One year 41k mile X5 50i review

[tfunk88]

Bought it on April 21, 2023 to replace my 330Ci daily driver I lost to a lady who wasn’t paying attention and decided to slam into the back of me.

Anyway, I went for the 50i as I had test driven a couple X5 35i’s and while they rode nicely I was underwhelmed. Made the mistake of test driving a 50i and the feeling of the car saying “Let’s GOOOOO!” made me realize there was no way I was getting a 35i. Was looking for one that had the exact options I wanted (Space Gray, B&O stereo, no headlight washers, non-air rear suspension) and found a 2016 X5 50i with 93k miles and a great service history 1000 miles away in Palm Beach, FL. Talked to the salesman, had the car looked at, and flew down to pick it up. After some more negotiation due to electronic steering adjustment forward/backward not working I left with the car. About 10 minutes after I left the dealership I almost got demolished by an 18 wheeler who decided to swerve into my lane. 😂

So, what do I think after a year and over 40k miles? Well…I love it! Have there been issues? Sure. 45 minutes into my drive home I started to experience what turned out to be the common “transfer case stutter issue”, which fortunately I was able to figure out with some good ol’ internet/forum research and has been fine ever since. Replaced plugs and coils. Replaced the beyond worn out original shocks with Bilstein B6’s and Eibach springs. Upgraded the brakes to F85 calipers/rotors front and rear. Replaced the rear control arms due to the ball joints developing play, will do the fronts soon. Vented the PCV to atmosphere. Oh, and have had to replace a bunch of brittle plastic in the engine bay, including both turbo inlet tubes that were completely cracked at the turbo inlet, due to age from the heat. The leather dash has started to peel back slightly at the base of the windshield. Now I’m also about to replace the motor mounts as the passenger side started to leak oil. Yay.

But…man I enjoy driving this car. I spend a little over an hour driving to and from work Mon-Fri. I usually drive a couple hundred more miles each weekend. And the X5 just soaks it up. And that power…much of my commute is two lane roads in the country. I can get by slow moving cars instantly. It’s awesome. And I still get somewhere between 21-23mpg. Have I mentioned Sport Mode? My average would NOT be 21-23mpg if I left it in that. 😂 With the upgraded shocks and lowered springs it handles closer to a sedan than any SUV I’ve driven. Lots of fun. And will be even better once I replace the front upper control arms with a camber adjustable version.

Does it use up oil? Yep, more than any BMW I’ve owned before, but not at the horror story rate I’ve heard about. About 3500 miles after an oil change I need to add around a quart, then I’m good until 5000 miles and the next change. There’s a seepage leak at the upper oil pan gasket but whatevs.

For what it’s worth I’m a big fan of the X5 50i! I’m at almost 135k miles now and I’m looking forward to the next 100k…I hope 🤞😂

[tlow98]

Sounds awesome. Love it, and it sounds like you’re using it the way it’s Meant to be used. Have you checked your oil pump chain tension? It’s probably the only real thing that scares me about those motors. Honestly, who cares if they burn a bit of oil.

[tfunk88]

Yep, did the oil pump chain at the first oil change I did. It was def a little bit loose lol
But super easy to adjust

Yeah, not worried about the amount of oil I’m using…but I had heard about some going through a quart every 700 miles! 😳

[shimmy23]

glad to hear you're loving it! did you replace your driveshaft with Tony's?

[tfunk88]

Nope, I had JUST replaced mine about a month before his became available. It’s on the list of things to upgrade, though.

[Edwardsc1]

That's awesome to hear! I've had my 50i for almost 2 years now, put around 22k miles on it (have 87k currently), and I absolutely love it as well. It a beast on the highway and hugs the road well on tighter back roads. Definitely glad to hear some new suspension helped, as I've been looking for a good way to get rid of some of the floatiness.

I started putting 5W-40 in mine as soon as I got it, and it's helped a lot with the oil burning. I have to put a quart or so in every 2,500-3,000 miles now. Your MPG is wayyyy better than mine though, I'm around 13.4 average haha

[tfunk88]

Daaaaaannnng, you must be driving in sport mode in stop and go traffic lol

Yep, I’ve been using LiquiMoly 5w40 since I got it. Did Blackstone oil analysis after a few changes and they said everything looked great!

Changing the shocks DRASTICALLY altered the handling of the car. I didn’t realize how shot my shocks were until I took them off. None were leaking oil but they definitely had no gas pressure in them. Could move the rear shafts in and out easily by hand. 😂

[tlow98]

Nice to hear about the oil pump chain. You sound like a great custodian of that 50i - it’s lucky to have you!

I did full suspension on mine, as well, (struts, shocks, and all front arms) and the results were amazing!

[tfunk88]

Thanks, kind of you to say. I’m trying to make it as much like new as I can so I can enjoy it for many years to come.

Ha ha so far one of my favorite “make it new” mods is replacing the old man “fine oak wood trim” with the aluminum hexagon. Looks so much better! Lol

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Thanks, kind of you to say. I’m trying to make it as much like new as I can so I can enjoy it for many years to come.

Ha ha so far one of my favorite “make it new” mods is replacing the old man “fine oak wood trim” with the aluminum hexagon. Looks so much better! Lol

Oh, I like this idea! I wish our cars had the open pore wood look.

[Edwardsc1]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Daaaaaannnng, you must be driving in sport mode in stop and go traffic lol

Yep, I’ve been using LiquiMoly 5w40 since I got it. Did Blackstone oil analysis after a few changes and they said everything looked great!

Changing the shocks DRASTICALLY altered the handling of the car. I didn’t realize how shot my shocks were until I took them off. None were leaking oil but they definitely had no gas pressure in them. Could move the rear shafts in and out easily by hand. 😂

I put it in sport mode as soon as the oil is fully warm and then I drive it like an M3 haha

And that's wild haha you don't realize how worn out some of those components are until you start replacing things. Great to hear about the Blackstone sample though, always nice to have that peace of mind!

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by tfunk88

Thanks, kind of you to say. I’m trying to make it as much like new as I can so I can enjoy it for many years to come.

Ha ha so far one of my favorite “make it new” mods is replacing the old man “fine oak wood trim” with the aluminum hexagon. Looks so much better! Lol

I am lucky in that mine came with the piano black wood and ceramic controls and I added the CF to the dash and doors. I then bimmercoded the M ambient lights and it gives the 50i a sort of timeless look. IMHO

[tfunk88]

Yeah, the “fine oak” just made the car look old to me. Fortunately found some good deals on eBay for the aluminum trim…looks great with the Mocha Design interior!

[sukhk527]

Love to see the review and hear the story. Agree that switching things out to make it feel new is a great way to keep these cars fresh. Don’t even feel old in my opinion.

[tfunk88]

Yep, it’s funny…my mom has a G05 and I much prefer mine. I just really like the interior and exterior design of the F15