Are all X5's from South Carolina?

I've owned 4 bimmers. 1997 528i (130,000 kms at trade), 2003 330i (110,000 kms at trade), 2003 X5 3.0 (220,000 kms at trade), and now a 2009 X5 4.8l (currently 78,000 kms). The first three were built in Germany, my current one (X5 4.8) built in SC. The German 2003 X5 (with 220,000 kms on it) was waaaaay more sound than my 2009 American X5 with it's current 78,000 kms. Just a coincidence I guess.

I've lost count as to how many times the 2009 X5 has been in the shop.

Originally Posted by Flogger11

I've owned 4 bimmers. 1997 528i (130,000 kms at trade), 2003 330i (110,000 kms at trade), 2003 X5 3.0 (220,000 kms at trade), and now a 2009 X5 4.8l (currently 78,000 kms). The first three were built in Germany, my current one (X5 4.8) built in SC. The German 2003 X5 (with 220,000 kms on it) was waaaaay more sound than my 2009 American X5 with it's current 78,000 kms. Just a coincidence I guess.

I've lost count as to how many times the 2009 X5 has been in the shop.

Your 2003 X5 3.0 was produced in South Carolina. All X5s (E53, E70, & the upcoming F15) have been solely produced in Greer, South Carolina.

We are mixing reliability and dependability with build quality now.
There appears to be some pretty good build quality cars ( other than BMW ) that are assembled in Kentucky and Indiana.

Take a look at the Cars.com list of the top 10 most American-made cars based on make / model / U.S. assembly location(s) - four of the top five "most American-made" cars carry the Toyota and Honda badges.


Toyota Camry Georgetown, Ky.; Lafayette, Ind.
Ford F-150 Dearborn, Mich.; Claycomo, Mo. -
Honda Accord Marysville, Ohio
Toyota Sienna Princeton, Ind.
Honda Pilot Lincoln, Ala.

Originally Posted by Sean

Your 2003 X5 3.0 was produced in South Carolina. All X5s (E53, E70, & the upcoming F15) have been solely produced in Greer, South Carolina.

Redundant now. Quality must have dropped for 2003 to be a better build. 2009 is crap.

Originally Posted by Flogger11

Redundant now. Quality must have dropped for 2003 to be a better build. 2009 is crap.

You must have gotten a bad one. My 2011 is better than either my 2007 or 2008 was. Maybe there's truth to the rumor that they build all the cars for Canada on Mondays?

Originally Posted by quackbury

You must have gotten a bad one. My 2011 is better than either my 2007 or 2008 was. Maybe there's truth to the rumor that they build all the cars for Canada on Mondays?

Naw, we're just a little discerning and appreciate quality ... not seconds.

Originally Posted by Flogger11

I've owned 4 bimmers. 1997 528i (130,000 kms at trade), 2003 330i (110,000 kms at trade), 2003 X5 3.0 (220,000 kms at trade), and now a 2009 X5 4.8l (currently 78,000 kms). The first three were built in Germany, my current one (X5 4.8) built in SC. The German 2003 X5 (with 220,000 kms on it) was waaaaay more sound than my 2009 American X5 with it's current 78,000 kms. Just a coincidence I guess.

I've lost count as to how many times the 2009 X5 has been in the shop.

My father's '03 X5 was the biggest pos that has been in either of our garages. It was so bad that BMW lemoned it, and as you know, we don't have an actual lemon law up here. Our '10 X5 has been mediocre. Our 750 has been bullet proof so far (knock on wood).

These anecdotal recollections mean nothing, however, without actual, hard data on reliability based on a vehicles point of origin.

X5s were built in SC. thats an error on carfax.

Since we`ll never have the x5 built in germany, the only real data that one can compare is the number of defective vehicles on the road by each plant. That reflects the overall quality of the factory and the products it produces.