[Tjalle]

Unfortunately my MY-97 9000 AERO with only 270.000 km on the clock is not for sale. The Scania developed and manufactured engine will run for ever.

[kspr030]

Thank you all for you help. Useful and its very much appreciated.

I must say I'm quite amazed to be steered away from buying a BMW on a BMW enthusiasts forum and rather get Honda, Volvo and Mazda etc recommendations haha

I'm btw also totally open for a Xdrive Wagon. Harder to find in the US than in Europe.
Any recommendations on those?

FYI - I ride an '08 550i, 109k miles now and its still the best thing ever.

I'll keep you posted what I end up doing.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by kspr030

I must say I'm quite amazed to be steered away from buying a BMW on a BMW enthusiasts forum and rather get Honda, Volvo and Mazda etc recommendations haha

I'm btw also totally open for a Xdrive Wagon. Harder to find in the US than in Europe.
Any recommendations on those?

I understood this vehicle is for your wife. For my spouse, reliability is a higher priority than performance. It was on this basis I suggested if your budget is $20K you might consider other brands before buying a BMW X3 with 100K miles for your wife.

I sold my 2010 BMW 535ix wagon with 64,000 miles for about $20K a few months ago. If you can find a similar 5 series (E61) wagon in good condition and relatively low miles it would be worth considering. My wagon had non-run flat tires with a full size spare. The N54 engine by the 2010 model year had solved the hp fuel pump problems that plagued earlier years and was very reliable in my experience. The 535 wagon handles like a sedan and carries cargo comparable to many SUVs. There is currently a 2010 535 wagon listed on Autotrader near Portland for $19K with under 57,000 miles. PM sent with more information.

Good hunting.

[kspr030]

Yeah I know. I have to keep in mind its not for me haha

[kspr030]

Whats your guys take on a 2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i with 65k miles?
More reliable?
Less issues?

Seen a very nice one for sale!!

thank you

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by kspr030

Whats your guys take on a 2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i with 65k miles?
More reliable?
Less issues?

Seen a very nice one for sale!!

thank you

The lower mileage on this X5 may be a plus. FWIW, Consumer Reports judges the reliability of the 2011 X5 to be much worse than average for used vehicles. Minor engine issues, climate system, fuel system and audio system are each listed as much worse than average for reliability and the drive train is worse than average.

Consumer Reports judges a 2013 X3 to be average in reliability with no problem area identified as worse than average for used 2013 vehicles. For comparison, the 2011 X3 is judged worse than average perhaps due to the fact the F25 X3 was introduced that year.

[kspr030]

thanks again for the help

Most people here commented that buying a bmw with 90k was not a good idea so I looked for something less miles, sounds like that is still not issue free.

I must say I'm getting slightly confused now. Per discussed above I was under the assumption that the 2013 and beyond X3 engines were no good and I would have to go search for rather older. The consumer reviews of X3 of 2008-2010 are not good either and lot of complaints. Hence I was steered towards 2010-2012 window. And yes landed on X5. But now 2010-2013 is also bad haha. Im starting to conclude that basically every year and any bmw engine has issues and is not cheap to repair. So if I want a BMW SUV for the wife doesnt really matter which one ?

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by kspr030

I must say I'm getting slightly confused now. Per discussed above I was under the assumption that the 2013 and beyond X3 engines were no good and I would have to go search for rather older. The consumer reviews of X3 of 2008-2010 are not good either and lot of complaints. Hence I was steered towards 2010-2012 window. And yes landed on X5. But now 2010-2013 is also bad haha. Im starting to conclude that basically every year and any bmw engine has issues and is not cheap to repair. So if I want a BMW SUV for the wife doesnt really matter which one ?

Keep in mind that Consumer Reports rates vehicle reliability relative to averages for the model year. It is not uncommon for an average vehicle to have 1 to 3% of a given year with a specific problem. Accordingly, even much worse than average may represent a minor percentage of a given model with these problems.

Condition and prior care of a vehicle may be more significant than the model in determining reliability. Select the vehicle you desire, but a thorough pre-purchase check and informed due diligence may be prudent. Good luck.

[kspr030]

I hear you.

Im seeing the car in person Saturday
I have the carfacts as well as the www.BMWDecoder.com full dealer history report. Looks all solid.
I have a full throughough independent inspection planned Monday.

Lets see...

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by kspr030

I hear you.

Im seeing the car in person Saturday
I have the carfacts as well as the www.BMWDecoder.com full dealer history report. Looks all solid.
I have a full throughough independent inspection planned Monday.

Lets see...

Really the bottom line is all used BMWs have their issues and can be expensive to repair. Remember, you are on a BMW enthusiast forum and people are telling you to steer clear, that should be a red flag to you. I will tell you, I have a 2011 X3 xdrive 28i with an N52 engine that I bought new. It currently has 75,000 miles on it. While it has been so so reliability wise and hasn't ever left me stranded thus far, it has been far from perfect.

[kspr030]

Originally Posted by Barbera335

Really the bottom line is all used BMWs have their issues and can be expensive to repair. Remember, you are on a BMW enthusiast forum and people are telling you to steer clear, that should be a red flag to you. I will tell you, I have a 2011 X3 xdrive 28i with an N52 engine that I bought new. It currently has 75,000 miles on it. While it has been so so reliability wise and hasn't ever left me stranded thus far, it has been far from perfect.

Agreed, then again, so far all options/years/mileages were suggested to steer away from. Only provided 'solutions' were to not buy a BMW... So the red flag is actually about the car make, which is fascinating on a BMW 'enthusiast' forum.

[Asianoak]

I honestly wouldn't take this as a knock against BMW so much as a very clear indication of the type of buyer that purchases a BMW new (or any premium vehicle for that matter). In my experience, many people badge shop and don't properly care for the vehicles and therefore when shopping the used car market you're left sifting through a lot of poorly maintained vehicles that unfortunately do not properly represent the initial quality of said brand due to receiving bare bones minimum recommended service since new.
I found this out the hard way with my first BMW both from a buyer's perspective and owner who didn't properly maintain it. With all subsequent vehicles I've shopped carefully and taken my time... and maintained them to the old school maintenance schedule and have found them to be incredibly reliable.
The last thought I'll leave you with is that this is an enthusiast site. So many of us have high expectations of our vehicles. I hear creaks and groans and other nvh that nobody else does and they drive me insane. But when I hop into a friends Honda, Chevy or whatever I'm suddenly reminded just how solid BMWs really are and that I'm actually just super picky.

[Tjalle]

What has been said before -you have to take into account that BMW/"premium" shops charge about 50% more than regular shops - unless you, like me, have a "star" BMW mechanic open a shop close by.