In this section, you will find reviews from owners of BMW X5 E53 vehicles. If you have experience with BMW X5 E53 models, share it with others by submitting a review through the comment form. It will be published immediately after moderation.
About the Model
Vehicles from the Bavarian BMW group have long gained incredible popularity among drivers from different countries worldwide. In terms of sales volume, the company may lag behind Toyota or Nissan, but it ranks at the top in terms of revenue generated.
The brand's cars are in demand due to their superior assembly quality, design, reliability of main components, and units. BMW cars are synonymous with success. Many drivers leave plenty of positive comments about the models. Positive reviews about BMW X5 E53 confirm this thesis.
Review of BMW X5 E53: A Real Beast
I have been driving fives for a long time. Before BMW X5 E53, I owned E34 and E39 cars. I bought the car second-hand and have owned it for about 10 years. Before me, the crossover had only one owner who bought it new. The mileage at the time of purchase was 120,000 km. It is now 255,000 km.
In the review of BMW X5 E53, I want to highlight an important point. Over the years of ownership, there have been all sorts of things. I had to undergo scheduled maintenance and fix breakdowns urgently. However, the car is not fragile. Things may break, but the car does not fall apart. I have never felt any unreliability in the car. The car does have some issues. The most common failures are:
- valvetronic;
- front door handles;
- expansion tank.
Overall, I have not noticed any significant problems.
In terms of ownership cost, it's not favorable. In 2011, I had to pay 1,250,000 rubles. Over 10 years, I invested about 750,000 rubles in the car. So, in fact, the car became more expensive for me up to 2 million, but now I can sell it for 500-750 thousand.
In the review of BMW X5 E53, it is also worth noting the ease of finding spare parts. Original parts will be expensive, parts from disassembly will be cheaper, but their reliability is low. Chinese copies are cheap, but the quality is not great.
On the highway, the fuel consumption is about 10 liters. In the city, it increases by 2-3 liters per hundred kilometers. The oil consumption is approximately 400 grams per 1,000 km. Taxes are a pain. I have to pay 48,000 rubles per year. The crossover has a power of 320 horsepower.
BMW X5 E53 — a Reliable Car, if You Have the Money
I have been driving only crossovers for a long time, so I did not consider sedans for future purchases at all. I came across the BMW X5 E53 on an ad site, contacted the owner, viewed it, and decided to buy it. Overall, I have not encountered any major issues in 4 years of ownership.
Initially, there was pride, like look at me behind the wheel of an X5. A true me and a true X5. The emotions have passed. I started looking at the car more pragmatically. Overall, the review of BMW X5 E53 is positive. I recommend the purchase, but with one caveat. The car is suitable only for those who have the money:
- Over 4 years of ownership, the average annual repair and maintenance costs are 50-60 thousand.
- The car tax is just under 50,000 rubles.
It amounts to 100-110 thousand per year. Add fuel, insurance, and other expenses. It adds up. I don't boast about money; I try to approach finances sensibly. With small or unstable incomes, I would not consider buying this car.
In terms of off-road capability, BMW X5 E53 is a typical crossover. It is suitable for the city, some light off-road, but I wouldn't count on anything more challenging. It handles curbs without any problems, but I do not recommend going into the woods or swamps with this car.
Handling and dynamics are ideal. The car handles icy roads excellently; I have never experienced skidding on snowy roads during my ownership. Due to this factor, I want to give the BMW X5 E53 a big plus in the review. It accelerates briskly. Overtaking on the highway or in the city was never an issue.
The trunk is decent and spacious. Of course, you can't transport refrigerators in the car, but the model is not designed for such use.
Review of BMW X5 E53: Truth Without Embellishments
I had been aiming to buy a BMW X5 E53 for a long time, but I carefully examined the options on the market. I fundamentally did not consider buying a new car.
My position may seem strange to many, but it is what it is:
- I do not want to become a hostage to official dealers and pay for scheduled maintenance twice as much as the market average.
- A drop in value by 25-30% after a couple of months of ownership also does not please me.
First, two pieces of advice. There is a lot of junk in the used car market. Search carefully. During my search, I had to deal with many resellers, inspect salvaged vehicles, and even one that was water damaged. And all of them, without exception, claimed that the car was in perfect condition.
Now, onto the main points. In the review of BMW X5 E53, I want to highlight some aspects. I'll start with the issues. Most commonly, the following parts have failed for me:
- parktronic sensors;
- piston seal in the rear transmission drive;
- light control module;
- door handles (after winter washing, I recommend handling the elements very carefully).
The sound control module is located very low. Those who like to take the car for a swim may destroy this component within a couple of months of use. I recommend considering relocation options. When buying a used car, it is better to have 100-150 thousand in reserve. Sellers rarely engage in pre-sale preparation to perfection. So, something may break in the first few months.
