USED BMW X5 4x4 (00 - 07)

My car

I bought my mint Silver X5, 55 plate facelift Diesel Sport in August 2009 with 50K miles and a full BMW service history from a notable dealership network. Soon after purchase I discovered my X5 had been fitted with a replacement Auto Gearbox at 17K miles. However, at 50K miles the gear change was definately hesitant on changing down, hanging on to the gears too long. After a long journey, there were definate diesel fumes in the cabin. Apparently, a common problem, related to a cracked exhaust manifold. The remote central locking also failed, again a common problem we were told. The rear seat belt anchor had failed and numerous other faults, too many to mention, but £3000 to fix. Finally after some weeks, we returned the vehicle and got a full refund, it was that bad. Whilst I really loved the way the car drove, it is a very very expensive vehicle to run in terms of repairs and fixing it. There appear to be too many potentially serious faults. So, overall a very compelling vehicle, but frighteningly expensive to maintain given that you are almost certainly going to need to replace your gearbox at some point. If you can insure against, Gearbox failure, cracking inlet and exhaust mainfolds, and remote locking systems failing then this is fabulous car. Mine was a facelift model, so the paint on the plastic steering wheel center cap also scrapes off easily. I did love the car and would get another one, and gamble that I dont get more failures and put £5000 aside to fix a gearbox.

My car

It appears that those with the most problems with their X5s are those with diesels. I have had two 523i petrol and having read soooo much scary stories about BMW diesel engines, I chose to go for a petrol X5. You just can't go wrong with BMW's straight six engines. As a technician said to me - when compared to the diesels, the petrol engines are bullet proof. No turbo lags or getting stuck on a round about!

For a car this big, it handles very well. As for the tyres - it is all about the way you drive the car. If it is thrown around every corner as the car asks to be sometimes, you'll be spending almost £150-200 per tyre sooner rather than later. The electrics can be temperamental - especially the rear lights and folding mirrors. Mine doesn't work now. Mirror motor costs over £100. I think it remains one of the top 2 or 3 best handling 4x4 out there. It is just amazing when considering its size. My only gripe is the boot. It is just too small when compared to a LR Disco.3. Some insurance companies will not touch the car UNLESS it has a tracker that's on their approved list. It proved competent during the recent snow storm too but any more snow, I might have struggled.

Overall, I am very happy with the car

My car

Bought car when 18 months old in Jan 2006. My second one but I was surprised by the difference between this one and my previous 184hp Diesel 5 speed 03 model. This was a better drive and I thought more responsive. Thats when the fun started, within 3 months it was back in the dealers for its first of many faults ranging from computer faults, parking sensor failures (6 times), noisy hatch (3 times), broken and squeeking armrest (2 times), airbag light on (4 times), oil pressure sensor, bad gear change and severe lurch when dropping into first when coming to a stop. Last July car was loaded and I was setting off for family holiday to Spain in the car. 2 miles from house Turbo failed which led to holiday cancelled and £2500 bill (out of warranty by 3 months)BMW wanted £1400 per year to maintain warranty so thought car has only got 48000 on clock so "brand new" how wrong can you be!!!!! This is my 11th BMW in 8 years,so NEVER AGAIN! they have been getting more and more unreliable over these last 5 years so will definately not be getting another and the dealers have been getting more and more un-helpful and certainly too expensive. I am very disappointed with BMW so next up will be a Toureg or Q7.

My car

I have just read on your site of similar problems that we face with our Sept. 07 X5 3.0D Sports. I am contiually losing all data from both the journey and normal computer , along with the time and date. I have had it back to our dealer many times and now have put pressure on them to do something about it. Just as with your previous comments they blame our life style as we do not make enough long journeys which means the battery goes down and at that stage removes "trivial" data etc!! Not good enough for a £50k car I say. Also the expense of adding the 3rd row of cars was totally unwarranted as the kids have no view out and quickly get bored. I think BMW must realise this as they did send a survey around quite recently asking our opinion of the seats. We are really disappointed as our similar September '03 model gave us perfect service!