E53? Anyone?

[Bimmerista]

Depends on how much you love the wife.

If you want the marriage to last and have $$$ in the bank account, pass on the X5 and just get a 4Runner or Pathfinder.

[noid]

Recently sold the families 2002 X5, it was probably the nicest X5 you would find in the country, it was meticulously taken care of by my father at the dealer during our ownership and was owned by an elderly could prior to our ownership who also took meticulous care of it.

EVEN THEN it was a steaming pile of unreliable shit. It drove beautifully, it had boat loads of power, however was CONSTANTLY breaking something.

DSC unit, alternator, fan clutch, auxiliary fan, window regulators, HVAC buttons, coolant hoses, brakes lines, selector unit, hood release, valve cover gaskets, etc.


Try pricing out parts for an X5 sometime, you will quickly realize why it cost over 100k new.

[Jean]

Great looking car/suv....but they are moneypits...check xoutpost forums etc.

Get the 3.0 with normal suspension (not air pump/bags) if you must.

[noid]

The biggest problem is that it has so many electrical parts and electronics, that when ANYTHING goes it it makes the car inoperable either by not allowing it to start or by putting it in limp mode.

Its nothing like an E30 where when something breaks you can keep driving it.

[Stanley Rockafella]

The problem I find when considering ANYTHING that's not an e30, is you quickly see how unreliable they are from others' reviews if them. Terrible suspensions, lack of quality in interior finishes, cheaply built etc.

This is one of the main reasons why I have a hard time leaving my e30, even if it were for another BMW (unless it's an e28..then it's basically a grown-up e30)

Back on topic tho, FWIW, I believe the X3 is far more reliable and is available with a 5 speed stick on some of the early models. And IN that case, I'm sure the OP's wife may as well just rock an e34 wagon or a newer 3 series wagon that's far more reliable, safer, handles like a BMW! AND gets fantastic fuel economy (and they dont' hold much less cargo than the SUV anyway).

The comments from others' for a north American SUV reminds me of the owner of one of the few reputable shops in my home city. He repaired all the benzes, BMW's Saab's and Volvo's (and had a few Porsches in there too), but when you went to his house to see what are he had for himself and his wife and kids, they were all American....no imports there. Obviously the guy knows what works and know's how to get great value for his money

[Danny]

Xj

[nrubenstein]

The key with the E53 is that you need to get the 3.0. The M62 is a pain in the ass. At this point, you can assume that pretty much any E53 will need a 100% suspension refresh (ironically, maybe excluding the shocks - Mike and I just redid his X5 beater and literlaly every bushing was trashed at 145k, but the shocks were still good).

If it needs to be manual, get the 6spd. Admittedly, it has big tires, but a 1:1 5th gear and 4.10 diffs are a bit wearing.

[word is bond]

Do you have a need for an SUV with four wheel drive? I mean - with a wagon you get the driving dynamics and fuel economy of a car, with only a little less cargo room. My mother even puts a couple bales of hay in the back of her E91 wagon, every once in a while. I think I'd go E39 wagon or Turbo brick.

[619E30]

If you do decide to get one, get a 3 Liter... The 4.4 is super high maintenance.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Yeah, with a post 2000 Lolvo, it's far cheaper to purchase, maintain and fill than an X5. Just make sure to keep up on the maint. (not expensive, just a little more frequent than a BMW IMHO).

[BoxDriver86]

We just went through the same situation as you...aside from the kid part.

I have been using my e30 for a daily for over 4 years now as an outside sales rep. I really needed something roomier and a little more "modern" to carry clients around and haul stuff for work. I really wanted an X5 and was digging for a 3.0 since I had heard off all the issues with the V8 cars.

I drove an e39 wagon for kicks after driving several X5s. I got into another X5 and immediately went back to buy the wagon. Hands down one of the best decisions ever. I ended up getting a 540, but I knew I was getting into a money pit. Shop around for an e39 wagon and try it out. You'll likely be over the idea of an SUV in heartbeat. I have a ton more room, decent fuel economy, a good DIY database, comfort and safety. Best decision I ever made as far as cars go. Just my .02.

[ELVA164]

I think I saw this mentioned once already, but why do you need an SUV (or SAV or whatever the hell BMW calls it)? Especially if you're worried about fuel economy, you'll just be dragging more vehicle around higher off the ground for no particular reason. Sounds like your best bet would be a wagon.

[DREWHALL]

I will give a +1 for domestic. I never considered them because I love Toyota SUV/trucks, but recently I did a wheel bearing on a 2007 Explorer and it literally took me 30 minutes. I am a technician but I have never touched a Ford so I didn't know what I was getting into. Everything looked very easy to work on, and that is the only repair they have had on that vehicle since they bought it. They go on a lot of trips so it has been up and down the east coast several times, Maine and Florida being a couple of the longer ones.

[gtdragon980]

Xj

This.

[dreamchasin]

4runner. mom has an 03 4runner with general grabber at2's, that SUV is a waffleswaffleswaffleswafflesing beast in the snow. Only maintenance she had to do beside the normal was an o2 sensor.