BMW X5 Problems

The recall, affecting about 1600 vehicles in Australia built from January 1 2007 to March 5 2010, is part of a global defect notice on 35,000 X5s in the US and Canada.BMW says a vacuum hose leading to the brake booster has the potential to bleed oil into it, damaging an internal rubber membrane and leading to the loss of power braking assistance.If that happens, the car can only be effectively braked if the driver pushes the pedal extremely hard – and with some drivers unable to exert enough pressure there is the risk of the vehicle not stopping soon enough or in a short enough distance to avoid collision.“The immediate fix is to replace the hose with a modified that eliminates the problem,” BMW spokesman Scott Croaker says. “However if oil has got into the booster, we will replace the whole booster.”The problem was discovered when overseas warranty claims increased, and Croaker says there have been no brake failure incidents reported in Australia.Owners of affected vehicles should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call the BMW Australia Customer Service on 1800 813 299. 

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,

WHAT IS IT?This is BMW's hot-rod X5 Sports Utility Vehicle though you couldn't and wouldn't take it off road under any circumstances. It has low profile 20-inch tyres and uses the same underpinnings as the BMW X6M.HOW MUCH?A lot but at $172,900, it's pretty good for the range-topping X5 with everything and super high performance.WHAT ARE THE COMPETITORS?Mercedes Benz ML63AMG _ a strong competitor for the X5 and to a lesser extent and a lot less money, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?A 4.4-litre, twin-turbo, petrol V8 with variable valve timing on the inlet and exhaust sides. Each turbo is a twin scroll unit so, effectively, there are four turbos pressurising air into the high-tech engine. It's good for 408kW/680Nm output. Drives all four wheels through an x-Drive system and a six-speed auto calibrated for sporty performance.HOW DOES IT GO?Like a maglev train _ capable of putting away a 0-100kmh sprint in 4.7 seconds and speed limited to 250kmh. Sounds like no other V8 we've driven. Tames HSVs in a single bound.IS IT ECONOMICAL?Not really, drinks premium at a rate of 14.3-litres/100k if you can stay off the loud pedal. Is it "Green." Yes, sort of, despite kicking out plenty of CO2, the X5M passes EU5 emissions regulations. Australia is currently at the equivalent of EU3.DOES IT HAVE MANY SAFETY FEATURES?Yes, jammed with safety kit including six air bags, sports calibrated stability control, huge brakes, safety cell chassis.IS IT COMFORTABLE?Leather, dual climate control, 600 watt audio, voice control, TV, large info screen are you kidding? But the firm two mode (Sport and Normal) suspension can get jiggly on uneven surfaces. Run flat tyres have little give. A switch to Normal suspension fixes that. Has air rear suspension.WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Fabulous, despite weighing 2300kg, steers like a sports sedan, has impressive response at any speed, great brakes, flat cornering even when pushing hard. Love the paddle shift though its fixed to the wheel. Those M people know how to to do performanceIS IT LUXURIOUS?Top drawer. Nothing of any note left off the features list. Is it value for money? Erm, depends on your perspective. We would find it difficult handing over so much to the government in luxury car tax _ but that applies to many cars. Would we buy one? Maybe, if we won the lottery. The thing is the turbo diesel X5 35d is such a good thing _ whack on a set of big wheels and option it up and you'd be happy as a pig....

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 TipsAs 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 4.4Engine: 4.4-litre V8 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 14.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe 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 TDIEngine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo DieselTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe 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 WAGONEngine: 3-litre V6 turbo dieselTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSUS-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.  

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? New The surging popularity of SUVs made it inevitable that every carmaker would join in, even carmakers like BMW that are noted more for