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Used 2009 BMW X5 Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
62 reviews

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4 out of 5 stars

Buy one, love it, and be prepared for maintenance

Eric, 06/27/2016
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
57 of 58 people found this review helpful

As a good friend said to me before I bought my first bimmer, they don't break often, but when they do, its expensive. This car is no exception. That being said I buy low priced, high quality cars. I prefer them depreciated from their showroom pricing, but in good condition. We bought our 2009 BMW X5 with 92K on it. In the last 24 months we have spent about 6-7K in repairs. The car does need special therapy. The tight tolerances of the sensors, the tight standards of the brakes, tires, wheel bearings, and glow plugs mean constant mechanic massaging. BUT!!!! When this car is running right(80% of the time) it is simply the best car I have ever driven. Insanely fast, stable, and powerful. With snow tires I have conquered the toughest storms that Colorado can throw at me. Do yourself a favor. Buy one of these cars with 90-100K on it, set aside $6K in repair dollars(that is still half of the original sticker price) and you will own a great car. A really great car.

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

leaky, and sealless oil and water

Gene, 07/18/2015
updated 07/29/2024
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
175 of 186 people found this review helpful

My wife and I are over 70 and do not drive aggressively. The car was never red lined or even close. The car is fun to drive but very expensive with excessive repairs. All recommended maintenance, oil changes, brake pads, brake flushing, alignment, etc. were done on or ahead of schedule. The car has 85,000 miles on it and has had over $14,000 in out of factory warranty repairs. The dealer labor is $150+ an hour and the dealer parts are 1.3 to 3 times more than the same OEM part when available outside. The AC leaked during the 50,000 warranty and a connection hose was replaced. Everything else failed and was repaired after 50,000 and by 85,000 miles. Most failures have been acknowledged by the dealer and on the internet to be a common failures on a BMW V8 engine. Repairs: Head light washer nozzle came off and was replaced. Water tank split at seam and was replaced. Vacuum pump leaked and was replaced. Oil seals on front of engine leaked and were replaced. Front end bushings were worn and were replaced. Engine valve cover gaskets leaked and were replaced. Engine Valve seals leaked and were replaced. Fuel pump leaked vacuum and was replaced. I recommend you not own this car after 50,000 miles unless you have an extended warranty. Thank goodness i had one. Update The car now has 106,000 miles on it. The fuel pump has been replaced again. My extended warranty company has spent over $21,000 in repairs at the Dealership. BMW issued a recall over a year ago on the passenger air bag but has not replaced it yet. I stand by my earlier report. UPdate again The car has 111,000 miles on it. The passenger seat airbag recall has not been replaced. BMW does not have the new airbag but they continue to sell new cars with. presumably new good air bags! At my last dealer inspection, I was told I needed to replace my rear brake shoes which had less than 3 mils thickness left. It had only been 25,000 miles since the original pads which lasted 85,000 were replaced. I took the car to a second dealer. The rear brake shoes had 6/7 mils. The original dealer rechecked again and confirmed their mistake. The car seems to runs and drives fine but the valve clicking noise outside the car is excessive. I am told this is normal. Although not recommended, I had transmission fluid and differential fluid changed, and have engine oil changed every 10,000 to 11,000 miles (not the recommended 15,000 or when the service light indicates). The car now has 112,000 miles on it. Here is an update BMW finally replaced both front air bags Air bags that were not available from BMW North America for years were suddenly available within a couple if months after I received a notice from a lawyer announcing a class action law suit. The water pump failed and was replaced. cost $800. The tensioner pulley bearing was starting to make a noise and i had it the belt the tensioner and the thermostat replaced at the same time. The dealer charged me two separate labor charges although 80% of the labor time was redundant until I complained, another $600 reduced to $350 after the labor charge reduction. The transmission started slipping and was just replaced with an independant rebuild at a cost of $7,000. It would have been $10,000 at the dealer using the BMW rebuild! The mechanic said BMW water pumps fail between 50,000 and 100,000 miles and transmissions at between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. Again, reliability sucks! Update review 7/23/2019 Thank goodness no major failures since last report. Normal maintenance Replaced left tie rod end at 115,000 miles because could not adjust for perfect alignment. Cost $600 at independent. Replaced brake rotors and pads all around at 122,000 miles. Dealer was shocked that we got 60,000 miles on first replacement but we are easy on brakes, no rapid stops. Stayed with BMW parts but used an independent. Cost $1,200, mostly parts. Dealer price was $2,000 on what is now a $9,000 car! My recommendation is the same. Fun to drive but count on $ thousands for repairs if out of warranty. Independent labor rate is 30% to 40% less than dealer. $190 to $100/$150 per hour. Driving has been much less. The car now has 132,000 miles. Has a small leak around oil filter gasket. Costs $800 to replace gasket. Doesn't use oil since valve seals replaced. Change every 8/9,000 miles or yearly, not 15,000 recommended. Temperature AC control sometimes requires hitting max to come on when just starting. Bombarded with extended warranty calls. They want $3,000 to $4,000 to cap coverage at wholesale value of $7,000 drivetrain only and argue about coverage. I am on borrowed time and taking a chance but remember, valve seals, transmission, AC compressor, water pump, fuel pump twice, have already been replaced and I am maintaining above recommendations. Over $35,000 in repairs, mostly covered by two extended warranties. I am not counting maintenance like tires, brake pads, oil changes, Update July, 2022 Car now has 142,000 miles. Less driving since covid. Normal maintenance including front brake pads and rotors at $1,200, front struts at $1,600 both from independent shops. The dealer prices were much higher. I have the oil changed every 6,000 miles instead of the recommended 15,000. Now leaking a quart through the valve seals on the way to another $6,000. I have completely abandoned an extended warranty. Coverage limited to $3,000/$5,000 wholesale value and they what to install used or after market parts. I like the way it drives but do not buy this car unless you can afford a couple of thousand dollars or more per year for repairs plus normal maintenance. You also need to know something about car maintenance and repairs. Update at 147,000 Since the pandemic, the annual mileage is down to 5,000 a year. The latest repair was for a water leak. To replace the water pump seal, $2,000 with an independent. You have to drain the radiator and move it to get at the water pump to replace the seal. Two other leaks not bad enough to repair yet. One is the valve cover gaskets which were replaced at 80,000, when the valve seals were replaced. You must also replace the valve covers which are plastic and warp, total cost $2,000 to $3,000 at the independent, double at the dealer. The seals are a few dollars. The labor is $100 to $200 an hour. The car is worth $3,000 to $5,000. Again, count on at least a couple of thousand annually for a used BMW repairs beyond the normal maintenance for things like fluid flushes, oil changes, break pads, tires, etc. Be careful about an extended warranty. They are usually capped at the wholesale value of the car, cumulative over the warranty period, permit the use of used parts when available at the discretion of the warranty company, require documentation of recommended maintenance. January 2024 My X5 now has 152,000 miles. Will need new brake pads in another 3,000 miles. Current BMW pads have lasted half as long as previous BMW sets. Don't know about the rotors yet. Car driven 7,000 miles in 2023. I am told the motor mounts will need replacing shortly, this would be the second time. Oil drops 1 quart between 5,000 changes. Rebuilt transmission shifts ok but the sequence and timing of the shift seems to vary more on the same terrain.) I am now using independent shop which specializes in BMW. Parts are the same price but the labor is half and the mechanic is more experienced.

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

Quality issues ?

cwe6279, 05/04/2015
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
32 of 33 people found this review helpful

This car was great the first 3 years I owned it. Year 4, 5 were more troublesome and 5+ downright maddening. Since the Warranty expired, had to replace the following at about $5000-7000 per year average cost: - IBS sensors and cables (twice) - Alternator - batteries/brakes (only normal wear and tear repair I have had to make) - Catalytic converter it only has 30k miles on it! Aside from the issues above, the service I received was really disappointing (but maybe it's just my area). I heard from various sources there was a lot of local turnover and some challenges in the dealer/manufacturer relationship and that was certainly reflected in the service levels I experienced.

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3 out of 5 stars

I've been had!

Mike, 11/25/2015
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
59 of 63 people found this review helpful

I was seduced by its good looks and big engine. Our X5 has been a maintenance nightmare. Something very expensive fails on this vehicle about once every 6 months. Out of warranty fixes has cost us about $5000-$6000 per year since owning it. The latest news is it failed to pass smog due to value leaks. My BMW tech told me this is common for this engine. Well, now I have to spend another $6000k ($500 in parts, 45 hours of labor!) to replace the value seals just to get it to pass smog. This is my second and last BMW.

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

Buyer be aware!

Kevin, 08/22/2016
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
34 of 36 people found this review helpful

Overall this was a high performing, satisfying experience. However, the frequency of my trips to the repair shop had both me and my mechanic frustrated, and diminished the positive feeling. The problem with these vehicles is the expense of highly specialized parts and the time needed to repair. If you're not ready to absorb these expenses, do not purchase this car.

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

Big Machine Worth it !

Carla, 05/09/2016
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Never have had a problem, it's a 2009. Last week had to have left front headlight replaced. Been very satisfied with it. Just the other day a friend ask me about it, he's thinking seriously about getting one. Love the steering, the way it hugs the road, the pickup, in fact it all feels like it fits tight, I feel safe!

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

Excellent

Martin, 12/18/2008
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Just picked up my ordered BMW X5 xDrive35d (diesel) that I had ordered back in August 2008. Ordered every option possible (costly). It was worth the wait. The diesel is very quite and drives like a dream. The torque is huge and available at any speed. The twin turbo diesel engine does a magnificent job. There is absolutely no lag at all. You punch it, and it goes. With that much power, you really do not need the big 4.8i. I was debating between the diesel and the 4.8i for the longest time, but now I am very glad that I went for the diesel. Picked up the x5 2 weeks ago with a full tank. Drove 500 km and still have more that quarter tank of fuel left. Fuel mileage, so far so good.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great SUV

jledoux, 11/25/2012
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful

I bought a off lease 09 X5 D after my wife's new explorer was hit and totaled. After only a few days all i can say is wow! 425 pound ft of torque and 28 mpg on the highway is an incredible combination. The X5 has amazing handling and great brakes. We have owned a fx 35, a xc 90 and a ford explorer and this X5 is by far the best SUV we have owned. This engine is perfect for a 5000 lb truck. It pulls effortlessly and for such a heavy vehicle it has great pick up. If you are looking for the perfect combo of fuel mileage, power, comfort and handling look no further. I highly recommend

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1 out of 5 stars

Biggest bucket of worms I've ever owned

Frugal German, 09/02/2015
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
25 of 28 people found this review helpful

Bought the car with the extended warranty. Started out having to replace the bulbs of the headlights several times. The run flat tires are expensive, no spare. The computer display will display the message that you have a flat and to pull over, or drive for 50 miles if you have run-flats, however the computer will not allow you to exit this screen and switch to navigation. Was on a trip in Canada when I had a flat and had no idea which would be the closest city. Battery drains in a heart beat if you open and close the back hatch several times while packing for a trip. Need a big truck to give you a jump. Had to replace battery twice within the first 5 years. The plastic components like inside driver door handle and steering wheel spokes are crap. The have a thin colored plastic coating on it that bubbles up and peels off. Was told it is the acid in my skin - first car ever that was allergic to me! On 05Aug15 I had the routine maintenance done. The warranty ran out 18Aug15, but I only had 86937 miles on the car. On 20Aug15 I break down on the side of the road with a trunk full of perishable groceries. Had to have it towed to dealership 50 miles away. Electronic water pump and thermostat needed to be replaced $1950. Picked up the car the next week and on the drive home the A/C went out. They picked up the car the next day, and it needed a new compressor at $3,000. Received the car two days later and now the passenger side electric mirror control is messed up. Run, honey, run!

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

Wish it were more reliable

Brian B, 09/11/2010
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful

My wife has been driving for almost 2 years. I am trying to decide whether we want to buy from lease. We have had multiple problems with this car. We have had a continuous small surge from the start position. Additionally we had a leak in the sun roof that went into the dash. They had to replace the dash )leather) and all electronics. Problem is fixed but it always lurks in my mind. My wife really likes the car. Power is good. Drives good. We paid extra for the leather dash and upgraded leather seating. Do not get this car without the vented (cooled) seats. I have found it to be extremely hot on the bottom:)

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5 out of 5 stars

People mover with class and performance

cnaps, 09/29/2013
updated 04/10/2020
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful

I must say the BMW X5 3.0 i x-drive is a excellent looking & driving suv. it's not X5m fast but perfect for everyday use. The cabin is very comfortable and build quality and materials are of the highest quality and also safety and the brakes are very good and drives very tight. It gives you the room you need to move the family around with out losing the performance and style. Build quality and reliability is as good as it gets. I have had many vehicles from different car manufacturers and all have needed parts and service. If you do your services on time which many people don't do with German cars you will be fine. Don't be fooled thinking other brands of cars or trucks don't need servicing or parts I say buy what you can afford and like and it won't bother you servicing it. And you need to pay to play !

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

No big problems

Michael Spencer, 03/30/2021
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

I am in love with my 2009 BMW X5. Because I kept up the maintenance I have had no big issues at all. The only issues that I've had is with the passenger airbag. It has 145000 miles on it and still running strong to God be the glory.

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

I knew what I was buying......

stanggid, 01/17/2017
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
31 of 37 people found this review helpful

Full Disclosure. Ive been in the automotive service and repair industry for almost 40 years. That said, I knew of the maintenance and repair issues these Beasts have. And No, An extended warranty wont cover the large expenses (as they are considered normal wear and tear). I bought the vehicle for a song and a dance. 2nd owner, 109k and beautiful. But i also prepared my own repair fund for it, and will probably gobble that up in no time. These are expensive to repair and maintain properly. Budget $2500.00 a year for it and Enjoy the finest performing suv out there.....especially for the money.

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

First BMW X5 purhcase...

adam11b, 11/14/2013
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
30 of 36 people found this review helpful

When you look past the iDrive and price, what a vehicle. Nothing this big I have ever driven handles as well as the X5. The interior is timeless and the exterior is just enough the combo of aggressiveness/luxury. I have the 4.8i with the big v8. Talk about ballsy, this thing gets up and goes, however I do not drive it hard as I am concerned for the price of gas. I will say that if you are genuinely considering buying one, you must have the money for maintenance (regardless of warranty or not) someone financially unstable should not even think of buying this SUV. The oil changes, tires WILL bite your wallet at some point. I have not found the rattling for rear gate, its bothering me..bad.

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5 out of 5 stars

Turbodiesel X5 Tops All Mid Size SUV's

Bob A, 01/21/2010
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I waited 6 months to write a review of the turbodiesel X5 to make sure that there would be no issues with the engine. There aren't any issues with the diesel - its great! Plenty of power on the low end with good power at speed. The six cylinder gas engine is way underpowered. The V8 has great performance with terrible fuel economy. I am getting between 30 and 32 MPG on the highway and 18 MPG in local driving. Figure that you will average 22 MPG in combined driving.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great for long drives

FLBMWDriver, 09/07/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I just picked up my brand new X5 last month and I am very impressed with it so far. I drive 100+ miles per day so a comfortable ride is very important to me. I had my X5 built and I chose the ventilated seat package which was well worth it. The seats adjust in so many ways and the massage feature for the driver is great! My black sapphire X5 turns heads when its clean and the interior is impressive with the brushed aluminum trim giving it a sporty look. The driving position is great and the car is pretty quiet at 70-80mph on the highway. Also, the premium sound system upgrade sounds great and I also like the iPod interface. I would highly recommend this SUV.

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5 out of 5 stars

All that and more! Really!

Doc, 12/23/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Feels rocket fast because of the low end torque. 0 to 60 is only 0.6 sec. slower then the gas guzzling 4.8 liter gasoline version. I average 22.4 mpg. and I drive it like a sports car. The comfort stability and ride quality still astound me. For the first time I always want to drive... and everyone else asks to. The thing corners like a sports car and feels soooo smooth doing 100mph on the straight. Sound system is superb. You can hear the engine if the sound system is not on but it's not intrusive. I don't have the sport package with the expensive wheels so the visual is an understatement but the highway ride quality is actually a lot better without the fat tires...go figure.

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4 out of 5 stars

Roadside Assistance is a Scam

bmfan, 02/10/2012
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Called for a jump start and got a street looking guy with a battery pack not enought AMP to start my X5d. Called again and waited one hour. They couldn't find any well equipped tow truck to jump start my car. I finally used my own AAA and a full size truck showed up in 15 minutes. This happened in Downtown LA! Called BMW and they provided no comment.

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5 out of 5 stars

One year after purching X5

Rjaio, 09/02/2010
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
22 of 27 people found this review helpful

Since I purchased this vehicle, I have put 9,000 miles on it. The fuel mileage is great. On average city traffic, I got 22.4 mile/gal. No problem so far and the quality is better than what I expected after own Japanese cars for many year. The only thing I don't feel comfortable is the car equipped with run flat tires. How can I drive on the interstate highway in a rural area with a flat tire. I decide to buy a spare tire and also replace the run flat tires with regular ones when the time come.

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5 out of 5 stars

Is this a SUV?

Spirited SUV, 05/11/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I traded my Mercedes GL450 because we wanted something slightly smaller, but not give up the utility, and luxury-comfort. The X5 hits that mark perfectly. It has sporty handling but is still luxurious and quiet. Gets 20 MPG which is great in my book. I'm 6'4" and 300 lbs and am super comfortable in it, and... my kids have room in the second seats!

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1 out of 5 stars

Fed up of inconsistent diagnostics

faizal ali, 10/20/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

My BMW is under 6 months old with less than 4000 miles and has been back to the dealer for the same problem. It has an annoying vibrating sound from the engine. The dealer changed the power steering pump and problem still exists; now I am told it might be an engine mount. I would like to return this truck because I am fed up of the inconsistency of what a new car should have. I should have kept my infinti qx4.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

2009 BMW X5 4.8i

Michael Biggs, 06/09/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful

The x5 is a great car, it has not broken down once. I am amazed it can do over 161 mph. It also has an amazing crash test rating.

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4 out of 5 stars

High maintenance lady

Hammy from near Detroit, 06/13/2020
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful

I do love my 2009 X5 but have definitely paid the price over the years. This rig is a tank, very solid and great on the highway. That being said the things you hear about maintenance costs are true. The dealership is so expensive you find yourself laughing at the guy when he quotes the cost to fix whatever is wrong with it. Example, the auto rear hatch needs a new spindle, I now have to wrestle it open and closed. To fix...$850. Things like that will eat you up. I do have a qualified BMW mechanic that works rogue and he is half the cost for quality work. However he does get booked up and if she goes and you need a fix he may not be available on the spot. I just drove my 2009 830 miles each way to a beach vacation...it had 147k miles at the onset. It handled like a dream....I had changed the oil at the dealership prior to departure. The 3.0 engine is way more reliable than the V8, avoid that one. I don't want to jinx it so I am not going to say what I was going to say.

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

A Beauty

Deb Marquis, 07/28/2017
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Handsome, very reliable, comfortable, low mileage and very well maintained.

Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.75 out of 5 stars

Vermillion Red-Liner

AIA, 06/10/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Bought a 09 Vermillion Red X5. These are rare and had to be custom ordered. I have owned X5's in the past and this is a great vehicle. It is fun to drive and handles great like a true BMW even though it's a heavy vehicle. It has all the options imaginable. Gas mileage is great for such a beast.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Mixed Thoughts

PhillyDude, 09/10/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The car drives and handles great. From a pure driving perspective, it is probably the best SUV I have ever had. However, it has some serious flaws in the interior. The navigation system is terrible and almost impossible to use. The all in one computer system for using most features in the car is also not easy to use. Something simple like changing the air from your head to your feet takes way too many steps to do. The car just feels over engineered. Also, don't believe the maintenance is included sales pitch. I just got my 10,000 mile done and all it covered was an oil change and not rotating and balancing the tires.

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2.75 out of 5 stars

Dead Battery

Don, 02/14/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Huge problem with the battery system. The push start system has no accessory mode, therefore if the engine is not running and you turn it on to use the radio, phone, DVD, etc. The battery will drain in 15 minutes. No indicator, no warning, just dead battery. The dealer service departments say they have to put the car on a charger just to work on them or the battery will be dead. The BMW answer is you have to have the engine running "all the time". Forget the after engine turnoff heat, you can't use it. Forget the DVD player that logically you can't use while driving, but you have to keep the engine running. If you expect to use your car a lot like I do, forget it.

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2.38 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

cruzian, 03/17/2012
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
9 of 14 people found this review helpful

It seemed promising at first, but after a few months I'm done with it. There are more rattles than an old Volvo, the 3.0 is weak, iDrive is useless, the run flats are crazy expensive and have NO traction in snow, and it rides worse than my F-150 4X4. Actually, my F-150 is built better, more dependable, has equal handling and performance, and gets about the same gas mileage. Now the evaporator is leaking freon. Maybe this 3rd trip in the dealer can resolve these issues.

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1 out of 5 stars

2009 BMW X5 48i

BMW nightmare, 02/02/2021
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful

Bought this suv a 1 1/2 yrs. ago and I will never buy another one again. The v-8 and it's good looks are not worth the cost of repairs. 6 months into driving it, had to get the water pump replaced ($900). A year later, it's back in the shop again. After $500 of diagnostics, they tell me that they had to call in a BMW specialist tech just to figure out that it needs a $2100 coil package replacement. Now the belt tensioner is making noise and the acceleration does not feel right. I'm so done with this and will never buy another newer BMW ever again. BMW has really disappointed me with the quality of their vehicles. Will be looking for a new dependable vehicle in the near future and getting rid of this lemon.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

For Sure the Ultimate Driving Machine!

Luv my Beamer 4.8i, 04/03/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

My 2nd X5 4.8i and I love it! Lots of power, response, comfort..and a head turner. Got the loaded 4.8i, custom order, Black Sapphire, Saddle Brown Leather, loaded, 20s, it's sweet! Quality machine, could drive it for hours!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

I got what I hoped

Aussie_Rob, 08/25/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I have been researching an SUV (Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Discovery 3 or Bimmer) for 4 months and after a lot of deliberation went for the X5 turbo. I couldn't be more thrilled with what I got. The turbo is smooth and delivers great performance and yet is amazingly fuel efficient for a large vehicle. I'm 6'3" and so there is plenty of space, great driving position and visibility. I had an E90 325 manual and the X5 isn't any slower and the handling isn't vastly different. My wife thought paying this much for a car ($90k Aussie) was ludicrous but she's already a convert - "it's very comfortable isn't it??" She never liked the 325. So I'm wrapped - so far anyway.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

The Ultimate Driving Machine is a Dream

MK, 12/22/2008
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This is my first BMW. I compared it with '09 Acura MDX, '09 Lexus GX470 and '09 Infiniti FX50. I found myself coming to BMW X5 after test driving all the other SUVs in its class. I loved the fact that BMW covers all maintenance for four years which the others do not. This SUV has everything looks, speed, wow factor. I love the iPod integration, navigation is very easy to use, I love asking for options in any menu and then I know exactly what to say to get anything done via Voice commands. The fuel economy could be better but if you can spend $$$ for the BMW then gas is not a big deal for you. I love driving my Ultimate Driving Machine it drives like a dream!

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Marginal Vehicle

Bonehead, 08/17/2010
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
6 of 10 people found this review helpful

The diesel is sluggish during initial acceleration and does not yield the fuel mileage suggested. Purchased pre-driven '09 BMW Corp vehicle from the dealership that did not disclose appearance and functional issues at the time of sale. The dealer will not cooperatively correct these flaws.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

X5 Turbo Diesel (no 3rd row seating)

Andrew, 06/15/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful

Had a 3.0 X5. Test drove Audi, Lexus, Acura, BMW gas, and fell for performance of X5 diesel. After 7,000 miles I am actually trading it in for MB ML350 diesel. BMW just not as comfortable. Seats not as supportive. Engine can be too loud. Satellite radio comes & goes. Passenger seat grinds/clicks when moved. Steering wheel squeaks when moved. Rt side speakers go dead on iPod integration. Need to roll the window up/down a few times to get speakers back. Steering wheel does not telescope long enough for 6-1 height. Engine performance is incredible. Second seat leg room is great. Cargo space is great. Just want more refinement. Maybe I am getting old.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Exceeded Expectations

Senoroso, 10/08/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Car is very nice, great build quality, great mileage on the road, looks good, passengers and bystanders both seem to like it. Driving comfort is impressive, 400 miles in the seat is nothing.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

My Best Buy

Gladstone Bimmer, 05/21/2010
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have recently driven a Mercedes C280, a Mercedes E320 and a Lexus R320, but my BMW X5 is the best vehicle of the lot. I love the way it looks inside and outside and I have learned to love the way it drives. The I-Drive was a little difficult to learn, but once mastered is a great way to control the many different features. I'm 67 years old and learning to drive all over again!

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5 out of 5 stars

Ultimate Driving Experience

Roosevelt, 05/19/2017
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
5 of 12 people found this review helpful

Expect to be taken to new heights

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.75 out of 5 stars

Love the X5!

mikehell, 10/29/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful

Just traded a 2008 Lexus LS460 sedan for my first SUV. I love it so far! Loaded with sport package, nav, comfort access, 20 inch wheels, you name it. I have owned 2 BMW 5 series a few years back and frankly missed the German engineering... especially when compared to Lexus's poor engineering. Sorry Lexus fans, but they just are not BMW's. I actually look forward to getting up in the mornings just to drive my X5... that is how much i love it! Let alone, the service and BMW assist is included for 4 years/50 K miles... that definitely helps with the ownership costs of a luxury SUV.

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5 out of 5 stars

2009 X5 35D

CHATTGUY, 01/16/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Diesel mpg averages 28-30 at 60-70mph, in town I am getting about 22 mpg. I was worried about the iDrive, but it works great once you understand it. The voice navigation is best I have used. Power tailgate sounds flimsy, but works. Power is awesome from the 3.0 diesel, frugal yet powerful. I was concerned about ride with runflats, but so far just seems a little stiff.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Simply Amazing!

Victoria, 01/26/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My last car was a Mercedes -- hated it with a passion. The BMW 528i I had previously driven for years felt sturdier and safer than the Mercedes! So I chucked the Mercedes and bought the X5. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Mileage stinks but you expect that with a 4.8L engine right? Otherwise, it's a great car that drives like a sports car and yet it's luxury all the way!

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5 out of 5 stars

Finally!

Hazbeen, 02/11/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I've been a long time Porsche/BMW/Mercedes driver and this is by far the best all around vehicle I have ever owned. I enjoyed my M3/997 more from a pure driver's standpoint but I can actually carry my dry cleaning home now. The new X5 is a terrific package and the diesel power plant completes it nicely. I have wanted a proper diesel power plant in a daily driver for some time now as the advantages during a daily commute are obvious: torque while being fuel efficient and low rev requirements to get the job done. It feels as quick as the V8 powered X5, however provides guilt free driving while in view of my Sierra Club neighbors.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Very fun to drive, sucks gas

Brett 4.8i, 06/05/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I got my X5 less than a week ago and I love it. I saw the 2010 iDrive on a couple of other BMW models. I became afraid that I bought too soon before the 2010's came out. Hey this car handles awesome and is super comfortable. The fat wheel looks burly. I like the electronics and computer stuff. Sound system is way better than I expected, and I am a picky guy. I'm tired of Mercedes Benz and the way they treated me. When I got the X5 my blackberry connected easily with the bluetooth. With Mercedes, blue tooth only worked with Motorola and Verizon. That stinks, they went out of their way to make things more expensive and harder. BMW beats Mercedes in handling and steering in my book. Bye bye BENZ.

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5 out of 5 stars

Our First Diesel

pedalian, 08/01/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Purchased this as a demo vehicle, have put over 4000 miles on it so far. The diesel is amazing. This thing has power! My wife drives it to work every day on the freeway, getting about 28mpg on the highway. Our combined average is 24.5 (according to the computer). Very comfortable to drive. We do have the 3rd row seats and they are pretty useless except for kids under 12. We checked out the VW Tourareg TDI as well and liked it too, very much. Almost got it instead, but we got better financing through BMW Financial. No regrets. Engine can use B5 biodiesel according to the manual, and I have been using that as well. No issues. (I mix 100% biodiesel at 20:1 ratio with regular diesel).

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5 out of 5 stars

2009 X5 35d

Lee Kay, 12/11/2021
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I read a review on here about how costly his car is. Here is my story. In 2012 I was looking to trade in my 335xi (2008 money pit) Anyway my wife said can I look for an SUV. I went to the dealer and I saw what I thought was a Blue with chocolate brown interior X5. I had 2 kids then one in a booster seat and on in a child seat and I thought this would be awesome. The dealer told me it is a diesel are you sure you want it? I was like well can we test drive it. We drove it and I was like wow holy $%%% this thing is as fast as my 335. I want it. I bought it. Now here is the repair history. This does not include Oil changes I do that once a year! 2012 - 3 tires, 2013 - All break pads front and rear, 2014 passenger seat module, brake fluid. 2015 - nothing, 2016 - Was running in limp mode drove it to the dealer needed new Mass airflow $480 inc labor and some sealant on the cowl in front of the windshield as it was cracked and causing water to run over the heater plugs, 2017 - Needed heater plug module replaced $250, 2018 replaced rotors and brakes and fluid. Also throw check engine for Active tank heater. Dealer repair would be $1100 found the heater spent 2hrs replacing it for $180 includes lifetime warranty. 2019 - no issues, 2020 - CE for SCR injector not working part is $350 and easy install. 2020 I had a fender bender lucky for me this year i dropped my coverage to 3rd party. The car sustained heavy damage to the right front fender. As a result would have needed 7,000+ in repairs. Bought a fender painted to match online, reflector, fog lamp assembly, some bolts and brackets. Active tank pump, Nox sensor, Exhaust gas cooler (all with lifetime warranty) for $1400 and she is still running great. It is now my 3rd car paid for and will be my winter preferred car for its ability to go anywhere and do anything. Amazing car. I can't believe it has been 10 years of ownership. Believe me my 550I with Xdrive could have bankrupted anyone at 45k in repairs over 3 years. My 335i ate 13k in 3 years. But this was the only reason I love this brand. Because it has been amazing.

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

X5 diesel review

louis, 03/05/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The SUV while a little noisy outside is extremely quiet inside and comfortable with excellent power and very good fuel mileage.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Mixed feelings

Matthew, 07/25/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is my first SUV, or should I say SAV... what got my attention at the dealership was the exterior styling of this vehicle. Also, having never owned a spacious and roomy vehicle, I thought it was time for a change. What I love about my new X5 is the driving position because you sit up very high and the car has very good visibility all around. I also love the panoramic sunroof. I am not sure how I feel about the leatherette seats... they feel kind of rubbery although they seem very durable. I must say the seats are extremely supportive on long trips and adjust in many ways. I feel BMW should try to improve fuel economy in the gasoline engines as I did not want a diesel.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

BMW X5 Diesel

palmharbor, 07/30/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The diesel engine is perfect for this SUV.It is very solid and the transmission shifts smoothly. The ride is better than my previous SUV, a Mercedes ML500. The iDrive is very frustrating and the navigation system is poor compared to the older Mercedes system, and can't begin to compete with a $200 Garmin. There is no setting to automatically fold the power mirrors when locking the vehicle, and the front parking sensors are not full time - when pulling into my garage I must stop and push a button that also turns on the rear camera to check on the front. Amazingly, BMW does not include floor mats as standard equipment and they must be purchased separately from the dealer.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

X5 Diesel Pros and Cons, mostly Pro

NorhternVA, 11/24/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

5,000 mile review: This vehicle is about compromise: V8 performance and SUV comfort with less pollution and up to 30 mpg highway. But there's no mistaking that this is a diesel. You can hear the clatter at low RPM. BMW designed the X5 model with a loud exhaust note, mistakenly thinking that buyers equate noise with performance. Add the diesel's louder, gravelly engine note to the already loud X5 exhaust note and you get a noisy driving experience. It quiets down at highway speeds, but the exhaust noise is constant, intrusive, and can be annoying. In the first 5,000 miles, mpg was 24.5 mixed and 29.5 highway. Not bad for a vehicle that weighs over 2.5 tons and isn't broken in yet. This might be a good choice if you are willing to trade drive-train refinement for the comfort of an SUV that gets great mpg and pollutes less.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

the shop guys call it a truck

woolly, 03/31/2010
2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Love that diesel note at idle. Reminds me of being in Europe. Can't hear it at speed. Surprising punch with dual sequential turbo. Feels best at 80 mph. Gets an honest 26 mpg at that rate. Town is 17/18. Electronics are suspect. Clock won't boot sometimes. Nav screen will not come up on occasion. Had three Nav heads installed on warranty. Probably fixed. Had an alternator go out, took three weeks to get replacement. Dealer made a courtesy payment! With all those gears it is hard for trans to select medium takeoff velocity. Easy is fine and stoop on it and it flies. The middle is hard to attain. I love/distrust this car and will probably trade before warranty expires.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Love it but...

Scott in Austin, 07/10/2009
2009 BMW X5 xDrive48i 4dr SUV AWD (4.8L 8cyl 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

While my 2009 X5 4.8i only has about 300 miles on it total I've got to say I wake up in the morning looking for places to go just so I can drive this awesome piece of machinery, and I work out of my house. The Pros: Awesome Handling, macho-good looks (especially with my 20" y-spoke sport wheels), solid German engineering, thicker than average sporty steering wheel and powerful. The Cons: Beside the fact I have already had it in the shop for two full days due to two (conicidence? I think maybe not) bad front tires that was causing my car's steering to pull there aren't a whole lot of cons. The i-Drive interface is a joke! BMW has some work to do and could take some pointers from Lexus.

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