[Jastevenson]

Hi all,

Have been looking closely at the X5 and really like it. I prefer to purchase vehicles and keep them for at least 6 years. However, it seems like 95% of people I see on here leased rather than bought.

Has anyone actually purchased their X5? What are your thoughts on the risks of out of warranty ownership of an advanced vehicle like this one, particularly a first year model...

Thanks!

[TK421BMW]

I had my e70 for 10 years. I decided to lease because it's year 1 of a complete redesign with lots of new tech. Or rather I should say, new to BMW. I would wait a year to get all the kinks worked out if going to buy.

[mattsrs]

I kept going back and forth between lease vs buy for my g05 but ended up leasing. I don't plan to keep the car more than 3-4 years and I don't drive more than usual mileage so buying didn't make sense for me financially

[LexxM3]

Bimmers are driver's cars and as weird as it is to say at these price points, they are a (relative) bargain in that category. Hence the desire to drive one. It is also pretty consistent that bimmers are at best average reliability (it's no Toyota), yet very expensive to repair. Take that all together, for me, I will never again a) operate a bimmer not covered by some kind of significant warranty, and b) operate a bimmer I cannot eventually return at known financial commitment level. Hence leases from now on.

I may end up buying out the lease and extend the warranty at the end if, by then, it turns out this X5 is reliable. As such, I will take excellent care of the car during the lease. But history is not on my side for this outcome.

[ILM_X5]

I bought mine outright.

[frank19x5]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Bimmers are driver's cars and as weird as it is to say at these price points, they are a (relative) bargain in that category. Hence the desire to drive one. It is also pretty consistent that bimmers are at best average reliability (it's no Toyota), yet very expensive to repair. Take that all together, for me, I will never again a) operate a bimmer not covered by some kind of significant warranty, and b) operate a bimmer I cannot eventually return at known financial commitment level. Hence leases from now on.

I may end up buying out the lease and extend the warranty at the end if, by then, it turns out this X5 is reliable. As such, I will take excellent care of the car during the lease. But history is not on my side for this outcome.

My thoughts exactly. Did the same with my current car. Wasn't happy with all the issues, so I'm returning it at the end of the lease. Makes things a lot easier.

[MystroX5]

No, not 95% lease BMW’s. Perhaps 70% lease entry level BMW’s but you will find most people that buy their cars outright don’t advertise it on forums so you won’t get a real world picture.

For the record, I only buy all my vehicles. I was discussing this topic with my local BMW dealer sales manager and in my area it seems to be that the higher end models are almost always purchased and the lower priced models like the 3 series and similar price point vehicles are leased more.
It’s designed to get aspirational buyers into the brand easier. It’s always been that way with luxury brands. MB is the king of leasing deals with their entry level vehicles. In my experience with Porsche over the last 28 years that 911’s are always purchased in my area as they are enthusiast and not brand flaunting.

[Xeno]

G05 owner here.

[jimv03]

I bought mine. Plan to keep it for 6+ years, if dependable.

[skalberti]

Bought this G05 as well as my previous 8 BMW's

[Tenac]

I have always purchased, since I tend to put many miles on and so far been keeping a very respectable down payment from sell/trade of current one for the new one.

Something I have always done, is take the payment of two vehicles (wife and mine) say is X. If we trade or buy another vehicle and its less that of what X was I take the remainder and put it in a savings account for the next down payment. That does two things for us, keeps us always at a car payment we are comfortable with and in some cases allows me to buy a more expensive car with larger down payment. Typically keep car for 5-7 years. So it adds up from time to time.

[dream54ing]

We always purchase out right or a good chunk of it to not worry about payments. If no major problems, drive it for 5-8yrs, before we upgrade. Usually wife gets the new one and i get a hand me down. If this X5 holds up, I'm getting the X6 or M5

[ScottMZ3]

Lease ours. We like the relatively ease of just getting a new car every 3 years. Works well for us!

[davramic]

Bought mine. I did a BMW lease twice and when they go through at the end and look at the wear and tear of the vehicle and if you go over miles... wow. Got a huge penalty both times. Not a fan of leases; life throws you a curve ball at all and you will pay through the nose!

[bmwmgens]

Originally Posted by CLT_X5

I bought mine outright.

[IMG][/IMG]

[edikam]

I purchased mine, No lease.

[sygazelle]

I bought my wife's G05 just as I have each of the previous 4 BMWs. That approach has worked well for us because we buy them well optioned and keep them for years after the payments stop.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by bmwmgens

[IMG][/IMG]

Don’t laugh at this but I have purchased vehicles before with cash. There was a cash discount available so I brought in cash.

[splitsensetam]

Originally Posted by Jastevenson

Hi all,

Have been looking closely at the X5 and really like it. I prefer to purchase vehicles and keep them for at least 6 years. However, it seems like 95% of people I see on here leased rather than bought.

Has anyone actually purchased their X5? What are your thoughts on the risks of out of warranty ownership of an advanced vehicle like this one, particularly a first year model...

Thanks!

I don't have an G05 but I purchased my 17 F15 and also plan on keeping it 7 years or more. If you have Geico you can opt for the mechanical breakdown coverage and it and covers most items. Not many exclusions. There is a 250 deductible but that's nothing when you have 3k of repairs paid for. You can only purchase the MB coverage when purchased new and pretty cheap for it. for me its $300 7 years.

[Jameskohn]

I purchase all of my cars, mostly for the flexibility of having the choice of when to get out of it. I find that with the higher end cars the tipping point is around 3 years. If I get rid of the car before three years my cost would have been lower if I had leased. Once I get to around three years of ownership it’s a break even, and after three years I generally come out ahead.
About 5 years ago I bought a 6 Series Gran Coup. After 6 months I wanted out. I took a huge beating, but that was my decision. I then went and purchased a Range Rover Sport Supercharged. I ended up liking that SUV more than I thought I would. It’s been trouble free and a blast to drive, so I’ve kept it for 4 years. My cost of ownership was really quite good, much better than if I’d leased it. I’m trading it in for the new X5 (50i) this week and I hope I have as good an experience with the new X5 as I did with the Range Rover, and that I’ll want to keep it for four years too.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Jastevenson

Hi all,

Have been looking closely at the X5 and really like it. I prefer to purchase vehicles and keep them for at least 6 years. However, it seems like 95% of people I see on here leased rather than bought.

Has anyone actually purchased their X5? What are your thoughts on the risks of out of warranty ownership of an advanced vehicle like this one, particularly a first year model...

Thanks!

People lease cars for a bunch of different reasons. Searching The Google will yield results from "Leasing is the only way to get a car" to "It's the stupidest thing you can ever do".

Some lease to avoid spending cash so they can use that cash for supposedly financially smarter uses.

Others lease because the monthy lease amount is lower than payments on a loan and they then, in their mind, can "afford" a nicer car than they could if they bought the car.

Others lease because they like their cars in warranty and don't want the risk of an expensive repair.

Depending on a person's financial situation and risk aversion level, leasing is either a good thing or a bad thing.

Personally, I'd rather purchase and keep for awhile and not have perpetual payments.

Hard choice. Whatever you decide, enjoy your new G05!

[FreddyBMW]

Bought mine too.

No interest in paying the interest. However, leasing has its own pros and cons; just a few here;

Pros;
1. Returning a leased car allows you to get a newer thing to try out.
2. Don't care about faults, recalls, negative feedback, performance, depreciation, aging etc. about the car

Cons;
1. More liabilities on you as the car is not your property
2. Mileage anxiety
3. Returning in the shape it was given to you
4. Paying some extra $$ (comparing to if had bought and sold in three years)