My ordeal started last weekend, when I noticed a nice puddle of synthetic goo underneath my 'new' X5. I opened the hood to check all the fluids I could find, but the decorative plastic got in the way.

I backed the SAV out today, and was greeted with a list of malfunctions, including, no ABS, Traction Control, Low Coolant level, and a sagging air-ride suspension.

My service appointment is on Friday, the only benefit being they will give me a new BMW loaner to drive. I'm guessing this is going to be another expensive repair. Since the X5 went off warranty in July, 2006, more the $3,000 has been thrown away to unexpected repairs. I maintained it perfectly, and am sick of all the B.S.

My 300d has been incredible. Since my September purchase, I've put 5,000 trouble free miles on the 300d, and less than 2,000 miles on my X5. I think its time to simplify my life, sell the X5 (paid off), and buy a '97-00 4.0 litre Jeep Cherokee for winter weather. With the extra money in my pocket, perhaps another benz with a 617 will come my way, or I can start saving for European delivery of a new CDI.

Its sad to think how modern cars become impractical with age. As much as I love the X5, I can't justify keeping it.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I hear a lot of the same things about BMW as I hear about Mercedes, as in "some of the old ones were really great cars, new ones are junk"

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

The word on new BMWs is get rid of it after the warranty or pay for a BMW extended warranty.

Had the opportunity to buy bumper to bumper until 100k for $2,000, I think. Retrospect's a *****, huh?

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Hey Tyler. When started the lease on my C32, I did purchase additional warranty until 160,000km's (or $100,000 miles). I have had few problems with the C32 and I enjoy the car. The extended warranty just adds a bit more security. Hind sight is 20/20 and I know that doesn't help but for new buyers, (mercedes, BMW, Volvo, whatever) get the extended warranty.There is just too much going on with new cars these days that there is bound for something to go wrong some time. Extended warranty also helps with resale...

Good luck with the Bimmer. Beautiful vehicle...

Cheers!

Shaun

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1992 Pearl Black 500E (08/91) SOLD
1997 White C36 AMG (T-Boned by Chevy truck)
2003 Silver C32 AMG (lease due, traded up)
2002 Pontiac Montana VisionSOLD
2007 Volvo XC90 3.2
2005 E55 AMG (newest ride)

My uncle just turned in his 2006, he just does 2 year leases on them to avoid this. I beleive he is going to get a CTSV next.

I liked it, it was a nice riding and driving SUV. It only went to the dealer once or twice for issues and oil changes, which are like 15k miles apart.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

How short my memory must be. I just bought another one.

In 2008 I sold my X5 after 3 years of ownership. 2 were blissful under warranty and the moment it went off the car acted like it was out to ruin me. Since my first post I think another $3000 went into it before finally dumping the thing. I also had a few $100+ fillups that summer at 15MPG. Took $18,000 for it and never looked back. Only had 75,000 miles. One thing that car did was educate me on the maladies of the X5.

Right before leaving for California on my trip, I decieded I should go to the dealer's auction just so I wouldn't miss 2 weeks in a row. Sitting their as a new car trade in Hutchinson was a silver X5 4.4 V8 with the sport package and all the goodies, and 98,000 miles. Just for nostalgia I spent about 10 minutes going through it, driving, checking all the fluids, etc. Biggest problem was a dead nav screen, also had a broken door handle, dead window motor, and needed an alignment. I figured it would be too expensive, looked up wholesale values which were around 10k, and moved on. The biggest plus with this car was the Marker's European Auto oil change sticker in Hutchinson (about 70 miles away from the closest BMW dealer) with a 7,000 mile oil change interval rather than the dealer's recommended 15,000. Unlike most BMWs, there was no sludge visible with the oil cap removed.

I half payed attention to it as she was going through the auction, heard it start at 10k with no bids, then slowly work its way down to $6000. I jumped in and got it a short time later for $6500. No surprises on the drive home.

I guess I got out of my X5 just in time depreciation wise. I know to avoid the 3.0 as they have serious oil consumption issues, and the 4.4 is a pretty solid motor though thirsty.

We'll see what kind of buyers it attracts. Selling the Escalade and 2 Denalis attracted just as many morons as the occasional $2000 car I sell. Jeep, Buick, and MB buyers have all been great.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Interesting observation on customer dynamics. Maybe a BMW truck will attract a higher grade of moron?

Maybe they will have nicer gold chains around their neck?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Its tough to determine (decide) when to jump off the boat with newer cars. Like my S430 it been a wonderfull car and having no note now its a inexpensive DD. You can't help but look down the road and wonder when that big repair might come, and that's with keeping on top of everything.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

One of my parents friends recently trade dumped their S430 after getting a $7000 transmission replacement quote from the dealer. I was too late to intercept and swap in a used transmission which would have ran total for parts and labor around $1500.

Knowledge is power. 3 years ago I knew little to nothing about keeping these cars going at a reasonable price, and took things to the stealership or an almost as pricey indy.

If I had my X5 nowadays with the same issues I probably could of had it all taken car of for 1/3 to 1/4 what I plunked into it now that I have a wholesale parts source and a skilled indy with a $65 an hour labor rate. Its kind of fun to go back and read posts 3+ years ago and see how naive I was towards so much.

Just about anything is cheaper than a new car note.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Its wonderfull when reality sets in. I was reviewing my Classic Car Insurance and the SDL is part of that policy. The insured classic value of the SDL is now more than the KBB of the 430

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I also came across my old 2004 E500 4 matic wagon not too long ago and spoke to the current owner about how it was doing. I sold it with around 52,000 miles and by 60,000 miles the AWD transfer case had bit the dust. By some miracle Mercedes picked up the tab for them even though it was well past warranty. It might be something to watch for on the new 4 matics.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

continually amazed to see new luxury suvs tooling around town, driven, in my mind, by ... mindless tools. i imagine that the used luxury suv market draws in an even lower grade of individuals, who are about five? ten? years behind the curve? (and who can afford to drive these things, with gas still at $4.00 per gallon?)

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

I remember going onto a Cadillac Escalade forum and finding it to be an interesting mix of east coast Soprano wanna-be's, 50-year-old accountants pretending to be 50 Cent, and adolescent ricer-types. I posted once, then ran away.