[mgattmch]

After owning four 5 series used cars (three 540i and the last car was a 2012 550iX) it is time for me to say goodbye. All three 540i car were very good; one (2004 540i Prestige) I purchased in Germany and got to drive it on the autobahn. Flat out at 250km/hour (155 mph) and people were passing me at this speed! Sadly, although fun to drive, the 550iX was a PITA from a maintenance/reliability perspective. Purchased used (at 60k miles) 4 years ago with an expensive 4 year after market warranty from Zurich. The warranty ran out this year, two recent repair bill were $600 for a new battery and $900 to fix a TPM problem. The ergonomics, fit and finish and general drive experience were all perfect. But, reliability was becoming a big concern at +100k. I had the CCP performed in 2015, I think BMW handled this, effectively a recall, very well.

Forum members often describe the 550iX with the N63 engine as a ticking time bomb. Could not agree more!

So what did I replace my 550iX with? A perfect condition, 2015 fully equipped Lexus RX 350. The last Lexus we owned, 2004 RX 330, was driven for nearly 100k when sold, after owning it for nearly 8 years. Other than routine maintenance the only problem experienced in 8 years of ownership was a loose battery connection causing the electronics to throw a hissy fit. The Lexus dealership had a lot of problems diagnosing this problem.

If only BMW could make a car with the same reliability as a Lexus/Toyota, it would IMHO be the best car in the world.

Goodbye F10 forum members, you have been most helpful over the last 4 years and fun to communicate with. All other 5 series forum members, thank you for all your help over the years. Drive safely and have fun. Signing out.

Regards,

Marcus

[DAYINAZ]

I am right behind you! My 550 had the engine pulled all sorts of issues at 38,300 miles, the lease is up and its going to the dealer on Friday!

[ChesterCopperpot1]

I am parking my 550i to pay off the negative equity to sell it to someone who can appreciate it more than I can. I've never driven it faster than 85 MPH. I don't push it hard because I'm afraid.

On the Toyota/Lexus end of things, consider this: I was given a FREE 1996 Toyota Tercel. It has 235k miles. It was parked in a garage 10 years ago and it sat there. I was told "you come and get it, you can have it." I borrowed my dad's truck, rented a U-haul trailer, and went and picked up. Tires were flat, so we took an air compressor to air them up. They held air, but they def need replacing.

Today, we jump the Tercel as the battery was completely dead. The gas in it, what little there was, is 10 years old. After a few cycles of cranking, we have ignition. It sputters for a few moments as if it is trying to catch its breath. Then, we have life! It runs as smooth as can be.

Moral of the story: you can't kill a Toyota.

[spyroz]

BMW f10 are trash? maybe....you can buy a 2012 bmw 550i Msport package for $12,000. WTF bmw? why are they so depreciated?

[philipm785]

Originally Posted by spyroz

BMW f10 are trash? maybe....you can buy a 2012 bmw 550i Msport package for $12,000. WTF bmw? why are they so depreciated?

They definitely do depreciate heavily, but that's also not uncommon in higher end luxury sedans.

For example, a quick search on Autotrader revealed several 2011-2012 Lexus LS-460's of in my area for $13k - $16k vs. $80k - $100k new. Lexus has one of the better depreciation curves out there, but they still end up in the teens (depending on mileage) after 8-9 years.

Everything in life is a trade off.

To the OP - I hope you enjoy your new RX! I've heard great things about them.

[johnhva]

Fastest Depreciating Cars 2018

[JDMSteven]

Gotta love a good Toyota/Lexus! My first car was a 96 Camry that sat for 3 years before I bought it with 236k, started and drove perfectly. Then I had a 99 ES300, and just bought my sister an 07 RX400 Hybrid with 80k mi! My 2011 535xi has been really really reliable though, so that's the only reason why I'm not interested in getting rid of it with 40k on the clock

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by JDMSteven

Gotta love a good Toyota/Lexus! My first car was a 96 Camry that sat for 3 years before I bought it with 236k, started and drove perfectly. Then I had a 99 ES300, and just bought my sister an 07 RX400 Hybrid with 80k mi! My 2011 535xi has been really really reliable though, so that's the only reason why I'm not interested in getting rid of it with 40k on the clock

Too bad they're like 99% FWD appliances. Life's too short to drive boring cars.

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Too bad they're like 99% FWD appliances. Life's too short to drive boring cars.

Tis true... The IS350 is not bad though!

[mgattmch]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Too bad they're like 99% FWD appliances. Life's too short to drive boring cars.

Somewhat true, but the Lexus RX 350 always works when I need it. I have no fear going on a 6,000 mile road trip in it. Wish I could say this about the 550iX. Besides, if I want to have fun and drive a stylish car, I always have my 650iX GC sitting in the garage.

[johnhva]

Actually the thread's title of "5 Series" is too sweeping. The 535 doesn't worry me.

[TheUtahX5M]

I've learned my lessons in the past and no V8 BMWs. My diesel F10 has been the most satisfying and trouble free vehicle I've ever had. I've nearly put 100k on it and it sips fuel, drives phenomenally and aside from the common AC evaporator that warranty fixed, I'm still in my second set of brake pads, third set of tires, and oil changes by schedule. The battery needed replaced after six years last month and other than that the car shows little to no wear (and it goes to Tahoe year round)

I swear by my 2014+ diesel BMWs. In fact I just bought another 2014 identical to this one.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by johnhva

Actually the thread's title of "5 Series" is too sweeping. The 535 doesn't worry me.

+1

Meanwhile, I had ZERO issues with my 535 and July 29th will be a sad day when the lease is up.

Best daily I have ever owned / leased.

[yakattack]

Originally Posted by mgattmch

the 550iX was a PITA from a maintenance/reliability perspective. Purchased used (at 60k miles) 4 years ago with an expensive 4 year after market warranty from Zurich. The warranty ran out this year, two recent repair bill were $600 for a new battery and $900 to fix a TPM problem. The ergonomics, fit and finish and general drive experience were all perfect. But, reliability was becoming a big concern at +100k. I had the CCP performed in 2015, I think BMW handled this, effectively a recall, very well.

Forum members often describe the 550iX with the N63TU engine as a ticking time bomb. Could not agree more!

Hi there, what year was your 550? I'm curious because you mentioned it had an N63TU, I have seen many threads complaining about N63 issues, but have yet to find an owner that was not happy with their N63TU. What issues did you have besides the battery and TPM (is that Tire pressure monitoring system?)? Also I wasn't aware that there was a CCP for the N63TU, I thought that was only for the N63.

Anyway, congrats and enjoy the new ride!

[mgattmch]

Originally Posted by johnhva

Actually the thread's title of "5 Series" is too sweeping. The 535 doesn't worry me.

I agree, from what I know BMW I6 engines are extremely reliable. My 540 V8 were pretty good, the TT V8, N63 in my 2012 550iX not so much. See my tale of woe later in this post.

Marcus

[mgattmch]

Originally Posted by Tiburblium

Hi there, what year was your 550? I'm curious because you mentioned it had an N63TU, I have seen many threads complaining about N63 issues, but have yet to find an owner that was not happy with their N63TU. What issues did you have besides the battery and TPM (is that Tire pressure monitoring system?)? Also I wasn't aware that there was a CCP for the N63TU, I thought that was only for the N63.

Anyway, congrats and enjoy the new ride!

Sorry, I got the engine nomenclature wrong, should have said N63 not N63TU. I believe the N63TU engine is a lot more reliable than it's predecessor. In answer to you question here is my list of non routine maintenance issues (car is a 2012, purchased used in 2015 at 60k miles):

2015 - CCP (N/C). DTM caused by 2 injector failures and 2 spark plugs. Rain sensor failed. Stabilizer link replaced
2016 - Lucky me, routine maintenance only
2017 - Turbo coolant leaks.
2018 - DTM again, 2 ignition coils and 8 spark plugs. DMTL pump failure. Cooling fan relay switch failed.
2019 - TPM failure and new battery. OK the battery is routine maintenance, albeit expensive at $600.

The above is just the non routine maintenance issues. On top of this I had something like 5 RFT failures, until common sense got the better of me and I switched to conventional tires. To me, the above represents a lot of non routine maintenance/failures in 4 years of ownership and only 48k miles use.

I must be a masochist, after all the problems with the car I still loved driving it and miss seeing it in my garage.

Marcus