Which Used BMW SUV is the Most Reliable?

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a used car is how well it will run for you in the months and years down the road. That’s why it’s recommended to take a used vehicle you’re looking at to a mechanic. But when it comes to BMW SUVs, which options are the most reliable?

With every car purchase, you will want to do your research so you can weigh the price against what the vehicle offers you. 

You’ll also need to consider how much you’ll spend later on repairs and maintenance, not no mention safety. We’ll go into more detail about these considerations below.

X1 Model

Cheaper, efficient, and small for an SUV, the BMW X1 has attracted a wide variety of buyers.

Thinking about becoming one of them? Here are some important things to know:

Efficiency and Size

The 2016 BMW X1 has an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, 4 cylinders, and a combined fuel efficiency of 26 MPG. Its engine is a 2.0 L with 228 horsepower. It seats five, has 21.7 cubic feet of trunk space, and is 175.4 inches long.

Comfort and Convenience

Sometimes the tech and gadgets can break a tie between two cars. Unfortunately, the X1 does not get far in this race. 

The only notable specs it can boast of are the audio/cruise-control buttons on the steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and remote keyless door locks. It does also have heated mirrors, but features like driving assistant, Bluetooth, and rear reclining seats are not standard and need to be added on.

X3 Model

The BMW X3 is widely considered the first mid-sized SUV on the market. Some people say it compares to the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class. Before you find out for yourself, here’s a little bit more information about it:

Efficiency and Size

Also with all-wheel drive and an 8-speed transmission, the X3 SUV has 248 horsepower, beating the X1. However, it only has a fuel efficiency of 24 MPG. It also seats five but is bigger than the X1 at 185.9 inches long. 

It also has a trunk that provides 28.7 cubic feet of space.

Comfort and Convenience

The X3 model includes all the comfort items mentioned above, but also comes with:

• Footrest for the driver
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Concealed storage in the trunk
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• WiFi hotspot
• And more!

Common BMW Problems

You’ve probably seen these luxury cars cruising past you on the highway from time to time.

If you’ve always fantasized about owning one, your dream may be within reach! Used BMWs are much cheaper but still hold the same wow factor.

But before you throw your money at the nearest luxury SUV dealer, take some time to learn about how much you could be spending on repairs later. Then you can make the best decision for yourself and your bank account.

Leaking

Whether it’s the coolant or the oil, leaking seems to be a frequent occurrence in many BMW SUVs. The X5 and X3 especially have had dangerous cases where leaking coolant caused the engine to catch fire. 

That’s definitely not the kind of problem you want to deal with on your way to work. representative from Independent Import Service says the most common problem he sees with BMWs is oil leaks.

Backup Camera

With all the incredible technology today’s cars are packed with, we can easily become dependant on it. 

With many BMW SUVs, the backup camera has some dangerous issues. In several models, the camera sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. 

You’ll want to make sure your technology is reliable! Other problems with the camera include bad lighting, which can make the image difficult to see. 

When you can’t see where you’re going, you can seriously damage both people and property!

Battery

Particularly with the X5 model, the battery seems to be playing a practical joke. 

Many drivers report seeing a low-power warning on their dash with no fault code entered into the computer. 

These problems usually take care of themselves after a few days, but it can still be scary to not know if there is a real problem or not.

Honorable Mentions

BMW X5 (E53)

First, though it came out in 1999, the E53 BMW X5 still looks excellent, especially after the facelift in 2004. So, as far as the visual aspect, it still holds its ground against other more modern SUVs. Then comes the versatility. This SUV came into the market with plenty of influence from Land Rover, as BMW had just acquired it. So, the E53 X5 shared many components with the Range Rover. These included versatile offroad engine managements systems and hill descent control.

BMW combined these features with its experience creating comfortable vehicles. So, it came up with an SUV capable both on and off-road. In addition, BMW fitted the X5 with a series of engines that were already tried and true. These included the legendary 3.0L straight-6 and the 4.4L V8. These engines provided enough power to give the SUV decent performance reliability.

An ideal model to look for is the 3.0L straight-6, with a manual transmission. Look for years from 2004 to 2006. While these are the most basic of the entire production line, they are also the least prone to mechanical issues. As it’s tradition, we like to remind readers that BMWs can have more problems than other brands. So it’s not that the X5 is perfect; it has fewer issues than others in the lineup.

The X5 sparked BMW’s venture into the SUV and, from then on, the German manufacturer ramped its game in this sector. Of course, one market that the company wanted to compete in was the mid-sized SUV sector, and that’s when it came up with our second vehicle on this list.

BMW X5 (E70)

BMW managed to replicate its X5 success with the second-generation E70. Again, it produced an excellent overall package. Though the E70 is longer and wider than its predecessor, it still has excellent ground clearance. Plus, it maintains all the driving characteristics that made the X5 famous. BMW launched the M version with impressive performance figures if you want more spice.

The E70 BMW X5 is a reliable SUV with all the creature comforts you need while providing robust and dependable performance. Regarding the engine options, BMW did change up the scenery a bit. In the first years, it offered the traditional 3.0L straight-6 but replaced it with a turbo 3.0L in 2011. This powerplant is still reliable and has brisk performance.

Another aspect to consider is that BMW dropped the manual transmission option for the second-generation X5. So now, there were only two automatic transmissions, a 6-speed, and an 8-speed, from 2011 onward, as optional. In this case, the best option to go for is the 6-speed automatic, as it is reliable and provides adequate acceleration.

When it comes to engines, the 4.8L V8 is a reliable option. This powerplant provides excellent performance and has fewer issues than its successor, the 4.4L V8. An ideal model to go for is one with the 6-speed automatic and either the 3.0L or 4.8L engines.

Of course, if you want something with more punch, then the X5 M is an excellent choice. However, this SUV does have hampered off-road abilities due to its lower ground clearance and performance tires. But it makes up for, by having around 550 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it’s surprisingly reliable.

Reliabilty

If you were just looking for a fast SUV with all the cool technology that makes driving a comfortable experience, your best choice would probably be the BMW X3. 

However, it isn’t necessarily the most reliable BMW. The X1 hasn’t had as many leaking problems as the X3, though it does have a plastic oil filter that has reportedly to leaked often.

If you decide on one of these cars, you should be on guard for oil leaks. Most other issues can be avoided if you get regular oil changes and emissions checks. 

Take care of your car, and it will take care of you.

Repair Costs

Regular oil changes for an X1 cost as much as $250 according to repairpal.com, depending on the shop and driving conditions. 

That may seem like a lot to pay every 3,000 miles, but replacing your entire fuel tank after your oil leaks everywhere is about $1,730. For an X3, oil changes are between $189 and $218. 

Repair costs for a fuel tank are roughly $1,600.

Conclusion

The more reliable vehicle may be the X1, and the more luxurious vehicle may be the X3, but the vehicle that requires the cheapest maintenance and repairs is definitely the BMW X3. 

It’s got all the specs and tech that you are looking for in a car, and it’s cheaper to take care of.

Again, both cars are good options if you’re willing to put in the work to keep them in good working condition. 

Since oil and coolant leaks are the most common problem in BMW SUVs, be sure to check up on these things regularly so you can catch it before it becomes a serious problem.