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Used 2011 BMW X5 Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
91 reviews
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Pros
Cons
4 out of 5 stars

Awesome machine

Joey, 08/03/2015
2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
24 of 24 people found this review helpful

This thing is a blast to drive, and a really good option for families with one or two kids. You can't beat the safety features; this thing's a tank. The only real concern with the X5 35d is the upkeep cost. If you consider the fuel economy, maybe it evens out...but doubtful. I can't say the repair cost is high, because we haven't had to actually have any repairs done (60k miles). The warranty covered a few sensors that needed to be replaced, but everything else has been routine. Don't bother with a dealership for oil changes. They will straight up lie to you. I had two local BMW shops tell me it's over $300 to change the oil and fill the DEF on my 35d. Order the Castrol oil, a filter and some DEF and do it in the driveway, or take it to a small shop and pay 15 bucks. Total cost for me was less than $100. If we can afford it in the future, we will certainly invest in another X-model. Let's hope we can squeeze 150k out of this one.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Pricey but Nicey

Phillip, 07/16/2015
updated 07/17/2017
2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
64 of 69 people found this review helpful

I suspect that a low mileage used X5 would be the way to go for most folks. We bit the bullit in 2010 and ordered ours with all of the options. At the time, there was a hefty rebate on the diesel and a tax incentive of $5k . My wife and I both drive it and it has 66,000 miles. Brakes, tires and a battery is all we have done to it. Regular dealer and good independent service have kept the cost down. You don't buy one of these to save money. You buy it for the driving experience, comfort and safety that the Beemer is famous for. We get about 30 mpg on the highway and 24 in town. I had the dealer install the BMW trailer hitch package and it is worth it. I'll pull a horse or big utility trailer with it easily. The hitch is rated at 6500 lbs, but the same car in europe is rated at 7700 lbs. The hitch kit from the dealer includes an integrated trailer brake system hooked into the computer. They re-program the computer to "know" the trailer and lights etc. The shift patterns change when a trailer is hooked up. Pretty good stuff. BMW says the transmission and some other fluids are for life. My mechanic says to change them out at about 80K. I tend to believe him as it makes sense that any fluid will break down over time. Would I buy one again? Absolutely. New? Probably not. Probably get another diesel with under 10K miles on it. They are around and priced well. UPDATE 7/15/2017 The repair costs make the car a poor value if you plan on keeping it. We are having lots of problems with the diesel emissions system that are running into several thousand dollars. BMW has sort of addressed the issue but not entirely, The have issued an "Extended warranty" on some components but the car is constantly in the shop. I suspect the gas version may be better. Stay away from the diesel or buy the extended warranty and sell it before the warranty expires.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Diesel Emission Controls are the worst.

Lemon Owner, 10/17/2018
updated 10/25/2019
2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful

My 2011 X35d is in the shop for the 5th time in 7 yrs. Each time emission repairs cost in the thousands of dollars. Have spent more on just emission repairs than the car is worth. Car was in the shop for 5 weeks two months ago. Car is in the shop now and has been for 3 weeks. All work done by BMW dealership. PUMA case initiated last visit because dealership can not figure out recurring emission problems. BMW corporate answer was continue to replace parts! Mercedes Benz and Volkswagon has the same problems with their diesel engines. None of the Germans have figured out a good emissions controls package to meet USA specs. Update: Emission problems continue. Car was in the shop for 7 consecutive months in 2018. Yes, I was without my BMW for 7 months. BMW could never figure out diesel emission faults. Replaced everything, including particulate filter. Final bill, this time, just over $7000! BMW offered no support, accepted no responsibility! Sold it. After being a dedicated BMW owner for almost 25 yrs, no more!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

X5 50i 9K mile whine update

x5, 10/22/2010
2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
25 of 27 people found this review helpful

My X5 50i is now 4 months old, has 9,000 miles and still whines at around 2,000 rpm, badly enough to embarrass a Lada driver. Apparently BMW is OK with that. However, if you complain enough you will discover that this problem is common to the X5 50i and the 750i which both have the same power train. Apparently BMW has now determined that the cause is a defective engine oil pump. The repair requires removing the front differential and axles, the front subframe, lifting the engine and removing 2 oil pans in order to replace the pump. This is documented on the Bimmerfest website, so I was not alone with this problem. Now, do I trust my Dealership to do this without screwing up my car?

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1 out of 5 stars

Nice drive but very unreliable. Beware.

Steve, 01/06/2018
2011 BMW X5 xDrive35i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
59 of 66 people found this review helpful

I bought my X5 new in 2011. It has had light use, only 67,000 miles. I have thousands on repairs, plus more than $4000 on regular service items post warranty. The warranty ran out in four years at 30,000. My only complaint during the warranty was the battery getting low in cold weather. BMW did not fix this problem. See the current list of repairs needed after the warranty: 1) Comfort door handles replaced $1200. Flat battery issue. 2) Battery replaced $480 including programming. (Before the item above). 3) Leaking casing on oil filter mount $400 4) Steering rack $6,800 5) Valvetronic motor and shaft $3500 6) Timing gear pulleys (3) $240. These are plastic and whine after 50’000. 7) Thrust arm bushings $720. 8) Hand brake electronic switch $250. 9) Water pump $500. (55,000) 10) Replacement comfort entry key plus programming $500. Tires (run flats) last around 20’000 miles and are $1400 each time. They get very noisy when replacement is getting near. If you get a puncture the tire cannot be repaired (officially) and they must be replaced in pairs, due to the Xdrive system. BMW will not replace break pads without rotors. Front is $820 and rear is $340. Drive Transfer box oil and filter change is $240 Note: 60’000 miles service was $2,200 including the spark plugs and timing belts. The spark plugs are $120 each without labor. The ultimate driving machine? Not quite. Maybe if you are in the BMW service business. Depreciation is shocking. $75,000 to $25,000 in four years, even with low miles. After six years you cannot give it away. My advice is, if you must have the BMW X5 make sure to sell it before the manufacturers warranty runs out. It’s actually is a great drive but not worth the hassle or high cost of ownership.

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