Questions for X5 Diesel Drivers

Hello Everyone,
I have placed an order for an X5 Diesel and will take delivery by mid October. After having read many of the comments regarding the X5 in general, both here and via other sources, I am starting to wonder if I should tell the dealer that I am no longer interested.
I am wondering what the experience has been with the diesel after having lived with it for a number of months. What problems should I expect? What do you like? What do you dislike? My next door neighbour is on his second X5 and has never had a problem with either of them.
I live in Canada and have ordered mine with the Comfort Package (automatic tailgate, comfort access, comfort seats and light package), Premium Package (auto dimming mirrors, Nevada leather, panorama sunroof, universal remote and compass mirror), iPod integration.
Your comments would be much appreciated.
ECB

7300 mi and no probs with mine. I just added a quart of oil. Otherwise it is a FANTASTIC vehicle. Just went thru the Santa Cruz mountains to Monterey with the 2 kiddos in the car and it was flawless! Went over the hills without any hesitation and hardly any downshifting or struggling.....

2 very minor issues that I will bring it in for. 1st, the brakes make a loud squealing noise when I make a gradual stop. The noise is very annoying, but the brakes work perfectly otherwise. The other issue is the NAV DVD reader is screwy. It "rejects" the DVD, and makes "DVD error" note on the NAV screen after about 10 min of use.....I suppose they will need to replace the unit, so I made an appt to bring it in next month.....

I've had a check engine light come on. Re set it three times, ordered the part two months ago. Part is on back order? Light hasn't come on since it was re set the third time. Other than that, no problems and I've had mine since January. It's not as reliable as my Lexus LS 460, but it's more fun to drive...

Craig

Well, at least with the diesel you won't have any ignition issues, e.g., bad coils!

No modern mass-manufactured vehicle is free from problems. Go to any site for Benz, Porsche, Audi etc (especially Audi!!), and even the Japanese trucks, and you will find the same thing as you see on this site. The X5 really is a special vehicle--dynamically, aesthetically, functionally-- and the diesel (by all accounts) especially so. My 08 X5 3.0 at 40,000 miles has been very reliable. On the other hand, some people have a very low tolerance for even the possibility that they might have issues. Such people perhaps should stick with Lexus or Totota--competent vehicles lacking, relatively, in soul and excitement; i.e. buy CD's rather than equities or sexy bonds.

The good thing about BMW is that they seem pretty good at doing Lemon Law buybacks if you happen to get a really bad X5 (maybe they have a lot of practice?)

Seriously, the X5 reliability is below average, but with the reliability of vehicles nowadays, even "below average" means the vast majority of buyers will not have any significant problems.

My point of reference is a 2000 Lincoln Navigator that gave me 9 years of flawless service and 170K miles. I bought a loaner X5 35d with 8000 mi. and I have added 2000 mi., so obviously limited experience. Best mpg - 27mpg on a 700 mile all highway trip averaging 75mph. Average mpg 21 or so. I work in hospitals in New England so a mix of highway and lots of city driving in Boston. X5 handling is rock stable (no Sport Package on this car ) and the ride is very quiet. The audio and Nav system are wonderful.

The diesel noise you hear at idle disappears once you are moving, and there is a great snarl when you punch it. There is a bit of Turbo Lag from a dead stop if you leave it in D. DS (sport mode) is great for those situations or when you need sudden acceleration.

I am amazed at the envy factor this generates. I work with folks that drive very nice cars and they all say "Whoa!" when they learn what I drive.

Originally Posted by dcharnet

No modern mass-manufactured vehicle is free from problems. Go to any site for Benz, Porsche, Audi etc (especially Audi!!), and even the Japanese trucks, and you will find the same thing as you see on this site. The X5 really is a special vehicle--dynamically, aesthetically, functionally-- and the diesel (by all accounts) especially so. My 08 X5 3.0 at 40,000 miles has been very reliable. On the other hand, some people have a very low tolerance for even the possibility that they might have issues. Such people perhaps should stick with Lexus or Totota--competent vehicles lacking, relatively, in soul and excitement; i.e. buy CD's rather than equities or sexy bonds.

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for your comments/feedback. I own a 2001 Audi TT 225 Quattro and it has been nothing but trouble. It is the car I hate to love. I guess it is my experience with the TT that makes me nervous when I hear about trouble with the X5. I have test driven everything out there, Q7, Cayenne, Range Rover, ML, Acura, Lexus... Nothing feels like the X5! I am looking forward to taking delivery in a couple of weeks and hope to be raving about it for years to come.
ECB

Aside from a paint issue which BMW is resolving, not a problem. We also have a 335d in the family which has taken us all around Europe and is now problem free here in Florida.

Originally Posted by eastcoastbimmer

I own a 2001 Audi TT 225 Quattro and it has been nothing but trouble.ECB

Everyone I know with an Audi has had many problems with their vehicle. Admittedly that's a small sample of only four people, but FWIW, I wouldn't consider an Audi due to their poor reliability, particularly electrical problems.

Have had two Audi's both were virtually flawless. Now shopping for an A5 for the wife. OTOH my neighbor with his X5 seems to be driving service loaners more than his car (4.4) so it appears that "ya pays your money and takes your chance". Any manufacturer can put out a lemon these days, even Lexus and Infiniti.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Have had two Audi's both were virtually flawless. Now shopping for an A5 for the wife. OTOH my neighbor with his X5 seems to be driving service loaners more than his car (4.4) so it appears that "ya pays your money and takes your chance". Any manufacturer can put out a lemon these days, even Lexus and Infiniti.

Yup. Vehicles nowadays are so much more reliable, that typically at an extreme, the best vehicle might have a problem rate of less than 1%, while the worst would have a problem rate of 5-10% at most. But even with the "worst," 90-95 out of a 100 vehicles would not have the problem.