Overview & Reviews

The high-performance X5 4.6is is discontinued. The 3.0i and 4.4i receive an exterior update, as well as a new all-wheel-drive system called xDrive. A six-speed manual transmission is now standard on the 3.0i, and a six-speed automatic is standard on the 4.4i. The 4.4i also receives a new 4.4-liter engine with Valvetronic and a fully variable intake system. Both models can add Sirius Satellite Radio and Bluetooth hands-free cell phone capability as dealer-installed accessories.

• Rides and drives like a BMW sedan, multiple drivetrain choices, top safety scores, high-end cabin furnishings.

• Less interior volume than a 5 Series wagon, price goes up quickly with options, poor fuel economy in the city.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 137.00

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  Never will buy X5 again - 2004 BMW X5
  By Razor - September 22 - 12:12 pm

  BMW = Be My Wreck 2004 X5, 4.4. When I bought this hunk of junk 3 years ago, I was glad I spent the extra money for an extended warranty. And, before I bought it, I insisted the seller take it to a BMW dealership and have it checked out. It cost me $100, and was found to have no issues at that time. Within the first six months, all the seals for the transfer case had to be replaced - $3,300. Within the next year, it started blowing white smoke from the exhaust, also common with this model. I took it in for an oil change and diagnosis for the white smoke. The repair shop found 3 small pieces from the oil pan and informed me that I needed a new oil pump, another common issue with the 4.4 engine - $3,000. Next, they informed me that, due to BMW using cheap valve guides which wore out prematurely causing the engine to burn oil, those had to be replaced. Another common issue with the 4.4 engine. Cost - $7,000. My extended warranty provider refused to pay for repairs that totaled more than the value of the vehicle, so I ended up paying $4,000 out of pocket. After only six months since the rebuild, the engine is now leaking oil all over the driveway. Total cost paid by me and extended warranty = $22,000. My advice: Never buy a BMW x5 with over 100,000 miles on it. I am now shopping for a 4Runner.

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  a headache from the beginning - 2004 BMW X5
  By Vanessa - August 17 - 6:56 am

  I felt in love when i saw this car at the dealer, i bought it used precertify. this suv is VERy VERy heavy to make turns and to park, its very tiff. I have oil leaking problem, doing my research turned out that most of them have the oil leaks problem after 100k miles or so, so every 2 week i have to add oil when its low on oil. Tires are not straight, they are a bit outwardd inclined, so,i had to change 6 tires in 1 year and 5 month period.,the left mirrow would always come out. Back light will go out often, either the turn, brake or tail light.. i had 2 windows regulator broken and the sunroof regulator was weak. The motor was burning too much oil, lots of smoke come out of pipe if i idle. One mechanic told me it need a tune up, another one says it needs a special oil, and the third says its the motor burning oil cuz of high miles(127k). I had to replace the battery once and it was a nightmate, and i have to replace the key cuz the remote control battery die and there is no way to get a new battery ,, the whole key need replacement. At the end i was getting the "trans safe program fail" light and the car was lossing power, i dont know if it needed another battery after changing it 4 months before that. But im glad i was able to get rid of that car before its brake down completely. I owned for 1 year and 5 month,

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  very impressed - 2004 BMW X5
  By new2bmwx5 - June 14 - 7:35 pm

  Just bought a very clean 2004 3.0 6 cylinder BMW X5 with 95k miles on it. Drives like new. Great handling and getting 20mpg combined city and highway. Computer screen has bad sunspots and will cost $2200 to replace (not going to happen). Finding that BMW parts are expensive to replace, and can only happen through dealers. Roomy passenger spaces but very limited back storage area. I drive highways and some pretty rough areas, and this vehicle handles them all well.

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  Seven years young and still superb ... - 2004 BMW X5
  By pasomike - February 26 - 12:53 am

  Other than no lumbar support ... this is and has been an awesome machine to drive. I purchased it new in January 04 ... now have 165,000 miles and it rides the same as the day I bought it! I have driven cross country (CA to NY and return) four times and have visited almost every state. I service it as scheduled and have had routine problems ... brakes once, front boots, a faulty thermostat when new and a broken brake light. I do have to add one quart of oil between each oil change ... I drive long high speed miles and the engine runs hot I have been told. Since the 1 qt has stayed consistent ... and no engine problems, Im good. Im onto to 300,000 miles!

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  Awesome Driving Machine - 2004 BMW X5
  By Imiller - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2004 4.4i in October of 07 and just recently sold it in Sept. of 10. I drove this vehicle for 3 years and put about 35000 miles a year on this car, a huge number of miles a year. When I bought it it had 39,000 miles and when I sold it it had 139,000. I think this car was a lemon though. It had a vibration at a hard acceleration that no one could figure out and I was glad to be rid of this car because of that. I did have an 02 3.0 before this one and loved it. I am looking at buy an 04 4.8 at the present though because overall I loved the look and sportiness of this car. Also, both cars held their value when I sold them. I broke even even at such high mileage.

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  Maintenance Hog - 2004 BMW X5
  By RaleighBMWOwner - July 27 - 1:53 pm

  Purchased new. Always followed recommended maintenance schedule. 54,000 miles driven as of jul/2010. Front brakes replaced under warranty (28,638). Starting to have lots of maintenance issues. Heat exchanger (34,113 miles). Thermostat (37,803). Front axle boot (47,488). Brakes fluid needed flushing (52,779). Rear brake light assembly (53,353). Front thrust rod bushings replaced (53,793). Told we need to replace other front axle boot. Passenger side a/c not working. What is next? All BMW repairs are not cheap. We purchased a 2005 Ford escape SUV (now with 57,000 miles) and have experienced only brake replacement. We didnt expect a $50k BMW to have these issues. We intended 2004 x5 to be 100,000 car.

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  X5 Rules the fun-to-drive SUV Market - 2004 BMW X5
  By elstone - July 16 - 12:15 pm

  The X5 is a joy to drive! Fun, fast, agile, and driver-intuitive. All the reasons you buy a BMW to begin with. But, you also get the benefits of an SUV - more space (though its not a huge cargo area) and solid off-road capabilities. A perfect marriage, in my book. If you are looking for an SUV and dont want to compromise in the driving department, this is a great fit. Looks great too!

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  X5 best SUV - 2004 BMW X5
  By MS - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Well-made, handles like a dream. Much more practical than my Range Rover. Exterior looks compact, but it has a lot of interior room, especially rear passenger leg room.

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  Overcomplicated Undependable 4th car - 2004 BMW X5
  By RaySmay - July 19 - 8:21 pm

  Car was back in the shop for carburetion problems from the time it was new. Brakes are replaced with 50% + of pads left due to poor sensor system. Sunroof hoses pinched during assembly and as soon as a minor amount of dust collected in them water filled both front floor wells. Water ran down over fuse boxes while draining to the floor. Now the lights keep kicking out. Rear wells filled with water (behind access panels to rear light bulbs). All the wiring "boxes" filled with water and now all the junctions are corroded. Rear tail lights go out whenever they feel like it. This car is about the poorest engineered vehicle the devil could have designed. Need a Buick to get parts and make trips.

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  Excellent SUV - 2004 BMW X5
  By Volkan - April 28 - 7:30 pm

  Drives like a car, great control, great handling, great brakes, great quality car.