the car has had all updates / campaigns / recalls. But I would not hesitate to take a low mileage 2007 over a comparable 2008.

I do know that not all options were available in the 2007 early production vs late 2007 and 2008. Power tailgate and rear manual shades. I had a July 2007 build and the options were not available.

Plus I have owned 2 first model year BMW. My 545 had close to 20k in repairs under warranty. The 07 had fewer problems but I still made trips to the dealer.

In contrast, 'y 08 550 has only had the brake booster recall and battery replacement under warranty. The 11 just has an issue with a bad comfort access key. Otherwise no issues.

I have found the longer a BMW is in it's life cycle, the better they are

'08 4.8i with 65K miles here. only minor issues. mostly electronic glitches and one window switch.