BMW X Models Problems

If they won’t come to the party and help you out you could go to the NSW consumer affairs people and ask for their advice. You could also contact the consumer affairs people in Queensland, as the dealer is based there, and would come under the Queensland law. I doubt that you will get far, however, as you signed the contract without properly checking it.

What you want isn’t readily available, so I would suggest you survey a number of mechanics specialising in Discoveries and X5s to get the information.

Depending on the engine, the range is $4500 to $7500.

You’ve pretty much covered the field there, so it should come down to what you want from your car. Do you want comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, offroad capability, cabin space? If you are mostly driving on the highway, then a diesel SUV is probably the best bet. I would rule out a dual-cab ute because of comfort, unless you need the flexibility a ute gives you. I would rule out a hybrid, they’re not at their most efficient on the highway; they’re better suited to town use. Based on your annual mileage I wouldn’t keep the car any more than 3-4 years, that way you’ll have a decent resale value when you get out of it.

The diesel is fine around town. Being just three years old there shouldn't be anything wrong, so apart from overall condition of the body, paint, and interior make sure it has been routinely serviced.

The reality is that the chances of problems increases as the mileage climbs, so to expect a car to be trouble-free after 300,000 km is asking a lot. If the car you buy is in good condition, with a full service history then you stand a good chance, but it’s important to maintain the servicing and be prepared to fix anything that breaks or wears out, and hope it’s nothing major. Other makes are subject to the same provisos.

I’m reluctant to recommend the Touareg, or the X5 for that matter. They are good cars, but can be expensive when things go wrong, and they are more likely to go wrong than is a Prado. I would definitely go for the Prado.