Buying used X5 vs Cayenne
 

Looking at a 2006 X5 3.0 with 70k miles. Seems pretty good with one owner. However after searching it seems a LOT of problems with this model. So, considering a used Cayenne as alternate choice. Thought I would ask if any experience w/ X5 vs Cayenne. I've read positive Cayenne comments on Pelican (after cooling pipe fix). Thanks for any insight.

Replacing the Porsche's brakes will put you in the poor house. You should research maintenance costs on the Cayenne

Neither one is cheap. Break a lot? yep Expensive to fix? yep
That being said my Cayenne S is my favorite car ever. It drives and goes like a
Porsche you can tow effortlessly with it, put a garbage can in the back.
It's the swiss army knife of cars. It'll pass anything but a gas station

I too have an interest in a Cayenne but cost concern me. I see you own a GC SRT-8
Do you think it makes more sense as a hot rod SUV over the Porsche, BMW v-8 versions. I currently have a 09 GC with Hemi and really like it..

2005 X5 4.4i Sport here. Wonderful car in almost every aspect, but warranty company has paid out in repairs almost as much as I paid for it. Some things are typical repairs you'd expect, but also a lot of stupid stuff. Never again.

I did a bunch of research about a year ago. I was looking at replacing my daily driver and considered Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Porsche. In the end, I went with Porsche. The reliability and build quality seemed better with Porsche than with BMW. It seems like BMW is a crap shoot. You may get a great car or you may end up with a lemon. Porsche seems to mostly be great cars with much, much fewer lemons.

There are several folks on the board that have mentioned that they love their Cayenne with well over 100,000 miles and nothing needed other than pads, oil, gas, filters. There was one guy whose wife drove a Cayenne that couldn't keep tires on the thing.

Huh? Replacing the steel brakes on a Cayenne are about as much as an F150. If you are talking about PCCBs that is almost irrelevant to the question at hand, I don't think you can even get them on an S.

Given the choice of those two I'd take the pepper all day long. Better built, more reliable, better longevity. The coolant pipes are the only big issue and the were fixed permanently from 2008 on. I had a 2009 GTS with 75k that was a fantastic SUV. By that point an X5 is falling apart inside and out.

This is what I wanted to hear...

I have a 2008 X5 4.8 with 85K.

In my 15k miles with it I've done back brakes, water pump, and a rear suspension airbag.

Brake parts from pelican were just under $500. Ms Gogar's panamera brakes from pelican were maybe $150 more.

The rear airbag was $200.. Took about 20 minutes on a lift to replace, very easy.

Would've been almost $2k in parts for a cayenne. That's my only direct comparison. Maybe not typical, but my only first hand comparison.

I think with any of these cars you need to make a friend who can read and clear your error codes, ( or do it yourself), otherwise you'll spend a fortune on any of them. Lots of really simple tasks will throw a code that you can't clear without the right gear.

Had a 2003 X5 3.0, sold with 235,000 Miles to get a 2009 Cayenne S, biggest mistake I made! Cayenne had all kind of electronic problems, needed new drive shaft after 6 months, a few other things within the 10 months I had it. Traded it in for a 2012 X5 Diesel, best decision! I would take the BMW over the Cayenne every day.

The X5 is made out of broken. The wheel speed sensors will cause all sorts of grief. The dash quits working, the digital display is garbage, you need the dealer to vin match almost every electrical component you replace. The rear airbags go regularly, water pump is another common issue, nickasil failures, power steering pump, heater controls... My brother got his all fixed and then was too afraid to sell it for fear of getting sued. He gave it away in the end (2weeks ago). It was mint and everything was fixed but it was just a matter of time before the next issue)... 2002 X5 with 60,000 miles.

I heard X5d's were pretty good. Anyone with experience with these? My buddy has had 2 and is totally happy. I'm considering the X5d for the wife...... Any feedback on that would be great.

There are 2 different types of vehicle ownership...

On warranty and off warranty. I think that those with positive experiences with X5s (and Audis) are the people that bought them new or owned them with warranty coverage intact.

Off warranty, when they are passed their design life (length of warranty or lease), things change drastically. The issue with the X5 is that many of the 'simple' things a DIYer can otherwise do, require dealer intervention to vinmatch electrical parts once they fail.

Don't get me wrong, when they work they are awesome vehicles the problem is when they start to break (Inevitable) they get expensive real fast.

A couple other things worth noting regarding the Cayenne:

Driveshaft failure = center bearing failure, which isn't uncommon on two piece driveshafts. There is an improved OEM and aftermarket fix available. It also gives a lot of warning before failure, so it's not catastrophic (typically).

The Cayenne air suspension isn't terrible but like all air suspensions, eventually will need TLC. Arnott Industries makes cheaper but high quality aftermarket replacement parts that will save you a ton over OEM. The other option is to simply not buy the air suspension, it was optional on the S. Though on my GTS it was quite good.

For the Porsche you can get Durametric for about $300 that gives you 90% of the dealer computer capability. I'm not sure if a similar system exists for BMW DIY work.

This is also my experience. I have had several 3-series BMW and either they have been flawless (an e46, an e91 and my current f30) or have caused enourmous grief and frequent trips to the dealer (an e46 which spent 4 months at the dealer over the course of four years ownership and a e93 with numerous engine problems). The 2005 X5 which my wife drives has been in the family for 8 years now and has been very reliable. I am amazed how tight it still feels for a 10 year old car with >100k miles.

Sounds like it's a crapshoot either way. I've no experience on either of them, so if it were my money and choosing between just the two, I'd get a PPI on a gen2 or current Cayenne.

How 'bout a new Macan? Or (eek) a used Range Rover?

I think a Range Rover makes either one look like a Camry in comparison.

Our 2006 has been an amazing car. Bought with 30k miles in 2009 and now has 115. It is as solid as the day we drove it home.

The brakes are the easiest brake job I have ever done. Hands down. Got the pads and rotors on line for a fraction of the cost from the dealer.

They are so inexpensive I can hardly believe it. I can't think of more car for less money.

If you DIY, but not at the dealer...

Brakes on an '11 "S" recently cost my brother in law $3300 at his local Porsche dealer.

He was also stranded on the highway this past winter with an exploded rear coolant pipe, Porsche did him a solid and replaced it as the vehicle was only 3k out of warranty (53k mi)

But I saw him this weekend and we discussed his newest adventure...$8300 tab for a transmission rebuild, now at 56k mi.

That being said, I had an '06 with the 6-banger. I thought it was a great vehicle, fit and finish is out of BMW's grasp and despite it being under powered was still a lot more fun to drive (very balanced)than I'd ever anticipated.

Speaking of Range Rover. As much as it hurts me Judi is in love the the Range rover sport. Not to hijack but what the thought on 2011-2012?

Like choosing between airline food or prison food.

with the x5 I think engine choice is critical, the 3.0 is a good reliable motor, BUT if you want a v8 (who doesn't) you open up your wallet to some really significant damage, valve seals going way too early, internal coolant pipe leaks, my indi mech has an x5 3.0 for his personal car, me thinks there's a reason

My Jeep SRT8 is def bad@ss - is fastest production SUV (2007) period. Personally, I love it! Really only compares to the other brands M or P- twin turbo - just better and much more simple

Great commentary and helpful as we debate the choice. Thanks for input so far.
I have a Range Rover albeit a '94 "classic" and, well one is enough. It's a fine truck but not a DD anymore. Future restoration project.
I've also located an 05 Cayenne with just under 100k miles (here on Pelican) - Porsche enthusiast owned with the work all done on coolant pipes, replaced Cardan shaft and other items I've read one can expect to replace. That's good to know - as the pipes appear to be a mandatory fix.
As I learn more will help make decision.
Thanks again for input

I hate to say it, but if you take any out of warranty European car to the dealership for service, you will get exactly what you deserve.....

For any appliance like that, why not just buy something reliable?

It's a utility vehicle.

Do yourself a favor and just buy a Toyota or Honda...

Porsches, BMW's, make great 3rd cars... Primary drivers, not so much.

We have a 2005 BMW...50,000 miles. So far we replaced the sway bar links, cam covers, sensors, window motor, multiple key fobs, 2 air bag recalls, etc...

No more bmw's for me. Right window just stopped working, and check engine light is on. Piece of shiit. Drives nice though...

Just bought a toyota highlander. Can't believe how much I love this car. Has everything that BMW has, Mercedes has, etc... And it was way cheaper and doesn't break. I choose to drive this car over the BMW, 911, and others each day...

The 911 is great for weekends...

the previous generation Range Rover Sport is preferred transport for drug dealers over here.

When I needed an SUV I test drove a bunch of X5's, really wanting to like one.
Drove one MBz - hated it.
I was pretty much refusing to consider the Cayenne --I mean, WTF was Porsche thinking making an SUV?
I drove one. I put it thru all sorts of tests, expecting it would fail one (so I could reinforce my displeasure with Porsche making an SUV) It didn't. I bought one. Sooo glad I didn't settle for a BMW.

The pepper-wagons are a lot of tech tightly packaged.

If you can afford a Porsche or BMW suv go for it. If you want low maintenance then Toyota, Lexus or Honda are the way to go. With my RX350 I don't think about breakdowns. Reliability is there plus I have an extended warranty.

From what I've heard around here, the Cayenne is the better vehicle of the two but either one could eat you out of house and home. I say stick to American or Asian for DD type vehicles and have a fun car or two that you don't have to depend on for transportation.

Previously we had a 325xi wagon and the AWD system took us skiing and through several NE winters sans a problem - So good experience with BMW in winter. Hence X5 on list.
Recycled sixtie: How is an RX330/350 in snow/winter conditions a la Edmonton?

Our 2011 RX350 is great in winter. I bought snow tires for winter and so far so good. It may not be as fun to drive as a BMW in winter but that is fine by me. I looked at the BMW X1 but for value used I think the RX350 is a winner plus it has a spare tire.
Guy

Deviating slightly, there is a VW Toureg with <30k miles for similar $ that buys a 70k-90k BMW/Cayennes. Newer by 3-4 years too. VW reliability a consideration. After that it's a CR-V if stick to budget. Will try to get this done this week.
Is there any reason to avoid the VW - if one accept a 1000/yr in maintence?

I looked off/on for 3 months for a BMW SUV as I researched their forums.
Decided otherwise - found this on CList.
Trouble free since 2011. I did change wiper blades. :)

I bought a new Toyota Tacoma as a family hauler in 2005. By 2010 I was thinking of getting a used Cayenne or X5, and found that my Toyota was worth more on the used market than either of those. I almost pulled the trigger until I ran into a guy who had just bought an x5 one year out of warranty and his steering sensor went (to the tune of $2500.00)

I still have my Tacoma. I do a lot of towing.
At 230,000kms I just replaced the second set of front pads and first set of front rotors for the first time. Still haven't done the rear brakes. Other that that, oil changes and tires. That is all.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1438780257.jpg

fwiw, I recently spent some time driving a buddy's T-reg. --it's the same year as my Pep-wagon, has air-suspension, V8 .. I expected it to be the same, minus 10% power. It's not. The T-reg isn't bad, but the Cayenne is superbly crisp, by comparison. Shifting is super smooth, handling crispness also goes to the Pepper, and it just gets up and moves with greater ease. --seemingly more than the 10% difference on paper. OTOH, the Pepper isn't that much better considering the price difference. ...essentially, it cost a lot more for that bit better performance.

I would definitely buy a T-reg over the BMW.

I drove a late model, (2010?), Tourag w/ V-8 for a while a few years back. Really nice rig but it got the worst fuel mileage of any vehicle I've ever driven. My friend had it as an extra car, lease had a year left and he'd moved on to another car. He's the richest guy I know and even he was complaining about the mileage.

Is the Cayenne this bad?

Yes it is, but who buys it for economy?

My buddy drives his T-reg around in 'sport mode' where it revs higher between shifts and never goes into 6th. His computer was saying average was 15.6mpg. My Cayenne S usually is around 17.3 combined and ~20 highway (22mpg if you can stand keeping it under 55nph) However, I have seen fuel economy go below 15mpg. Depends on use. It's NOT a Prius.

I will also note that where the T-reg has that sport mode (which isn't all that sporty) the Cayenne does not. Rather, it pays attention to how you're driving. If you start flogging it, it goes beyond any sport mode, and right into psychopath mode --all shifting happens at redline... holds rev's in hard corners... suspension firms up. Becomes a different animal.