X5 Versus Others In Class

Hey all,

I currently purchased a 2009 BMW X5 V-6, non-diesel SUV and I am in a lurch.

Although I bought the extended warranty (only drivetrain), I am worried about its long-term reliability. As I want to keep this car until it dies, or for at least 5 or 6 more years, I was wondering if it could realistically last that long without having immense upkeep costs. As I have been trolling on these forums and have found lackluster reviews for the SUV's reliability, especially its electronics, I was wondering if I could get some expert opinions as to what I should do.

I am looking to be stylish, but I do not want to break the bank with upkeep costs.

1. Keep the X5 and its warranty (hell it drives great and I like the look)
2. Trade it in, straight-up (i.e. no additional cost) for another car. I was looking at a Tahoe, XC90, H3, newer 3-series, or a C-Class Mercedes.

Any help would be appreciated, and hello to all!

We are on our 3rd E70. Reliability has been fine, and maintenance costs have been reasonable. Much better in both respects than our prior XC90, and our 4 previous Mercedes.

There are plenty of other issues to worry about. Sandy's aftermath, Global warming, China, Greece, the resurgence of the Taliban, a nuclear-armed Iran, the current administration's gross fiscal irresponsibility, the NHL lockout, the Jets refusal to play Tebow, Lance Armstrong's fall from Grace, Mylie Cyrus hair style, the cost of Taylor Swift Concert tickets - all of these are more troubling than X5 reliability.

If you were really concerned, why buy a 4 model year old car in the first place? I'm sure you could have gotten a brand new Hyundai or KIA, complete with warranty, for the same coin.

Sent from my HTC Inspire using BimmerApp

PS Of all the things you could worry about, I would put the fact that your X5 has a V6 at the very top of the list.

Sent from my HTC Inspire using BimmerApp

Wow.

Well, first, reading forums is a pretty stupid way to understand relative risks. Kind of like reading democratic (or republican) blogs to make a prediction on the election. Seriously. It isn't data.

Second, what can you afford? Long term. Will you decide on what car to own based on the risk of a few $k a year? Risk, not certainty. can't afford it; it will eat at you; or you just hate the idea of maybe having to spend $$$, pick a car that you've convinced yoursel will give you better luck.

Because remember, you are picking ONE sample out off many cars built and hoping YOURS will be lucky. Toyota, MB, Volvo, or BMW...is your example going to be lucky or unlucky?

It's as simple as that.

Quackberry. I am truly disappointed, I assumed you knew everything. V6 ???

Sent from my MB865 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by eafernandez004

Hey all,

I currently purchased a 2009 BMW X5 V-6, non-diesel SUV and I am in a lurch.

Originally Posted by ductman

Quackberry. I am truly disappointed, I assumed you knew everything. V6 ???

Sent from my MB865 using Bimmer App

Dude, reread the OP's post. Oh ye of little faith!

Thanks for all the responses.

I know that I should have avoided a used car if I wanted the best reliability, but I received this car on such a good deal that I could not pass it up. Regardless, I understand your point.

I would like to avoid spending money on the car during the year unless it is normal maintenance (i.e. oil changes, replacing components due to wear and tear, etc.).

The main reason why I put up those comparables is because those are the ones that I could theoretically sell the X5 for, and buy as an alternate.

Regardless, thank you for all your responses.

Best Regards

Originally Posted by eafernandez004

The main reason why I put up those comparables is because those are the ones that I could theoretically sell the X5 for, and buy as an alternate.

Theory and reality rarely meet and when they do, you seldom get what you think you will. Almost NO dealer is EVER going to trade you "straight up". I once had a $40K car (wholesale) to trade in on a $35K (retail) car. Dealer said "sure, we will give you $5K cash out of the deal" but when the time came they tried to find ways out of it. I sold the car to an individual for $42K two days later and paid cash for the Acura.

Very true. I originally thought that I could go through the dealer to get a good deal on another car, but I quickly realized that it will be up to me to sell it to another individual.

That being said, if I am successful in the sale I could get enough money to cover most of the comparables (I do believe the C-Class would require some more out-of-pocket cash).

It is amazing how FEAR drives people... The OP has determined, by reading posts, that HIS example is surely a ticking time bomb...and will therefore DEFINITELY spend $5000-100000 to avoid the RISK of future expenses...and blithely assumes that the one C class he buys off a used car lot will surely cost less.

Amazing

Originally Posted by quackbury

I'm sure you could have gotten a brand new Hyundai or KIA, complete with warranty, for the same coin.

That;s a double jaw-dropper response.

To say that my fear about the X5's reliability is merely predicated upon other forum posts is untrue. I have read multiple consumer reports, reviews, etc. (granted I didn't place this in my original post), and all have echoed my same cautionary atitude.

To say that that my worries are baseless, or somehow grounded in erroneous facts is an unfair assessment.

Fear and caution are not synonymous.

Originally Posted by eafernandez004

To say that my fear about the X5's reliability is merely predicated upon other forum posts is untrue. I have read multiple consumer reports, reviews, etc. (granted I didn't place this in my original post), and all have echoed my same cautionary atitude.

To say that that my worries are baseless, or somehow grounded in erroneous facts is an unfair assessment.

Fear and caution are not synonymous.

I had a BMW CPO for 6 years and also got the extended warranty (100K)...I was worried that after 100K I'd be in trouble, but that was unfounded..It actually worked out well. But the extended warranty was worth it for brakes and rotors.

You never mentioned how many miles on the CPO?

Originally Posted by eafernandez004

To say that my fear about the X5's reliability is merely predicated upon other forum posts is untrue. I have read multiple consumer reports, reviews, etc. (granted I didn't place this in my original post), and all have echoed my same cautionary atitude.

To say that that my worries are baseless, or somehow grounded in erroneous facts is an unfair assessment.

Fear and caution are not synonymous.

But on what basis have you determined that your one car will demonsrate a specific failure profile (lets assume the median, which is described by all these sources you cite) and how the new car (the so called 'more reliable one') will also demonstrate the mean failure profile????

For the sake of this argument, I dont dispute the underlying 'facts'...that the X5 will- as a class- have lower reliability. I dispute the belief that one should buy a car, pay tax on it, then get scared of future repair costs, then sell it, and buy another car with marginally lower MEAN repair history and again pay tax on the purchase. And hope that indeed you sold a bad one and bought a good one!

Put the $5000 in the bank and pay for any repairs. Odds are you will be ahead.

or spend the $5k, get another car and there is a chance that will have a major failure... a much lower chance, but still a chance.

People get really pissed when I say this, but never buy a BMW for reliability. I choose my personal cars based on the following parameters, in this order:

1. Price
1. Fun to drive
2. Safe
3. Fuel efficient
4. Reliable

As you can see, I never let reliability get in the way of enjoying my time behind the wheel or keeping my family safe.

- Mike

P.S. — For the record, I would never own a European vehicle out of warranty.

Couldn't agree more.......!! The driving enjoyment of a Beemer is a no brainier, have you driven a Camry lately!

Or a brand new '13 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 10 year - 100K warranty! Mike, nice review of the verano. Glad to see the domestics are starting to put out some good stuff again. Had to laugh at one of the comments about Buick finally putting out a "performance" car! Back in the day Buick had some very quick stuff, evenway back in the '30s with their Century Coupe and twin carb straight 8, up through the 50's with the Century "nail head" V8 (used by the Chippies to nail speeders) and the super Grand Sport and GSX's. They weren't always "the doctor's car".

OP, the opinions you've received so far are spot on. At the risk of sounding repetitive, here are some facts for you, again:

1. You do NOT know that your car will be unreliable. For every X5 with issues there are many more out there with none whatsoever.
2. You do NOT know that any of the cars you mentioned as potential replacement will be reliable
3. While other cars might have a better reliability record, they might not score as well as the X5 on other important factors like safety, handling etc.

I suggest you enjoy your X5 and stop worrying about potential issues it might or might not have. Besides, you do have the extended warranty, and life is too short!

You should have researched more before putting your money down.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Or a brand new '13 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 10 year - 100K warranty! Mike, nice review of the verano. Glad to see the domestics are starting to put out some good stuff again. Had to laugh at one of the comments about Buick finally putting out a "performance" car! Back in the day Buick had some very quick stuff, evenway back in the '30s with their Century Coupe and twin carb straight 8, up through the 50's with the Century "nail head" V8 (used by the Chippies to nail speeders) and the super Grand Sport and GSX's. They weren't always "the doctor's car".

Very true. Buick has some decent cars in the pipeline. Still none that I would personally put in my driveway... but I would recommend them!

- Mike

I'm with Mike.
Reliability is not priority #1.
Efficiency is not number 1 or #2
Enjoyment, safety and Price are the largest factors for me (in prioritized order)

Originally Posted by quackbury

PS Of all the things you could worry about, I would put the fact that your X5 has a V6 at the very top of the list.

Sent from my HTC Inspire using BimmerApp

Originally Posted by Emission

People get really pissed when I say this, but never buy a BMW for reliability.

- Mike

P.S. — For the record, I would never own a European vehicle out of warranty.

Why would they get pissed off? The only ones in denial are the fanbois and those that haven't done their homework.

We (should) all know what we're getting into when we spend this kind of cash on these cars.

I fully agree with you on the warranty as well.

I've had issues with my BMW, thats put me in a 3 and X5 loaners, but the car never left me stranded on the side of the road.

I think thats indicative of modern cars, these German luxury cars might not be as "reliable" as say a Toyota or a Honda, but they have much much more tech in them. If something breaks, its probably not going to leave you stuck.

Originally Posted by quackbury

I'm sure you could have gotten a brand new Hyundai or KIA, complete with warranty, for the same coin

This is sort of a perplexing statement to me because the whole reason my wife and I have been considering a used X5 is due to the fact that they're comparably priced, and in many cases, CHEAPER than say a used Pilot with similar miles.

It's taken me time to figure out exactly WHY used BMW's are so, well, cheap when you consider what they go for new and for the sheer beauty of the cars, and that is that it seems to be considerably more expensive to maintain a 2007 X5 than a 2007 CRV, Pilot, etc. Just HOW much more, I'm not sure, but it's the only reason I can see for the diminished resale value.

Am I right here? My wife and I just moved to NE Nevada where it snows pretty hard and we're looking to get a used AWD. Originally looking at CRV's and Pilots, I was shocked to see that a STUNNINGLY beautiful '06 X5 with only 70,000 miles goes for only about $18,500. An '06 Pilot EX-L with about the same milage goes for $19,000+

With that sort of comparison, I'd take the X5 every damn time, but there's a CATCH, right? Someone knock some sense into me, please!