Thinking of buying 2011 X5 tt v8

[PaulXR50]

Dad’s looking at buying a low mileage 2011 X5 twin turbo v8 ( 20 000ks).

Anyone had any experience with such BMW.

Have read few issues with them such as regular replacing of battery, high oil consumption, injector issues, have read some that had engine replaced.

Seems to have been a recall done 2015 where bmw replaced a few things.

For the number of 2011 X5 v8’s sold v the number of complaints on internet am sure most of them are goods ones.

Going out with dad tomorrow arvo to have a look.

Appreciate any thoughts/comments.

[whitelion65]

Be aware that people who buy them new probably don't think twice about parts prices....your dad might!
Someone I know had one, the suspension module played up....that'll be $2,000 thank you sir :-0

[Mercury Bullet]

A 7yr old very complex performance bmw.

Make sure you can find an independent specialist bmw mechanic.

You spend time on car forums so you would have some idea, but things like coil packs can run into thousands of dollars, same with brakes. What you would think are simple repairs/maintenance are anything but simple.

You need someone who knows these backwards and knows the shortcuts.

[xxx000]

Was $4000-$5000 for a set of tyres which only last around 15,000 kms

[stig_3754]

Check that the indicator stalk is working. Seems to be a common issue from what I see on the road...

[.:4:.]

My boss had a 4.4L tt 2012 x6 and it was quick. In 4 years he only put something like 30 thousand on it and it g9t serviced every 6 months regardless so it never had the oportunity for failures.

[EGOG6ET]

Originally Posted by PaulXR50

Dad’s looking at buying a low mileage 2011 X5 twin turbo v8 ( 20 000ks).

Anyone had any experience with such BMW.

Have read few issues with them such as regular replacing of battery, high oil consumption, injector issues, have read some that had engine replaced.

Seems to have been a recall done 2015 where bmw replaced a few things.

For the number of 2011 X5 v8’s sold v the number of complaints on internet am sure most of them are goods ones.

Going out with dad tomorrow arvo to have a look.

Appreciate any thoughts/comments.

Don't do it. I had a BMW 550i which has the N63 engine the same as the one in the X5. It was the most unreliable POS I have ever owned. In the 2 1/2 years I had it, it was in the work shop for 24 Weeks. I would have to fill it will 1L of oil every 2000K, Timing chain stretched and had to be replaced, cost of this repair was $24K, luckily mine was still under warranty. I had diff bushes go, when ever I gave it to overtake, it would go into limp mode which could be dangerous. What ever you do dont ever buy a car with this engine. If you want an X5 get one with the 40D engine, They are a rocket and much better engine.

[chich]

Don't do it unless you've got money to burn and the patience of a saint.

My mate has one and it spent the first two years in the dealership having all manner of parts replaced. After stranding his wife and kids for the third time, he drove it into BMW (in limp home mode of course..) and left it there with the instruction to fix it for good or don't give it back.

After another four months in the dealership and a new motor it's been mostly fine for 30k kms. Absolute monster when it works and certainly likes a drink.

[EGOG6ET]

I did the same as your mate. It went into limp mode with my wife and baby daughter in the car. This was about the 15th time we had a problem with the car. I went and picked it up drove it straight to the dealer and demanded to the DP they buy it back from me. I said I’m not taking it back and I was going to buy a new car that day to replace it. After he looked at the repair history he agreed. I went and bought an SQ5 that day. Took a week for the dealer to pay me though.

[FTE217]

Sadly most euros once aged are the best pick pockets for those yearning to have a euro brand.

[Swordie]

I'd have a look at BMW forum.

[xr6-FTW]

I worked at bmw for a few months mate a couple years ago. The boys all agreed there a nice car...………..as long as you don't own one, now I include a whole range of bmws including that one. Your looking at an engine that uses oil, a twin turbo setup that's prone to ****ing up and needing to be replaced, plastic engine covers that warp, dodgey computers dying inside, brakes that don't last long and need replacing, an batteries that cost minimum $500.

Most x5/x6 bmws that came in were arabs who had bought them at auctions for **** all and once the ecu was hooked up to a diagnostic port mate, it lit up like a Christmas tree with faults. I was the parts guy quoting minimum $5000 jobs.

So my advice to you mate is, buy one if you have the money right, but don't start blaming everyone, labelling bmw rip off etc if **** goes seriously wrong, because these cars new were 6 figures opposed to now. And if this one has 20,000km mate get it checked over a mechanic, do a ppsr search history, be sure it isn't a ali mohammad slapped together one that is waiting for some poor bastard to buy it, because youd best be torching it in that sitatuon.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Swordie

I'd have a look at BMW forum.

This is good advice as they can point you in the right direction to places where you can get your servicing, parts and repairs done much cheaper than the dealership and disclose any known inherent problems.

I don't have any experience with twin turbo V8 BMW's but I've owned quite a few performance Euros and not had the problems you hear of in some of the non Euro forums.

I have a twin turbo inline six BMW and it's been a dream but I've only owned it since new for 9 years so it hasn't had enough time to play up yet.

There are a lot of Euros sold all over the world and many keep going strong for years and the know how and experience is out there to repair them outside of the expensive dealers and if they weren't up to scratch in general to start with they wouldn't sell as many as they do and the companies would eventually go broke.

As I said most of the horror stories you read are on the forums of other brands, recently I read on a Holden forum that Fords are unreliable and the number of people who backed it up with anecdotes about their mate's car only proved how truly bad they are, some also said the Ford backup service was poor.

Ask around with the people who drive them, particularly car guys who frequent forums and suss out a local Euro repair specialist and ask them what they think of the model you're considering buying.




.

[malazn mafia]

Aren't all X series cars made in the USA? So expect the build quality of an American made vehicle, coupled with the high complexity and price of German electronics and drive train. I think I'd pass on that..

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by xr6-FTW

I worked at bmw for a few months mate a couple years ago. The boys all agreed there a nice car...………..as long as you don't own one, now I include a whole range of bmws including that one. Your looking at an engine that uses oil, a twin turbo setup that's prone to ****ing up and needing to be replaced, plastic engine covers that warp, dodgey computers dying inside, brakes that don't last long and need replacing, an batteries that cost minimum $500.

Most x5/x6 bmws that came in were arabs who had bought them at auctions for **** all and once the ecu was hooked up to a diagnostic port mate, it lit up like a Christmas tree with faults. I was the parts guy quoting minimum $5000 jobs.

So my advice to you mate is, buy one if you have the money right, but don't start blaming everyone, labelling bmw rip off etc if **** goes seriously wrong, because these cars new were 6 figures opposed to now. And if this one has 20,000km mate get it checked over a mechanic, do a ppsr search history, be sure it isn't a ali mohammad slapped together one that is waiting for some poor bastard to buy it, because youd best be torching it in that sitatuon.

I guess the upside to an X5, is I have never heard them losing balljoints or the suspension failing. Guess one could theoretically throw away all the overcomplicated german electricals and running gear, and chuck in territory turbo running gear and electronics to get a sturdy chassis, robust driveline, manageable mechanicals and cheap servicing ?

[happy1]

Originally Posted by EGOG6ET

Don't do it. I had a BMW 550i which has the N63 engine the same as the one in the X5. It was the most unreliable POS I have ever owned. In the 2 1/2 years I had it, it was in the work shop for 24 Weeks. I would have to fill it will 1L of oil every 2000K, Timing chain stretched and had to be replaced, cost of this repair was $24K, luckily mine was still under warranty. I had diff bushes go, when ever I gave it to overtake, it would go into limp mode which could be dangerous. What ever you do dont ever buy a car with this engine. If you want an X5 get one with the 40D engine, They are a rocket and much better engine.

I believe that is spot on advice from someone that has been burnt by owning one of these with N63 engine. Not much more needs to be said really.

How did it go by the way? Did you look at it?
Another thing, why would a year 2011 vehicle have done only 2850 km per year?
Cheers,

[PaulXR50]

Thanks for the reply everyone. We are checking it out this afternoon. Could be one of the to good to be true situations.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by happy1

I believe that is spot on advice from someone that has been burnt by owning one of these with N63 engine. Not much more needs to be said really.

How did it go by the way? Did you look at it?
Another thing, why would a year 2011 vehicle have done only 2850 km per year?
Cheers,

Probably cos it has been sitting in the dealership 10 months of each year .... just like a Jeep.

Cheap with low kays for a very good/bad reason

[cheap]

Is there a particular reason you want a 7 year old X5? They do look a tad dated.

FWIW, a mate experienced numerous small issues with his old X5. Took it to the local BMW stealer and they quoted $14,000 in repairs, when he said thanks but no thanks they hit him up with $1,200 in diagnosing the issues.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by cheap

Is there a particular reason you want a 7 year old X5? They do look a tad dated.

FWIW, a mate experienced numerous small issues with his old X5. Took it to the local BMW stealer and they quoted $14,000 in repairs, when he said thanks but no thanks they hit him up with $1,200 in diagnosing the issues.

Common with euros in my experience. Volvo want $200 before you can use their coffee machine.

"They all do that, 200 dolla please."

[Express]

Originally Posted by cheap

Is there a particular reason you want a 7 year old X5? They do look a tad dated.

FWIW, a mate experienced numerous small issues with his old X5. Took it to the local BMW stealer and they quoted $14,000 in repairs, when he said thanks but no thanks they hit him up with $1,200 in diagnosing the issues.

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Common with euros in my experience. Volvo want $200 before you can use their coffee machine.

"They all do that, 200 dolla please."

I’ve never been charged for food or beverages at a BMW or Mercedes dealership and some dealers do put on quite a spread but I do understand what you mean as you pay for it in the cost of servicing.

I've always been offered a coffee even when I'm only browsing at the new cars which is definitely free.

I also get a free ‘so to speak’ courtesy car while my cars are being serviced though I also get this from Holden for my 2016 Redline for half the servicing cost.

A couple of years back the radio/satnav system failed in my 135i Coupe and the replacement part cost $3,400 there abouts.

The car was 2 years out of warranty and BMW believed the part shouldn’t have failed so they supplied the part free of charge and I had to cough up the $112 labour charge to have the dealership fit it.

Diagnoses of the problem cost nothing.

I don’t think you’ll do much better than that from most manufacturers for a vehicle that far out of warranty.

All car manufacturers regardless of how cheap or expensive the product is will have things go wrong that’s the nature of the mechanical/electronic beasts and not every dealership is perfect to do business with but not everyone has horror stories to tell and in my personal dealings for about 15 years with both BMW and Mercedes they have looked after me well and I guess that’s because they’d like me to be a return customer.

You read articles in magazines like Unique Cars and they are happy to push buying older Euros as long as you know the pitfalls and they’ll point out something like the electricals for example can be dodgy for a specific model but are no more complicated than many cheaper modern late model brands and if you do your homework and seek out the professionals that can look after your repair and spare parts needs outside of the dealerships, you’ll most likely have many years of relatively cheap, fun and engaging ownership with older German cars.

You're seriously a dick if you pay dealership prices for things like replacement brake rotors and such when there are many other top level alternatives available for a fraction of the price.

My C63 and 135i both have OEM 6 piston Brembo calipers and rotors but I'd never replace them through a dealership as Brembo is a common brand and it's much cheaper to purchase the same or equivalent parts from an independent brake specialist.

Not everyone is frightened of older Euros, I know a few people with them and they seem to love them and like any major purchase it pays to do your homework first.


.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by Express

I’ve never been charged for food or beverages at a BMW or Mercedes dealership and some dealers do put on quite a spread but I do understand what you mean as you pay for it in the cost of servicing.

I've always been offered a coffee even when I'm only browsing at the new cars which is definitely free.

I also get a free ‘so to speak’ courtesy car while my cars are being serviced though I also get this from Holden for my 2016 Redline for half the servicing cost.

A couple of years back the radio/satnav system failed in my 135i Coupe and the replacement part cost $3,400 there abouts.

The car was 2 years out of warranty and BMW believed the part shouldn’t have failed so they supplied the part free of charge and I had to cough up the $112 labour charge to have the dealership fit it.

Diagnoses of the problem cost nothing.

I don’t think you’ll do much better than that from most manufacturers for a vehicle that far out of warranty.

All car manufacturers regardless of how cheap or expensive the product is will have things go wrong that’s the nature of the mechanical/electronic beasts and not every dealership is perfect to do business with but not everyone has horror stories to tell and in my personal dealings for about 15 years with both BMW and Mercedes they have looked after me well and I guess that’s because they’d like me to be a return customer.

You read articles in magazines like Unique Cars and they are happy to push buying older Euros as long as you know the pitfalls and they’ll point out something like the electricals for example can be dodgy for a specific model but are no more complicated than many cheaper modern late model brands and if you do your homework and seek out the professionals that can look after your repair and spare parts needs outside of the dealerships, you’ll most likely have many years of relatively cheap, fun and engaging ownership with older German cars.

You're seriously a dick if you pay dealership prices for things like replacement brake rotors and such when there are many other top level alternatives available for a fraction of the price.

My C63 and 135i both have OEM 6 piston Brembo calipers and rotors but I'd never replace them through a dealership as Brembo is a common brand and it's much cheaper to purchase the same or equivalent parts from an independent brake specialist.

Not everyone is frightened of older Euros, I know a few people with them and they seem to love them and like any major purchase it pays to do your homework first.


.

Tongue in cheek, I've never paid for coffee either.
However they want $200 to look at the car. Ford have never charged me to do that.

Spot on 're the independent servicing, this is essential out of warranty.
Frank o'grady has saved me over $10k easy.

I inherited the Volvo, my old man converted from valiant into a Volvo nut and for a few very good reasons.
They don't rust, the will die mechanically long before they rust out. They have superd build quality and are as strong as an ox. It's a 2.2 tonne sedan. Every part is quality, you only have to look at the wiring sizes. Interior is 1st class with every trimming and more. Real leather for e.g..

The downside is they can be extremely expensive to repair depending on what goes wrong.
It is as boring as buggery to drive and barely enough power for safe highway use.

I agree and disagree with parts, sure I have saved a lot of money as mentioned but the second you have to go genuine...ouch. brakes cost me $2500.

I'm not bagging euros, just don't go in blind.

[TICKFORD220]

My daughters god mother(good mate of ours) purchased one new some years ago (twin turbo 5.0 v8,m sport)and had nothing but issues with it,from memory cost over 100g new,used A LOT of oil (litres between changes)among other issues,she finally got them to rebuild the motor at a huge cost just out of warranty(they paid) and then handballed it super quick.
Think it had odd sized rims too,21 inch or something stupid so the rear 300 or 310 tyres were pricy...
What a big pos,looked good and went well but it was a piece of rubbish.
She has owned 2 range rover evokes since and not had one single problem

[FG50T]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Aren't all X series cars made in the USA? So expect the build quality of an American made vehicle, coupled with the high complexity and price of German electronics and drive train. I think I'd pass on that..

And Falcons were built by old mate in Broadmeadows (despite being anyone in Melbournes probable last choice of place to live) but people still bought them. Such a ridiculous comment honestly. The car is built by BMW machines, using BMW products in a BMW factory. Where it's assembled has no relevance.

[boss351290]

My wife has a 2010 x5m. Very nice car. Incredible power. Incredible brakes. And rock hard suspension that can get frustrating around town but excellent on the highways. I had an injector fail. Cost me $2500 to replace 4 injections as you have to change the whole bank at a time. What I learnt is that version 11 injectors on are fine. If yours is a late 2011 model it might have version 11 or newer. If not you could be up for a expensive repair bill. We don’t drive the x5m too much just on long trips. The battery says it’s going flat but it never has. I just keep it on a trickle charger and all is good. I change the oil myself every 5000km and it some times needs a top up of 1 litre. They do use a lot of oil.

They are a fantastic car and will demolish most sports cars. Very comfortable just the suspension is rock hard. Ours has all the common problems but then all my falcons have all the falcon common problems.

Would I buy one again. 100 percent. After driving lots of other suv style cars, the x5m destroys them all. They are expensive to fix. That’s it’s biggest down side. I buy all parts filters etc on eBay for a fair price and have fitted most myself. Can’t do much about the oil consumption but a lot of cars use lots of oil. Falcons use no oil but they leak a bit. The other bad thing about them is they have horrible resale so expect a good hit in the hip pocket come resale time.

But then again my dad sold his $70000 Ltd for $2000. So that’s life sometimes. Good luck.

[boss351290]

$2500 was buying genuine injectors from America and fitting myself. Very difficult you need a special tool. Bmw wanted about $5000. That’s for four injectors only. Not 8.

[boss351290]

One other think I forgot. Fuel consumption.

410kw, almost 700nm at 1500 rpm. 2300kg. It loves a drink. But it delivers the goods as well.

[PaulXR50]

Thanks for the replies everyone. We ended up not looking at it, he had read enough about the problems they have with it, certainly the engine issues were enough to put him off. Showed him all the comments here as well.
Decided to keep looking.

[Danny]

We’ve had three brand new TT diesel sport Exec X5’s over the last 10 years. Dynamically they are damned flawless and a cracking drive. Most of the rubbish spouted here is just the usual bitterness from jaded Falcon owners. The tyres ARE NOT $4000-5000 a set either. A set of Pirelli’s you can pick up for half that. Arab tyre shops will sell you Chinese plastic sh.. for a quarter of that again.

HOWEVER - In my experience, the BMW’s don’t age that gracefully and they become pretty cantankerous with their service demands as everything is recorded by the key and on start up they begin to flash up error codes and premature service warnings that can only be cleared by the dealers.

They are a complex beast, and I would probably say to leave the 10 year old expensive euro cars to the shoestring budget two bob millionaire Lebo’s who are desperate to look rich and make everybody jealous.

[happy1]

A comment to the last poster. If you read the thread carefully, you will find that the comments above were made in regards to the PETROL V8 engine called N63. It is a troubled engine design which is not reliable.

Buying an X5 diesel is a totally different story. The Diesel versions of X5 have an inline 6 engine called M57 and later called N57. These are highly reliable for the lifetime of the car, as diesel engines should be.

Half price quality tyres and brake discs can of course be found elsewhere than at the dealer.

Cheers,