Amazed by the ' (un)reliability ' comments about this SUV.

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Dude relax.

You already have an Audi and a Dodge...you're not getting into any new territory, reliability wise...lol.

ZING!

Good one - LOL.

Let's hope our future BMW is at least as reliable as the current fleet then!

Gentlemen, I am a new "prospective" 2004 X5 3.0 owner and I can tell you that buying a used BMW has me more than concerned. Years ago I traded a Porsche for a new 3 series BMW. I loved and pampered the car but sadly it could not be fixed and had a habit of stranding me. I traded it on a Honda after 2 years. Since then I've owned 4 or 5 new Hondas since . They are bullet proof and satisfying to drive, please save the anecdotal stories, the Jap cars are more reliable (count to 10 and breathe), LOL. BUT they do look like every other Jap car. So I found a highly depreciated but beautifully kept one owner X5, with an excellent history. The wife says"take a chance". BUT after researching BMW relability I just don't know...I do not like being stranded or held up by highway men (dealers). Advice is encouraged. Now let me give you a THEORY (half baked as always) as to why the S.C. plant seems to be unable to produce a reliable machine. Simply put, corporate culture or corporate greed, you choose. I read several stories about hundreds of unhappy part time workers working next to full time workers and being paid half. I read a story about how BMW set what seemed to be unrealistic corporate goals for production and plant assembly manufacturing up-time. Then several years later they added several other models on the same line, a line which was already having reliability problems. I'm sure the pressured parts maufacturers never said no to another round of faulty parts (check out the pano roofs if you think I am wrong), just keep blasting them out. Anyone who wants to keep his or her job in a right to work state learns to say what the boss wants to hear. Just a theory, but how else can you explain so many uncorrected reliability problems. Do your own research, draw your own conclusions. No hate please. I envy those who can watch their unusable asset depreciate so quickly without pain. As I said I am a prospective X5 owner/fan, with cash for repairs, sadly wondering why it has to be this way? My first post, be kind.

Sky, you are in the E70 forum. You might want to post your question in the E53 forum (2004 X5 is an E53 model)

Thank you, you are correct, advice would be better sought in the other forum. It was the reliability question that had me interested. Can you tell me if the X5 is still produced in S.C.? I believe there are other, and seemingly less desirable, production sites as well. This would make a great MBA case study.

Yes, the X5 (along with X3 and X1) are produced in SC.

Thanks, as I thought, the X5 reliability issue seems to cross quite a few years, models and options. I'll find my way to the E53 poor man's community now

Happy and Safe Motoring!

Originally Posted by finnbmw

Yes, the X5 (along with X3 and X1) are produced in SC.

BMW X1 is based on the 3, therefore is made in Lepizig.

X5, X6, X3 and upcoming X4 are built there.

A forum like this can inadvertently distort perception. Yes, problem areas exist, but the statistical likelihood of a particular owner having a problem is small. I have had three X5s and all have been "reliable" by any standard. If it were otherwise I would get something else; although never a Honda Pilot.

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

BMW X1 is based on the 3, therefore is made in Lepizig.

X5, X6, X3 and upcoming X4 are built there.

I stand corrected, thank you

As a new member of not only the forum, but also the brand, I have to say that I hope a lot of what I am reading here are isolated incidents. I left the dark side (Mercedes) due to the lack of reliability of the last 2 trucks that I had owned. A 2009 ML350, and a 2010 GL450. You want to talk nightmares everything from the climate control system to brakes that wouldn't stop squeaking, to intermittant electrical gremlins that the dealer could not diagnose. I'm happy to be here, and hope that the X5 proves to be superior in every way.

Mercedes ranks a lot better than BMW in JDPower

http://autos.jdpower.com/content/pre...lity-study.htm

Scroll down

Originally Posted by RockChips

Mercedes ranks a lot better than BMW in JDPower

http://autos.jdpower.com/content/pre...lity-study.htm

Scroll down

Not the reply I was hoping for on a BMW Fan Forum

Originally Posted by twinpowerturbo

Not the reply I was hoping for on a BMW Fan Forum

Lol!

Originally Posted by twinpowerturbo

As a new member of not only the forum, but also the brand, I have to say that I hope a lot of what I am reading here are isolated incidents. I left the dark side (Mercedes) due to the lack of reliability of the last 2 trucks that I had owned. A 2009 ML350, and a 2010 GL450. You want to talk nightmares everything from the climate control system to brakes that wouldn't stop squeaking, to intermittant electrical gremlins that the dealer could not diagnose. I'm happy to be here, and hope that the X5 proves to be superior in every way.

Honestly, if MB is doing anything right, it's reliability. They're rated higher than Honda, Hyundai, Acura, infiniti, etc these days. That is fantastic!

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

Honestly, if MB is doing anything right, it's reliability. They're rated higher than Honda, Hyundai, Acura, infiniti, etc these days. That is fantastic!

Where??

Originally Posted by Skyking747

Anyone who wants to keep his or her job in a right to work state learns to say what the boss wants to hear.

... as opposed to a "required to not work" state (union-mandated), where a bad employee is practically impossible to fire.

Originally Posted by serge1

Where??

http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/dep...ss-release.htm



Mercedes is up at the top.

Originally Posted by twinpowerturbo

As a new member of not only the forum, but also the brand, I have to say that I hope a lot of what I am reading here are isolated incidents. I left the dark side (Mercedes) due to the lack of reliability of the last 2 trucks that I had owned. A 2009 ML350, and a 2010 GL450. You want to talk nightmares everything from the climate control system to brakes that wouldn't stop squeaking, to intermittant electrical gremlins that the dealer could not diagnose. I'm happy to be here, and hope that the X5 proves to be superior in every way.

It's not.

We also had an '09 ML but ours was a 320 BT. Pretty much identical issues with both the ML and our X5, mostly sensor and emission/DEF delivery issues. Difference, for us, has been above average service from our BMW dealership, while the MB dealership was flat out terrible.

They target very different demographics. MB is targetting the luxury market, while BMW is after those that place a higher premium on driving dynamics. Hence why the wife preferred the ML and I favored the X5. Both are good vehicles, neither of which are terribly reliable.

Good luck with your X5.

Originally Posted by AutoUnion

Honestly, if MB is doing anything right, it's reliability. They're rated higher than Honda, Hyundai, Acura, infiniti, etc these days. That is fantastic!

I recall reading about 8-10 years ago that Mercedes was having a lot of reliability problems, and the Management figured-out one of the reasons was putting to many "bells and whistles" on the vehicles that didn't add much value to the customer, but increased complexity and reduced reliability. So they said they were going be more judicious about features and take-out the ones that people didn't use in real life.

Not sure if that explains it, but it appears that on a larger scale, Mercedes accepted and digested the data they got back then, and did something to fix things in response. BMW seems be be more in the denial mode, as are some BMW fans, and spend their efforts denying the validity of the data, rather than actually addressing the problem. Just like BMW tries to reduce warranty costs by blaming the owner and denying valid claims, vs. fixing the problem to eliminate the claim in the first place.

Currently have 37,000 miles on my 2011 X5 35d. Other than two recalls, and scheduled service, have never had a reason or occasion to bring the vehicle to the dealer. I am very satisfied with every aspect and attribute associated with my X5. Great power and mileage. A pleasure to drive on long trips especially in inclement weather. So far, no complaints nor worries.