Used 2013 BMW X5 Consumer Reviews

X5 xDrive 5.0i Horrible Engine Quality

I purchased a new 2013 BMW X5 5.0i xDrive with the N64 Engine. I have had the following problems 1. Excessive Exhaust Smoke due to oil leaking through the valve guides. 2. OIL LEAKS due to the upper oil pan leaking Both problems started at 48,000 miles ( I now have 53,000 miles). BMW Service refused to repair the problems because the vehicle was out of warranty. BMW Dealer Service told me the following; Value guide repair is $8,000. Possibly more. Upper Oil Pan Repair is $3,200. $11,200 in Repair for a low mileage vehicle is insane. Vehicles with this low of mileage should NOT be leaking and burning OIL for any reason. This is a design flaw in BMWs engineering, they should fix it.

CPO purchase, no big complaints, but updated

We wanted to buy a new one in 2010, but they were just a little too high for anything but a diesel, and we were wary of diesel price swings, the different character of that engine, and being able to pull into a pump anywhere at a busy station back when diesel was less common. Years later, we found that many diesel versions had reliability issues. But in terms of all-around ability (ride, handling, acceleration, comfort, utility, towing ability, looks) it was still our favorite 6 years later. It handles fantastic for such a large heavy vehicle. You can feel the weight but the huge tires grip like crazy. The SAV version is definitely the one to get, it looks great, and gives a feeling of confidence in turns and at speed that most others just do not. Utility is good, not great, with over 70 cu ft of cargo area with seats down. They don't fold flat, which is disappointing (we have dogs), but there is plenty of room for a road trip with 4 dogs, 2 people, and luggage. A family of four would do ok. It can also tow a fairly heavy trailer, but I installed my own hitch and wiring as the BMW version is outrageously expensive. Took 2 hours, so there's no valid reason for their exorbitant labor charges, as they should be able to do it in half the time. Ride is firm but not harsh, though big bumps will be felt. It is a better ride than our Volvo S60 R design sport sedan, but those seeking a luxury smooth ride should look elsewhere. It is surprisingly quiet for a vehicle like this. Seat comfort is better for the thin shouldered, as the bolsters do press a little on my broad back at the lats. The thigh extension is a must-have. Xenons make visibilty good at night, and there are no blind spots to worry about. Throttle tip in is actually slower than it should be, you have to punch it to get power in regular transmission mode. It doesn't seem to be turbo lag (max torque comes in at just 1250 rpm) but a throttle tip in issue. Acceleration is good, not breathtaking, but more than enough for regular driving, especially at speed. Handling is very confidence inspiring and curvy mountain roads won't raise the hairs on your back like in most crossovers or SUVs. Not too far from a sport sedan and better than most mundane sedans. Very handsome vehicle, materials are good, and our 3 year old example looked practically new. Many others we looked at didn't fare so well. We paid $37,000 for one with 34K miles and it still has one year of bumper to bumper and 2 more years of CPO coverage. With taxes and the hitch we have $39K in it. It stickered for about $69,000 so that's a nice savings. It had an airbag recall that was fixed before we got it but otherwise the history was clean. There was no spare on this one which is unfortunate, but those temp spares are so limited in range and speed that it wasn't of much use anyway on long trips. The interior design is handsome but not beautiful. Ergonomics are typical BMW, with a learning curve for some functions like cruise and the computer. The NAV is useful but like most, not always great. The iDrive controller is fairly easy to use now and fairly logical, though one can still get screens not doing what you want when choosing the split screen or wanting to display your songs when you are also navigating, etc. Tons of brake dust, like all BMWs. But a very solid feeling vehicle and great build quality. Conceptually this is the closest to a "does it all" vehicle that one can find. Sporty, good looking(in SAV trim), good handling, quiet, reasonable ride quality, safe, spacious, and reasonable comfort. My only fix would be to add the luxury comfort seat option, as the sport seats are supportive but a little firm compared to our Volvos. But anything will be less comfortable than Volvo seats. Only those who value solid handling and sporty aspirations should bother paying the price, as there are plenty of bigger or more cushy rides available for less. We just want the confidence it gives at high speed and the active safety of great handling and braking for the class. UPDATE: Steering is actually over-heavy, in parking situations the wide tires and heavy steering actually make your arms ache while backing a trailer. It "feels" as heavy as it is, and so unless you need the extra space, the X3 is probably a better choice for driving enthusiasts, but really a wagon would be best of all. Unfortunately they make only the 3 series wagon and I find its seats too narrow. The X5 seats are wide. It's very solid at speed, but not nimble. UPDATE: Actually it handles very well, but in a heavy manner. Ride is for enthusiasts rather than luxury seekers. Depreciation has been really bad as apparently BMW's reliability and high cost of repairs haunt it. A good bargain well researched $37K vehicle has a resale value of about $24K after 20 months. I will keep it through expiration of CPO warranty, just to keep my money's worth

X5 Diesel 2013 is a game changer!

This is the most affordable, reliable , gas efficient Luxury car in the market. The 2013 BMW X5 Diesel had all the issues that the previous diesel resolved and is the perfect car. If you were making a decision between this car and the new look of a 2014 BMW X5 Diesel. I would suggest stick with the 2013 or go for a 2017 which will cost you. I am amazed by the 28 Miles per gallon, solid, luxury, powerful reliable car. Is this is your first diesel car you may have to get used to the hum of a diesel engine. However after 3 weeks you will find it hard to drive a car that does not produce that solid power humming diesel noise. This is the best luxury car, I have ever owned

Very Disappointed

We bought this care used with low miles (30k) and unfortunately have had nothing but problems. It is constantly burning oil and we were told by the BMW dealer that “these 4.4L engines do this”. We literally burn through 4-5 quarts a month. Little did we know that there is now a class action lawsuit against BMW for this problem and BMW has agreed to settle for a $1000 credit towards the purchase of a new BMW. Ridiculous. We have had so many problems in the past two years owning it...and have easily spent $6000+ on repairs in past 18 months. When it works it is literally a rocket ship and has every whistle and bell you can think of...but unfortunate this is by far the most unreliable vehicle that we have ever owned (this was our 3rd BMW...but first used one). I would be very unlikely to ever by another BMW after the experience with the xDrive5.0i 4.4L. X5. It’s an $80k car that is probably worth about $10k. Can’t warn people enough to stay away. I think I will stick with Mercedes from now on. Update: Eventually The burning of oil in the oil loss became so bad we took it into another dealer. At this point they said it needed a new engine. And this was based upon the class action lawsuit regarding this engine. Unfortunately since the vehicle now had 70,000 miles on it, We would have to pay for the majority of it. Even though we started reporting it at 30,000 miles. If the vehicle and 30,000 miles on it when they said it needed a new engine, we would’ve gotten it for free. Still very distrustful of BMW. Both their dealers and corporate. We spoke to corporate who essentially said there was nothing they could do, which is A complete lie. We have documented evidence of us taking it to BMW dealers for service starting at 30,000 miles complaining of smoke coming out of the car and burning oil at a ridiculous rate. Too bad Bmw wouldn’t step up. We did get a new engine but had to pay over $3000 of it ourselves in addition to all the repairs that we’ve paid for issues related to the engine over the past three years. Even after the engine was replaced Bmw gave us an estimated trade-in value of like $12,000. On an $80,000 car with 70k miles on it. Ridiculous. Hope this new engine doesn’t turn around and feel like the last one.

My first BMW

This is a great vehicle, as well as my first BMW. If you learn how to drive the X5 properly you can achieve the MPG figures, and even exceed them, the vehicle has done surprisingly well on gas mileage. The car has been totally reliable and it's performance has been very impressive, it really does handle like a BMW sports sedan, not a big SUV. It is comfortable and feels very solid and secure, even at very high freeway speeds, and it's practicality and space are very much appreciated on a daily basis. I have the M performance and sport packages and they really do make the vehicle look and feel amazing! I would recommend the X5 to anyone looking for a great luxury SUV.

BMW X5 Sport....Great Performer and Looks

The major downside has been electronic related...1 issue with Ignition Coils (Warranty) and, 1 Issue with Spark Plugs ($300) replacemetn cost). From the Day I drove it off the lot, it is “jittery” on rough roads and lurches with bumps at speed - dealer blames the M Option WIde Wheels and Tires. Speaking of Tires....I added the M options which put Huge Tires of the Vehicle - Looks Great BUT, Only High Performance Tires are available which are Very Expensive and wear quickly. Also these are “Run Flat” Tires, also contributing to the Bumpy Ride. Overall, I love the BMW X5 Sport It looks Great even after 6 years of service and model year changes.

diesel hot rod

I love this vehicle! Plenty of power(diesel).Tried all diesels and picked the x5 because it came close to my hemi powered vehicle.The ride and steering are firm because this is a performance car not a comfort car.I have my foot in it a lot and still average 23 mpg.Outside finish is top shelf, interior design is very friendly but the gaps and joints are not so good for the price.Plenty of storage(3rd seat would be mistake).Unless you have a lot of money stay away from the staggered wheel setup.Tires cannot be rotated.The spare tire is a must have.Just because its a BMW dealership does not mean good service,shop and compare.More options means more issues.Choose wisely and enjoy! Just over 50,000 mile and still no complaints. Keyless remote does like to make its own decisions sometime's.LOVE THE BRAKES!

Pearl

i've had my 2013 X5 since 2016, named her Pearl to match color. Its been a great car. it looks great, drives well, and is built solid. like most german built cars, i've dealt with oil leak or two, but got those fixed without breaking the banks. as with any car, i'd stongly suggest building a relationship with a good mechanic you can trust--i avoid the dealerships as much as possible. all in all the best car i've driven besides my mom's mercedes 380SE back in the day

Worst car ever!!!!

I loved this car for all the reasons I have read here...gas mileage, torque, interior features, etc. However, at approx. 75,000 miles my car seized on the side of the road. The dealership assessed it and the electrical system was fried due to diesel fuel backlogging into the electrical harness and flooding the dde component (the computer). This fix cost me $9500. Since, approx 1 yr, it has been NOTHING but issue after issue. Glow plugs (which shouldn’t have needed changing), the air intake manifold ($2500), now the egr cooler ($2000). I have spent $13,000 in repairs on this car in just over 1 year! Stay away from this car and BMW in general. I have heard similar stories across the board and wish I had done more research before purchasing this over priced “luxury” vehicle.

Elegant, Stylish and Very Responsive

This is my first X5 and I have to say I am very impressed. I bought the vehicle with 112,000 miles and it runs just like new. The twin turbo V8 is very responsive and feels good, the ride is smooth and sporty. Excellent in my opinion.

Enjoy Driving X5 35d

The most fun BMW model I have driven next to the 330 Coupe. 20" wheels gives it an aggressive & sporty look I love. The dynamic stability control keeps it on the road during the worst torrential rainfall I have ever encountered. It is expensive but well worth it for the safety factor.

Great diesel powered SUV

I bought this car primarily for it's performance and towing capability. It's hands down the best combination of engine and towing capability out there in a small SUV. It gets consistently good mileage, has a ton of torque, and is fun to drive. Overall, a great car for what I'd consider a 'small' SUV. It's got plenty of interior room, the 3rd row seat is pretty small.

Don't get the diesel engine!

The X5 has pros and cons, so I will just list them that way here. Pros: -Good handling -Comfortable -Lots of features for the vintage Cons: -Obscure parts have to be replaced and they are VERY EXPENSIVE - Mechanics can not figure out what the diagnostics tell them is wrong. They fix one thing, then it tells them something else is wrong. It is never ending. - The diesel is very sluggish at low speed. - The diesel is really noisy compared to other manufacturer's diesels. I had two different repair shops tell me to sell the car before it is 10 years old and that, alternatively, any time I have a $2,000 repair (which, incidentally, all repairs will be more than), to sell or donate the car because the next two years' repair costs will exceed the value of the vehicle.

Great mid mid-sized SUV

Great performance. Very pleased with MPG. Repair cost are high relative to other similar SUVs. Navigation screen/system is pathetic relative to other nav systems I have used; no touch screen, not very intuitive, traffic is unreliable and inaccurate at times, travel directions are very basic/lacking in functionality - very disappointing in what is otherwise a very well engineered vehicle

BMW Assist - Waste of money

The engine of the X5 with ~4000 miles died while on the highway. When I pulled over the car smelled like a burning electrical fire. I called BMW/Assist - Wow the worst service over. It took numerous call, two tow trucks, and 4.5 hours to get home. You will get A+ service from GM/OnStar or Ford MySync, or AAA. BMW roadside was a joke. They screwed up just about every aspect of my SOS call. Stay away from BMW Assist. You will not be happy at all. Free for 4 years means nothing if they can't help.

As sport and luxurious as you would expect.

I bought my 2013 X5 50i m.sport used. It is an absolute joy to drive. You can cruise with traffic, and when you get an opening, you really feel the inspired power of the twin turbo V8. The supple leather and hugging seats are impeccable. Easily in my top 3 vehicles I have ever owned.

Drives like a getaway car

I replaced my former X5 with another X5 because the comparable cross-overs on the market just didn't have any driving pizzaz. I have the AWD, turbo, with sport package. It does not disappoint! Handling is great and boy does it like to go! It's a fun, easy car to drive.

Love this SUV

Lots to like here. One of the best cars I've ever owned. Love the look of the SUV (doesn't look like a station wagon or minivan) and the features (heated seats, auto hold feature, huge sunroof and more) are awesome. One of the quickest SUV's I've ever driven with very little lean into turns. Reliability has been top notch and I currently have just over 110K miles on this diesel. I hope to keep it for years to come. Deep Sea Blue with Oyster interior, It still gets lots of looks and nice comments.

Magical Car

This is the best SUV I have ever owned. Great gas mileage, amazing technology. Fun drive.

Disappointing vehicle

I purchased the car as a CPO and it has spent over 40 days at the dealership in the first 7 months. While the car performance is amazing, build quality and comfort are really bad. The car is incredibly noisy on the road and all the plastics creak. Also the entertainment system is really disappointing for such an expensive vehicle. First and last BMW. Way over rated and overpriced.

The best car I've owned so far

It handles everything like a true BMW, in a very sporty way. The way it sounds, accelerates, brakes and steers. The only personal issue that these twin turbo engines have is that it burns a lot of oil (yearly I have to add one quart of oil).

Overall good midsize SUV.

Ride is firm, but handles more like a car than a truck.

Such a solid vehicle

Everything about the x5 makes driving enjoyable. The car feels so solid and everything is placed so well in the interior. I have the M sport activity with the staggered rims. The only hard part is finding a 315/35/20 in a moments notice. From handling to acceleration to comfort this SUV has it all

Best and Easy Appraiser Ever!!!!

Great SUV!! Handel very well in the snow.......

Great

sold car at 135,000 miles. One turbo blown at that mileage. Still a good all around car

Very over-rated, rough, not luxurious, safety

After owning 15 cars over 9 brands, I wanted to try BMW. Unfortunately, it is a big disappointment. X5 5.0 plus is acceleration (it has the best acceleration among the cars I owned. The rest is disappointment: the ride is harsh (reviews praise it for good feel of the road, but it feels like nearly no suspension, after a while it feels punishing), it is very noisy (it sounds like 1970s cars or old delivery vehicles), the layout of the features is ridiculous (yes, you can learn which feature is where but any time you forget, you have to think hard where it was), it is very difficult to drive precisely (you release the breaks and the car jumps, moving forward by 2-3" is close to impossible), reliability is not good (we right away went back to the dealer with malfunctioning hatch, the light staying on, the lift mechanism broke, the battery drains at a crazy pace), the running boards make it extremely difficult for me to get into the car (I am above 6') and very uncomfortable for my wife (5'4"). The position of "Park" on the shift knob makes driving this car a big safety hazard: in all other cars you put the knob forward to "Park", but this car has "Rear Drive". When tired, the well-learned behavior kicks in: you push the know to the end and the cur starts going backward. I twice nearly hit two people, my wife has done it twice. I would bet that many serious accidents/injuries have happened and maybe even people got killed. I am going back to Lexus or Mercedes SUV. Sorry but after 1.5 years of owning it, I only convinced myself how bad this car is.

Overrated

Disappointed in run flat tires which give rough ride and are very expensive to replace! No oil dipstick and worst of all, no coolant temp gauge. Dealer is great but car is overpriced and under delivers on performance and value versus the 10 previous BMWs I have owned over the last 40 yrs! Sold the car back to dealer in October 2016 due to inability to get Takata airbag replacement done in abtimely manner and wanted the remainder of my $4800 6yr/100,000 mile warranty money back so I made out alright! I replaced it with a loaded 2017 Ford Explorer Sport which cost me 10,000 less than the X5 and had superior power, handling, comfort and has performed flawlessly over 16,000 miles and one year so far. Lots of nice touches the BMW didn't have and the extended warranty was $2000 instead of almost 5000! Bye bye BMW!

Best Car Ever BMW X5 50I M

Bought this car used after test driving dozens of other makes and models. Have driven Z28 Camaro's for 20 years, and this is as close to a sports car as I can find and have 4 doors. Powerful and awesome performance. Best car I have ever owned. Had it almost a year and still love to drive it! Will own more BMW's. 555 horsepower! If you have not driven one, do it! It will make you smile.

Vic

I’m happy with the car

Think twice before buying a 2013 X5

This is my 3rd BMW and it is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I am an active mail and find it physically exhausting to drive because of the tight steering wheel. If your normal driving pattern includes a lot of stop and go's; you will find the transmission hesitates. The road noise is louder than my Toyota pickup truck, not to mention the ride is stiffer than my pickup truck. Here is my advice, if you are seriously interested in this vehicle don't make the same mistake I did by taking it for an around the block test drive. Ask the dealer to loan the X5 to you for the weekend and drive it where you live! I own 4 vehicles & this is the last one out of the garage!

Great car

Recent purchase. Excellent vehicle when properly maintained. #Scheduled Service, looks great, handles great. Smooth at high speeds, comfortable and stylish. Overall performance and ride is excellent.

Best Car I've Ever Owned

I've owned 2 other pre-owned X5 BMWs. Purchased this new in 2013 and after 115k miles, it is still running strong. Absolutely love this SUV, even though it does not have today's modern technology.

Went 2013 over 2014

Know some do not like the harsh suspension and heavy steering. That is why I stayed with BMW and took a 2013 over waiting for a 2014. Found driving a model with the newer steering was too light, reminded me of the 2 lexus had. The X3 drove with the new unit. I know the diesel has some issue with expensive fixes. But the 2014 is going to have a revised diesel so felt would be better off on the last run of the current motors. Build quality yes it good but have found some of the plastic pieces creak and pop, not what expect in a 70K SUV. So did not go a 5 in quality. But this E70 has good visibility, good seating heights. Course got the multi contour seats.

Great SUV

Luxury ride

Drives great, tech took some getting used to but all in all a great car.

2013 x5 diesel

Run the other way from these cars, too many problems

Comfortable and stylish

I've read the reviews. Yes I agree the 3.0 35i Premium does burn oil and probably less trouble than the 50i 4.4L. Another review said they add 1 quart of oil per year. That is the same experience I've had. I bought the vehicle in 2018 with 70k miles on it and currently setting at 106k. I put close to $3k in the SUV shortly after I bought it -new 18" tires, control arms and bushings. The comfort is unlike anything I've ever driven. I tried an Audi Q7 and comfort was not even close to the X5. I like the E70 body style over the current F15 style and the E70 feels like your driving a tank. Only complaint is the sub-par plastic parts. The front console plastic blinds - I had to replace. The direct sunlight will melt the glue in between the plastic blind pieces, so be sure to use a sun visor to protect interior. Also, the sun visors are horrible! They are so small and the plastic male piece that snaps in to the female end wears out over time. Now it falls out sometimes when I'm using the visor. I bought this vehicle $17k. You can't even find an F15 with less than 80k miles for less than $20k.

Terrific highway King

Bought a used 2013 X5 Diesel 9/21 with 122K. I was a little concerned about some issues with turbos and emissions nonsense. I figured most were serviced by the Dealers and should be OK. If I had issues with the emissions I would get the car deleted and return it to it proper design. I chose it because the VW Toureg was the other option but did not like the Timing belt and V6 prefer straight inline chain drive Diesels. Finally got to do a road trip to SD from PA. This was great I was able to TOP END the car in Iowa 133 mph smooth and steady cranked it for a couple of minutes. Most of the trip West of the Mississippi river was above 80 - 90 mph and what a excellent steady cruiser. I did push the car into limp mode 3 times but shutting it off and restarting reset it and even in limp mode it cruised at 80 with cruise control on just weak acceleration. 4000K miles and the limp mode popped up 3X. The car is comfortable my wife and I did 900 miles the first day and can say we felt fine. I have had several diesels and this one is probably the best one yet. I totaled out the 2013 X5 hit a tree that feel across the road. Like it so much bought a 2012 with 99K miles. I like this one even more smoother and faster. These are such great cars and a bargain at $10-15K. They are a solid land yachts with good MPG I avg. over 22/gal which gets better on long highway cruises. Get one you will love it!