After drive my dad's new X5, my cx5 is feel like driving a tractor on the road

[Chris_Top_Her]

On the flip side, my mom has been driving BMW's since about 2005. Her first was the 540 purchased in Germany, just before we left for the states. She's owned 3 since then; the 540, an X5 and now an x6. Everyone one of those cars has had more maintenance issues individually than every other car in the household combined. The X5 had an issue with valve lifters than ended up having to be replaced.

 

[123373]

According to Consumer Reports magazine, the BMW X5's reliability (overall) is rated "Worse than average". The following model years are rated "MUCH WORSE THAN AVERAGE":
2011
2012
2014
with common problem areas being:
Fuel system
Electronics
Power systems
Noise/leaks

Apparently, the folks who buy BMWs either don't drive very often, like to visit the dealerships, or are more concerned with brand names, regardless of whether the vehicle is really worth what it costs.
The Mazda CX5, when compared to the X5:
Handles better (much lighter)
Has superior steering feel
If far more reliable, especially when it comes to electronics
Gets superior fuel mileage

The BMW X5:
Makes you feel that you are wealthy
Like iPhones, are overpriced status symbols
Are quieter (but not any more quiet than a Chevy traverse)
Get pummeled when it comes time to sell as a used vehicle
Are faster but use up far more fuel
Used to be the ultimate driving machines

If you know all or most of these things and you still buy a BMW, then don't blame anyone but yourself when that instrument cluster goes haywire and you have to set up yet another service date.

So if you want to quote Consumer reports don't forget that BMW is #5 and Mazda is #6 on their 2016 top 20 brand list. Personally my 5 year old 328 with 115,000 miles rides, runs, and is built better than my 3 year old 38,000 miles CX5 that has been back to the dealer repeatedly. Not the quality I expected on a loaded car with sparse amenities.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I wonder if they will offer a signature trim level on the CX-5 for '17?

 

[concept]

So if you want to quote Consumer reports don't forget that BMW is #5 and Mazda is #6 on their 2016 top 20 brand list. Personally my 5 year old 328 with 115,000 miles rides, runs, and is built better than my 3 year old 38,000 miles CX5 that has been back to the dealer repeatedly. Not the quality I expected on a loaded car with sparse amenities.

Take a look at the reliability ratings of 3-series BMWs vs Mazda 3s. The BMWs have been plagued with power equipment failures, electrical issues, and minor engine issues. Not one year of 3-series BMWs from 2008-2015 has earned a better-than-average or higher rating, whereas there have been a total of 7 years out of 8 in which Mazda 3s have earned better than or much better than average reliability ratings.
You can't go by a sample of 1 or even 10 to compare the two brands' reliability. Consumer reports has data from tens of thousands of BMWs and Mazdas. There's no doubt in their minds that the Mazdas are far more reliable, have superior steering, and of course better fuel mileage.
Also, in CRs "Best of the best" list of used vehicles within various cost ranges, Mazda had 3 vehicles in 3 different categories. BMW had none.
In the "Worst of the worst" category, BMW had a whopping 7 series of their vehicles, including many years of 1, 3, 4, and 5-series vehicles, as well as i3, X3, and X5 vehicles. Mazda had 3 non-Ford vehicles with only a few model years among them.
So no, it's not a good idea to think that relabily of BMWs is anywhere close to that of Mazda.

 

[nightowlRN]

sigh... Last week I bought a 2016 GT with tech. Soul Red. Snappy thing. I should be thrilled, excited, appreciative I can afford such a pretty thing.

But, I am still grieving the loss of my 2004 X3 Manual 6 speed. Serious mourning. As in not telling my husband I am cruising used car ads looking for one to replace it. It was amazing until 120K. Nary a problem. Then, the AC went out - I could live without AC. Then an oil leak. I could live with cardboard on the garage floor and putting in a quart every month. Last fall I had to replace the radiator over flow. THEN...a few weeks ago, at 142K, the dreaded crank case went out. If it wasn't my daily driver, I would have rescued it. But, I am not handy and need a car on which I can depend. sigh....it was dream. It drove better than my husband's Z3. I trusted it in the snow and ice and it got great mpg. Passengers were happy enough in back. The car wash kid would run to me when he saw me in line because he LOVED driving it. sigh...it is the car upon which all will be measured. The CX-5 is okay, but not the X. I hope I do not regret the decision to replace it. It has been in the shop already to replace the CMU. 200 miles. HA Fingers crossed that was a fluke.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

sigh... Last week I bought a 2016 GT with tech. Soul Red. Snappy thing. I should be thrilled, excited, appreciative I can afford such a pretty thing.

But, I am still grieving the loss of my 2004 X3 Manual 6 speed. Serious mourning. As in not telling my husband I am cruising used car ads looking for one to replace it. It was amazing until 120K. Nary a problem. Then, the AC went out - I could live without AC. Then an oil leak. I could live with cardboard on the garage floor and putting in a quart every month. Last fall I had to replace the radiator over flow. THEN...a few weeks ago, at 142K, the dreaded crank case went out. If it wasn't my daily driver, I would have rescued it. But, I am not handy and need a car on which I can depend. sigh....it was dream. It drove better than my husband's Z3. I trusted it in the snow and ice and it got great mpg. Passengers were happy enough in back. The car wash kid would run to me when he saw me in line because he LOVED driving it. sigh...it is the car upon which all will be measured. The CX-5 is okay, but not the X. I hope I do not regret the decision to replace it. It has been in the shop already to replace the CMU. 200 miles. HA Fingers crossed that was a fluke.

Have you looked at the Mitsubishi Mirage?

 

[nightowlRN]

Have you looked at the Mitsubishi Mirage?

haha NO. So far, I am okay. Just sad that I didn't want to spend another 15K on a car. If I had, there would be an X3 in my garage.

 

[concept]

sigh... Last week I bought a 2016 GT with tech. Soul Red. Snappy thing. I should be thrilled, excited, appreciative I can afford such a pretty thing.

But, I am still grieving the loss of my 2004 X3 Manual 6 speed. Serious mourning. As in not telling my husband I am cruising used car ads looking for one to replace it. It was amazing until 120K. Nary a problem. Then, the AC went out - I could live without AC. Then an oil leak. I could live with cardboard on the garage floor and putting in a quart every month. Last fall I had to replace the radiator over flow. THEN...a few weeks ago, at 142K, the dreaded crank case went out. If it wasn't my daily driver, I would have rescued it. But, I am not handy and need a car on which I can depend. sigh....it was dream. It drove better than my husband's Z3. I trusted it in the snow and ice and it got great mpg. Passengers were happy enough in back. The car wash kid would run to me when he saw me in line because he LOVED driving it. sigh...it is the car upon which all will be measured. The CX-5 is okay, but not the X. I hope I do not regret the decision to replace it. It has been in the shop already to replace the CMU. 200 miles. HA Fingers crossed that was a fluke.

I guess it could've been worse. You could've really stretched your budget and bought a Porsche Macan - a superior Mini SUV when compared to almost anything that size, but alas, you'd be spending megabucks after 100,000 miles to keep it running - just like most German cars.
Having all those problems is really sad, considering all the Toyotas, Hondas, and Mazdas that often sail past 250,000 miles with no oil leaks, electronic glitches, or other issues.
And really, if you want a great AND reliable snow vehicle, it's tough to beat Subaru. It's all wheel drive system is a step above most others.

 

[bmninada]

I am not sure why this thread is 4 pages now! BMW X5 is in a different class with much superior engine power, torque, gear shift patterns, heavier and is well known for its agility. Period. A Mazda fan may beat whatever drums but general market says otherwise. If anyone has the money and is willing to risk the possibility of high maintenance costs after about 4 to 5 years OR knows that it'll be only for 3 years and then they will trade it in - a X5 is definitely a good to solid buy. In straight roads - it'll smoke a CX5. In winding roads it'll - too.

 

[inlinev]

No one buys a BMW for reliability. Everyone here is applying the logical choices that goes into buying a Mazda to a BMW. BMW is doing just fine, they outsell Lexus every year (the reliability king...)

 

[concept]

BMW, Audi, VW, and Mercedes' answer to the higher gas mileage requirements for vehicles sold in the US is the diesel engine. We all know how well those vehicles are selling. I brlieve Lexus Hybrid SUVs outsell German diesel SUVs by a good number.

 

[inlinev]

BMW, Audi, VW, and Mercedes' answer to the higher gas mileage requirements for vehicles sold in the US is the diesel engine. We all know how well those vehicles are selling. I brlieve Lexus Hybrid SUVs outsell German diesel SUVs by a good number.

Small displacement diesels are dead in the US. A recent publication I read showed that not a single manufacturer of small diesels met their emissions in real world driving.

It will be interesting to see if tesla can deliver on the promises of the model 3. That will begin a new revolution in the industry. Diesel was never a cleaner alternative, it was just clever marketing with a dash of BS.

 

[Srad600]

My partner got a BMW X5 as his company car, I had the same choice and got a CX-5...he chose what he did because he wanted the roundel, and the motor. I chose what I did because I wanted to drive it instead of fix it.

Seriously, they are both great cars. I've driven both and other than freeway cruising, I prefer the CX-5. The X5 has a better motor by a long shot, but that's the only reason in my mind to buy that instead (and the purdy roundel).

 

[Lbear]

My partner got a BMW X5 as his company car, I had the same choice and got a CX-5...he chose what he did because he wanted the roundel, and the motor. I chose what I did because I wanted to drive it instead of fix it.

Seriously, they are both great cars. I've driven both and other than freeway cruising, I prefer the CX-5. The X5 has a better motor by a long shot, but that's the only reason in my mind to buy that instead (and the purdy roundel).

I had an X5 for over 1 year and no doubt the BMW X5 is faster and the turbo motor is powerful. There was some turbo lag which was annoying at times but the X5 was quick. On the highway it was as quiet as can be and luxurious to drive. Doors were like a safe door and that X5 was a heavy beast with all the acoustic glass and hardware. It was NOT as nibble as the CX5 is.

The BMW cost double that of the Mazda CX5 and the X5 I had didn't have AWD, it was RWD. The AWD would have topped the sticker price at around $80k. It guzzled gas and got maybe 15-20mpg city.

They are two different class of vehicles. Maybe once the CX9 comes out it can be compared to the X5. Since the CX9 will be the flagship SUV with 3-rows of seats and a turbo motor.

 

[yrwei52]

After drive my dad's new X5, my cx5 is feel like driving a tractor on the road

The BMW cost double that of the Mazda CX5 and the X5 I had didn't have AWD, it was RWD. The AWD would have topped the sticker price at around $80k. It guzzled gas and got maybe 15-20mpg city.

Here is the pricing for 2016 BMW X5 all trims:

[table="width: 730, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td]2016 BMW X5[/td]
[td]MSRP[/td]
[td]EPA Fuel Economy[/td]
[td]Engine[/td]
[td]Transmission[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Sdrive35i RWD[/td]
[td]$54,700[/td]
[td]18 City / 25 Hwy[/td]
[td]3.0L 300hp@5800 In-Line 6[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive35i AWD[/td]
[td]$57,000[/td]
[td]18 City / 24 Hwy[/td]
[td]3.0L 300hp@5800 In-Line 6[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive35d AWD[/td]
[td]$57,700[/td]
[td]24 City / 31 Hwy[/td]
[td]3.0L 255hp@4000 In-Line 6 Diesel[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive40e AWD[/td]
[td]$62,100[/td]
[td]- City / - Hwy[/td]
[td]2.0L 308hp In-Line 4 Active Hybrid[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive50i AWD[/td]
[td]$71,500[/td]
[td]15 City / 21 Hwy[/td]
[td]4.4L 445hp@5500 V8[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

 

[Rarebit]

So if you want to quote Consumer reports don't forget that BMW is #5 and Mazda is #6 on their 2016 top 20 brand list. Personally my 5 year old 328 with 115,000 miles rides, runs, and is built better than my 3 year old 38,000 miles CX5 that has been back to the dealer repeatedly. Not the quality I expected on a loaded car with sparse amenities.

I'm wondering when people will stop using their experience with one vehicle as an indication of the reliability of the entire marque. It's a little like saying I married an angel, therefore all women are angels. Some are, but some aren't. One =/= all.

 

[Seabright]

I'm wondering when people will stop using their experience with one vehicle as an indication of the reliability of the entire marque. It's a little like saying I married an angel, therefore all women are angels. Some are, but some aren't. One =/= all.

Good point - perception bias. Some models and years for BMW may be fine. My experience with a 2006 328 was not good. 4 snapped headbolts (how could a headbolt fail? - bad materials and mechanical engineering). Out of warranty at 50k miles, so BMW said tuff luck. Turn signal bulb failed - but it was the metal tab in the socket that melts. Known problem. $1000 to replace the entire light bucket. BMW says out of warranty so tuff luck. Materials/engineering issue. And more - that car was not engineered for reliability. The damning factor that extends beyond the model year is the customer support. Great under warranty, then good-by. The car is one of the best handling cars I have driven. That engineering is terrific. Don't know if the reliability has improved, but I have heard of carbon build-up issues with DI engines (BMW, Mini). The Mini has had lots of other problems in the past.

Haven't heard of DI carbon problems, turn signal problems, head bolt problems, etc. with the Mazda CX5. And it seems from what I have read on this site that Mazda acts like they care about their customers (by taking responsive care of their recalls and warranty repairs). Don't have any insight on their out of warranty response to a known engineering problem.

 

[Lbear]

Here is the pricing for 2016 BMW X5 all trims:

[table="width: 730, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td]2016 BMW X5[/td]
[td]MSRP[/td]
[td]EPA Fuel Economy[/td]
[td]Engine[/td]
[td]Transmission[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Sdrive35i RWD[/td]
[td]$54,700[/td]
[td]18 City / 25 Hwy[/td]
[td]3.0L 300hp@5800 In-Line 6[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive35i AWD[/td]
[td]$57,000[/td]
[td]18 City / 24 Hwy[/td]
[td]3.0L 300hp@5800 In-Line 6[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive35d AWD[/td]
[td]$57,700[/td]
[td]24 City / 31 Hwy[/td]
[td]3.0L 255hp@4000 In-Line 6 Diesel[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive40e AWD[/td]
[td]$62,100[/td]
[td]- City / - Hwy[/td]
[td]2.0L 308hp In-Line 4 Active Hybrid[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Xdrive50i AWD[/td]
[td]$71,500[/td]
[td]15 City / 21 Hwy[/td]
[td]4.4L 445hp@5500 V8[/td]
[td]8-Speed Automatic[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

WRONG!

It doesn't show the option packages which can easily add another $20k to the pricetag

 

[boandlkramer]

Sorry to hear that. I have 115,000 flawless miles on my 5 year old 328. Best car I have owned to date.

'09 here, original owner, no issues.

Owned E46 330I for 14 years and I hope that my CX-5 is reliable as BMW was.

Same here.

Interesting, I traded in a 2014 BMW 228 MSport manual for my CX-5 and find the Mazda far superior quality wise.

You listened to the 'enthusiasts' on bimmerpost and got a BASE model with just m-sport right? Harsh ride and no upgrades? I'd probably be saying the same thing as you.

I assume non-turbo? ...I don't really follow BMW very close.

BMW has a well documented issue with the N54 engine High Pressure Fuel Pumps (HPFP). I steered clear of them simply for that reason. After a couple iterations, BMW effectively gave up on the HPFP and implemented a 100K warranty on that system. I'm not sure if it's been resolved as I haven't entered the market for a replacement yet.

 

[purplengold]

Coming from a Honda Element my CX-5 is sporty as f@(k! It is so much more fun to drive. It's funny when someone drives a sports car that costs twice as much then they 'try' to bag on the CX-5. Does anyone else think posts like the OP here have no other point than to 'try' to bag on the car? I bet OP is just a salty CRV owner.