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BMW X Models Problems

Are you having problems with your BMW X Models? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest BMW X Models issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the BMW X Models in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

High km X5?

Ten grand is very cheap for an X5 and the lack of history rings alarm bells. Even a single major problem could double your spending. Steer clear unless it gets a massive tick from a motor club pre-purchase report.

Safest mid-size luxury SUV?

Definitely go for the Volvo. Apart from the safety gear, it's well built, well equipped and drives well.

Used BMW X5 review: 2000-2003

Carsguide reader Ramon Cruz is intending to test drive a 2003 BMW X5 4.4i, which has done 180,000 km, and asks if we could advise him of what he should look for with this model?

The surging popularity of SUVs made it inevitable that every carmaker would join in, even carmakers like BMW that are noted more for their sporting cars than utilitarian models like four-wheel drives.

But when BMW did arrive in the market with an SUV it wasn't just any old wagon, it was a groundbreaking luxury model.

The X5 was one of the first of a new breed of luxury SUVs and set new benchmarks for the class.

With its history of great sporting cars it was only natural that the company would bring that same ethos to the SUV market.

With a mass closing in on 2.5-tonnes it was always going to be a challenge for BMW to endow the X5 with the sort of dynamics its cars were renowned for. But they did pretty well.

The six-cylinder model was the best balanced of the range, while the V8s tended to be a little front-heavy and ponderous by comparison.

BMW hit the showrooms with a 4.4-litre V8 to start with. It had double overhead camshafts, 32 valves and put out 210 kW and 440 Nm. A few months later a 3.0-litre six-cylinder was added to the range, before the engine options were completed with a 4.6-litre V8 in 2002.

Most were equipped with five-speed sports-shift automatic transmission, but there was also an option of a five-speed manual gearbox with the 3.0-litre six.

The final drive was directed through all four wheels as required, with a minimum of 62 per cent directed to the rear wheels to give the X5 the feeling of a rear-wheel drive sedan.

Modern electronics gave designers the capability of controlling each wheel individually, so systems like traction control and ABS could be used to brake individual wheels as needed and direct traction to other wheels that weren't spinning or losing traction. That meant the X5 handled slippery roads with aplomb and was quite adept off-road if the going wasn't too tough.

Being a luxury model the X5 lacked nothing in the way of creature comforts, including things like air, cruise, CD sound, leather, and power front seats.

ANCAP didn't test the E53 X5 when it first hit our shores, but suffice to say that it had everything that was state-of-the-art in 2000.

Included in a comprehensive arsenal of safety gear was a full array of airbags, ABS braking, traction control and dynamic stability control.

There's no escaping that the early X5 is now an old car, the earliest being 14 years old.

In that time it could be expected to have done between 150,000 and 250,000 km, the 2003 model like the one Ramon Cruz is contemplating buying would be expected to have done between 100,000 and 200,000 km.

Cars at the lower end of that mileage could be expected to have plenty of reliable life left in them, ones at the higher end, like Ramon's, much less.

While BMWs have plenty of badge cred they can get expensive as they age, and anyone buying a high mileage example needs to approach it with caution.

It's absolutely vital to check for a service record. A car that has been regularly serviced and well maintained by someone who is familiar with the marque and its foibles is much more likely to be reliable than one that has been neglected.

It's best to get a mechanic experienced in BMWs to check out any prospective purchase being a deal is done.

Problems you could anticipate are leaking radiators, crumbling plastic engine components, engine drive pulley failures, leaking water pumps, worn suspension bushes, broken engine mounts, and worn brakes.

Parts can be expensive, so too can servicing be if you use a factory dealer. It's best to cosy-up to a mechanic who knows BMWs intimately, as they will likely be able to service your car more affordably, and they will usually be able to source parts at a more affordable price.

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Used BMW X3 review: 2004-2012

It’s not just we Aussies and the Yanks that love their SUVs, Europeans have really been getting into them in recent years; and the big name German marques have quickly cottoned onto the boom in these handy vehicles. BMW began its SUV range with the X5 and has gradually worked its way down in size with new models X3 and finally the X1. The reduction in size was caused by the realisation by car makers that most SUV buyers aren’t interested in exploring the wilds of their respective countries, rather they want a capacious station wagon with a driving position that’s higher than cars’.

Note that BMW would like us to call its vehicles SAVs, standing for Sports Activity Vehicle, but no-one seems particularly interested in that acronym so we will stick with SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).

The midsize BMW X3 is the subject of this week’s article as it’s proving very popular in recent times. In Australia around one third of all BMW sales are in SUVs. The biggest seller is the X5, but the X3, introduced here in July 2004, is holding its own in the sales race. Interestingly, the second generation X3, sold from March 2011, is significantly larger than the original and is within a few centimetres of the first-generation X5 in many dimensions.

If you’re looking for a family car the gen-two BMW X3 has ample legroom for those in the rear seat and three children will find they have good shoulder room. Boot space is good and the luggage areas are well shaped and easy to load in all X3 models.

As there’s almost no demand for a BMW that can go off road, the suspension guys have gone for handling and comfort ahead of traction on unsealed surfaces. Clever electronics, further enhanced on the gen-two X3, do give it more grip in harsh going than you might expect.

Four and six-cylinder engines are offered in petrol and diesel format. BMW has long been a specialist in turbocharged engines and both the petrol and diesel units work well. There’s the usual lag before things start to really motor well, but once the engines are past that stage they are beautifully responsive.

Though the diesels are the more economical we do have a preference for turbo-petrol engines as they just love to rev way up in the scale, whereas the diesels give up in the high 4000s. Even better are the naturally aspirated straights sixes - one of our all time favourite powerplants. These are offered in 2.5 and 3.0-litre capacity.

Six-speed manual gearboxes were offered in the early days, but were never popular and disappeared from the new-car price list during 2008. If you’re keen on DIY gearshifting you may find a few manuals have been privately imported. Be sure a private import meets all areas of Australian regulations.

Automatic transmissions began with five forward speeds in 2004, this increased to six in 2006, then eight in the all-new model of 2011. There are manual overrides that give you a fair bit of control as BMW has long been an expert in sporting automatics.

BMW is long established in Australia and has a well organised dealer network. The concentration is on major metro areas but there are quite a few in country cities and even large country towns. Spare parts are relatively expensive, but no more so than others in this class of SUV. We seldom here any real complaints about availability. Similarly, insurance costs aren’t low, but you generally seem to get value for money.

Do it yourself work on an SUV like this should be left to minor items only. These are complex cars with a multitude of electronic items and should be left to BMW dealers. There are some ex-BMW mechanics in private practise and owners speak very highly of them, however, they may not have access to the very latest information or changes to the X3.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The BMW X3 is generally trouble free, but it makes sense to buy a used one with a full service history. The car will have been in contact by way of the internet with the technical departments in the German head office each time it was serviced at an official dealership.

The use of incorrect tyres can cause problems with the transfer case due to incorrect rolling radii. Make a note of the details of tyres then contact BMW for a list of recommended tyres. If you suspect one has been off the beaten track - a rare event - examine the bumper corners, doors sills and undertray for damage - or choose an X3 that hasn’t beaten about the bush.

Make sure a petrol engine starts almost instantly, or a diesel within a couple of seconds. Slow starting can indicate real problems. An inspection of the interior, including the luggage area will reveal that a car has been used as a workhorse for carting kids or other heavy-duty stuff.

CAR BUYING TIP

Cars aimed at those who really like to drive may have been thrashed. Blindingly obvious? Yes, but too few buyers take this into account when falling in love with a potential new car.

 

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Used BMW X5 review: 2007-2011

The BMW X5 received rave reviews when it was launched; road testers were ecstatic about the performance and handling of the big wagon.

NEW

The new model released in 2007 looked much like the previous model, but it was bigger, and for the first time there was seating for seven. 

There were lots of other upgrades too, including improved engines, double wishbone suspension, forged aluminium front suspension mounts, magnesium dashboard support, and improvements to the iDrive four-wheel drive system.

BMW offered three engines, all improved. They consisted of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol slurper, a 4.8-litre V8 and a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. The V8 went like gangbusters, but had quite a thirst for premium unleaded, making the 3.0-litre petrol engine and the turbo-diesel the most sensible choices.

Of those two the turbo-diesel got the nod as the best choice overall. It was the most economical, but still had sufficient performance for the task at hand, and it was rated the best balanced of the new bunch on the road.

A slick shifting six-speed auto was the main gearbox choice, but that was joined by an eight-speed self-shifter in 2010. Nothing was lacking when it came to the cabin, it was roomy, the seats were comfortable, and it had everything you could want.

NOW

The X5 looks like a winner in the showroom, but drive it away and the story isn't so clear-cut. BMW's behemoth receives mixed reviews from the trade, with reports of numerous issues that could tarnish the ownership experience. While the body and underlying mechanics, that is the engines, gearboxes and drivelines are reasonably robust and reliable, the bolt-ons are not necessarily so.

  • Rear tyre wear is an issue. The wear is more pronounced on the inner half of the tyre tread, and it can't be adjusted out, there simply isn't enough adjustment available. It becomes an issue when you have to stump up a considerable sum of money to replace those massive run-flat tyres.
  • At the rear the outer bush in the lower control arms wear, eventually needing to be replaced, while at the front, the caster bar bushes wear out.
  • In a rather poor design the air-conditioning drains onto the drive shaft from the centre transfer case to the front diff causing the shaft to rust out.
  • Starter motor bushes wear out leading to the replacement of the starter motor. Ouch!
  • The alternator is a rather complex water-cooled device with a plastic bush that wears breaks up. Like the starter there's no option but to replace the alternator.
  • Plastic hoses and fittings in and around the engine bay go brittle and fall apart requiring replacement.
  • Door locks and window regulators regularly fail.
  • The dash and control panel displays fade and the panels have to be replaced.

To make matters worse, replacement parts are very expensive. Australians pay two to three times what Americans do for the exact same BMW-branded factory replacement parts. The very same parts, made by the same suppliers, companies like Bosch, but without the factory branding or packaging can be sourced by sharp mechanics for even less than the factory equivalents.

Anyone contemplating buying a used X5 should think long and hard about it before committing to a car. Buying a car with high kays on the odo, that's 100,000 km or more, is taking a real risk of their dream becoming an expensive one. The best car to buy is the one that's just come out of lease, they generally have low kays and they've been well serviced.

Before buying an X5 consider where you would have it serviced. BMW dealers will charge you the most, both in labour and parts, an independent specialist will charge much less and will most likely be able to source cheaper parts and in some case be able to repair parts instead of replacing them.

Don't jump in; have your preferred car checked by an expert before you buy.

SMITHY SAYS

The X5 is a great driver, but parts and servicing can be very expensive as the kays climb.

BMW X5 2007-2011
Price new: $85,000 to $118,300
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinder, 200 kW/315 Nm; 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo-diesel, 160 kW/500 Nm; 4.8-litre V8, 261 kW/475 Nm; 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo-diesel, 173 kW/520 Nm; 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo-diesel, 225 kW/600 Nm; 3.0-litre 6-cylinder, 225 kW/400 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed auto, 8-speed auto, 4x4
Economy: 11.7 l/100 km (3.0), 8.7 l/100 km (3.0TD), 12.5 l/100 km (4.8)
Body: 4-door wagon
Variants: Base, Executive, Sport
Safety: 5-star ANCAP

COMING UP

Do you own a Holden Colorado? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.
 

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Used prestige SUVs review: 2006-2009

It's a topic of debate -- some would argue the Range Rover kicked off the prestige SUV craze 40 years ago.

Others say SUVs aren't serious off-roaders and the modern category was established by ze Germans. It is the latter crowd that -- regardless of the origins of the species -- have come to dominate this prestige SUV segment.

Be it an upper-crust shopping centre carpark or the leafy confines of a private school's grounds, you are guaranteed of spotting three particular vehicles -- the BMW X5, Audi's Q7 and examples of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

The brand that has built its image on sheer driving pleasure and derivations therein has the X5 on its books, the benchmark in the class for on-road dynamics and some epic powerplants.

The X5 sits behind only the 3 Series as BMW's top seller and is the best of its SUVs, fitted with six and eight cylinder petrol engines and six-cylinder turbo diesels.

For those not concerned with fuel economy, the petrol V8s provide much in the way of propulsion and aural amusement but the oilers are the gems. The X5 has badge cred, car-like dynamics and family wagon versatility -- even a third-row option but space isn't abundant.

Audi's Q7 has been outshone to some extent by the introduction of the smaller Q5, but the big Ingolstadt wagon has space aplenty. Among its petrol and turbo diesel engines, the 3.0-litre V6 oiler is the value pick. Not as nimble or car-like as the BMW, the Audi has a more useable third row of seats but lacks low-range.

The M-Class is best off the beaten track, with an optional off-road package for the more serious adventurer. It has V6 petrol and turbo diesel, and V8 options including the super-quick ML63. As with the Audi, the V6 diesel is the best all-rounder.

Last year the sales of large SUVs over $70,000 topped 17,000 , up 11 per cent. This year the segment is up more than 30 per cent with all three brands' SUVs selling strongly.

Getting into one of these late-model beasts is relatively not expensive. Thanks to finance defaults, leased vehicles moving on and even trophy wives wanting something new, the "pre-owned'' market has no shortage of them, some with new car warranty remaining.

Top Tips

As with all used cars, signs of poorly repaired accident damage (inconsistent welds, paint and panel fit) as well as signs of water intrusion (given recent flood events and submerged new car stocks) can point to rusty consequences.

Diesel powerplants are generally more frugal when towing or on the open road but the fuel economy is offset by higher purchase price, service costs and the price of diesel. Do the numbers based on your driving habits (using urban and extra-urban fuel economy figures, not the combined-cycle number) and pick the appropriate machine.

If you are hauling polo ponies, dressage nags, a boat or a van, check the towing capacity details, as some 4WDs make big boasts but fall over in real-world applications.


2006 BMW X5 4.4
Engine: 4.4-litre V8 petrol
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Thirst: 14.8L/100km



CARSGUIDE SAYS

The slogan "there's nothing quite like a V8'' applies here -- while the X5 has worthy diesels, the 4.4-litre V8 on offer in the big Beemer has appeal and when used sensibly won't drink ridiculous amounts of pulp. Leather trim, the full gamut of electronic safety gear and a clever all-wheel drivetrain make the big wagon more nimble than many passenger wagons and more than a few sedans.


2008 AUDI Q7 3.0 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo Diesel
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Thirst: 10.5L/100km



CARSGUIDE SAYS

The V6 turbo diesel, one of the brand's better engines, deals well with the Audi's mass. Not as nimble as an X5 but far from a truck, the Q7 has a long features and safety equipment list plus leather trim. Tips the scales over two tonnes but can drag 3.5 tonnes when asked. There are bigger diesel and petrol engines but the 3.0-litre is a good all-rounder.


2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350 CDI WAGON
Engine: 3-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Thirst: 9.6L/100km



CARSGUIDE SAYS

US-built -- as is the X5, which pipped the Benz by 49 sales last year -- the ML progressed significantly from the original M-Class, maintaining a greater off-road ability while closing the gap to the X5 in on-road dynamics. The badge holds plenty of cachet. There is an off-road pack with diff locks, low range, height-adjustable suspension and under-body protection.
 

 

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BMW recalls X5 SUVs for brake defect
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BMW computer

Yes, I agree, it is unreasonable. Take it to a BMW specialist, like John Heckrath at Heckrath Engineering in Melbourne and he will be able to reset the computer for you. BMW change the oil on the basis of engine hours run, not kilometers driven, and the computer needs to be reset to start the clock ticking towards the next change.

Power chip for 2010 BMW X1

We haven't had any experience with the chip you refer to, but have had some with other chips that have been offered here in the past. Yes they can work, but they do so by taking the engine calibration closer to the edge than the carmaker would dare do with safety. In my view they would clearly affect the warranty.

BMW demo dilemma

What a mess! It really began when you signed the so-called 'contract' and paid a deposit before you saw the car. You should never do that, they had you over a barrel the moment you put pen to paper and made off with your money. You need to go back to that contract, read it and understand what it is you signed. Look for an out clause that gives you an excuse to get out of the contract. I think you're being optimistic to hang your hopes on the dealer's description of the car as a demonstrator when perhaps it wasn't its prime purpose. You need to call in the legal eagles to sort this problem out, and it is a problem between you and the dealer. While it might embarrass BMW that one of their dealers has treated you in such an unprofessional manner it's not their responsibility to sort it out for you.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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