Reliability on the F15 X5

[khanmohammed]

I am thinking about switching to either a X5 or a 2017 Acura MDX. I have a bmw f10 and it's a blast to drive. How reliable are the X5's? Which is the best year and when do they start having issues and other common issues.

[TheMane]

Not exactly a long-term data point but:

I've got a 2014 50i with 50k miles that I bought CPO at 24k miles back in 2017. It's my first BMW (I had 3 Volvos, a Saab, a Honda, an old Chevy, and a Triumph beforehand) and after some orientation I've found it very reliable and surprisingly pleasant to work on, which is good because the dealer fees are outrageous ($1,000 to change the spark plugs? Really? An hour of labor to change the cabin air filter? HOW much to plug it into the bloody computer and run a basic check???).

I use mine primarily as a family car in the city and for a few longer road trips each year. The 50i's engine in particular feels so good especially when it's loaded down for a long haul-- there's just a ton of power to spare under the hood and I love how effortless it feels vs. something like my old volvo turbos which could also put out a lot of power but you really felt like you were pushing the engine somewhere it didn't want to be.

Maintenance has been straightforward and all DIY-able, lots of great guides on this forum and parts from a ton of reliable suppliers like fcpeuro, ecstuning, and getbmwparts. I haven't had any unexpected breakdowns or part failures.

I plan to keep this thing for another 50k+ miles or until gas prices skyrocket to the point that the mpg becomes untenable so fingers crossed my experience continues to hold.

A few small gotchas I've run into:
- lug bolts instead of lug nuts caught me off guard and ended with me having the dealer drill some of them out because they were stripped (probably my fault trying to force them out after they were overtightened in a past life).
- the 50i does eat some oil so I always keep 2 quarts in the trunk which feels a little silly (I haven't had to do that for any other car I own except the old Triumph).

I imagine you can get longer-term feedback from others here, but I've been very satisfied with the f15 and I think you'd find the driving experience far superior to something like an MDX.

[khanmohammed]

Originally Posted by TheMane

Not exactly a long-term data point but:

I've got a 2014 50i with 50k miles that I bought CPO at 24k miles back in 2017. It's my first BMW (I had 3 Volvos, a Saab, a Honda, an old Chevy, and a Triumph beforehand) and after some orientation I've found it very reliable and surprisingly pleasant to work on, which is good because the dealer fees are outrageous ($1,000 to change the spark plugs? Really? An hour of labor to change the cabin air filter? HOW much to plug it into the bloody computer and run a basic check???).

I use mine primarily as a family car in the city and for a few longer road trips each year. The 50i's engine in particular feels so good especially when it's loaded down for a long haul-- there's just a ton of power to spare under the hood and I love how effortless it feels vs. something like my old volvo turbos which could also put out a lot of power but you really felt like you were pushing the engine somewhere it didn't want to be.

Maintenance has been straightforward and all DIY-able, lots of great guides on this forum and parts from a ton of reliable suppliers like fcpeuro, ecstuning, and getbmwparts. I haven't had any unexpected breakdowns or part failures.

I plan to keep this thing for another 50k+ miles or until gas prices skyrocket to the point that the mpg becomes untenable so fingers crossed my experience continues to hold.

A few small gotchas I've run into:
- lug bolts instead of lug nuts caught me off guard and ended with me having the dealer drill some of them out because they were stripped (probably my fault trying to force them out after they were overtightened in a past life).
- the 50i does eat some oil so I always keep 2 quarts in the trunk which feels a little silly (I haven't had to do that for any other car I own except the old Triumph).

I imagine you can get longer-term feedback from others here, but I've been very satisfied with the f15 and I think you'd find the driving experience far superior to something like an MDX.

Thanks for the feedback. Any idea on how spacious the third row seats are?

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by khanmohammed

Thanks for the feedback. Any idea on how spacious the third row seats are?

Not very spacious, those are only for small kids and grocery bags. You do get rear air suspension with those though.

[RedBent]

Originally Posted by ponytuning

Not very spacious, those are only for small kids and grocery bags. You do get rear air suspension with those though.

How much of a benefit is the rear air suspension? I'm looking at 3-row versions (for the kids and emergency use) and have been wondering how much is helps/hurts? The few I've been driven felt "floaty" so I wasn't sure if that was the rear air suspension or POS RFTs.

I know all the 3 rowers only come with rear air suspension, but the "floaty" feeling is a bit of deal breaker for my wife.

[ponytuning]

Tbh I never sat in the back of my x6 which doesn't have 3rd row seat but I do have the m adaptive suspension and air suspension (front and rear) which makes the entire ride very comfortable compared to my wife's x5 which doesn't have air suspension. We live on unpaved roads, and I prefer driving mine.

[khanmohammed]

Originally Posted by RedBent

How much of a benefit is the rear air suspension? I'm looking at 3-row versions (for the kids and emergency use) and have been wondering how much is helps/hurts? The few I've been driven felt "floaty" so I wasn't sure if that was the rear air suspension or POS RFTs.

I know all the 3 rowers only come with rear air suspension, but the "floaty" feeling is a bit of deal breaker for my wife.

I heard that the rear air suspension has a bunch of issues later on and it's pretty expensive to fix

[RED_Y_]

Every single thing was discussed here many times, every engine:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1706538
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1677899
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1692897
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1324994
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1537422
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1649178
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1579523

People also compared MDX vs F15 (just like you asked in your other thread)
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1424346


Air suspension is not that expensive to fix:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1511949
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1641660
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1498116

Please use search, this place is loaded with information and 99% of the questions are already answered.

[chong0]

Originally Posted by RedBent

How much of a benefit is the rear air suspension? I'm looking at 3-row versions (for the kids and emergency use) and have been wondering how much is helps/hurts? The few I've been driven felt "floaty" so I wasn't sure if that was the rear air suspension or POS RFTs.

I know all the 3 rowers only come with rear air suspension, but the "floaty" feeling is a bit of deal breaker for my wife.

72k so far and no issues.

3rd row is small but helpful in a pinch. Pre-COVID used it frequently for soccer practice pickups, etc. The sensation of "floaty" is basically what your reference point is- the X5 is more floaty compared to a cayenne but much better than compared to say any minivan.

Post-COVID i haven't used the 3rd row since. having 2 kids, we are not carpooling (where can you go anyways?). If you have 3+ kids, the 3rd row is not a good long-term solution.

[cfm56d7b]

X5 are generally very reliable. If you are buying a used X5, the maintenance history is the biggest predictor of future reliability.

What model year are you considering? 6 cylinders or 6 cylinders?

[khanmohammed]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

X5 are generally very reliable. If you are buying a used X5, the maintenance history is the biggest predictor of future reliability.

What model year are you considering? 6 cylinders or 6 cylinders?

xdrive35i or the xdrive35d

[Gkacmaz]

Try to get one with DHP (Dynamic Handling Package). You get adaptive suspension and active rollbar which makes the heavy car turn very well for such a big heavy SUV. DHP is a must for a lot of X5 owners

[khanmohammed]

Originally Posted by Gkacmaz

Try to get one with DHP (Dynamic Handling Package). You get adaptive suspension and active rollbar which makes the heavy car turn very well for such a big heavy SUV. DHP is a must for a lot of X5 owners

What package is it that makes the X5 exhaust look bigger than the single circular type on both sides?
I see it on some and some have the rectangular looking exhaust pipe

[jero1213]

Originally Posted by khanmohammed

What package is it that makes the X5 exhaust look bigger than the single circular type on both sides?
I see it on some and some have the rectangular looking exhaust pipe

I think you're referring to the msport package
or the 50i model.

also, the 2018 without msport was updated to have the rectangular exhaust as well

[khanmohammed]

Originally Posted by jljljl

I think you're referring to the msport package
or the 50i model.

also, the 2018 without msport was updated to have the rectangular exhaust as well

Ohh okay thanks. Does the m-sport package come with the m performance exhaust?

[SargeMsport]

I have a 2015 Msport and the exhaust definitely looks and sounds better with that package, especially when you get on it but I’m not sure if it’s considered a performance exhaust? It’s a huge exhaust pipe though!

[SargeMsport]

As for reliability, my 2015 Msport xdrive35i has had zero issues probably because it has less than 20k. Will update if and when it does.

[jero1213]

Originally Posted by khanmohammed

Ohh okay thanks. Does the m-sport package come with the m performance exhaust?

no it doesn't, would be nice if it did though

[AychShake]

Originally Posted by khanmohammed

I am thinking about switching to either a X5 or a 2017 Acura MDX. I have a bmw f10 and it's a blast to drive. How reliable are the X5's? Which is the best year and when do they start having issues and other common issues.

This will probably get me banned from the forum, but get the Acura ma man.

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by AychShake

This will probably get me banned from the forum, but get the Acura ma man.

Lol why, if you feel more comfortable with Acura, why not. There is nothing wrong with choosing different brand.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by khanmohammed

Ohh okay thanks. Does the m-sport package come with the m performance exhaust?

The exhaust doesn't come with the MP body style package. Just adaptive suspension. DHP is separate from M as you can have it with or without MP package.

Tons of reliability threads as said before. Read through some of them.

Also the rear air suspension is not problematic. Nor is it expensive. Replaced both of my bags for less than $400 in about an hour total.

Plus you can easily change over to rear springs should you not like it. Just need the perches and springs. No error codes.

[khanmohammed]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

The exhaust doesn't come with the MP body style package. Just adaptive suspension. DHP is separate from M as you can have it with or without MP package.

Tons of reliability threads as said before. Read through some of them.

Also the rear air suspension is not problematic. Nor is it expensive. Replaced both of my bags for less than $400 in about an hour total.

Plus you can easily change over to rear springs should you not like it. Just need the perches and springs. No error codes.

Thanks so do I have to install the MP Exhaust aftermarket? There's no packages in the car that come with it