Used 2003 BMW X5 4.6is AWD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A) Consumer Reviews
Used X5 for sale
Honest E53 X5 review
burts_dog, Redmond, WA, 06/02/2013
updated 12/17/2024
BMW X5 4.6is AWD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
88 of 91 people found this review helpful
Took a chance buying a used 2003 X5 4.6 with about 75,000 miles. Have put about 47,000 miles on it so far. Have used as my daily driver for the last 8 years, but I would not consider it a commuter nor long distance car. Wrong tool for those jobs. Best as a hot rod Sunday driver or for short drives to the lake towing 2 wave runners or a boat. Poor stock radio. You'll want to replace the radio 'head unit' so factor $500 to $1,000. Very comfortable, plush seats. Fit and finish of interior for 2003 is good. Ride on rough pavement too harsh for most people (mainly due to the big 20" wheels and low profile tires of the 4.6is). One thing critics overlook is this X5 was built to tow 6,000 pounds, so it can do more than drive around looking cool. Lots of torque and power. Quick 0-60. Snaps your head back, no problem. More than most people will ever use. Could you take this car to 300K? Maybe, if gentle. I've heard the weak spot is the transmission so I would not abuse it. For example, I do not drive downhill while the transmission is in 'sport mode' as the shifts tend to be harsh. There is really no need to be in sport mode driving downhill anyway. Probably best as a 2nd car for carving back roads on sunny days. I wouldn't beat it up commuting. There are better cars for that. Did I mention this car can corner? You can definitely hang corners. It's like two different cars. Around town it's a bit bumpy and overkill. But in the canyons it carves like a race car. If you want to keep one of these long term there are a few maintenance items you will need to address. You can perform these fixes yourself if you have time and inclination; timing chain guides, valley pan, vanos, driveshaft spline. You can Google them and see what is involved. Also possibly gasket behind the water cooled alternator housing. Or, look for a car that's had some or all of these things done already. Not all of them need to be done right away. Just depends on the mileage and how the car was driven. There is also a cold weather oil separator issue fix but those in moderate climates don't need it. Everyone worries over the plastic timing chain guides but the owner of the euro indie shop down the street told me not to worry about it, that in all his years working in X5's he has never actually encountered an example of the plastic timing chain guides failing. Good idea to do regular oil changes and change the timing chain guide tensioner every now than then. 12/15/2024 Still have the X5. Went on a 3hr drive last night. Car is doing well at 122K miles. Only issue I've had is that I've been though 3 alternators in 12 years. Or maybe 4. I lost track. Not sure it's the car's fault. The last rebuilt alternator did not look great. The current one from DB Electric looks much better.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Careful before you buy an X5 used!
Rizzo, 12/29/2007
BMW X5 4.6is AWD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
Bought new in 2003 and worked great when it was under warranty but everything went wrong when the car reached 50,000 miles this year. Cooling system is leaking everywhere, power steering is leaking fluid at bushings, parking distance control often stops working, and much more. It is a fun, comfortable SUV that is a blast to drive but compared to the last BMW we owned (a 1993 3 series) it is not very reliable ($5000+ in less than 10 weeks is unacceptable).
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X5 4.6
albie alphin, 11/18/2008
BMW X5 4.6is AWD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Fun to drive, very fast. Living in Boston where it is full of annoying potholes it is tough on the suspension. Year round Toyo Prox tires are the way to go! I am getting bored now so I am purchasing some Dinan products to enhance performance and sound.
More Fun than Comfortable
Peter C, 02/10/2006
BMW X5 4.6is AWD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
While I love driving my 4.6IS there are times that I wish I had bought the 4.4 in hopes that it would be a firm and sporty suspension without riding like a corvette (but it's great to be able to keep up with most sports cars). The 4.6IS is incredible fun, awesome styling, and full of luxury. My only criticism is that it doesn't ride as smooth as my Lexus LS400 I traded in for it (no surprise there). I would buy another one tomorrow...
Sports Car Performance, Business Require
Art Lippois, 02/10/2005
BMW X5 4.6is AWD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Want a car that takes you back to the muscle car power of the 60's, but with the comfort of a cadillac on long trips? Do you need a ride to comfortably take customers to sites both in urban and rural areas during all kinds of weather? Want the space to carry display items or large boxes for business? Do you have to travel 300 to 400 miles sometimes at night in unknown areas with little or no open gas stations because of the hour of your travel? Finally, do you want to have to use your cruise control because there is no way you can tell your speed without looking at the speedometer?If this sounds like a vehicle that fits your requirements, then the BMW X5 is for you. All class, all smiles.