Looked at a 2017 X5. Thoughts?

[Dvdman]

Hello all,

I currently have a 2013 X5 50I. 60K miles and issue after issue. I barely drive it. I work from home.I just got my X5 back in July after 6 weeks and $15k in work from oil consumption recalls. They paid for it all and replaced almost everything but the motor. I put on 3200 miles and a warning came on to very low oil last week. I need to add a quart. I just can't do it anymore. I looked at a 2017 X5 35i with the M sport package. I almost gave up on BMWs, but I think they are the nicest SUVs of luzury brands. I won't get an Audi because my wife has a A4. I do like the Mercedes AMG GLE 63, but it is just above my price range. I love the power of V8, but am willing to give that up for reliability. How are the 2017 X5s? Do they have any reliability issues? Can I tune the 35I to increase horsepower? I appreciate any advice. I am on the fence about getting another X5. Thanks!

[RED_Y_]

You might want to check the diesel option, with good tune that torque feels really fun to drive and its really reliable. But it might be hard to find well equipped M sport 35D.

[The Libertine]

Can’t speak to tuning options; however, for reliability, the F15 is a very well built platform.

[Dvdman]

Thanks all. My wife is asking why I would get the same car again. I really look all the time for a fast and luxury SUV and I cant find one better looking than BMW. Looks good, reliability not so good. I really have no idea how reliable other SUVs are. I heard Land/Range Rovers have a lot of problems. The Audi is ok. I looked at the Jag, Mercedes AMG 63, and Maserati, but they look smaller. The Mercedes 63 Amg looks good. It is a little more $ than I want to spend. Oh well, what SUVs do you guys think look good?

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Dvdman

Hello all,

I currently have a 2013 X5 50I. 60K miles and issue after issue. I barely drive it. I work from home.I just got my X5 back in July after 6 weeks and $15k in work from oil consumption recalls. They paid for it all and replaced almost everything but the motor. I put on 3200 miles and a warning came on to very low oil last week. I need to add a quart. I just can't do it anymore. I looked at a 2017 X5 35i with the M sport package. I almost gave up on BMWs, but I think they are the nicest SUVs of luzury brands. I won't get an Audi because my wife has a A4. I do like the Mercedes AMG GLE 63, but it is just above my price range. I love the power of V8, but am willing to give that up for reliability. How are the 2017 X5s? Do they have any reliability issues? Can I tune the 35I to increase horsepower? I appreciate any advice. I am on the fence about getting another X5. Thanks!

Hi there,

I was in the same situation as you - I had a 2012 xDrive50i until just recently, that I loved to death but it was problem after problem - it was always at the dealer. BMW paid for most of those visits, including the value guide seals which sounds like you had done as well. Even after the seals were replaced I was having to add oil every 1000 miles. I was coming up on warranty expiration and decided to get out, partly because my wife was so tired of all the dealership visits, but also because we wanted something newer with less miles. Like you I looked around briefly, but realized there was nothing else out there that was going to make me happy. We drove the Lexus RX350 - that was completely forgettable. We liked the Volvo XC90 but 4 cylinder? No thanks.

We opted for another X5 - a 2017 F15 50i. The N63TU in the F15 is clearly more reliable that the N63 in the 2011-2013 50i - you don't hear nearly as many horror stories - not even close actually. I bought mine with just 8K miles so I don't expect any issues for years to come. And the F15 is a huge step up from the E70.

I think you might be disappointed going to a 35i after have the 50i - I know I would be, but it's your purchase, and like you said you can tune the 35i to make up some of the difference. I will say if you covet power, the F15 50i is way quicker than the E70 50i

[gqgambler]

Agree the X5 is one of the best looking around. I can't do MB because I hate the interior and infotainment. You're looking at a different model and different engine with the F15. Your woes shouldn't be the same and that should appease the wife. The 50i is a beast and fun to drive (I fell in love the minute I drove it in the F16, so intoxicating); you say you work from home and barely drive, so do you need the 50i. We all understand the desire and it can be worth it for the extra money to get the 50i. If you want reliability and affordability in the car the 35i is just fine. And yes it can be tuned, won't make up the difference but can be done. Depending on how heavily your desire to tune, may just be smarter to get the 50i if you are going to spend the extra coin on tuning. Either way a solid choice and M Sport is a must.

[700kid]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

You might want to check the diesel option, with good tune that torque feels really fun to drive and its really reliable. But it might be hard to find well equipped M sport 35D.

I can second this! I just picked up a pretty well loaded (75k sticker) CPO X5 35D - M Sport and have been searching for another because i have enjoyed it so much. Smooth and powerful 30+MPG, great ride. Love it.

[Amsterdave]

Originally Posted by 700kid

I can second this! I just picked up a pretty well loaded (75k sticker) CPO X5 35D - M Sport and have been searching for another because i have enjoyed it so much. Smooth and powerful 30+MPG, great ride. Love it.

Third... came from a 5.0l V8 in my Range Rover Sport - test drove an X5 35i and was very underwhelmed by the performance. Then tried a 35d and while it may be lower in horsepower, I loved the torque characteristics of the engine, and it "feels" much faster than the 35i!

[Joe-T]

I came from a '12 550GT, same engine as your '13 X5... and I completely agree, I said I'd never buy another BMW and would tell everyone I know that they build shitty engines and don't stand behind their product.

The X6 called my name and I bought a '17 35i. My thoughts, while I certainly give up power, I've put almost 8000 miles on and haven't added a quart of oil. Something I would have had to do 10 or 11 times in the 550GT.

I drive a LOT, and my '17 has a 9/11/17 in service date, with the new CPO program, I could have 250-275,000 miles on the car and still have CPO warranty

That said, if the AMG was close in price, I wouldn't have even considered the X6. My wife is on her 4 mercedes, 2 of which were AMG cars (a CLS55 and an E63) and other than routine maintenance, never a repair, and none ever burned a drop of oil. Performance, style, fit and finish, the Mercedes AMG cars are top notch

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Joe-T

I drive a LOT, and my '17 has a 9/11/17 in service date, with the new CPO program, I could have 250-275,000 miles on the car and still have CPO warranty

You gonna drive 200k miles in one year? Not sure how you figure.
Your warranty expires once you hit 50k miles. Then you get one year cpo right?

[HydroStream6]

97k on my 14 50i with the N63TU. Other than some dry and cracked PVC lines, no issues. Uses less than a qt of oil between changes (I change every 5k). If I were to do it again though, I'd get the diesel. Less issues, torquey, reliable, mpg.

[Joe-T]

Originally Posted by turboawd

You gonna drive 200k miles in one year? Not sure how you figure.
Your warranty expires once you hit 50k miles. Then you get one year cpo right?

nope,

I was wrong about my initial in service date. Was actually initially sold 9/22/17

Current BMW warrant is 5 years from in-service date unlimited miles (up to 999,999)

[Dvdman]

I am looking at a 2016 X5 50I this weekend. These engines are more reliable than the 2013 50Is? I dont want to have the same oil consumption issues.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Dvdman

I am looking at a 2016 X5 50I this weekend. These engines are more reliable than the 2013 50Is? I dont want to have the same oil consumption issues.

Look no further than the Bang lawsuit that BMW lost and is having to replace N63's (which included a number of BMW models, including the 2011-2013 50i).

[Dvdman]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Look no further than the Bang lawsuit that BMW lost and is having to replace N63's (which included a number of BMW models, including the 2011-2013 50i).

Really....They just did $15K worth of work on 2013 X5 50i. Can I just ask them for a new engine?

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Dvdman

Really....They just did $15K worth of work on 2013 X5 50i. Can I just ask them for a new engine?

Motor replacement is likely determined on a vehicle by vehicle basis. If you just had $15K worth of work done, I doubt you'd get a new motor approved.

Some people, myself included, had the valve guide seals replaced several years ago, and still had to add oil every 1000-1500 miles. Those people would more likely qualify.

With that said I believe the settlement states BMW shall pay 80%, so you'd still be out of pocket a few thousands dollars in paying the remaining 20%. Most people just continue to add oil, it's a lot easier & less expensive.

[Dvdman]

Thanks for all the advice. Should I even think about trading my 2013 for a 2016? I am worried I will have the same engine issues. The carfax doesn't show any engine work done. It looks clean.

[Qsilver7]

In case one is not up on the N63 and its issues and BMW CCP...as well as which models have the N63 engine and which ones have the next iteration N63TU/TU2/TU3 engines...as well as what BMW changed on the N63TU iteration...see the info below:

[KnudsonM3]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

You might want to check the diesel option, with good tune that torque feels really fun to drive and its really reliable. But it might be hard to find well equipped M sport 35D.

They're out there, you just have to be willing to drive to get it.

I looked all over the US for mine and found one after a couple months of searching. Luckily it was only 1200 miles away.

[700kid]

Originally Posted by KnudsonM3

They're out there, you just have to be willing to drive to get it.

I looked all over the US for mine and found one after a couple months of searching. Luckily it was only 1200 miles away.

Same, I looked and looked. It came up in Chicago and i flew there and drove it home the next night.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Joe-T

nope,

I was wrong about my initial in service date. Was actually initially sold 9/22/17

Current BMW warrant is 5 years from in-service date unlimited miles (up to 999,999)

That's interesting. From what I seen online, cpo gives you one year unlimited miles after your factory warranty expires. Not sure how you got that deal.

[Joe-T]

Originally Posted by turboawd

That's interesting. From what I seen online, cpo gives you one year unlimited miles after your factory warranty expires. Not sure how you got that deal.

that's the current CPO plan from BMW, 5 years from original inservice date with unlimited miles. There is an option to extend another year for a total of 6 with unlimited. The price from the dealer was something crazy and I passed on the additional year. It's also transferable for $200 to someone if I decide to sell before 9/22/22

https://cpo.bmwusa.com/warranty

Volvo is offering the same deal, 5 years unlimited miles. When I was car shopping, I couldn't find a CPO awd V90-R in the northeast.