I've had 4 over the past 10 years. A 4.8 a 4.4 and 2 x 3L diesels and they have all been manifestly reliable. When things go wrong the parts are cheap and plentiful. I do all the work myself
BIMMER ZEIT It’s such a classic, like it’s the very first super SUV if you count the 4.8is, the 3.0i for me is pretty reliable, I mean you have 180k miles that more than most Luxury higher end vehicles. The noise the engine makes on any engine option is amazing pure old school BMW. I personally also love the door sound when you open and close it or when it locks, sounds like the BMW G wagon. But to top everything off, on a personal level I was a kid growing up in the e53 now owning it I have so many memories and it held up very well for us, the interior is pretty much new except for the steering wheel that faded just a little.
Agreed. I've owned 2 myself. An 02 and my current daily, my 06. Both 3.0 6cyl. True story. I lost my 02 to a nurse who fell asleep and rear ended me at a stop light. If the fusible link hadn't seperated from the electrical system as it does in an impact to thwart a fire situation, I could've driven it home. I took a hit to the lower right tail, right muffler and minor push in to the passenger side rear bumper. Almost no noticeable cosmetic damage. Her 2017 Grand Cherokee bumper introduced itself to the engine block of her truck. All air bags deloyed as well. Mine did not. If Nationwide had agreed to fix it instead of totaling it out, I'd still have it. I bought another one immediately. The truck is a straight up well built tank. I'd never sell mine either. 🤘🏾🤘🏾💪🏾💪🏾
@@2philly7venz That really sucks! Man I pray my X5 doesn’t end up in the same state, my 2004 X5 means a lot. My parents had it before me, road trips all the time, driving in the snow, camp trips, going real off-roading, it was a champ, towing, all the suv stuff, it was capable with the correct tires etc, this thing never died. The late years before I got to own the X5, my parents let me drive around with no license, I did great, I did my first parking in the X5 and everything, it was my first for a lot of things and all before I got my permit lol. It’s a great BMW. As a little boy it lead to the bang of having a passion for BMW, I love the brand now, I’m a fan of the stuff they do, plan to work for them now. This goes to show that you don’t need an M car, or a 3 series or 7 series to have a good time or a car you love from BMW, you can have this passion with almost any BMW, even an heavy SUV like the X5 that isn’t a sports car. There’s only a few brands out there have cars that have character, if you look at any BMW today you can’t look them and say they don’t have character, it’s something about them that speaks, even the i3 has a character to it. Same with Porsche or a Ferrari and sometimes Mercedes. Now however BMW might completely destroy what they were known for, there newest cars with the grills and ending there design language is not good.
Excellent video!!! Thanks!! I have 7 months with my 2008 x5 3.0si, and so far the cost of what I have been fixing myself has been around $4,000 dollars only in genuine parts, and it still needs more. If someone wants to buy an SUV like these and think that they are not going to invest anything after buying it, just because they were told that the car is in "excellent" conditions (obviously in order to get the highest price on the market, which is already very high) what a pity for him or her. Something that we, who work hard and who can only buy luxurious used cars have to be very clear about, is that; Nobody sells their car because it is in excellent condition, or because they have just invested at least $4,000 in maintenance, so that it is truly in excellent condition to sell it under that promise. nobody, absolutely nobody does that. but "everyone" will promise it is in "excellent" condition. so what you have to see when buying is that the suv doesn't leak too much oil, the machine or transmission doesn't make strange noises, and when you run it it doesn't do weird things like jerking when accelerating or delayed shifts. That is the most common thing to consider. From then on, everything will be up to you if you want to give your x5 more useful life with 100,000 miles or more, just like me. and lastly, if you don't want to invest a lot in it, your best option is the 3.0 since they are the least punished by their former owner(s), for not being as powerful as the other stronger ones. Otherwise, you will be driving a x5 very confident and proud, perhaps very well presented, and with many external noises that you do not hear because of how well hermetic they are, and those from outside turning to see you every time you pass next to them for so much Noise your truck makes and that you haven't noticed and you think they admire you for your cool BMW. he he. watch out. So when buying a car this old and expensive, don't let yourself be scammed just by your illusion of a car like this, and negotiate the price as much as possible to something more reasonable taking into account the expenses after the purchase that I just wrote. If the seller does not agree, don't worry, there are many more BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Land Rover, Audi everywhere for sale, it will not be your last option. I hope my comment will be helpful to you. good luck.
what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
I got this car about 13 years ago and still runs like a champ 💪. Of course it costs a lot to maintain and keep on the road but it’s been all in all a great car and believe it or not has never left me stranded (knock on wood). I have about 120k miles on it.
@@BIMMERZEITT Yes I also have a 1999 E46 sedan 328i and a 2007 Z4 3.0i. I figure having a 4 door, a SAV and a roadster makes a nice grouping. I really prefer the older body styles so probably nothing newer anytime soon. The newer ones are fine but some of them seem to get to many strokes from the aerodynamics brush. But to each their own.
That’s the first video of yours that I’ve seen, pretty decent to be honest, great overall content, I love that model of car, did own one for a while, find myself looking at them all the time, I think I need another 🚗
I really think that you guys are either unlucky or you just simply don’t know how to drive (take care of) this car. I own my 2002 X5 beauty for the last 3 years and done nearly 40k miles. Yes, I spent some money on it! 4 new tyres (have to do this on any other car though), one airbag replaced + oil & filters changed regularly. I keep hearing all this other problems about door handles and crap but I don’t get it. Plus lots of other expensive problems? Maybe I am the luckiest owner around...
Door handles is because people pull down instead of lifting up. Mine stood during lockdown and battery went flat now compressor is not working need to look into it, was working perfectly and bags are nearly new.. But 220k miles and engine purrs like a kitty. This is second best to my 7 series v8, too bad the gearbox went at 130k, still sick to my stomach about it. Unparalleled on the motorway, so e53 is a downgrade, but I am not travelling too much anyway. Otherwise fantastic cars, don't want all the gizmos that started to creep in the e6x 7 series, good old analogical and basic electronics work for me.
Hey man, thanks for sharing. I own the same SUV. I have solved a ton of problems on this vehicle. I surf, snowboard, carry drums, family members. I love this truck…
As a father of two (3 and 5) with a 2006 E53 3.0i, I can really connect to your comment about the rear seats. Nice space for the kids. And the trunk too! The height and the tailgate makes the space so convenient for the kids to change clothes after playing outdoors. Your calculation is very interesting. But I gotta say the quality of your videos goes a long way toward bringing your cost of ownership down. While there are so many BMW DIY videos, there are only a handful at your level of filming and tutorial quality :) Please do a video on what you are upgrading to! E70?
K7 I agree it really is a great space for kids! Makes life easier with an SUV vs a small sedan. Thank you that is very kind! We are looking at e70 2010-2012 35i turbo but the fuel economy is very poor. I would like to go electric but my wife does not want a car, only an SUV.
@@BIMMERZEITT The only justified upgrade would be a 2014 one. Models between 2007 and 2013 are crap. Ask any decent BMW mechanic and they will tell you why.
Hi Rich, Really informative ! and enjoyed the outdoor location backdrop for this video. The X5 has been very cost effective when you offset running costs against TH-cam revenue. As you say, TH-cam recurring income will continue to make ongoing ownership very attractive. Cheers!
Philip Lee thanks Philip, this was recorded at a local school that used to be some kind of church or chapel. Interesting group of building architecture for sure! Glad you noticed it. Looking forward to the cost of ownership dropping even further. Maybe a Lexus for our next SUV? Need something better on fuel and more financially friendly.
My 2007 ford Taurus ive spent a little over $5,000 in repairs for putting 80,000 miles in the past 3 yrs. This includes battery. 2 catalytic converters, drive shaft, cooling system overhaul including water pump, tune up, tires, fuel pump. Starter and towing fees, towrd 3 times. Compare this to ur Awd bimmer!!!
3.0i petrol is a great reliable age old lump that with regular servicing will run for hundreds of thousands of miles. In the e53 the automatic gearbox will need refurbishment around 100k. It's all the gadgets that seem to fail. But a great drive, a safe drive and a sure drive. Mine had the old manual gearbox which I just loved. Reasonable mpg considering the weight etc. I agree that they are not as well built as my old 328 coupe. Plenty of good quality aftermarket parts available too.
damage1_1 they can be decent cars, ours is down around 14-15 mpg though which is pretty terrible as a commuter. It is very polluting which isn’t cool. Considering something more planet friendly for the next SUV!
@@BIMMERZEITT Yea. I agree Only issue I still have is the rear air suspension warning that comes up. I replaced the arm potentiometer and reset.. All heights are good and compressor is OK. Genuine parts used too. So annoying.
I have (had) a 2006 X3 3.0 that's been amazing, it had 117k when I got it 4 years ago. When I moved cross country I gave it to my mother and kept my hummer h2. Eventually she followed us and for now is living with my husband and I so occasionally I still drive it. The X3 now has 173k on it and keeps on purring. While we've spent somewhere around $7k to keep it in top condition it has never left us stranded/broken down/refused to start and get to its destination etc. It's always gone to the repair shop under its own power (usually at 80+mph😇). Truth be told it hasn't been that more expensive to run than any of our fords or chevys despite being one of the oldest highest mileage cars we've owned and it's the only one that hasn't had to be towed. Now that my H2 has been in a couple car accidents, has lots of wear and tear from offroading and general use I'm thinking about selling it since I don't plan to really offroad much over the next few years while in college. I can get around $8k for it and am seriously thinking about getting an X5, I just can't decide between the first second and third gens which one I want, all I know for sure is I don't want one of the V8s.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Our x5 only stranded us once, when the alternator failed. So a pretty good record, we had it for 7 seasons of commuting! We are now looking at e70 vs f15 for its replacement! H2 is cool but must be really bad on fuel economy!
@@BIMMERZEITT I've been contemplating the N57 and M57 diesels as well as the N55 turbo gas I6. It's just the repair costs that scare me a bit with the diesels but they're fun to drive and get really good mpg. I test drove a 2009 X5 NA 3.0 and it was pretty slow compared to our old X3 so idk If I really want one. For now I'm just going to keep researching obsessively until I finally pull the trigger. I want to get a tear drop style trailer like the Rpod as well which makes me want a diesel.
@@shanet7511 the diesels in the e70 have a timing chain issue cost about $8k Australian to fix. But the owner’s I’ve talk to just love them. I drive a e53 3.0i petrol it’s smooth and powerful enough for me. I’ve spent few thousand on it but I wouldn’t drive anything else. I like the old leather smell heavy steering etc. Almost bought a v8 glad I didn’t they’re heavier and after looking at the receipt book from sellers that scared me off them. Unless you’ve owned from new done all preventative maintenance they might be a money pit.
Best driving SUV I ever owned. Road holding, handling, feedback, etc... awesome. Constantly repairing the thing with all the little bits that break.... nightmare (and I had the 3.0 too). At a certain point, the hassle factor is far more decisive than a cost of ownership analysis. I will not own an old (>75,000 miles) bmw again.
Thank you for making this video and touting dealer pricing and scaring people away from these. I’ve owned 6 of them all 3.0i’s. I’m a DIYer and your listed failures aren’t wrong, it’s not near the price of what you say. So thanks for scaring people away and leaving them priced low for me to snag!
Where did I “tout dealer pricing”? Almost all of the repairs in the spreadsheet are DIY, so are solely parts prices from FCP euro. I’m just a few cases we paid $400 or so for a shop to cut and install rusted brake lines. The spreadsheet numbers are actual from my records, not theory. The average owner who is not DIY’ing would pay significantly more over the time of ownership.
$500-$600 for a windshield from BMW. Who calls the dealer for a windshield. Call a glass company. $300 tops. I manage an auto service center and your prices are high. I’m actually complimenting you for misleading people so they get scared away so I can continue to buy BMW’s from their golden era that aren’t that hard to work on and parts aren’t that expensive. FCP Euro is a great source but you can cross reference part numbers and do much better. But again, thanks for spreading this stuff so people get scared!!! I appreciate you
I just bought one about a month ago paid $3500 came with new transmission I’ve put $2000 into plan to drop another $1000 or 2 most of my complaints are interior cosmetics nothing I can’t fix or replace myself. Absolutely love it this far. Had a Lexus rx350 before and probably still love my Lexus more only bcuz mechanics never complained about working on my Lexus and it gave MINIMAL problems vs the bmw little more work wee bit more money but honestly solid vehicle it has aged very well.
Great car ! ....Best X5 ever made . If you can do your own repairs go for it .....6 cylinder model best to get . My wife drives a 2003 model and refuses to drive anything else .
My neighbor got the 04 version. Drove it for years and years. Then one day came back with a Chevrolet SUV and gave the X5 to his daughter. 😆 I understand
@@BIMMERZEITT Dang wish I could bought it, it's the perfect color combo. Since I want to learn to work on cars I'm kinda leaning to a first gen because they're supposed to be easier to work on from what I've read. Plus I kinda want a manual transmission. I was going to use my H2 as a project car guinea pig but have kinda lost interest tbh and it no longer really fits my needs. Plus everything interesting to go to is well over 100 miles round trip (all hwy) since I live in the middle of nowhere and 12.5mpg mixed kinda sucks for that and bmws are so much nicer on the hwy. Are you getting a newer X5 or moving onto something else?
I love my 3.0 i X5 she's an old model 2002 she's also a tank as well been in three accidents that wasn't my fault and not a scratch just a bent up license 🙃
Craigslist is dead. Look on Facebook marketplace. Prices of all used cars have gone up this year a bit due to pandemic creating higher demand. They were definitely cheaper pre-covid.
@@cyclonus01 yeah generally speaking you’ll want the last year of any make or model since issues are resolved. I would say a 2005-2006 3.0i is the one to get. Avoid 4.4i at all costs. I may be tough on the e53 in my videos but actually it’s starting to grow on me again. You can probably get a nice e53 for $5-6k around 100k miles in very good shape.
@@BIMMERZEITT thanks yeah im seeing those prices from dealers. Im guessing I'll have to put another 2k into it initially for repairs and preventative maintenance. When does the timing chain need to be replaced ? Yeah I would never get the v8 ive heard horror stories and I need some decent highway gas mileage.
I have had a Mercedes in the past. A 300sd. I then got a 99 528i. It HAS been a nightmare. I got the software for it, so replacing parts is not hard. BUT, the car can take a perfectly fine OE or aftermarket part, and just not want to work with it. I had wheel sensor issues. I first spent the big bucks and got OE. The car still had problems. I even pulled good working ones from another car. I ended buying aftermarket off of amazon. Those worked. Doing any work in the car is a lottery. The plastics are so brittle that i have had to scour junkyards to find replacement interior parts. The engine has been great, except for the oil vapor system. I have a lot more to gripe about. I was given a second car to pull parts from for the original i bought. Im now almost three times tho original purchase price. My 300sd for was bought on o lot for 1200$. Was puchased with 289k miles. No blow by, and i had it 7 years. I put another 1k into that car. Car is still on the road today. I know the person i sold it to ten years ago. It passed 425k miles on the original motor. Still driving, the 84 Mercedes 300sd. 99 bmw 528i, Dead in the driveway after changing a dead battery.
Wow thanks for sharing your stories here. Sorry you had a bad e39 experience. I guess you could have just got a bad one. The old Mercedes are great, they don’t build them like that anymore. Keep your eye out for a video on my friend’s 1990 300te wagon!
@@BIMMERZEITT They are. I was doing a deep cleaning of the interior and found the hand signaturemof the person who was in charge of the assembly of my old 300sd. I found out they were still hand assembled till 92. My brother had a 328i. He had it 5 years. It was nicewtill he messed with the exhauste and then started to have electrical issues. Although he was more careless about the cars upkeep than i was. When i sold my mercedes, it looked and performed better than the day i got it. But the 528i has left a bad taste in my mouth. Although i know i can completly remove tho dashboard out of the car in about an hour without damage. But i have hod to dig in to it far too much. If i could only figure out why the driver side window works eve when the key is not in the ignition... I think i would have an idea an where to start troubleshooting.
I'm in the UK and drive a jeep cherokee xj. Way more reliable and bills are really cheap. Everyone I know that's had an older X5 as had at least one fault that has cost way over a grand. Fuel pumps. Air suspension. Drop links. Injectors transfer box. Had a costumer take his X6 back for a electrical fault. BMW charged him £1200 about $1300 for a new battery Inc reprogramming the car to accept new battery. Rip off. Drives nice but always have a rescue fund to one side.
100% celt thanks for sharing your experiences. Yes the old BMW has been pretty expensive with repairs needed every month or two. I dare say a Japanese make would have been a smarter financial choice. Perhaps a Lexus GX?
@@BIMMERZEITT hey. Thanks for the heart. Don't get me wrong. Great to drive. Comfort, quite ,stable, power and the diesel returns pretty good fuel economy. The petrol's in England are still popular if they have been LPG converted. Halving your fuel costs. But I never realy hear of that been a option over your side of the Atlantic. Anyway. Great pod cast. Keep up the great work. All the best from the UK.
@@BIMMERZEITT Hi Rich ... great! ... that would be helpful ... basically yes I'm in the market for either an X3 or X5 ... depending on reviews & maintenance I see on YT ... your videos are so much more detailed ... others tend to be too quick and leave vitals out ... thanks for these we appreciate them ... STORY: My poor old 1997 E39 528i (UK) finally gave up on us, a few months ago (halfway into our holiday journey!!!) ... lack of power and came to a stand still ... according to the garage a cylinder has gone (30%pressure), one cylinder not firing at all ... and possible VANOS seizure (on diags device) ... I've had the E39 for a good 12yrs and she's been a fantastic car (single owner) ... therefore I am thinking of going X3, or X5 for a new (2nd hand) car as I've been researching them for a while now ... some say the X3 is the better option? ... true? ... ONE FOR SALE: There's a 2004 BMW X3 3.0i for sale locally, for £2,850 (124k miles) ... looks like it has the M54B30 engine? ... after having the E39 (M52B28) I thought I'd keep with a (similar) engine that I know ... I'm NOT a mechanic but I do know my old car very well and what to look for, maintenance wise ... hence I thought I'd get another car with that similar engine and could work on to save money ... Q: Are the X3's & X5's as comfortable as the older E39 528i's ...as it's this that I loved about my old car ... getting old you tend to go for this, rather than the flashy looks and the pimped up gadgets :) ... do you have X3 videos as well? ... Sorry for the long reply :) ...
Krell FreelanceTechnology the e39 is one of the best cars bmw has ever made. The essence is the same in the x3 and x5 but is stiffer and less refined. Your early model e39 had a weaker engine (m52) which is prone to overheating and head gasket issues. All of that was resolved in later model 2001-2003 m54 cars. I’m partial to the e39 as a replacement for you as the quality is higher than the x3 and x5. You may do well to be patient and test drive several cars; not easy in today’s situation but worth trying them. The x3 is significantly smaller than the x5, maybe it’s big enough for you based on European standards. Here in the US most SUV’s dwarf even the x5 which is quite large.
@@BIMMERZEITT Thanks Rich ... I thought you'd say that :) ... ok, here's a thing ...I also have an E39 2001 530d SE (Y reg) bookmarked, that is for sale at £2,499 ... this will be my last Question ... is the 530d diesel engine a good engine? ... or does this have issues? ... I don't know what the model is ... I have never owned a diesel car before ... this may well put a damper on self maintenance? ... I don't know ... it's a caveat that is spooking me in the decision making ... The plus side is, it's in fantastic condition & very well looked after ... cleaner than when I got mine ... and is the rare Aspen Silver colour? if that's a thing ...
great idea about starting a youtube channel to offset cost i just picked up a 1994 BMW 740i as a project the bently manual has been less than helpful and there is little to no repair videos for the e32 but tons for the e38 . i think ill go get a camera tomorrow just saying videos of me clearing the rodent nests out of the hvac system and replacing the blower motor would of net me a few bucks lol
@@BIMMERZEITT Sadly that car was too far gone from the rodent damage I did the best I could but then the asc+t unit failed and it was unsafe to drive but it made a great parts car for my current 1994 740i. never did get that camera should of chronicled all the repairs tho would of made great content .lets see some stuff on your E32 its getting nice here in the northeast I used your video on replacing the door handle gaskets they look great thanks for that
Never buy a car with high mileage, the most is 60miles , dude . and you have to make sure it was not in accident. Cars are not cheap, I don't want a cheap car . I have been taking the city buss for years. I'm still taking the city buss because I love quality things .
haha Ramiro I like your style. Lexus (made by Toyota for those that don't know) is probably a better financial decision long-run. Then again, the initial purchase price of a lexus GX is going to be much higher than an older X5. But yes I recommend anyone with an interest to try starting a TH-cam channel.
@@BIMMERZEITT thanks for replying! For the record, I drive a 09 X5 diesel. Perhaps not the most wise decision financially speaking (last week I spent 1.5 replacing glow sparks) but the pleasure of driving this vehicle outweighs the extra maintenance costs. Life is too short to drive boring vehicles. Instead of retiring at 65, I am planning to work until 67 or 68 and with that income I will cover the extra money I spent on my toys during my 40s and 50s. Great videos, I enjoy your channel. Best.
Ramiro Perez I agree with you 100%. The pleasure of the BMW drive, dynamics and road feel is worth it to me too. Not everything in life has to be about dollars and cents. Sometimes it’s ok to just spend it and enjoy, right! All the best. -Rich
Why ,Why Why would you buy a BMW with 100th miles ,I'm trying to buy a used BMW X5 with less than 60,thousands mile.., OK the cheapest is $ 18,000/OK and up ,dude if you don't have money buy a Toyota OK , $.
@@BIMMERZEITT Yup, YT is a global platform. I've had a E53 X5 for 9 years no issues. And plenty of USA friends have helped on the 2 forums. The vehicle is a daily driver and still taking my wife to work currently
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
8:14 Spreadsheet 1- Cost of Ownership Repairs / Expenses
11:33 Spreadsheet 2 - E53 X5 TH-cam Video Profits
You have an unlucky one for sure
Your unlucky have had loads always been ultra reliable you want a champagne car on soda money
I've had it for 5 years and love it. I've done all the repairs by myself, which actually aren't that difficult.
how did you learn the repairs ?
@@memopadilla5931 ذهب الى ورشه مده شهر
I've had 4 over the past 10 years. A 4.8 a 4.4 and 2 x 3L diesels and they have all been manifestly reliable. When things go wrong the parts are cheap and plentiful. I do all the work myself
Could never sell mine, I love my 3.0i
What do you guys/gals love most about the 3.0i E53?
BIMMER ZEIT
It’s such a classic, like it’s the very first super SUV if you count the 4.8is, the 3.0i for me is pretty reliable, I mean you have 180k miles that more than most Luxury higher end vehicles. The noise the engine makes on any engine option is amazing pure old school BMW. I personally also love the door sound when you open and close it or when it locks, sounds like the BMW G wagon. But to top everything off, on a personal level I was a kid growing up in the e53 now owning it I have so many memories and it held up very well for us, the interior is pretty much new except for the steering wheel that faded just a little.
Agreed. I've owned 2 myself. An 02 and my current daily, my 06. Both 3.0 6cyl. True story. I lost my 02 to a nurse who fell asleep and rear ended me at a stop light. If the fusible link hadn't seperated from the electrical system as it does in an impact to thwart a fire situation, I could've driven it home. I took a hit to the lower right tail, right muffler and minor push in to the passenger side rear bumper. Almost no noticeable cosmetic damage. Her 2017 Grand Cherokee bumper introduced itself to the engine block of her truck. All air bags deloyed as well. Mine did not. If Nationwide had agreed to fix it instead of totaling it out, I'd still have it. I bought another one immediately. The truck is a straight up well built tank. I'd never sell mine either. 🤘🏾🤘🏾💪🏾💪🏾
@@2philly7venz
That really sucks! Man I pray my X5 doesn’t end up in the same state, my 2004 X5 means a lot. My parents had it before me, road trips all the time, driving in the snow, camp trips, going real off-roading, it was a champ, towing, all the suv stuff, it was capable with the correct tires etc, this thing never died. The late years before I got to own the X5, my parents let me drive around with no license, I did great, I did my first parking in the X5 and everything, it was my first for a lot of things and all before I got my permit lol. It’s a great BMW. As a little boy it lead to the bang of having a passion for BMW, I love the brand now, I’m a fan of the stuff they do, plan to work for them now. This goes to show that you don’t need an M car, or a 3 series or 7 series to have a good time or a car you love from BMW, you can have this passion with almost any BMW, even an heavy SUV like the X5 that isn’t a sports car. There’s only a few brands out there have cars that have character, if you look at any BMW today you can’t look them and say they don’t have character, it’s something about them that speaks, even the i3 has a character to it. Same with Porsche or a Ferrari and sometimes Mercedes. Now however BMW might completely destroy what they were known for, there newest cars with the grills and ending there design language is not good.
@@BIMMERZEITT Everything! My 02 beauty beats all the new clones:)
Excellent video!!! Thanks!!
I have 7 months with my 2008 x5 3.0si, and so far the cost of what I have been fixing myself has been around $4,000 dollars only in genuine parts, and it still needs more. If someone wants to buy an SUV like these and think that they are not going to invest anything after buying it, just because they were told that the car is in "excellent" conditions (obviously in order to get the highest price on the market, which is already very high) what a pity for him or her. Something that we, who work hard and who can only buy luxurious used cars have to be very clear about, is that; Nobody sells their car because it is in excellent condition, or because they have just invested at least $4,000 in maintenance, so that it is truly in excellent condition to sell it under that promise. nobody, absolutely nobody does that. but "everyone" will promise it is in "excellent" condition.
so what you have to see when buying is that the suv doesn't leak too much oil, the machine or transmission doesn't make strange noises, and when you run it it doesn't do weird things like jerking when accelerating or delayed shifts. That is the most common thing to consider. From then on, everything will be up to you if you want to give your x5 more useful life with 100,000 miles or more, just like me. and lastly, if you don't want to invest a lot in it, your best option is the 3.0 since they are the least punished by their former owner(s), for not being as powerful as the other stronger ones. Otherwise, you will be driving a x5 very confident and proud, perhaps very well presented, and with many external noises that you do not hear because of how well hermetic they are, and those from outside turning to see you every time you pass next to them for so much Noise your truck makes and that you haven't noticed and you think they admire you for your cool BMW. he he. watch out. So when buying a car this old and expensive, don't let yourself be scammed just by your illusion of a car like this, and negotiate the price as much as possible to something more reasonable taking into account the expenses after the purchase that I just wrote. If the seller does not agree, don't worry, there are many more BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Land Rover, Audi everywhere for sale, it will not be your last option.
I hope my comment will be helpful to you. good luck.
Thanks very much ☺️
what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
U r a genius 😂😂😂
Thank you for this
The best X5 ever made!! Built like a tank, I love this car!
I got this car about 13 years ago and still runs like a champ 💪. Of course it costs a lot to maintain and keep on the road but it’s been all in all a great car and believe it or not has never left me stranded (knock on wood). I have about 120k miles on it.
definitely heavy like a tank!
@@amelr8819ofc no surprise that thing is insane built like a tank and can go on for many years without issues.
I have a 2002 E53 3.0i and I love mine. It has 175,000 miles and I haven't had to replace hardly anything on it in the 10 years I have owned it.
Alan Here thanks for sharing Alan. That’s a long time 10 years! Anything else in your fleet? Do you plan on buying an e70 x5 one day as a replacement?
@@BIMMERZEITT Yes I also have a 1999 E46 sedan 328i and a 2007 Z4 3.0i. I figure having a 4 door, a SAV and a roadster makes a nice grouping. I really prefer the older body styles so probably nothing newer anytime soon. The newer ones are fine but some of them seem to get to many strokes from the aerodynamics brush. But to each their own.
That’s the first video of yours that I’ve seen, pretty decent to be honest, great overall content, I love that model of car, did own one for a while, find myself looking at them all the time, I think I need another 🚗
I really think that you guys are either unlucky or you just simply don’t know how to drive (take care of) this car. I own my 2002 X5 beauty for the last 3 years and done nearly 40k miles. Yes, I spent some money on it! 4 new tyres (have to do this on any other car though), one airbag replaced + oil & filters changed regularly. I keep hearing all this other problems about door handles and crap but I don’t get it. Plus lots of other expensive problems? Maybe I am the luckiest owner around...
Door handles is because people pull down instead of lifting up. Mine stood during lockdown and battery went flat now compressor is not working need to look into it, was working perfectly and bags are nearly new.. But 220k miles and engine purrs like a kitty. This is second best to my 7 series v8, too bad the gearbox went at 130k, still sick to my stomach about it. Unparalleled on the motorway, so e53 is a downgrade, but I am not travelling too much anyway. Otherwise fantastic cars, don't want all the gizmos that started to creep in the e6x 7 series, good old analogical and basic electronics work for me.
Hey man, thanks for sharing. I own the same SUV. I have solved a ton of problems on this vehicle. I surf, snowboard, carry drums, family members. I love this truck…
I have two of them: a 2001 3.0i Lujo Edition & 2006 3.0i F1. I hope te keep them with me until my final days.
As a father of two (3 and 5) with a 2006 E53 3.0i, I can really connect to your comment about the rear seats. Nice space for the kids. And the trunk too! The height and the tailgate makes the space so convenient for the kids to change clothes after playing outdoors.
Your calculation is very interesting. But I gotta say the quality of your videos goes a long way toward bringing your cost of ownership down. While there are so many BMW DIY videos, there are only a handful at your level of filming and tutorial quality :)
Please do a video on what you are upgrading to! E70?
K7 I agree it really is a great space for kids! Makes life easier with an SUV vs a small sedan. Thank you that is very kind! We are looking at e70 2010-2012 35i turbo but the fuel economy is very poor. I would like to go electric but my wife does not want a car, only an SUV.
@@BIMMERZEITT The only justified upgrade would be a 2014 one. Models between 2007 and 2013 are crap. Ask any decent BMW mechanic and they will tell you why.
Hi Rich, you forgot to tell them about the secret flashlight in the glove box.
🤫
Hi Rich, Really informative ! and enjoyed the outdoor location backdrop for this video. The X5 has been very cost effective when you offset running costs against TH-cam revenue. As you say, TH-cam recurring income will continue to make ongoing ownership very attractive. Cheers!
Philip Lee thanks Philip, this was recorded at a local school that used to be some kind of church or chapel. Interesting group of building architecture for sure! Glad you noticed it. Looking forward to the cost of ownership dropping even further. Maybe a Lexus for our next SUV? Need something better on fuel and more financially friendly.
My 2007 ford Taurus ive spent a little over $5,000 in repairs for putting 80,000 miles in the past 3 yrs. This includes battery. 2 catalytic converters, drive shaft, cooling system overhaul including water pump, tune up, tires, fuel pump. Starter and towing fees, towrd 3 times. Compare this to ur Awd bimmer!!!
3.0i petrol is a great reliable age old lump that with regular servicing will run for hundreds of thousands of miles. In the e53 the automatic gearbox will need refurbishment around 100k. It's all the gadgets that seem to fail. But a great drive, a safe drive and a sure drive.
Mine had the old manual gearbox which I just loved. Reasonable mpg considering the weight etc. I agree that they are not as well built as my old 328 coupe.
Plenty of good quality aftermarket parts available too.
damage1_1 they can be decent cars, ours is down around 14-15 mpg though which is pretty terrible as a commuter. It is very polluting which isn’t cool. Considering something more planet friendly for the next SUV!
@@BIMMERZEITT
Yea. I agree
Only issue I still have is the rear air suspension warning that comes up. I replaced the arm potentiometer and reset.. All heights are good and compressor is OK. Genuine parts used too. So annoying.
I own a 2006 X5 3.0i! Thank you for this video
thanks for watching!
I still have a 2005 e53 back in the garage just for the chills. Really comfortable car.
Got two m54 engines. E46 & E53.
Nothing better than a straight six.
I have (had) a 2006 X3 3.0 that's been amazing, it had 117k when I got it 4 years ago. When I moved cross country I gave it to my mother and kept my hummer h2. Eventually she followed us and for now is living with my husband and I so occasionally I still drive it. The X3 now has 173k on it and keeps on purring. While we've spent somewhere around $7k to keep it in top condition it has never left us stranded/broken down/refused to start and get to its destination etc. It's always gone to the repair shop under its own power (usually at 80+mph😇). Truth be told it hasn't been that more expensive to run than any of our fords or chevys despite being one of the oldest highest mileage cars we've owned and it's the only one that hasn't had to be towed.
Now that my H2 has been in a couple car accidents, has lots of wear and tear from offroading and general use I'm thinking about selling it since I don't plan to really offroad much over the next few years while in college. I can get around $8k for it and am seriously thinking about getting an X5, I just can't decide between the first second and third gens which one I want, all I know for sure is I don't want one of the V8s.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Our x5 only stranded us once, when the alternator failed. So a pretty good record, we had it for 7 seasons of commuting! We are now looking at e70 vs f15 for its replacement! H2 is cool but must be really bad on fuel economy!
@@BIMMERZEITT I've been contemplating the N57 and M57 diesels as well as the N55 turbo gas I6. It's just the repair costs that scare me a bit with the diesels but they're fun to drive and get really good mpg. I test drove a 2009 X5 NA 3.0 and it was pretty slow compared to our old X3 so idk If I really want one. For now I'm just going to keep researching obsessively until I finally pull the trigger.
I want to get a tear drop style trailer like the Rpod as well which makes me want a diesel.
@@shanet7511 the diesels in the e70 have a timing chain issue cost about $8k Australian to fix. But the owner’s I’ve talk to just love them.
I drive a e53 3.0i petrol it’s smooth and powerful enough for me. I’ve spent few thousand on it but I wouldn’t drive anything else. I like the old leather smell heavy steering etc.
Almost bought a v8 glad I didn’t they’re heavier and after looking at the receipt book from sellers that scared me off them. Unless you’ve owned from new done all preventative maintenance they might be a money pit.
i own now 2003 3.0 is body kit with x6m r20 wheels. i did not spent eny money for my bmw.i love my car❤️
Best driving SUV I ever owned. Road holding, handling, feedback, etc... awesome. Constantly repairing the thing with all the little bits that break.... nightmare (and I had the 3.0 too). At a certain point, the hassle factor is far more decisive than a cost of ownership analysis. I will not own an old (>75,000 miles) bmw again.
I have never owned a BMW but have always loved them since touring the welt in Germany. Great quality videos and very informative! Keep it up!
Sterling thanks Sterling, hope to make it to bmw welt myself one day soon
The fan for the baby seat is a good idea
I have a 2006 x5 E53 3.0i 125k for 7 years, I love it.. still working great always wondering if its worth changing transmission oil?
Thank you for making this video and touting dealer pricing and scaring people away from these. I’ve owned 6 of them all 3.0i’s. I’m a DIYer and your listed failures aren’t wrong, it’s not near the price of what you say. So thanks for scaring people away and leaving them priced low for me to snag!
Where did I “tout dealer pricing”? Almost all of the repairs in the spreadsheet are DIY, so are solely parts prices from FCP euro. I’m just a few cases we paid $400 or so for a shop to cut and install rusted brake lines. The spreadsheet numbers are actual from my records, not theory. The average owner who is not DIY’ing would pay significantly more over the time of ownership.
$500-$600 for a windshield from BMW. Who calls the dealer for a windshield. Call a glass company. $300 tops. I manage an auto service center and your prices are high. I’m actually complimenting you for misleading people so they get scared away so I can continue to buy BMW’s from their golden era that aren’t that hard to work on and parts aren’t that expensive. FCP Euro is a great source but you can cross reference part numbers and do much better. But again, thanks for spreading this stuff so people get scared!!! I appreciate you
I just bought one about a month ago paid $3500 came with new transmission I’ve put $2000 into plan to drop another $1000 or 2 most of my complaints are interior cosmetics nothing I can’t fix or replace myself. Absolutely love it this far. Had a Lexus rx350 before and probably still love my Lexus more only bcuz mechanics never complained about working on my Lexus and it gave MINIMAL problems vs the bmw little more work wee bit more money but honestly solid vehicle it has aged very well.
Dawn! Sell it and get another rx350! The Lexus is legendary in reliability and low cost of ownership. I hope the X5 treats you well though!
Great car ! ....Best X5 ever made . If you can do your own repairs go for it .....6 cylinder model best to get . My wife drives a 2003 model and refuses to drive anything else .
your wife rides me twice a week .
You bought a 10 year old BMW? You are a brave man. I'm still hesitant to buy a 2 year old CPO.
Currently have a 14 year old e70 x5 and a 40 year old 5 series!
My neighbor got the 04 version. Drove it for years and years. Then one day came back with a Chevrolet SUV and gave the X5 to his daughter. 😆 I understand
I love my baby x5 I'd never let her go!
Got the same one it’s great in the winter as u said✅
In that nice of condition you can get more than $3,500 pretty easily. Id list it for like $5k tbh since you have records of repair/maintenance
Thanks Shane, we actually just sold it a week ago. Listed for $4950 and accepted offer of $4500.
@@BIMMERZEITT Dang wish I could bought it, it's the perfect color combo. Since I want to learn to work on cars I'm kinda leaning to a first gen because they're supposed to be easier to work on from what I've read. Plus I kinda want a manual transmission. I was going to use my H2 as a project car guinea pig but have kinda lost interest tbh and it no longer really fits my needs. Plus everything interesting to go to is well over 100 miles round trip (all hwy) since I live in the middle of nowhere and 12.5mpg mixed kinda sucks for that and bmws are so much nicer on the hwy.
Are you getting a newer X5 or moving onto something else?
I love my 3.0 i X5 she's an old model 2002 she's also a tank as well been in three accidents that wasn't my fault and not a scratch just a bent up license 🙃
Where are you finding these for 3 to 5k. The dealers are asking much more and its hard to find these on craigslist.
Craigslist is dead. Look on Facebook marketplace. Prices of all used cars have gone up this year a bit due to pandemic creating higher demand. They were definitely cheaper pre-covid.
@@BIMMERZEITT cool thanks. Are there any years one should avoid? I think I saw 2005-06 they fixed a lot of problems?
@@cyclonus01 yeah generally speaking you’ll want the last year of any make or model since issues are resolved. I would say a 2005-2006 3.0i is the one to get. Avoid 4.4i at all costs. I may be tough on the e53 in my videos but actually it’s starting to grow on me again. You can probably get a nice e53 for $5-6k around 100k miles in very good shape.
@@BIMMERZEITT thanks yeah im seeing those prices from dealers. Im guessing I'll have to put another 2k into it initially for repairs and preventative maintenance. When does the timing chain need to be replaced ? Yeah I would never get the v8 ive heard horror stories and I need some decent highway gas mileage.
I have had a Mercedes in the past. A 300sd. I then got a 99 528i. It HAS been a nightmare. I got the software for it, so replacing parts is not hard. BUT, the car can take a perfectly fine OE or aftermarket part, and just not want to work with it. I had wheel sensor issues. I first spent the big bucks and got OE. The car still had problems. I even pulled good working ones from another car. I ended buying aftermarket off of amazon. Those worked. Doing any work in the car is a lottery. The plastics are so brittle that i have had to scour junkyards to find replacement interior parts. The engine has been great, except for the oil vapor system.
I have a lot more to gripe about. I was given a second car to pull parts from for the original i bought. Im now almost three times tho original purchase price.
My 300sd for was bought on o lot for 1200$. Was puchased with 289k miles. No blow by, and i had it 7 years. I put another 1k into that car. Car is still on the road today. I know the person i sold it to ten years ago. It passed 425k miles on the original motor. Still driving, the 84 Mercedes 300sd. 99 bmw 528i, Dead in the driveway after changing a dead battery.
Wow thanks for sharing your stories here. Sorry you had a bad e39 experience. I guess you could have just got a bad one. The old Mercedes are great, they don’t build them like that anymore. Keep your eye out for a video on my friend’s 1990 300te wagon!
@@BIMMERZEITT They are. I was doing a deep cleaning of the interior and found the hand signaturemof the person who was in charge of the assembly of my old 300sd. I found out they were still hand assembled till 92. My brother had a 328i. He had it 5 years. It was nicewtill he messed with the exhauste and then started to have electrical issues. Although he was more careless about the cars upkeep than i was. When i sold my mercedes, it looked and performed better than the day i got it. But the 528i has left a bad taste in my mouth. Although i know i can completly remove tho dashboard out of the car in about an hour without damage. But i have hod to dig in to it far too much. If i could only figure out why the driver side window works eve when the key is not in the ignition... I think i would have an idea an where to start troubleshooting.
This video gives new insides on how to tailgate your whife.
" great car if you have kids...or elderly parents that you need to cart around 😂
the only positive thing with flat tire - it flat only at the bottom
I'm in the UK and drive a jeep cherokee xj. Way more reliable and bills are really cheap. Everyone I know that's had an older X5 as had at least one fault that has cost way over a grand. Fuel pumps. Air suspension. Drop links. Injectors transfer box. Had a costumer take his X6 back for a electrical fault. BMW charged him £1200 about $1300 for a new battery Inc reprogramming the car to accept new battery. Rip off. Drives nice but always have a rescue fund to one side.
100% celt thanks for sharing your experiences. Yes the old BMW has been pretty expensive with repairs needed every month or two. I dare say a Japanese make would have been a smarter financial choice. Perhaps a Lexus GX?
@@BIMMERZEITT hey. Thanks for the heart. Don't get me wrong. Great to drive. Comfort, quite ,stable, power and the diesel returns pretty good fuel economy. The petrol's in England are still popular if they have been LPG converted. Halving your fuel costs. But I never realy hear of that been a option over your side of the Atlantic. Anyway. Great pod cast. Keep up the great work. All the best from the UK.
Great video ... but I was waiting to see under the hood along with some hints & tips about the engine, etc :( ...
Thanks, maybe a part II video is warranted with that info. Are you in the market for this generation X5?
@@BIMMERZEITT Hi Rich ... great! ... that would be helpful ... basically yes I'm in the market for either an X3 or X5 ... depending on reviews & maintenance I see on YT ... your videos are so much more detailed ... others tend to be too quick and leave vitals out ... thanks for these we appreciate them ...
STORY:
My poor old 1997 E39 528i (UK) finally gave up on us, a few months ago (halfway into our holiday journey!!!) ... lack of power and came to a stand still ... according to the garage a cylinder has gone (30%pressure), one cylinder not firing at all ... and possible VANOS seizure (on diags device) ...
I've had the E39 for a good 12yrs and she's been a fantastic car (single owner) ... therefore I am thinking of going X3, or X5 for a new (2nd hand) car as I've been researching them for a while now ... some say the X3 is the better option? ... true? ...
ONE FOR SALE:
There's a 2004 BMW X3 3.0i for sale locally, for £2,850 (124k miles) ... looks like it has the M54B30 engine? ... after having the E39 (M52B28) I thought I'd keep with a (similar) engine that I know ... I'm NOT a mechanic but I do know my old car very well and what to look for, maintenance wise ... hence I thought I'd get another car with that similar engine and could work on to save money ...
Q:
Are the X3's & X5's as comfortable as the older E39 528i's ...as it's this that I loved about my old car ... getting old you tend to go for this, rather than the flashy looks and the pimped up gadgets :) ... do you have X3 videos as well? ...
Sorry for the long reply :) ...
Krell FreelanceTechnology the e39 is one of the best cars bmw has ever made. The essence is the same in the x3 and x5 but is stiffer and less refined. Your early model e39 had a weaker engine (m52) which is prone to overheating and head gasket issues. All of that was resolved in later model 2001-2003 m54 cars. I’m partial to the e39 as a replacement for you as the quality is higher than the x3 and x5.
You may do well to be patient and test drive several cars; not easy in today’s situation but worth trying them. The x3 is significantly smaller than the x5, maybe it’s big enough for you based on European standards. Here in the US most SUV’s dwarf even the x5 which is quite large.
@@BIMMERZEITT Thanks Rich ... I thought you'd say that :) ... ok, here's a thing ...I also have an E39 2001 530d SE (Y reg) bookmarked, that is for sale at £2,499 ... this will be my last Question ... is the 530d diesel engine a good engine? ... or does this have issues? ... I don't know what the model is ... I have never owned a diesel car before ... this may well put a damper on self maintenance? ... I don't know ... it's a caveat that is spooking me in the decision making ...
The plus side is, it's in fantastic condition & very well looked after ... cleaner than when I got mine ... and is the rare Aspen Silver colour? if that's a thing ...
Excellent, thanks.
How similar is this to a 2006 X3 (in regards of maintenance and common issues?). Should I or should I not?
X3s are awful
Love mine m57n crude oil behemoth!
Yes, but did you do the repairs and services yourself or was it done by a garage?
With the exception of stuck ball joints and rear brake lines it was DIY
great idea about starting a youtube channel to offset cost i just picked up a 1994 BMW 740i as a project the bently manual has been less than helpful and there is little to no repair videos for the e32 but tons for the e38 . i think ill go get a camera tomorrow just saying videos of me clearing the rodent nests out of the hvac system and replacing the blower motor would of net me a few bucks lol
go for it, follow your passion!
@@BIMMERZEITT Sadly that car was too far gone from the rodent damage I did the best I could but then the asc+t unit failed and it was unsafe to drive but it made a great parts car for my current 1994 740i. never did get that camera should of chronicled all the repairs tho would of made great content .lets see some stuff on your E32 its getting nice here in the northeast I used your video on replacing the door handle gaskets they look great thanks for that
Overall yes E53 X5 is very relaible. I’d say it’s the most reliable bmw X5 model
I disagree; the E70 is better in every way. The N52 version without adaptive drive, that is.
Which program are you using for editing?
George Patsialas hey George I use Final Cut Pro x on a Mac
I own 4.8is. Warning to you: don't make the same mistake.
How much litres per 100km of fuel do these consume?
I have one , very high cost maintenance.
Etheric Zone 11:11 Definitely
You were just unlucky.
Lmao. $5K only? I don’t think so. They are not that cheap!
i just purchased one of these vehicles and insurance is so high! any tips ?
Have been using Geico for 15 years, best rates around. Obviously your rate is dependent upon your driving history, location and age etc.
Most of that is regular maintenance
Do you share the expenses report?
Hi Bob see 8:14 and 11:33 for the expense reports
How did you do earning on TH-cam
Never buy a car with high mileage, the most is 60miles , dude . and you have to make sure it was not in accident. Cars are not cheap, I don't want a cheap car . I have been taking the city buss for years. I'm still taking the city buss because I love quality things .
So the recommendation is basically get a Lexus, open a TH-cam channel and have profit for ownership instead.
haha Ramiro I like your style. Lexus (made by Toyota for those that don't know) is probably a better financial decision long-run. Then again, the initial purchase price of a lexus GX is going to be much higher than an older X5. But yes I recommend anyone with an interest to try starting a TH-cam channel.
@@BIMMERZEITT thanks for replying! For the record, I drive a 09 X5 diesel. Perhaps not the most wise decision financially speaking (last week I spent 1.5 replacing glow sparks) but the pleasure of driving this vehicle outweighs the extra maintenance costs. Life is too short to drive boring vehicles. Instead of retiring at 65, I am planning to work until 67 or 68 and with that income I will cover the extra money I spent on my toys during my 40s and 50s. Great videos, I enjoy your channel. Best.
Ramiro Perez I agree with you 100%. The pleasure of the BMW drive, dynamics and road feel is worth it to me too. Not everything in life has to be about dollars and cents. Sometimes it’s ok to just spend it and enjoy, right! All the best. -Rich
Had E53 4.4i V8 M Sport
Never again. 😂👍
Thursty
Would you like to sell this to me? I live in the tri state area and I’m in the market for one
Wow so many people messaged me that after this video haha. I am going to keep this one after all and get an e70 for my wife!
Why ,Why Why would you buy a BMW with 100th miles ,I'm trying to buy a used BMW X5 with less than 60,thousands mile.., OK the cheapest is $ 18,000/OK and up ,dude if you don't have money buy a Toyota OK , $.
Says 6cyl multiple times
Never says Petrol or Diesel once
Wind Tech diesel never came to the US but I hear you
@@BIMMERZEITT Yup, YT is a global platform.
I've had a E53 X5 for 9 years no issues.
And plenty of USA friends have helped on the 2 forums.
The vehicle is a daily driver and still taking my wife to work currently
Petrol is much cheaper in US so no diesel X5 6 cylinder engines there.
Hey men nice video sell me the x5
Good car
best tires will be michelin tires!
Ah yes I agree. I think the Michelin’s were way more costly! Maybe 50% more at least.
Don't need to watch vid, NO, run.....
haha, I hear you man
The V8 was garbage reliability-wise
Matthew Devine agreed, nothing but problems with those. The V8’s sell at a substantial discount compares to the 6 cylinder model.
NEVER! those and all BMW are crap!! Will never buy another
That a bit too generalised. Some are and some aren't just like most manufacturers.
Your showing your age...