[mightbaal]

Alright been looking at some SUVs and due to how cheap the X5 or X3 is compared to the escalade or Denali is I want to go for a X5 or X3. Not sure about them from what I see they have a 3.0 option and a 4.8 V8?? Or 4.4? Looking at something I can pay cash for so the 06-10 (maybe 2011). My main questions are (remember I am a current N54 2008 and had a 2002 330i manual so I know some things about BMW):

1. How many miles can you get out of these if properly maintained?

2. How reliable is the SUV and are there engine variants I should avoid because they have more problems?

3. How much room is there with 2 car seats in the back seats (4 year old and a 4 month old)?

4. How do they ride and or handle are they stiff like my 335xi?

5. What specific problems are common? I.E. control arms bushings leaks etc.

6. Do they or most of them have the electric water pump?

7. How are they on long trips?

8. How would you compare the safety as in crash tests vs say a Escalade?

9. Are they full frame SUVs?

10. Is it a good family SUV for my family (currently have a GMC Envoy loaded that I will keep still).


Sorry I know it's alot of questions but just want to see what these are about keep in mind I do 90% of my own work on cars only thing that would ever scare me is engine failure or a head gasket on anything other than a push rod motor which I don't think any BMWs are.

[smallseafishie]

Can't comment on size of e83. Just that it's smaller and roughly the same size as the e9x.


the 2011 X5 xdrive35i shares the same engine and transmission as an N55 335xi.

The 2007-2010 X5 3.0 has the same engine and transmission as the 2006 330xi

If you're familiar with the e90 issues, then the e70 is very similar.

I own a 2011 x5 35d which is the same as a 335d but with all wheel drive.

Originally Posted by mightbaal

Alright been looking at some SUVs and due to how cheap the X5 or X3 is compared to the escalade or Denali is I want to go for a X5 or X3. Not sure about them from what I see they have a 3.0 option and a 4.8 V8?? Or 4.4? Looking at something I can pay cash for so the 06-10 (maybe 2011). My main questions are (remember I am a current N54 2008 and had a 2002 330i manual so I know some things about BMW):

1. How many miles can you get out of these if properly maintained?
Expect same answer as an e9x owner


2. How reliable is the SUV and are there engine variants I should avoid because they have more problems?
Expect same answer as an e9x owner

3. How much room is there with 2 car seats in the back seats (4 year old and a 4 month old)?
Middle seat is useless with two car seats. My 15lb dog can fit there if two car seats are installed (i have a 3yr old and an 1yr old). Other than that it's fine. I'm a little biased as my supercrew F150 has much more rear room than my e70.

4. How do they ride and or handle are they stiff like my 335xi?
They're more cush than my e9x but much more stiff than my F150.

5. What specific problems are common? I.E. control arms bushings leaks etc.
Just like the e9x. They have FCA issues but I think this is dependent of driver and roads. We have 110k on ours it's fine.

6. Do they or most of them have the electric water pump?
3.0 3.5 engines do
7. How are they on long trips?

8. How would you compare the safety as in crash tests vs say a Escalade?
Look it up

9. Are they full frame SUVs?
no

10. Is it a good family SUV for my family (currently have a GMC Envoy loaded that I will keep still).
personal question


Sorry I know it's alot of questions but just want to see what these are about keep in mind I do 90% of my own work on cars only thing that would ever scare me is engine failure or a head gasket on anything other than a push rod motor which I don't think any BMWs are.

[mightbaal]

The 3.0 that uses the 2006 330i engine.... was it improved reliablity wise vs the 3.0L I6 that was in the 2002 330i? Im also guessing its port injection vs direct injection like the N54?

[Kevinl]

Avoid the 4.8 its pure junk

[mightbaal]

Originally Posted by Kevinl

Avoid the 4.8 its pure junk

I seen someone say that on another forum that I am not a member of how is the 4.4L?

Also is the 3.0 I6 alittle underpowered for the X5 it was nice in my e46 330i but that's not nearly as heavy.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by mightbaal

I seen someone say that on another forum that I am not a member of how is the 4.4L?

Also is the 3.0 I6 alittle underpowered for the X5 it was nice in my e46 330i but that's not nearly as heavy.

haha my in laws have the same opinion of the 4.8 (how the **** can a modern car like a BMW be junk? Well it is if you talk to owners).

I think the 4.4 has the $10,000 coolant repair. Have you ever seen an older V8 X5 with white smoke coming out the tailpipes, and wonder why the owner doesn't fix it? Cuz it costs $10k at the dealer.

If it were that simple, I would buy a 2006-08 A8L for $13k with 78,000 miles. Take the cash right out of my checking account and pick it up. Car was over $75k new. But almost anyone who owned one would call me an idiot.

The other thing I've always wondered about the euro SUVs, how come they have less cargo than a CR-V? Forget about Pilot/Highlander etc.

[mightbaal]

Yea I noticed that too seems like less cargo space yet they weigh alot the more I look at BMW for a family SUV the less I want to get one lol.

[Bamaben]

Originally Posted by mightbaal

I seen someone say that on another forum that I am not a member of how is the 4.4L?

Also is the 3.0 I6 alittle underpowered for the X5 it was nice in my e46 330i but that's not nearly as heavy.

My X5 3.0 isn't underpowered, I'm actually surprised how well it pulls. It's the n52k motor which is the most powerful na i6 BMW made I believe. Like 268hp. Only prob I had was the trans adaptor seal cracked so I replaced the $12 part myself. The instructions are on the ZF website. You just drop the pan then drop mechatronic valve body and seal is right there. It's fairly common for those ZF trans.

[tcphoto]

I'm thinking about an X5 as a work truck and will be following the thread. I never had an issue with my old E46 325 but have always heard about E46 330's leaking oil.

[autoart]

Right now their giving $10,000 off new 2016 x5

[redline2001]

The 330xi that shares the same engine/tranny as the x5 is the 2006 e90 330xi. It is pretty damn reliable

[STR8-6IX]

if you want reliability I advise you stay away from the v8's. the 2011 35i and 2007-2010 30i will be your best bets in terms of reliability.

the 2006+ naturally aspirated 6 (n52) is about as reliable as the older e46 6 cylinder (m54) but it is more complicated to DIY then the older version.

research the N52 and N55 engine to get an idea of reliability (both are pretty solid in this regard)

[mightbaal]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I'm thinking about an X5 as a work truck and will be following the thread. I never had an issue with my old E46 325 but have always heard about E46 330's leaking oil.

Never had a problem with any leaks on my E46 330i (2002) had it from 75k-160k miles

[Swish]

My wife owned an '06 X3 and loved it. The only issue we had was the A/C evaporator failed and it's a major deal replacing it for a relatively cheap part.

Also, she had the panoramic sunroof option and we got a lot of noise. I mean a lot. Did some research and someone on this site mentioned replacing the sunroof gasket. It was very cheap but time consuming...and what a difference! It was like driving a new car! That gasket shrinks over time due to exposure to the elements. It took about 2 hours to remove the old one, clean the channel properly, and get the new one installed.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I'm thinking about an X5 as a work truck and will be following the thread.

LOL X5 for a work truck? You'd be better off with a beater Chevy/Ford for a work truck. An X5 will be an expensive "work truck".

[doru]

X5 - stay away from the V8 - many problems. I still own an older 4.4 e53, has issues (I fixed them all), but more reliable than newer generation(s).
X3 - in my opinion you have 3 choices.
a.) 2007-2010 e83 X3 si. This one has the 3 stage manifold (has 272 Hp). There is also a X3 3.0i iteration with a slightly less powerful engine. I own a 2007 X3 si, purchased the car very cheap, the car was not maintained (had the BMW dealership records) and did a bunch of maintenance myself. Car runs great. Exterior wise it's not so nice.
b.) 2011-2012 X3 2.8 - these are the only 2 years where the X3 has the N52 engine (240 Hp - less powerful than previous X3 si). The following years, the X3 benefits from the "updated 4 banger. Engine is potent, only marginally less fuel consumption, but has more engine noise and vibrations. Sometimes, the X doesn't feel as powerful as the i6 and struggles changing gears, pending on inclines and load. The body work is much nicer than the e83, almost as big in size as the X5 e53.
c.) 2011-2012 X3 3.5 - Personally I would chose this model. Same nice body, but has the turbo 305 Hp N55 engine. Actually I am actively looking at one of those, and I'm hoping to unload my e53.

P.S.: the e83 has a stiff ride, and there is a major issue: the rear springs always break due to design, and combined with winter driving: to alleviate the issue, one has to regularly powerwash the rear suspension after driving htrough gravel packed snow roads. The gravel lodges on top of the springs and will start first pitting the paint, then it will rust rapidly, followed by failed springs. As I say, this is a known issue. The springs are very easy to change, but in the long run, it can be costly.