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Dec. 27, 2010 8:40 p.m. 1lapdawg New Reader

My wife is interested in a new to her car and is interested in an X5. Been checking pricing on 2006 1gen with 40-45K miles on them and around $25K. Anything I should be aware of with them. She has a 99 Outback SUS and the lack of oomph plus no latch system for 2 car seats is becoming an issue.

The other thought has been a new Outback but 35K for the 6 cylinder seems to be a bit much.

The upside option wise is my employer is able to get me solid discounts on any GM Ford or Chrysler products. Plus I may be able to get a discount on Volvo or Subaru through connections.

Some advice would be appreciated.

Thanks. And Happy Holidays everyone.
Dec. 27, 2010 8:55 p.m. pigeon Dork

I'm a huge BMW fanboi. Look at CPO Volvo XC90s. You should be able to get a decently optioned one in your price range. 18 months ago I paid 32k-ish for a V8 one 3 years old with 24k miles on it with literally every available option that stickered for $53k. The Volvo has the best seats in autodom, is very safe, is a great size - the 3 row option gives room to take 2 more kids (12 or under) places and with them folded down there's good cargo room, the V8 gives plenty of power, and mine's been very reliable. The X5 is a fine vehicle but they just don't move me.
Dec. 27, 2010 8:56 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

The earlier ones all eat transmissions somewhere between 80-120k. The fans get an extended warranty and consider it the cost of ownership.
Dec. 27, 2010 9:50 p.m. ansonivan HalfDork
From what I see at work, X-5's are second only to 7 series in maintenance dollar consumption. Going from a Subaru to an X-5 will almost certainly be a nasty shock.
- front outer cv boots - typically every 50k/5years
- cooling systems - everything every 60k/5years
- brake light assemblys leak water
- license plate light assemblys leak water
- window regulators
- more expensive things I can't remember at the moment
I would look at an Acura MDX, feed them tires/brakes and a timing belt every 100k. Not quite as refined as the X5 but a whole lot nicer to live with just the same.
Dec. 27, 2010 10:39 p.m. corytate New Reader

as said above the mdx is a fine suv.
Dec. 28, 2010 12:26 p.m. rjones33 New Reader

The trans in my folk's 2002 X5 started clunking right around that time. Pay attention to the trans.

I think ansonivan's mileage projections are a little pessimistic but correct in spirit... the coolant system (near all of it) will go around 100k,CVs around the same. Not sure about the other stuff mentioned.

I think there are better cars in this class (Acura is a good suggestion) and I too am a bmw fanboy.