Considering an X5M - how's yours? How many miles? Any issues?

[Up2nogood]

Hi all.
I already have a F83 M4 convertible.
We've owned Mercedes SUV's, up to recently.
After a track day, I am considering the X5M for the family.

However, here's the tough bit.

For the wife's car, I had to make a purchase decision quickly as the last time her ML failed was 200kms from home on a major freeway and it was a rainy Friday afternoon. She was 8 months pregnant and had our toddler son in the car when the piece of crap threw a speed sensor and went into limp home and wouldn't change out of second gear.
She (eventually) made it home, never seen her so mad, I went down to Toyota on Saturday morning and bought a mid size Toyota Landcruiser as I know it will last 5 years without failing.
Fixed the Merc's speed sensor (paid for it myself, as we were one month out of warranty and our dealer sucked) and sold it, 3 years old with 34,000kms travelled.
Didn't look at BMW as our neighbour has an X5 that's been a dog since new and my previous SRT Jeep was not reliable either, with electrical issues.

As this is the wife and kid car, we need reliability. US built cars haven't been a great experience for me (per above) and when I mentioned a BMW to the other half, she gave me a dirty look knowing what our neighbour has experienced with their US built X5. If I'd said Mercedes, she'd have stabbed me........

I did consider Lexus, but I wasn't impressed by the Rx450H at all. She doesn't like the look of the Porsche or Range Rover SUV's, and the latter has multiple reliability issues and I'll never buy another Mercedes SUV. EVER.

So, in order to not make my driving with the family a boring and soulless experience, albeit a competent one, I need to get a handle on what issues the X5M might have before getting my dealers hopes up.

I see wheel bearings have been an issue, what else might one have to endure, if anything?

How many miles do you have, and what (if anything) has gone wrong?

[tastelid]

(If you'll buy a convertible, anything is a step up...kidding...or am I?)

I've got about 9000 miles on my 2016. No real issues other than occasional squeaky brakes.

[Up2nogood]

Ha! I won't make fun of your I3 if you leave my convertible alone.

Seriously, it's a better car than I am a driver, so I'm not noticing the lack of dynamics over the coupe. More headroom in the back too, my son is very tall.

[Ash777]

Greetings neighbour,

Glad to hear your wife made it home fine.

The i3 seems like a great car right up until you see it :/

We've had our X5M for about 4 months now and have done 7,000km's on it. The roads in New Zealand are comparable to Aus, bit more congested though. The car has been problem free except for the wheel bearing issue.

Also, to be fair, my friend RR supercharged V8 (not SVR, about 7 months old, 10,000ishkms) and it has been problem free.

The X5M has been our first euro family car and the experience has been nothing short of amazing.

[JB-A]

Originally Posted by Up2nogood

How many miles do you have, and what (if anything) has gone wrong?

I own my X6 M now for a year - 55000km (34100miles)
Following issues till now:

• weird crackling sound heard - loudspeaker below drivers seat exchanged - didn't help - cables were changed - didn't help - finally rear amplifier exchanged
• on highway - engine fail safe mode was activated - could drive max 80km/h - the engine was shaking like hell - 1 ignition coil was defect and together with all spark plugs exchanged

but after 1 year I have to say: I love this car

[elisiX]

6000km in and relatively trouble free.

BMW had to fit the spacers on the front wheels to resolve the clicking.

There's a bulletin out for it.

[PatrickC23]

Brake squeal! I need to get this fixed asap, can't get to 1200 miles soon enough.

[ajob]

BMW reliability, my experience:

First 30.000 mi on an 2011 E70 X5 5.0i, problems:
- 1 qt oil every 5.000 mi
- an ACC failure requiring a software download
- new bushings for a noisy front suspension

Then 10.000 mi on an April 2015 F85 X5 M, problems: zero
- no visible oil consumption
- no malfunction or glitch (almost boring... )

Besides, the F85 is a real pleasure to drive!

[jpsjr70]

I have 20,005 miles on my 2015 X5M and other than noisy brakes, zero issues. Since my Dinan Upgrades, I know change my oil every 5k. Super fun to drive and absolutely a pleasure to own!

Joe

[Vassilis1971]

Glad your spouse made it home safe.

I have 20k on my 2015 and absolutely love it.

Brake sequel is its sole issue with mine.

[Mahmood07]

Reminds me of the E92 M3 forum when those cars just came out. Everyone was saying there are no problems with them at all. But of course, as the cars get older and put on more miles, there were many small issues which emerged to most of the cars.

Nobody here has had the X5M long enough to know if they will be reliable. FWIW, I had the 1st Gen X5 4.6is, and as much as I loved driving it, it was just very unreliable after 4-5 years and we had to spend a fortune on it.

This time around I made sure I got the BMW 5 Years warranty and 5 years service inclusive, and probably wouldn't want to own this car out of warranty.

[jpsjr70]

Originally Posted by Mahmood07

Reminds me of the E92 M3 forum when those cars just came out. Everyone was saying there are no problems with them at all. But of course, as the cars get older and put on more miles, there were many small issues which emerged to most of the cars.

Nobody here has had the X5M long enough to know if they will be reliable. FWIW, I had the 1st Gen X5 4.6is, and as much as I loved driving it, it was just very unreliable after 4-5 years and we had to spend a fortune on it.

This time around I made sure I got the BMW 5 Years warranty and 5 years service inclusive, and probably wouldn't want to own this car out of warranty.

Very true, but keep in mind the OP is just asking if anyone is having issues with their X5M's? I'm with you that it is premature to think these vehicles are bullet proof or trouble free. I didn't go with 5 year Warranty Extension or Service Plan, it makes no sense to me. Anyone think the same?

Joe

[jcfay]

I'm at 3500 miles. On delivery I had a bad speaker in my B&O system, which was a pretty easy fix (although they had to order it from Germany, of course). I've had the "tinkling" noise that's related to the spacer fix that's mentioned elsewhere on the forum, that fits between the hub and the front brake discs. I haven't had this repaired yet, but it's a bit annoying and hopefully not a safety issue. Same squealing brakes as mentioned above, but a few hard stomps on the pedal in rapid succession quells this for a bit. Other than that, the car is awesome. Fantastic.

[Up2nogood]

Thanks guys. Appreciate you posting.
I'm under no illusions that there won't be some niggly little issues, but just want to try to determine that the multitude of faults we endured with the two MB's aren't going to be repeated.
I think the warranty plan is a must, however I did not bother with it on the M4.
As for mileage, the wife's cars get turned over at the 48 month mark, usually with around 21,000miles (34,000kms) on them. So a few of you have already exceeded our mileage expectations without a lot of drama. I was thinking to keep this one around 60 months, so wanted to be sure a bit higher mileage wasn't going to be an issue. But we'll never crack the 35,000 mile mark - unless she is so enamoured of it that she doesn't want to change it.

[onfireX5]

2800 miles. Best all around ride that I have. It's a camouflaged supercar.

[Omar@VelosDesignwerks]

You will love it. That simple.

[Up2nogood]

Thanks, Omar. I know I'll love it, but it's not for me!
She's going to test an X50D and the X5M. We'll see if she prefers the less aggressive car, or not.

[Alan l.]

From what I've seen on the F15 forums the X5M is probably more reliable of the two.

Way more fun too.

Alan

[JB-A]

Originally Posted by Up2nogood

Thanks, Omar. I know I'll love it, but it's not for me!
She's going to test an X50D and the X5M. We'll see if she prefers the less aggressive car, or not.

Had the 50d before - believe me - they are not comparable - the M is a monster

[JNoSol]

The F85 X5M is hands down, THE BEST SAV for the money. Same Nurburing lap time as an E92 M3 - 8m05s. It's a beast in sheep's clothing. It drives smaller than it weighs, sounds terrific, and will shock passengers when you stomp on the gas. Overall, no other SUV drives like an X5M/X6M on the market.

I got 11k miles. No issues other than brake squeal, which the dealer fixed. The dealer advise me to brake later, never ride the M brakes as it will remove the brake pad glaze. So stop with authority and you won't have brake squeal.

[r33_RGSport]

I say the BMW N55 motor would be the best option since it has been proven with all the BMW from 1 series to 7 series.
But, front wheel bearing wise, I think it has been on going issue with the F15/F16/F85/F86.
The more I am reading the forum about bearing issues, I started to notice that I have that repeating radiant noise from the front of the car that goes faster with the speed.
Electronically, there is a hit and miss. So far I didn't see anything that is not fixable by BMW.

[cmyx6go]

If your wife does so few miles, I would say you're good. I lease and normally turn in with less than 36,000 miles. I would not own one out of warranty though.

All my X5s and X6s were basically trouble free -2 E53s, E70, E71, E71M, F16 (short lived) and current F86. I had an issue with my '10 E71 early on but never experienced any of the common issues most have. I've had very good luck over the years.

Good luck.