3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,600 miles

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problem #2

Apr 122005

X5

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchased new X5 in Sept. 2001 - and that's when my problems began! luckily the car was under warranty in the beginning, otherwise I would have paid just as much in repairs as I did for that so called luxury vehicle of mine. (1) I immediately began having problems with condensation inside the front headlamps which took days to clear up. Dealer didn't know why this happened. Several years later and I'm still experiencing this same problem. (2) all of the rubber trim and molding on the outside of the vehicle (especially around the windows) has faded and become discolored. (3) the molding around the door frames has disintegrated horribly and started to come off ($250 to repair). The dealer said this is normal. (4) within the past three years, I have had the drivers side window regulator replaced three times. I was also told that this is a common problem w/bmws. (5) I now must roll down my window and open my door from the outside because the door handle jams and won't allow me to open door from the inside. This has happened four times already, ($1,000 to fix). (6) both front headlights have been replaced twice already - and of course the dealer recommends replacing the entire assembly at $200 a pop. (7) the both front door lock actuators are defective and need to be replaced ($400 each). It will not lock/unlock the front passenger door so we must do so manually. (8) the rear hatch would not open properly. The latch assembly had to be replaced twice (thankfully under warranty) before our problem was resolved. (9) the left rear tail lamp assembly is now being replaced for the third time ($259) because the bulb continues to go out for some unknown reason. Had I known that I was buying a "money pit" instead of a luxury vehicle, I would have run away from the dealership screaming. I am preparing to sell or trade this headache for something with fewer problems. I will never buy another BMW again!

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 032005

X5 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,200 miles
1. had car serviced at 60,000 miles, only 3 weeks later the green dashes started appearing again and staying on, as if I needed to have car serviced. Called dealer and they said not to worry, this has been know to happen, just ignore it. 2. very loud noise from sun roof (closed) while traveling on freeway and leaks during car washes" dealer said they can replace the seal and this should fix the problem. 3. brake light indicator on dash comes on and off, as if bulb is out, but just replaced bulb, then replaced again, sometimes this brake light works and sometimes it doesn't. 4. window on front passenger window would not go back up after opened, then a day later, the door would not open or close. Dealer replaced the window mechanism that controls both the door handle and the window at my cost mind you the rear window and door had been done only a year before. The dealer told me that this happens on all german cars, doesn't matter the age of car or make. How frustrating - spend $45,000 and know windows will eventually quit working?" 5. front right headlamp gets moisture in it and it takes 3-5 days to clear up. 6. driver cup holders, what is up with that - can only put one cup in it, when try to put 2 in, they overlap, very frustrating when driving. 7. storage in front minimal and a hassle, you have to reach back and sort of behind you to get into compartment - dangerous while driving. 8. leather seats are very hard, need a plushier leather. 9. wheels, brake "dust" gets all over the wheels much much more than any other luxury car I have ever had. 10. cargo cover in rear needs work, check out the one Lexus uses in RX30. 11. need more cargo space - compared to RX330 and the Volvo X90, space is extremely small. 12. disappointed in my car - want to sell it, will not buy another BMW.

- Meridian, ID, USA