The X5 M is not only the very top-of-the-line X5, featuring not only all of the premium accommodation and practicality of a normal X5, it provides more bells and whistles than your local orchestra and it is also the most performance focussed variant of BMW’s original SUV model.

While the 2015 to 2018 F85 X5M may look very similar to a normal run-of-the-mill X5, under its beautifully sculpted and muscular bodywork, things are quite different.

Engine-wise, the X5 M gets an M-tuned and enhanced 4.4-Litre twin-turbo V8 which at the time, made it the most powerful engine ever developed for an all-wheel-drive BMW.

To control this immense firepower through the corners, M sorted the suspension and brakes to suit, combined with the M-tuned xDrive all-wheel drive system, super sticky performance tyres and BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control systems.

But, if you’re thinking of buying an X5 M because you just must have a European SUV and the X5 M surely must be close to the pinnacle of German manufacturing, the X5 M is not made in Germany, it’s not even made in Europe. It is manufactured in a township called Greer in South Carolina, that’s in the United States. Interesting.

What goes wrong with a used BMW X5?

Exterior:

Some owners have complained about excessive road noise entering the car from the driver’s side door due to poorly fitted insulation/sound fitting from the factory.

Panoramic sunroofs are known to suffer from leaks due to the drains clogging easily. When sorting this, it’s a good idea to make sure the drainage under the windscreen is clean too.

The reversing camera is known to have a few issues, with the display not being clear or the screen turning off when reverse is selected.

Hex screws attaching the underbody shields can come loose.

There is also a range of sporadic reports regarding various electronic issues, lights acting up, door lock actuators and window motors failing, although not what we’d call common but there can be issues.

Interior:

There are multiple reports of the steering wheel and steering wheel columns making harsh grinding or creaking noises.

The leather on the side of the driver’s seat is known to crack and split however, we question those owners’ techniques for getting in and out possibly more than the quality of the leather.

Also, like the exterior, there’s a long list of sporadic electronic gremlins that can occur which is a concern as the X5 M is loaded with interior electronics.

Mechanically:

The S63 twin-turbo petrol V8 is an evolution of the N63 and it should be noted, the early versions of the N63 are regarded as arguably one of the least reliable of all modern BMW engines.

Is the S63 any better? And have BMW fixed all the problems? Sort of. They have many of the same types of problems the early versions had albeit much less common, but still, plenty of problems.

The worst of them is con-rod bearing failure. If you hear any ticking or knocking sounds, it is too late and you’re up for tens of thousands of dollars worth of repairs.

The entire valve train is very complex and timing chain issues are not unheard of, but also expensive.

Problems with the VANOS solenoids are fairly common and luckily, relatively inexpensive to repair.

They are prone to oil consumption. BMW says this is normal but reports have shown, some can use up to 4 litres between 10,000km service intervals and that’s frightening in an engine that’s known to have big-end bearing failures when starved of oil.

Speaking of oil starvation, that’s what kills turbos and there are plenty of reports of that.

There are probably 30 different coolant hoses and if any of them become soft from oil leaking onto them (which they’re prone to do) be prepared to replace these hoses fairly regularly.

The ZF 8-speed transmission is considered reliable (when serviced properly) although they do have some oil leak issues and oil cooler complications.

The list of potential problems here is immense but the good news is, if you service them religiously (and we mean every 5000km) you’re less likely to have problems with it.

Yes, there are some lucky owners out there that have had very few problems but having said that anything over 150,000km is a ticking bomb.

Recalls:

• 29 January 2021 – It was discovered that a fault during welding process meant a seam on the front axle wasn’t welded properly. This can result in complete separation of the right side tension strut. It affected 14 examples in the X5, X6 and X7 range.
• 29 January 2021 – Foreign bodies were found to have entered the battery cells which could lead to a short circuit in a fully-charged high-voltage battery. This issue affected 62 examples across the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 & MINI Countryman.

Should you buy a used BMW X5?

For most of us, sorry but it’s a no.

However, if you’re in the incredibly fortunate position that you can ignore the running and maintenance costs, you can somehow justify the depreciation and you can afford the very best legal support when it comes time to fight for your licence in court, sure, yes buy an X5 M because, when ignoring some of the unfortunate realities, even used it is still a phenomenal SUV.

But even ignoring the cost of premium tyres and brakes and the fuel it will swallow because trust us, you will be flexing that right foot more often than not, for the X5 M to achieve its immense potential.

It requires its highly strung mechanical and electrical package to be hugely complex when this complexity is mixed with heat, vibration and the harsh Australian climate, things will eventually begin to fail, which then requires repairs, which is a premium BMW, can cost a substantial amount of money.

So, for those of us in, let’s say, a more conservative financial position, again no, you should not buy a used X5 M.