2005 BMW X5 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Sunroof leaks. Water drips out of overhead console - not resolved.

Water leaking into rear RHS compartment. Trip to dealer, but not resolved.

Engine wouldn't start. Had to be flat-bedded from home on 3 occasions. First time dealer tried to say it was due to a flat battery and wanted to bill me for recharging - until the wretched thing wouldn't start when I went to collect it.

'SELFLEVEL SUSP. INACT' appears - not resolved.

'Low oil level' warning (it wasn't) 10 miles after recent £550 annual service. Still to be resolved.

Engine died with 'FUEL INJECT SYSTEM' error. Flat-bed again to dealer. Still there awaiting diagnosis after three days.

Battery went flat after about 30 minutes, with the TV on.

The recovery guy said this was common.

Dealer manages to break/lose bits out of underfloor compartment (towing eye, floor strut, jack restraint so far)

Plastic trim on passenger door broken - not resolved.

Plastic trim around shift lever cracked - not resolved.

Horrible turbo lag (maybe this is all diesels?)

Handles well and well appointed, but awful build quality and reliability for a £40,000+ vehicle. Just as well there's a 3-year warranty with it.

Dealer service and attitude abysmal. My first and last BMW.

Either get a good extended warranty, or sell before BMW's warranty expires.

Not all BMW's are unreliable and have poor build quality. I think the reason that X5s are like they are is partly because they aren't made in Germany.