[starfly]

The G05 X5 appears to be a pretty reliable vehicle according to Consumer Reports. In particular the B58 engine + ZF8 transmission should be practically bomb proof, so nothing much to worry about there.

But besides the drivetrain, a car can have other issues that are common. For the X5 what are the most common issues? What is stuff that will likely popup throughout the life of owning the car? What are items that need extra care to ensure it doesn't break or wear out prematurely? What are things that need to be maintained religiously to ensure it keeps running?

I'd be looking at the xdrive40i, probably lightly used with <10K miles if I can find one. Otherwise <20K miles. Not interested in the PHEV as the added complexity will likely have issues down the road (seems like all manufacturers struggle with PHEV except Toyota).

This would be my first BMW, coming from a Toyota. Not expecting the same ownership experience from a reliability standpoint (my Toyota literally only needs fluid changes and nothing else), and that's fine.

[eluded]

Wonder if the transfer case issue has been fully resolved.

[BlkGS]

In modern times, software is usually the weak spot, followed by failed electronics. You don't see a lot of mechanical failures anymore in modern cars.

[SteVTEC]

Welcome to the club from another long-time CR reader.

I jumped ship back in 2011 after a pretty lousy Toyota experience and haven't looked back. The reality check for me back then was that if BMW's were really so unreliable with all of those black circles in CR, so many people wouldn't be driving them as I was having my RAV4 towed out of my driveway. Picked up a 2011 E93 335i which I still own, and the next year got a 2012 E70 X5d for my wife, which we kept for 6 years. Both were more reliable than my 07 RAV4 V6 was, which was in the shop constantly for recalls and misc repairs, electrical issues, transmission replacement, etc. on top of driving like crap. Just picked up a '22 X5 x40i with 3k miles.

For long-term ownership, I would say gaskets and oil leaks, cooling system stuff breaking, and extra electronic junk that you don't need not working would be the big BMW things. Smart money is definitely on the x40i for long-term ownership. If I wanted a hybrid or a PHEV I would stick with a Toyota or Lexus also, as that's what their core competency is, and I don't think BMW has ever made a reliable V8. Avoid first (and second) year models, and avoid any and all brand spanking new tech from BMW and German automakers as a whole. They don't have a good track record here, but no one is immune! My RAV4 was a second year model and thought it would be fine. Nope. Most of the problems I had with it were eventually resolved, but not until subsequent model years.

Hoping we can get a solid 10 years out of the G05 I just picked up, but we'll see. It's fantastic to drive and puts smiles on both of our faces here.

[formerE36M3/4/5]

Originally Posted by eluded

Wonder if the transfer case issue has been fully resolved.

I guess BMW has much the same problem as Porsche on xfer cases'? Porsche warranties the cases' for 7 years now, does BMW do the same?

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by formerE36M3/4/5

I guess BMW has much the same problem as Porsche on xfer cases'? Porsche warranties the cases' for 7 years now, does BMW do the same?

I would avoid the staggered wheel setups if you want to avoid the transfer case issue. oil pump is potential $6000 issue on our 27,000 mile 2019 X5. Still arguing with the dealer as it's out of warranty. After 5 BMWs since E46, this will likely be my last.

[eluded]

unfortunately, no.

Originally Posted by formerE36M3/4/5

I guess BMW has much the same problem as Porsche on xfer cases'? Porsche warranties the cases' for 7 years now, does BMW do the same?

[roamio]

If reliability is your priority - get Toyota (or Honda).

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by roamio

If reliability is your priority - get Toyota (or Honda).

Just an FYI

Originally Posted by starfly

This would be my first BMW, coming from a Toyota. Not expecting the same ownership experience from a reliability standpoint (my Toyota literally only needs fluid changes and nothing else), and that's fine.

[JoeAyalaM]

Originally Posted by eluded

Wonder if the transfer case issue has been fully resolved.

I could not find in this forum many reports of Transfer Cases issues beyond MY2019 units.

If there are, please let us know the details so new owners may take preventive measures.

[David3]

I believe transfer case issue are mainly due to mismatched (brand, not size) tires front to back. The diameters must be very close or problems can develop. This was the case with my F10 550i xdrive. I avoided mismatching tires on my F15 X5 and no transfer case issues at 117k miles and counting. The F10 did NOT have staggered wheels, the F15 does. My G05 does NOT have staggered wheels (yea!).

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by David3

I believe transfer case issue are mainly due to mismatched (brand, not size) tires front to back. The diameters must be very close or problems can develop. This was the case with my F10 550i xdrive. I avoided mismatching tires on my F15 X5 and no transfer case issues at 117k miles and counting. The F10 did NOT have staggered wheels, the F15 does. My G05 does NOT have staggered wheels (yea!).

The only plausible reason tirr brand could matter is if you had one set of tires with more grip/drag than the other, constantly forcing a speed mismatch. That could MAYBE do it... But that'd be a really terrible transfer case design if so.

Tires are going to wear unevenly front to back due to weight distribution, sizing, usage, etc. A transfer case should be able to accommodate that without grenading.

[VegasX5702]

My Independent BMW shop said the following issues are common with G05 6 cylinder (B58): Valve cover replacement ($1,400), Oil pan replacement ($2,500), and they recommend a transmission fluid and filter change every 50K miles for the ZF-8 transmission ($1,000).

I just bought a 2020 X5 xDrive4.0 with 44K miles, and I know that the valve cover is plastic, but I've read somewhere that in 2020 they went with a non-plastic oil pan? In terms of my personal experience, I have remote iDrive updates available but it won't update for me, for some reason. I am also experiencing a slight shutter with my xDrive at low speeds, so I intend to take it to the dealership to have both that and the software update looked at. BMW has SIBs for both issues, (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...76367-9999.pdf) for the xDrive shutter, and (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...14254-9999.pdf) for the remote software update.

I am coming from a 2005 Toyota Matrix, and while it was overall very reliable car (only had to replace the starter, and the AC compressor / condenser), it was very boring to drive. This X5 is my 3rd BMW, and fell in love with it immediately after getting in it and test driving it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by VegasX5702

My Independent BMW shop said the following issues are common with G05 6 cylinder (B58): Valve cover replacement ($1,400), Oil pan replacement ($2,500), and they recommend a transmission fluid and filter change every 50K miles for the ZF-8 transmission ($1,000)..

Given what we have seen on the forum you can ignore the information they gave you. I can't remember seeing a singles instance of either needing to be replaced but could be a few. Either way, those are definitely not common issues.

BMW does not recommend changing the fluid/filter and ZF says it could be done at a bit over 90k miles.

[Daedalus0101101]

Greetings. Not trying to Hijack here, but I just picked up my first BMW ever at the beginning of the month. Grabbed a 2021 X5 xDrive 40i in Phytonic Blue/Cognac interior with 22K on the clock. It also has the M Sport package with Shadowline trim. I can happily report that I am very pleased with it so far and it does put a smile on my face when I drive it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Daedalus0101101

Greetings. Not trying to Hijack here, but I just picked up my first BMW ever at the beginning of the month. Grabbed a 2021 X5 xDrive 40i in Phytonic Blue/Cognac interior with 22K on the clock. It also has the M Sport package with Shadowline trim. I can happily report that I am very pleased with it so far and it does put a smile on my face when I drive it.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your X5. Good luck, enjoy and be safe.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Given what we have seen on the forum you can ignore the information they gave you. I can't remember seeing a singles instance of either needing to be replaced but could be a few. Either way, those are definitely not common issues.

BMW does not recommend changing the fluid/filter and ZF says it could be done at a bit over 90k miles.

Agreed, the only other "common" B58 issue is the dreaded oil filter housing leak which was also common on N-series and wasn't that hard to fix. Since BMW in their infinite wisdom decided to move the oil filter and timing chain to the rear of the block, what was once an average difficulty of repair is now considered extremely difficult (due to having to remove the liquid cooled intake manifold) and the dealer charges accordingly.

[GREENPUS]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

In modern times, software is usually the weak spot, followed by failed electronics. You don't see a lot of mechanical failures anymore in modern cars.

I ordered my 2021 X6 in Feb 2021 and it now has 21000-ish miles driven by me and had several drivetrain issues and all have been resolved by updated software.

[formerE36M3/4/5]

Originally Posted by magbarn

Agreed, the only other "common" B58 issue is the dreaded oil filter housing leak which was also common on N-series and wasn't that hard to fix. Since BMW in their infinite wisdom decided to move the oil filter and timing chain to the rear of the block, what was once an average difficulty of repair is now considered extremely difficult (due to having to remove the liquid cooled intake manifold) and the dealer charges accordingly.

You have got to be frickin' kidding me!

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by formerE36M3/4/5

You have got to be frickin' kidding me!

I just looked at the procedure, he's not wrong.

[parabola]

Looking at the X5 at the local dealer, I am curious what was wrong with it that it ended up as a trade at a Honda store.Hoping to check it out this weekend.
Is the air suspension troublesome on this particular X5?

https://www.moonhonda.com/used/BMW/2...77a98cb2d8.htm

[jayfeinst]

Originally Posted by parabola

Looking at the X5 at the local dealer, I am curious what was wrong with it that it ended up as a trade at a Honda store.Hoping to check it out this weekend.
Is the air suspension troublesome on this particular X5?

https://www.moonhonda.com/used/BMW/2...77a98cb2d8.htm

People get in things they can't afford. Also, just FYI, for $4K more than that, I got a similar model CPO from BMW.....