2004 BMW X5 3.0i review from North America

Back window blew out when I turned on the rear defrost during its first cold winter morning (under warranty)

A/C unit replaced three times during ownership (under warranty)

Complete brake job required at 65,000 kms (a little soon I thought and extremely expensive!)

Very comfortable vehicle and reliable throughout my period of ownership, but, frankly, too big for my personal tastes (I just cannot justify something so large), too expensive to drive and maintain with today's gas prices and too ostentatious (I can afford one, but perhaps I don't need everyone to think I'm an arrogant jerk because of it!).

BMWs have the highest resale value in terms of PERCENTAGES not real dollars. This vehicles may have been worth almost 60% of its original list price when I traded it in earlier this year, but with taxes, etc, I paid a little over $80,000 and begged to get $41,000 on a trade - $39,000 for three years? I could have paid cash for a much more suitable and equally reliable and comfortable Toyota and still had enough for a fine dinner!

I wanted an all-wheel drive wagon because I do a great deal of driving in inclement Canadian weather, but was looking at the 3-series. The salesman talked me and my partner into this monstrosity of a vehicle. It's a fine vehicle just not to my taste.