feelings on the X5

[scottinAZ]

looking to trade in my Dodge Dakota on something a bit more useful for the family. Wife needs an automatic (yeah, I know) and I need something capable of towing our boat (about 4500 total). Would like to stay with BMW on this, Absolutely hate domestic manufacturers and would rather amputate my balls with a rusty spoon than buy Japanese.

Any experience here about these things??

[Raxe]

Buy a V8 Touareg if you need to tow, they're pretty damn capable.

[freeride53]

Why do you have Japanese?
I'd fuckxx with a Fj60 or 2nd gen 4 RUNNAH

[Holland]

Why do you have Japanese?
I'd fuckxx with a Fj60 or 2nd gen 4 RUNNAH

Lol, I'm actually planning on getting a FZJ80 in the near future.

[e30Villain]

x5's are bootyfull.

[be34st]

I have no personal experience with them but I have always wanted a v8/6speed E53.

[Jean]

Ugh.

So far 01 x5 needed the following

- complete cooling system overhaul
- cluster pixel repair
- hid bulb
- rear self leveling sensor (and code clearing)
- blower resistor
- eats through tires
- eats through brakes

- needs window guide replaced
- need door hangle mechanism replaced

Get a I6 with regular suspension not air bag., but i don't know if it can tow that much..... personally I would not get a v8 x5 = MONEYPITs.

Rovers are even worse with their sls front and back.

[e30Nicko]

my mum drives and 02 4.4 v8 x5

Fantastic car to drive. But it has had a fair amount of problems that have been costly to fix

[scottinAZ]

Ugh.

So far 01 x5 needed the following

- complete cooling system overhaul
- cluster pixel repair
- hid bulb
- rear self leveling sensor (and code clearing)
- blower resistor
- eats through tires
- eats through brakes

- needs window guide replaced
- need door hangle mechanism replaced

Get a I6 with regular suspension not air bag., but i don't know if it can tow that much..... personally I would not get a v8 x5 = MONEYPITs.

Rovers are even worse with their sls front and back.

the one being looked at is an 03 3.0.
So, I should plan to replace the cooling system if proof cannot be presented of its (semi)recent replacement, the door handles are shit, and the regulators are shit. Cluster pixels dont keep it from running, so that is less of a concern (plus replacement ribbons are cheap)

sounds like many of the issues I have with the Dodge will carry over to the X5, namely window regulators made of playdoh, and blower motor resistors that spontaneously crap out (FSR in BMW speak?!?!?)

After doing some research on the issues presented, prices dont seem completely out of line on parts, just expect to put some $$$ into it to keep it running good for another 150K miles, is this correct?

[Shangsta]

i had a 3.0 diesel x5 when i lived in South Africa and it was a pretty awesome little car. I never had any issues and towed quite a bit but i have heard alot of people complain about problems with theirs

[Rsully70sev]

Love them, not sure about the towing capabilities with the I6. I feel like you'd need the V8 power but yea, they're expensive to maintain.

[Jean]

re: cluster repair. the made in china crap ribbons ARE cheap, until you get to do the job. google it to see what I am talking about. There are plenty of services on ebay that will do the job for 200-300, you need special t-iron and this is no e30 cluster inside.
self leveling system is a pita too, AND expensive if the air pump goes.

[scottinAZ]

re: cluster repair. the made in china crap ribbons ARE cheap, until you get to do the job. google it to see what I am talking about. There are plenty of services on ebay that will do the job for 200-300, you need special t-iron and this is no e30 cluster inside.
self leveling system is a pita too, AND expensive if the air pump goes.

Good thing Im trained as an electronics technician then....

Ill google it to see what exactly is needed, but very little scares me electronically :D

This model doesnt have the SLS, and frankly if it did, would likely get shitcanned in place of standard springs and shocks/struts. SLS on any vehicle is a pain in the ass, and usually not worth the effort.

How bad was the cooling system changeover? standard issue stuff here?

[flyboyx]

x6 is hawt! will break your bank though.

[gp.plus]

We have an 03 4.4, 66k, no real problems with it, I just did front control arms which seemed a bit premature but aside from that my wife loves it, and I'm glad to have it around for carrying stuff that doesn't fit in the e30 or e39. Gas mileage is not great, we get about 15mpg around the city. There is a fair bit of room around the m62 to do work, atleast better than when it's in a 540. When shopping for one I drive a 6cyl, and was less than impressed, you'll never comfortably pull a boat with it.