Going to buy X5 , have some Q's

[Slow325i]

Well i decide to buy my 1st 4 door BMW and i was thinkin about 750 or 740 but i need SUV so X5 is the one
I know X5s are build from 00+, but i wanna know little bit more about them, like difference in options, what rims they had in different years, is it motor same and what year would be the best
What to watch out for and other stuff

I thinkin about one with 3.0 motor (don't get me wrong i have build 94 Mustang GT that gets 8mpg with light foot, but i need something good because i gonna start familly)

[Slow325i]

Anyone???

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

Get the 4.4l you'll like it.... dont get me wrong the 3.0 is a great car i have a 740iL and even with the extra weight it gets moving. ok! why do you need an suv? my 7 has a HUGE trunk and alot of leg room... i was looking at the X5's ended up getting the 740iL i think you would want a 740i sport.

[Slow325i]

Reason why i decide not to buy 740/750 and go after X5 is because i'm gonna get married and my fiance wasn't that great driver on snow with RWD like i'm lol

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

...... and your going to let her drive the bimmer! j/k
snow yes get the X5 i still sugest the 4.4L becuse people that I talked to that got the 3.0l then drove a 4.4l wished they got it and not the 3.0l also my 740 has the same enginge and I can get 20 - 22 mpg if i drive normally....

[titanium330]

Hey Slow325i,
I have no experience with X5's, but one of the guys in our local club bought an 02 4.6is brand new. Here is what he said about it when I asked about the reliability of them:

As you know, we have an X5. It has been generally excellent, with the following provisios:

-Trunk rattle - known X5 problem - from new. Have spoken to several owners, none of whom have been able to affect a cure. Not a biggie.
-Wiper judder - the passenger side wiper blade has juddered across the screen from new - Dilawri replaced it under warranty once, with no benefit. They refused to do anything further under warranty later, stating "the windshield is pitted", as a cause.
-Electrics - when it's cold, we are getting a "rear licence plate", "side marker", and "reverse light" fault. Intermittent, since about 50,000km (now at 60,000). It's a pain in the ass.
-Seat memory settings - have not functioned properly since new - when you set them, they do not hold the settings properly - especially the mirror settings. TSB had been issued, didn't fix the problem.
-Door rubber - the rubber along the bottom of the front doors SUCKS. We have had to have both sides replaced several times (thankfully, under warranty) - known problem. The little snap fasteners aren't strong enough, and when ice forms on the rubber, and sticks to the bodywork, the rubber pulls right off.
-Sticky gas pedal - when depressed gradually, the gas pedal seemed "creaky" - known problem, with a TSB issued (eventually.... don't get me started... BMW Canada definitely on my black list, here...)
-Glove compartment - stuck closed - had to have Dilawri force it open, and replace the latch mechanism (warranty, when the car was CPO'd - at about 45,000km).

That's about it, that I can think of, off the top of my head. I'll edit my post if I think of anything further.

Would we buy another, in light of the problems?

Absolutely.

X3's aren't bullet proof, either - I know at least half a dozen people that own them, that have had tons of problems, that make ours pale in comparison. I believe later X3s are better, but the first ones weren't great....

So he had some minor problems, but nothing with drivetrain. I hear that the digital lights on the dash burn out too, annoying, but not too major.

My Wife and I just bought an 05 X3 3.0L. They are a good alternative to the X5, but are not quite as wide, hence not quite as roomy inside. They are priced a bit better than the X5's, but will probably not hold there value as well.

Hope this helps.
Reg