2018 x5m reliability? Pros & Cons

[humblek3y]

Really thinking about making the jump into a 2018 x5m. Currently have two e91s and a e90 along with Durango as family truck. Have been on the fence about selling my Durango and jumping into a x5m, narrowing for a 2018. Are they really reliable? I know about the driveshaft issue with their being a fix. Anything else?

[chris604]

I got mine with 12K km on it (7500 miles). zero problems, except for an axle tick in the front. low km is the key, then get a warranty by the time it gets like 50k miles on it, as it will disintegrate at that point, or sell it.

[chris604]

Originally Posted by chris604

I got mine with 12K km on it (7500 miles). zero problems, except for an axle tick in the front. low km is the key, then get a warranty by the time it gets like 50k miles on it, as it will disintegrate at that point, or sell it.

it's a 2016 BTW, it was from an insanely expensive area of vancouver, so u know it was there second car, lol.

[I Luv BMW]

FWIW, I have just about reached wits end with my 2018 F86.

After overcoming my well-documented engine failure saga less than 12 months ago, a few issues have been arising which are really really making me think about switching vehicles:

- Failing boot/truck spindle(s)
- Need new steering rack ends and tie rod ends
- Cracked rear rim 21" black 612M. Have had the rim repaired welded twice now, and still leaking air. Of course, of course, the rim is f**king difficult to source in used parts market (and good luck finding someone that will sell just 1 rim), and havent' even bothered to enquire with dealer because I refuse to shell out the likely $$$ for a new rim from the dealer (assuming BMW still even produces this rim).

In an of themselves, these issues would not be deal-breakers, but coupled with the engine failure experience, is just gettting downright infuriating now. Back to looking at replacement vehicles again.

My opinion - don't bother with the X5M. Keep the Durango.

Rant over!

[WZS_M]

Originally Posted by humblek3y

Really thinking about making the jump into a 2018 x5m. Currently have two e91s and a e90 along with Durango as family truck. Have been on the fence about selling my Durango and jumping into a x5m, narrowing for a 2018. Are they really reliable? I know about the driveshaft issue with their being a fix. Anything else?

There are WAYYYY more people on here without problems than ones with. You hear about the negative stuff but if you take care of the car they are great. Keep in mind the maintenance costs are higher than domestic cars but not that expensive if you do the work yourself. I would never say these are unreliable cars but they may require more maintenance than your average grocery getter.

You will be just fine, if you do preventative maintenance and get a car with a good history! Just my 2 cents.

[zeroping]

Given the performance and complexity, I would say this platform is a reliable one. My M continues to put a smile on my face every time I drive it. It is a remarkable machine.

I bought at 34k miles and am now sitting at 77k over 2.5 years. I'm at $9.7k maintenance over that time which included a full set of summer and winter tires. Fluids are always ahead of schedule. ~$2.6k in repairs over ownership. This included rear suspension bags (common), front wheel bearings (it's a 5k lbs 550hp monster), turbo inlet boots (heat), and other little things here and there.

Those costs are me doing the work. I couldn't afford this platform if I were to have the dealer do everything. Maintenance is crucial as I see it and one that I took seriously knowing my intent was to have the F85 for many years. I committed to FCPEuro day one for all OE parts and I'm now at the point where fluids, plugs, coils, brakes are on round two and beyond so free parts. Maintenance costs for consumables is plummeting.

The 4 year/50k mile warranty covered several big ticket items early in its life: transfer case, control arms, and alternator.

Oh and let the darn thing warm up, then...hammer time!

[jab23]

My 2017 has been good to me. Bought 10/20 w/34k miles. 57k on it now. Most costly repair has been replacing front tie rods. $1700 at dealer. Could have had it done cheaper, but the car was there. I replaced the rear airbags myself for $400. I paid a few hundred bucks to resolve the axle tick always to have it come back. I clean the hubs and wheel mating surfaces and it goes away for months at a time. I'm guessing I've spent another $1500 on fluid changes, plugs, brake fluid flushes.

[stoqnski]

Originally Posted by chris604

I got mine with 12K km on it (7500 miles). zero problems, except for an axle tick in the front. low km is the key, then get a warranty by the time it gets like 50k miles on it, as it will disintegrate at that point, or sell it.

No it wont.

[Yuille36]

Thus far the only two issues, I've had with my 2015 X5M was a bad HVAC blower motor, and rear air bags. I changed the voltage regulator as a preventative measure. Other than that, this vehicle has been flawless. Based on my experience, I would recommend buying one.

But, you need to allocate money on preventative maintenance. If your not willing to spend $$$$, then this isn't the vehicle for you.

[zeroping]

Originally Posted by Yuille36

If your not willing to spend $$$$, then this isn't the vehicle for you.

100% this. You can not expect a vehicle of this caliber to stay in good working order when you just feed it gas.

[Yuille36]

Originally Posted by zeroping

100% this. You can not expect a vehicle of this caliber to stay in good working order when you just feed it gas.

So true