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BMW X5 Diesel Reliability

111 messages,  Last post on Mar 01, 2013 at 3:02 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, BMW X5, SUV

    

Messages Page 9 of 12

#73 of 111 Re: sunroof and urea [texases] by watkinst

Jan 28, 2010 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: texases (Jan 28, 2010 12:12 pm)
When a MB owner posts on a forum ticked off about the charges they are being charged for regarding Adblue or the 20,000 mile service or people who have not researched it at all and are posting BS like Adblue is expensive costs $300+ to refill so the vehicle is not worth the savings etc - I'm going to jump all over them for being a complete moron because they are being taken to the cleaners sucked clean of cash for something that is no different than filling their window washer bottle.
 
MB makes massive profit off those who fail to do even the most basic research to understand what adblue is and how it works. Shoot I don't change my own breaks - but I've done it once to know its a 30 minute job for a good tech and the material cost is nothing yet people are more than willing to write a check for $300-$600- $1000 to have undamaged yet properly worn break parts serviced.
 
Every time I take my cars in to a dealer I spend 10 minutes talking to the service rep and generally get a 30% decrease in parts and labor costs simply by calling them out on what they are truly doing.
 
Its your money spend it as you like. I like to keep my money even if I'm driving a landcruiser or MB.

#74 of 111 Re: sunroof and urea [watkinst] by pkh540

Jan 28, 2010 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: watkinst (Jan 28, 2010 12:20 pm)
You've made good points about replacing the AdBlu - I too do my own maintance (in fact just changed oil and replaced brakes on both my BMW540 and Land Cruiser in the past couple of months).
 
Not trying to pick an argument but what you've made are just claims. Have you actually researched warranty requirements, availability (at dealers let alone truck stops) and the ability to actually get to the tanks (and to rinse)? Will you need special tools (i.e. reset for the OBC)? Can you use VW AdBlu in a BMW? And, aren't the initial refills covered by the maintenance plan (at least by BMW... you've referred to th MB as well) which would kind of make this a mut argument considering the warranty would have expired by then as well?
 
IF I replace the TLC I am considering the BMW diesel and the items you've touched on are areas that I will want to research as well... so curious if you've done any.
 
PS - agree that getting "stranded" running out of AdBlu is a load of poppycock, that relying on "run-flats" is a huge mistake and that replacing "18" or sport tires and wheels on an SUV is a priority.

#75 of 111 Re: sunroof and urea [pkh540] by watkinst

Jan 28, 2010 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: pkh540 (Jan 28, 2010 2:05 pm)
BMW is kind enough to do their "adblue" refill at no charge when your doing the usual BMW service from what I have been told. Given I'm looking at 7 passenger rides the X5 was of no interest- but for the record the BMW diesel is over the top way more exciting than the MB regarding performance. The BMW ride and driving experience is much more ie sporty and accurate than the MB which is a big squishy and soft but thats well reported in the reviews too
 
The tank rinse info so far is from a MB guru whom I managed to corner for a bit. I wasn't able to sort out if the tank had a drain plug built into it but the Guru's comment was its so damn simple that washing all that brake dust crap off your wheels is a bigger more complex job. It would make sense they had a drain plug located in the tank or a simple process for draining the rinse. Most in trunk spare tire wheel well's have a plug in them also granted the Urea tank is sitting in the spare location and not actually the spare space its self.
 
As for all Auto manufacture warranty stuff there are always exceptions but nearly 100% of the time if you have documented proof that your vehicle was properly maintained with fluids and materials that meet the standard specs there is no way an Automaker can void your warranty because you did not have them work on your car. Regarding the adblue urea stuff - its all the same stuff there isn't really any reason for one to be dramatically different than the next. If your off warranty and are savy and science minded enough you could simply mix your own adblue with the proper items of course. The adblue concept is super simple and not complex at all.
 
Yes the tire run flat thing is actually a really big issue and I think that its actually starting to impact car choices for some people. Honda recently made it clear they were no longer doing run flats. I have a family member who had a recent AWD Sienna loved it! They were so fed up with the runflat issue they sold it.
 
For those with the runflat or finding they really like a vehicle sold with them. The SUV with the 2inch hitch - you could still run your run flats and have a spare handy for the road trips and get whats called a tiregate which mounts in the hitch and carries your spare. Then for local around home stuff you could simply store the spare and the tiregate in the side yard or shed etc. For those of you who would like to fully replace the runflat for proper wearing - lasting and performing SUV tires the choices would be a custom built tire carrier in most cases given BMW and MB will not sell their rear tire carriers in the US given a rear impact accident with a tire carrier can increase the repair costs and ding their consumer ratings. Not to mention its cheaper to place the cost of runflat replacements on the consumer than its is to add the cost of a proper tire carrier to the vehicle and further reduce your profit margin

#76 of 111 Re: sunroof and urea [pkh540] by watkinst

Jan 28, 2010 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: pkh540 (Jan 28, 2010 2:05 pm)
So far all my findings on the adblue fill is just having a funnel that works no different than making sure you have a funnel that lets you get oil or transmission fluid in that old Toyota. Or take your chances with spills etc.
 
The access is simple MB its in a tank under the rear trunk floor. BMW is probably very similar given there aren't that many places you can hide an additional 4-7gallon tank.
 
Adblue is all based on the same system - thus all the sources of urea for diesel emissions controls is essentially exactly the same and probably even supplied by one or two companies. So yes VW adblue or Audi adblue is going to be nearly or exactly the same stuff MB is willing to sell to you for 50% more money. Truck stops are starting to carry it given some trucks are running a nearly identical system. It won't surprise me one bit if Ford - Dodge and GM are all asked to incorporate this technology into their light duty trucks for now they get a free pass. But I know that CA has been eyeing all the light duty diesel pickups sporting 4inch exhaust pipes for some time now. Its only a matter of time before adblue is sold at any auto supply.

#77 of 111 Re: sunroof and urea [watkinst] by dcbmwowner

Jun 07, 2010 (11:55 am)

Replying to: watkinst (Jan 28, 2010 4:11 pm)
"The access is simple MB its in a tank under the rear trunk floor. BMW is probably very similar given there aren't that many places you can hide an additional 4-7gallon tank. "
 
I know this post is a few months old, but someone might read it. BMW's diesel exhaust fluid tank is in the engine compartment. Easy access. Just open the hood.
 
You don't need a funnel. The replacement fluid container's nozzle inserts into the vehicle's tank and prevents overflow and spills. My last service was at 12,000 miles and the exhaust fluid had not been depleted. The dealer just topped it off (free of course).

#78 of 111 Re: My new BMW X5 35D [palmharbor] by utk

Jan 09, 2011 (3:53 am)

Replying to: palmharbor (Jul 24, 2009 7:02 am)
I have a 2009 X5 Diesel only 3800miles so far I had taken the car to the dealer 6 times for a check engine light and they still havent been able to figure out what the problem is! However, BMW dealer is good at figuring out how to be rude and arrogant to the customer..has any anyone had the same problem?

#79 of 111 Re: My new BMW X5 35D [utk] by schanock

Apr 21, 2011 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: utk (Jan 09, 2011 3:53 am)
My son just purchased a 2009 x5 35D with 3800 miles on it and had a warning about his truck would not start atfer 180 miles because of the urea being low. He brought it back to dealer and they said they never heard of it because it was full.

#80 of 111 himesh by autosport

May 09, 2011 (1:03 am)

bmw x5 3.0i 2001 when I start up in morning reverse out my garage put it into drive and accelarte the revs just climb and the car does not move. then suddenly she will go. It only happens in the morning when engine is cold and only in drive not reverse. people tell me this is normal, due to some cold start. can anyone help. is this normal.

#82 of 111 BMW X5 Diesel Reliability by sjthomas

Sep 03, 2010 (8:05 am)

I am still debating regarding getting a diesel. It is tempting with all the current rebate offers from BMW and feds. Can anyone comment on the reliability of BMW diesels?
 
I currently drive a 2003 325i and hence I am biased for an X5. Wife wants an MDX because of the value but I don't get that kick in an MDX as I got in an X5 when I test drove both. I need a reliablie SUV for our occasional trips with kids that average around 1000 miles.
 
Any suggestions is really appreciated to make my decision easier.

Messages Page 9 of 12

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