Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-66
My 2001 BMW X5 is having dead battery problems. Based on other postings, this is a common issue. If you have had the repeat dead battery syndrome and had it successfully fixed, please share the solution. The dealer doesn't seem to know how to fix it and I need help. Thanks!
I had the same problem and it turned out to be the alternator. Somehow they did not detect it . I have to go back and forth 2-3x before finally they figure it out.
I also has exactly the same problem with my BMW amplifie, as mentioned in 22nd July 2006 comments, It started slowly and turned into a complete breakdown, (now no sound at all even though the dashboard can display,) Dealership told me excatly the same thing (it happened due to trim leaking) and is giving me run around about the warranty. I have refused pay $ 1040to have it repaired, and am looking into the other options (including legal)
Hello I have an X5 with 193,XXX miles on it. I purchased it brand new and it is the most reliable car I own. It is a wonderful family car and has no problems. I have never had to replace or do anything for the car. Only brakes and oil. An overal fabulous car!!! Also I looked at the MDX. I do not recomend that piece of CRAP to anyone. It looks and drives like crap! Go for the BMW YA!!!
(first, please everyone post your year of your car, it is most helpful when trying to figure out any patterns of problems)
I have a 2000 X5 4.4 which I bought in 2004 with 78,000 miles for $30K. Seemed like a good idea and driving the car has been great. However, I'm really fed up now after my second breakdown in the last 8 months.
Steering rack and pinion is "about to go" for $2,400 in repairs. I've been putting this off. Failed intake manifold gasket (failed inspection) cost me $1,800. It was dripping oil in the garage. I've had the battery fail and need a jump for no reason, luckily just once.
I had the tail light problems, tried replacing the bulb about 3 times before finally getting the entire tail light section replaced for some big bucks.
Transfer case went (this was a fun one, if I accelerated too hard, there was a slipping of the gears). This was about $2,500.
Last night, my front drive shaft broke while just driving at 20 mph on an exit ramp from the Mass Pike in Allston. I got it barely off the road and waited for 1.5 hours for the flat bed tow truck (note to all, if you need a tow, you need a flat bed tow truck due to the all-wheel drive). Also note, the two I-bolt in the trunk was really useful for getting the car on the truck. Winch pulled it right up.
Anyway, I'm very fed up. I do love the car for it's driving and handling, but enough is enough. Really disappointed in the reliability. My wife has a 1997 328I for almost 10 years with hardly a problem, about 90,000 miles now.
Thanks for all the comments.
<<I have a 2000 X5 4.4 which I bought in 2004 with 78,000 miles for $30K. Seemed like a good idea and driving the car has been great. However, I'm really fed up now after my second breakdown in the last 8 months.>.
Any BMW built in America has horrible quality, and the X5's were some of the worst. My old business partner bought one in 2000 and his just simply stopped at traffic lights and wouldn't start again. He lemon lawed it.
My x5 2002 116000km had four stabilizing link replacements.
Stops twice at very busy traffic without any reason.SCARY.
Noisy suspension.
Problem with locks.
Air condition working on and off.
In 6 months 7 times in garage.
Engine lamp signal on and I'm again going to see mechanic.
Rear signal lights after replacement bulbs won't work properly
I have stopped at mall parking lot and ask other owners of BMW and same story. Where is old good German opinion about their quality. Waste of money.
We are very disapointed. As soon as I will fixed, I will sell it and never be jealous of other owners of x5.
Purchased a 2002 3.0 Gas X5 off Ebay in Jun of 2006. Checked vehicle on Carfax and found it was a BMW lease return from North Carolina with 53,000 miles. Paid a bit over $24K and was pleased to find the same vehicle on BMW lots for about $32K. I did have to replace brakes and rotors at 61,000 so I went to ceramic pads - excellent change! No dust, no squeal, and longer rotor life.
Discovered outer front CV boots cracked at about 70,000 miles. It's normal wear and tear, but a trade-off between replacing the boots or having rebuilt axles installed. I went with complete, aftermarket axles for about $1000 with installation.
Only had two electrical problems - ventilation fan relay and engine wiring harness. Here in Texas, the fan relay is understandable. The engine harness succumbed to a high water situation in a recent heavy downpour when some connectors were submerged and caused all sorts of strange error codes to develop in the engine computer. Fortunately my insurance covered repairs as "storm damage".
Everything else has been great. With 80,000 miles on it now I average 20.1 mpg consistently, and getting as high as 26 mpg on highway driving at 70 mph. We tow a Waverunner with it often and have never felt lacking for power from the six cylinder.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an X5 (2002 model year or later) to family and friends.
SRM.
I just googled BMW X5 cv joint failure and came up with this blog. As you can guess, I was shocked to find out today that I had a 2x CV joint covers break at 60K. It's going to cost about $800, thankfully, as they caught it early and only have to replace the covers and repack the joints. If the joints themselves became damaged God only knows how many thousand we would have dropped. We, too, have had periodic problems with our 2003 model, including problems with the computer controller and other minor annoying ones. I must admit I am pretty disappointed with the overall reliability and value of the X5. Previously, I have owned Acura'a-- all which got over 150K miles easily and only required the basic service and upkeep. In sum, I agree with the previous post, get the biggest extended warranty you can. You'll need it.
Purchased a 2002 X5 last year, had 58,000 miles and it is in excellent condition inside and out. I thought I got an incredible deal, but now I'm wondering if that was really the case.
It completely died a couple months ago. Had it towed to the dealer and the problem was gone, vanished. They could not duplicate it and couldn't find a code in the computer saying anything was wrong. They decided to charge me a few hundred for troubling them.
Now today (a very hot day), the AC/Vent/Fan will not work or even blow warm air. I see others have had this problem too. Shouldn't there be a recall on something like this? If I was driving on the freeway and my window was getting fogged, I wouldn't be able to get any air on the windsheild. That's dangerous right? I think if this many people have the same problem, then they should get the thing fixed.
BMW X5 4.4i 2003 has constant "Self Leveling Suspension" failures. I've had it in to the dealer many times to replace the compressors and bags. Also it's been in to replace the sensor. Now the vehicle has a "Self Leveling Suspenion Inactive" light on and it won't start. It has disabled itself in my driveway. After many phone calls BMW has agreed to tow it in. Self Leveling Suspension is unreliable, overbuilt, unnecesary, and extremely high maintainance. We are going to sell this BMW X5 4.4i immediately after it gets repaired. It's way too expensive too maintain and it's high maintainance and unreliable. Lexus time.
Is there anybody who can tell me more about the Service Engine Soon light? I drive a 2003 X5 (57K) and I took it a few days ago to a regular shop. The mechanic said that the transmission is overheating, but couldn't give me exact details of the problem because he would have to take out the transmission first to find out what the problem is.
Now what does the transmission have to do with the Service Engine Soon? The mechanic said it can cost anywhere from $700-$200 depending on the problem. Is he trying to rip me off? How should I go about this case?
Bought a used 2003 X5 still under warranty 32k miles - check engine light keeps coming on - the dealer says the engine is carboned up and needs to be cleaned. Warranty does not cover it. $$$ cost to owner $4600 - $6000. Cheap gas was the given reason??? Anyone else having this kind of fun??
I BOUGHT 4 MONTHS AGO A 2001 4.4I X5...I GOT IT AT A REAL GOOD PRICE, BUT WHEN A BOUGHT IT MY FIRST QUESTION WAS, WHY THIS GUY IS SELLING THIS CAR AT SUCH A GOOD PRICE???...WELL THE ANSWER CAME VERY SOON, IN 4 MONTHS I HAVE BENN TWICE IN THE DEALER, THE FIRST TIME WAS BECAUSE THREE DIFFERENT LIGHTS WENT ON, THE DSC LIGHT, THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT, DEFINITELY SCARY, THE CONTROL PANEL SEEM LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, WELL THE HOLE PROBLEM WAS SUSPENSION SENSOR, FIXING IT WAS VERY CHEAP ($400), BUT THE LAST TIME IT APPEARED AN INDICATOR WHICH SAID "SELF LEVEL SUSPENSION INACTIVE", I HAD TO CHANGE THE AIR SUSPENSION LEVEL COMPRESSOR ($2,000), THAT WAS THE REASON I SEARCH IN THE WEB AND FOUND ALL THE BAD OPINIONS OF THIS CAR ON THIS PAGE, IT`S REALLY DISAPPOINTING... DEFINITELY I WILL SELL MY X5,,,THE LOOKS OF IT ARE REALLY NICE, but THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH FOR A SUCH PROBLEMATIC VEHICLE... IF IT HELP 2 YEARS AGO I ALSO HAD A 1999 323i BMW, AND THE SAME STORY... BAD CAR... I HAVE NOW ALSO A MERCEDES BENZ E320 2000 AND IS AN EXCELLENT CAR... THE PROBLEM IS NOT GERMAN TECHNOLOGY IS BMW TECHNOLOGY.
Toronto; 2002 BMW X5.
Problems with engine vent valve; oil all over the engine - repair cost $1500 plus.
BMW big joke.
I just bought a 2001 BMW X5 3.0 2 weeks ago. After the first rain storm we had the drivers side floor was soaking wet, the engine wouldn't turn over, and the rear drivers side window would roll down every time I tried to start it. I took it back to the dealership I got it from and after a day of them spraying a hose at my car they decided I left my windows down and lights on, neither of which happened. Needless to say my car still won't start without being jumped and after having another mechanic look at it I found out rain water is filling up an electrical box. This car is crap! As soon as I solve these problems I'm getting rid of it.