What's your beater/daily driver?

[bmw m3 s50]

I love mine. I'm not sure what the other poster is talking about, but the M is much much faster than the diesel. Mine makes 650HP and is neck and neck with a 2022 Macan Turbo.

Maintenance hasn't been what I'd call cheap... but if you are resourceful it's not really an issue. For example... just recently I had the CEL come on, and it was limiting power, you couldn't even drive it. I figured it was most likely a spark plug or coil, so I pulled the code, misfire in cylinder 7. The dealership wanted $1700 to change the spark plugs. 😧

I bought a set of plugs off ECS, bought the Dinan coils, and had a mobile mechanic come by and do it in my garage for $200 while I went to work. $300ish vs $1700

I wouldn't let random stories off the internet scare you. Make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection done at a reliable place like BMW, and try to find one with under 100K on it.

The biggest issue the Ms have is that they run incredibly hot, so hoses and fitting under the hood tend to get destroyed quicker than normal.

Yeah, I agree with you. I do PPI's on all my car purchases so that is not a problem. I would most likely sell my X5D and add an extra 8-12k, it would put me in an really nice low mile e70 X5M. I would buy my parts from FCP euro to deal with the parts cost of the car. Labor would never be done at the dealer, I would take it to an Indy Shop to get the work done.

The issue with this car is that reviews are all over the place. Some posters say, it's the most reliable BMW that they ever owned while others say that it is a nightmare. I read this one post where the guy bought a low mile 60-70k mile X5M and in the first year it ran him $19k in repairs. He recommended getting an aftermarket car warranty with an X5M.

I also agree you that almost everyone say that the M V8's run incredibly hot because of the hotvee. This kills plastic parts, vacuum lines, and other small brittle parts. I have ISTA so I can scan my BMW's to source problems.

Do you consider the X5M fun to drive? Any regrets buying the X5M?

The other issue is colors. I typically like darker colors on larger cars. The only two colors the X5M came in was Black and Space Grey. I am not a fan of Black since it sorta hides the M exterior futures. I would like the Space Grey, but they simple impossible and the most rare e70 X5M color.

[9kracing]

Do you consider the X5M fun to drive? Any regrets buying the X5M?

None at all actually.

And yeah, this thing's a blast.

The whole thing was somewhat serendipity... I was looking for a E39 M5 in Alpine White to match my E46, and the X5M popped up on Craigslist locally. Legit Dinan S1 with badge, low miles, Alpine white and black interior... it's like my E46's big brother.

I was hesitant to buy it, but It has ended up being the car that does it all for us. We take it up to Tahoe, camping, road trips to San Diego, the beach... it does 11 second quarter miles with the trunk full of crap from Home Depot and a car seat in the back.


Mine has been pretty reliable for the most part... I mean, it's a M car after all.

I had a leak spring in the coolant tank reservoir and I had BMW fix it, that was 800 bucks.

To do the brakes correctly is eye wateringly expensive. They come with 2 piece rotors which are brutally expensive, so most guys go with cheap one piece aftermarket, but I did not, and my wallet felt it.

Other than the bad spark plug I mentioned, I haven't had any other issues really. Just a battery that went bad and was messing with my comfort access.

Plenty of guys have examples on the forums with over 150K on them and minimal issues.

I've also seen engines seize at 70K.


These also came in blue and red.

https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1948030

https://www.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1923871

[bmw m3 s50]

None at all actually.

And yeah, this thing's a blast.

The whole thing was somewhat serendipity... I was looking for a E39 M5 in Alpine White to match my E46, and the X5M popped up on Craigslist locally. Legit Dinan S1 with badge, low miles, Alpine white and black interior... it's like my E46's big brother.

I was hesitant to buy it, but It has ended up being the car that does it all for us. We take it up to Tahoe, camping, road trips to San Diego, the beach... it does 11 second quarter miles with the trunk full of crap from Home Depot and a car seat in the back.

Yep, that is kinda the position that I am in and reasoning behind considering by the X5M

The only other color I would consider is Monte Carlo Blue but I still prefer a darker low key color.

[EthanolTurbo]

Sorry, but I can't possibly see how the X5D is anywhere near as fast as the X5M in any situation. The X5M has more torque and almost double the HP. Maybe in the 0 to 100ft, it might be even or quicker but I would think that the X5M would beat it in any other performance category. The issue with modding the X5D becomes even if I do a tune and delete as well as add R90 fuel pump, hybrids, downpipes and exhaust, I would have spent well over $10k after factoring in labor. After all of the that work, I still do not think X5D would be quicker than the X5M. It might be on par or just as quick, but I don't think it would be faster. Especially, if you add a simple tune and downpipes to the X5M. After all that work you still would not have all of the bells and whistles of an X5M such as:

M Bodykit and looks
M Brakes
M Suspension and handling
M Steering Wheel
M paddle shifters
M cluster
M heads up display
etc

You simply won't have that special M car compared to the standard BMW model. I figure that, if I sell my X5D and add an extra 8-12k, it would put me in an really nice low mile e70 X5M. 8k-12k would be about as much as I would spend on the X5D to do the tune/deletes, add R90 fuel pump, hybrids, downpipes and exhaust, Plus, I would have to deal with the smell of diesel and fumes from the deletes, which is one of the primary reasons why I have not deleted anything yet.

Remember for me, the X5 is not a daily driver. Its more of a going out with my girl, or family or to dinner type of car. 90% of the time the X5D sits in my garage next to my m3's. I figured that if I was daily driving the X5, then the X5D would make more sense but the fact that it doesn't get much use is why I am considering X5M. Don't get me wrong, the X5D is a really nice car to drive but it is simply not very fun. The only thing holding me back from the X5M is the nightmare repairs which I have read about on X5 forums.

R90 fuel pump $400
Downpipes $500
Tune $1000
Hybrids $2300

Labor to do all of that is $1500-2000. So about $6k altogether.

It will make about 450 whp and 700-750 wtq, which is similar whp to stock X5M and about 250-300 wtq more. With dual pumps it'll be 500 whp/750+ wtq.

The X5D can actually make more power on stock motor and trans than an X5M can. Stock trans can hold 1200 wtq. There's someone working on retrofitting the X5M/X6M active diff in the rear and coding it to work the same as the M car.

With some good suspension, lighter tires and wheels you've spiced it up quite a bit. Just saying, the X5D is way more fun tuned and deleted with a trans tune. I have owned both stock X5D's and now a modded one and it's night and day. It's still an SUV at the end of the day but adding 250 whp and 200-300 extra wtq makes a massive difference.

Just saying you don't have to deal with the potentially expensive issues on an X5M to have a fast SUV. Plus deleting and tuning it increases reliability and MPG. And if you're worried about smell just get a DOC (catted) downpipe.

[rsnissan]

This must blow away 99% of unsuspecting challengers that make an attempt.

Yes, its a great sleeper in that colour and is unsuspecting as a wagon = great fun surprising people 🤣

[Norocehcap]

E46 330Ci 5Spd Topaz Blue Metallic over black leather

[maw1124]

My 2013 C63 Wagon with Eurocharge tune

I SO hate that car never came to the US. I remember the AMG pics thrashing them in the snow. Jelly…. My Allroad 4.2 is fine but it’s no 63 Estate, C, E or CLS (Shooting Brake).

maw

[oceansize]

Moved some cars and then ended up with a 2023 Gladiator. With my kids out of the house I've been fishing a bunch and some of the better put-ins are off the beaten path (also now my DD). Problem solved.

[Gearhead55]

New beater. 2020 F97 X3M, donnington grey over tartufo interior. Just installed KW V3s and some JQ werks magnetic paddles. I love it.

[9kracing]

Ugh those are so nice. I really want to trade in my E70 for a new X3M Comp, but I enjoy not having a car payment.

Super sexy SUV though.

[Gearhead55]

Ugh those are so nice. I really want to trade in my E70 for a new X3M Comp, but I enjoy not having a car payment.

Super sexy SUV though.

They're not cheap but the pre-LCIs have come down in price a bit. The comp is the way to go. The stock suspension is really stiff, particularly on the pre-LCI ones but the KWs made a massive difference. The suspension feels just right now. I haven't driven an E70 but it feels like a worthy successor to the E53.

[Nate047]

That's pretty cool, I feel like I've seen half a dozen friends recently pick up X3Ms. Funny that KW even makes V3s for a crossover/SUV, and also funny that they are an improvement over stock ride quality.

[D-O]

2011 328i wagon. Base model automatic.

[usdmej]

gotta Tesla MYP as a commuter/family hauler/beater. am happily surprised to say it has filled that role perfectly

[Gearhead55]

That's pretty cool, I feel like I've seen half a dozen friends recently pick up X3Ms. Funny that KW even makes V3s for a crossover/SUV, and also funny that they are an improvement over stock ride quality.

As far as I know KW is the only coilover option and they really nailed it with the spring rates and valving out of the box. There are a handful of spring kits which people seem to be happy with though. BMW just really went way too stiff with the stock springs, and the softest EDC setting was under-damped and just made the ride bouncier, not smoother. The KWs delete the EDC, but I'd rather have one correct damper setting and no EDC than three compromised electronic damper settings.