[xylodan]

Hi All - I'm looking for feedback on reliability of the X5. I'm a current X3 owner and am having a dismal time with the car (G01, 2018 X3 M40i) with the amount of repairs. I perhaps drive it too hard.

Can the X5 take a little more abuse than the X3? I will tow often (motorcycles, and considering getting a travel trailer) and will take it on fireroads frequently while driving it in some pretty extreme heat (death valley).

Looking for feedback from people who drive their X5's hard. I'm likely getting a new one, but would also take any additional feedback on the 2018 diesel version. If there was a diesel in the US in the current version I'd be all over that.

Thanks for the feedback and help.

[RBarela]

Originally Posted by xylodan

Hi All - I'm looking for feedback on reliability of the X5. I'm a current X3 owner and am having a dismal time with the car (G01, 2018 X3 M40i) with the amount of repairs. I perhaps drive it too hard.

Can the X5 take a little more abuse than the X3? I will tow often (motorcycles, and considering getting a travel trailer) and will take it on fireroads frequently while driving it in some pretty extreme heat (death valley).

Looking for feedback from people who drive their X5's hard. I'm likely getting a new one, but would also take any additional feedback on the 2018 diesel version. If there was a diesel in the US in the current version I'd be all over that.

Thanks for the feedback and help.

Get a Rubicon man

[todd92]

Get a F-150

[iconoclast]

Tacoma or F150. Beat it to death and have a fun weekend car for carving canyons.

[rmorin1249]

I drove our X5 on a 12 mile trip in N. GA last fall on a fairly steep logging road. It had many deep ruts, large rocks, mudholes, etc. While I was able to negotiate this road I was never relaxed and worried the entire time that I might damage the vehicle. Clearance isn't what is needed for a true off road vehicle IMHO. I won't do this again.

If you really plan to do serious offroading I'd get a Range Rover or a 4WD pickup. JMHO

[Auricom]

Throw a set of 20" General Tire Grabber AT3s on a X5 and it's pretty capable off road. Earlier MY19-20 models with ZOR Off-Package are pretty capable even with 21" summer performance though I don't recommend attempting more technical terrains.

I've taken my G05 equipped with air suspension and all-seasons to my cabin in Lost River. Roads are well kept but always find opportunities for exploring

It'll be hard to gauge X5 reliability in regards to off-roading as many forum members really don't go off the pavement but there are many that do tow.

As far as reliability - no issues with my MY20 X5 - 1.5yr of ownership.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by coffeelover696969

The x5 is a grocery getter...

Not true, the G05 is definitely off road capable

[alabesky]

Originally Posted by coffeelover696969

Less than 1% of both x5 and corolla owners have off roaded their vehicles. Over 99% of x5 and corollas have gotten groceries in the last 2 weeks.

You have a good point lol

[iceRN09]

Well let see... you are coming from a B58 engine albeit the better version. What your mistake is getting the first year of the m40i. With X5 you are getting the downgraded B58. Same transmission etc. X3 and x5 doesnt share the same platform. X5 has the better platform bet the two as the components are better due to price.

[todd92]

Originally Posted by iceRN09

Well let see... you are coming from a B58 engine albeit the better version. What your mistake is getting the first year of the m40i. With X5 you are getting the downgraded B58. Same transmission etc. X3 and x5 doesnt share the same platform. X5 has the better platform bet the two as the components are better due to price.

Where did the OP mention that the X3 problems he had were with the engine? The X5 B58 doesn't have better components due to price.

[iceRN09]

Originally Posted by todd92

Where did the OP mention that the X3 problems he had were with the engine? The X5 B58 doesn't have better components due to price.

One has to assume he is talking about drive train reliability coz he mentioned towing. Towing stresses your engine, transmission and your chasis.

[xylodan]

Originally Posted by RBarela

Get a Rubicon man

Ha! After having a really bad time with an E46 (2010 BMW 3 Series) I started driving Rubicons. They are rugged, but they are loud and not really a pleasure to drive. I did the Wrangler thing for 8 years and decided to go back to BMW after feeling really good about my motorcycle and my wife having good luck with her BMWs.

My first BMW was an e30 (1986 325) that I put 250k miles on and was a tank. I guess they truly don't make them like that anymore. My wife drives her BMW's without much issue but I seem to have the worst luck. We've had 7 cars and 4 motorcycles between us. I do love, and trust in the motorcycles.

[xylodan]

I'm not looking for true off-road capability. Just the occasional dirt road to haul some bicycles to the top of a fire road. I'm 99% pavement. My X3 has seen only pavement and that thing breaks if you sneeze while inside it.

Just kind of looking to see if people who perhaps have had an X3 and an X5 found the X5 to be just a bit less finicky.

[xylodan]

Originally Posted by iceRN09

Well let see... you are coming from a B58 engine albeit the better version. What your mistake is getting the first year of the m40i. With X5 you are getting the downgraded B58. Same transmission etc. X3 and x5 doesnt share the same platform. X5 has the better platform bet the two as the components are better due to price.

Kind of having a hard time deciphering this. You say the X5 has a downgraded engine but has the better platform? Can you elaborate?

I think the engine is fine. It just needs to tow, and having a bigger tow capacity is helpful on the X5. Is that mostly due to the larger heavier vehicle? I was thinking perhaps there were other factors that made me think that it's a sturdier vehicle but it sounds like the bones of the X5 and X3 are pretty similar just with a different frame and body...

I do concede that getting a first year of a new model/generation is a bad idea... I'm currently dealing with a vibration in the drivetrain that I learned they redesigned for 2019 and beyond. It's just been incredibly frustrating dealing with the dealer and BMW NA to take this car back. I've had it just over 2 months, it's been in service for 28 total days of that 2 months and I'm taking it in again on Monday for the next round of comedy...

[fndrplayer13]

Man I remember reading your post on the X3 forum. What a bummer. Sorry again about the issues you've had. I honestly think it's just bad luck, my 30e has been great so far. CR and others seem to think BMW reliability for both x3 and x5 are decent, though

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by xylodan

Kind of having a hard time deciphering this. You say the X5 has a downgraded engine but has the better platform? Can you elaborate?

I think the engine is fine. It just needs to tow, and having a bigger tow capacity is helpful on the X5. Is that mostly due to the larger heavier vehicle? I was thinking perhaps there were other factors that made me think that it's a sturdier vehicle but it sounds like the bones of the X5 and X3 are pretty similar just with a different frame and body...

I do concede that getting a first year of a new model/generation is a bad idea... I'm currently dealing with a vibration in the drivetrain that I learned they redesigned for 2019 and beyond. It's just been incredibly frustrating dealing with the dealer and BMW NA to take this car back. I've had it just over 2 months, it's been in service for 28 total days of that 2 months and I'm taking it in again on Monday for the next round of comedy...

Ah so, you have the dreaded drive line vibration that has plagued a number of, not all, early G01 M40's. I had to go to the X3 forum and look, sure enough, you're in the vibration topic post I have yet to read where any of the affected G01's have been permanently fixed. As I recall its a mounting point somewhere within the suspension components that is not correct and is putting undue side stress on the axels, causing them to prematurely fail. All dealers are doing is throwing new axels on the car and sending people on their way hoping they will just put up with it when their warranty is over and BMW is not owning up to it, though for those who are persistent and/or hired a lawyer, BMW has bought some back. ugh

The first year (or two) of the G05 was also plagued with numerous issues, well, its the first year of a new platform but all in all, someone has to buy them Plenty of G05 owners here tow boats and campers, in fact if you search for..something like, ...Let's do a towing thread...IIRC, or just search for towing, you'll see plenty of pix of what people are towing.

[dream54ing]

The first few months of our 19' G05, we took it on quite a bit of adventures, but nothing too extreme, except for this one time... We were exploring northern Arizona and went down a wrong path that took us through some pretty rough off road-ing. Was painful for me since the vehicle was fairly new, but car handled and held up pretty well. Path was about 20 miles of rough terrain with some rock climbing; wasn't able to go over 10mph and at times vehicle was raise higher to get over boulders. Wife wasn't too happy and wanted to turn around, but I tough it out.

It's been over 2.5 yrs now and our G05 has been nothing than excellent in terms of reliability; zero issues minus user error! *knock on wood. We've taken it over 110+mph, hit the mountains, driven in 118 degree heat and driven in freezing snow, still running great! Never towed anything, but loaded up the vehicle pretty heavily.

From what I've read, its hit or miss on reliability, YMMV, punt intended.

[codex57]

Originally Posted by xylodan

I'm not looking for true off-road capability. Just the occasional dirt road to haul some bicycles to the top of a fire road. I'm 99% pavement. My X3 has seen only pavement and that thing breaks if you sneeze while inside it.

Just kind of looking to see if people who perhaps have had an X3 and an X5 found the X5 to be just a bit less finicky.

I wonder if you had a bad sample or just were extremely hard on that 1%? I had a 2018 X3 xdrive30i so with the weaker engine. Didn't tow, but I've been off pavement. Not rock crawling, but dirt roads/gravel/etc. Think farms such as pumpkin farms, camping out in the woods, Apple Hill, Tahoe, etc. Never gave off a hint of problems. I only got rid of it b/c I wanted more cushiness for my grocery getter. Friend got the 40 when they saw what a deal we got with ours and they still have it and haven't reported any problems either.

[iceRN09]

Originally Posted by xylodan

Kind of having a hard time deciphering this. You say the X5 has a downgraded engine but has the better platform? Can you elaborate?

I think the engine is fine. It just needs to tow, and having a bigger tow capacity is helpful on the X5. Is that mostly due to the larger heavier vehicle? I was thinking perhaps there were other factors that made me think that it's a sturdier vehicle but it sounds like the bones of the X5 and X3 are pretty similar just with a different frame and body...

I do concede that getting a first year of a new model/generation is a bad idea... I'm currently dealing with a vibration in the drivetrain that I learned they redesigned for 2019 and beyond. It's just been incredibly frustrating dealing with the dealer and BMW NA to take this car back. I've had it just over 2 months, it's been in service for 28 total days of that 2 months and I'm taking it in again on Monday for the next round of comedy...

Why are you having a hard time. M40i gets the 385 HP B58 engine which is the better of the 2. The regular 40i only gets 335 HP. Both have 8 sp ZF transmission. I looked it up. They are both CLAR platform BUT the X5 has better components in it. Example. X5 has massive subframe carrier that is made of aluminum as compared to a mostly steel subframe and rear suspension on the X3. Yes. Weight makes a difference in towing.

[Aimster82]

What's wrong with your X3? How many miles on it?

I had fun with mine.. I have fun with my X5. No issues.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by coffeelover696969

the 2021 x5 (40i) has a ZF 8 speed?

Should have asked Alexa.

All X3/4/5/6/7 SAVs use ZF 8HP range of 8-speed automatic transmissions including sedan/coupe/gran coupe line up - 3/4/5/7/8 Series

[xylodan]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Very helpful group.
Since some have asked, my current X3 is a CPO that I got with 25,000 miles. I've had it 2.5 months, it's had three repairs already and has spent 28 days in service so far. It's going back in on Monday for a fourth repair, this time with a vibration in the drivetrain. The dealer would not take a return and I contacted BMW NA about returning the vehicle and buying a brand new one back in April when I had the first three repairs and they are taking forever.

The reality is that I'm probably so frustrated with the situation (I was mid move, had to pay an extra month of rent in San Jose, CA to wait for my car to be repaired as well as hire movers instead of tow a trailer like I had planned) that I probably need to bail on BMW cars. This was bad timing for sure, but it's cost me thousands of dollars and I gave them a reasonable solution when I was told the first round of repairs would take 28 days. I wanted to return the used car for a full refund and buy a new one at 10% off MSRP and the dealer would not comply. I just like having very reliable tank like vehicles and should probably go back to Wrangler's as suggested earlier in this thread...