2006 vs 2007 BMW X5

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2006

  • Takata airbag recalls All years

    What to check: Make sure the driver's airbag recall was done, above all on a car with the sports steering wheel.

    CarGurus says a buyer of a 2000 to 2004 X5 must make sure the airbag problem was fixed. NHTSA lists Takata inflators in the sports steering wheel that can explode, with owners told not to drive until they are replaced.

    NHTSA, CarGurus

  • Self-leveling rear suspension failure All years One source so far

    What to check: See that the rear sits level and at the same height after a drive.

    CarGurus calls the self-leveling rear suspension notoriously prone to failure.

    CarGurus

  • Oil burning and leaks on the N62 V8 2004–2006 One source so far

    What to check: Look for blue smoke at a cold start and oil around the valley under the intake.

    Euro Premium Parts says worn valve stem seals make the N62 burn oil, usually between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, and that its valley pan gasket leaks between 100,000 and 150,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Cooling system failures All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for cracks on the expansion tank and ask whether the water pump has been replaced.

    Euro Premium Parts says the plastic expansion tank cracks, usually between 70,000 and 90,000 miles, and that the M62's plastic-impeller water pump can fail suddenly.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Transfer case wear All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for shudder in slow, tight turns, and ask whether the transfer case fluid was ever changed.

    Euro Premium Parts says the transfer case leaks and wears, above all when its fluid was never changed, usually between 100,000 and 150,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Window regulators All years One source so far

    What to check: Run every window up and down.

    Euro Premium Parts calls failing window regulators, from worn plastic guides, a very common complaint on every E53.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

2007

  • Electric water pump failure All years One source so far

    What to check: Ask whether the electric water pump has been replaced, and watch the temperature gauge.

    Euro Premium Parts says the electric pump fails without warning, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and should be replaced before it does.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Rear air suspension failure All years One source so far

    What to check: See that the car sits level at every corner, and listen for the compressor running long.

    Euro Premium Parts calls the air suspension a consistent weak point, with cracked air bladders and worn compressors, usually between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Worn front control arm bushings All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for vague steering and listen for clunks over bumps.

    Euro Premium Parts calls worn front lower control arm bushings a very common E70 repair, usually between 60,000 and 80,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Takata passenger airbag recalls All years

    What to check: Make sure every passenger airbag recall was done.

    NHTSA lists several recalls for the front passenger's Takata airbag on 2007 to 2013 cars, with owners told not to drive until it is replaced.

    NHTSA

Recalls

2006

  • 05V504000 2005–2006

    The automatic gearbox's parking pawl guide plate may have been made wrongly. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 13V564000 2006

    The front passenger seat's occupant detection mat can fatigue and crack, so the passenger airbag may not deploy as it should. Dealers repair the mat. NHTSA

2007

  • 07V391000 2007

    The switch in the brake fluid reservoir cap that lights the low-fluid warning can fail in high heat. Dealers replace the cap. NHTSA

  • 07V479000 2007

    In freezing, dry weather a static discharge at the fuel rails can upset the engine computer and stall the engine. Dealers fit two ground cables. NHTSA

  • 13V045000 2007–2010

    The brake vacuum pump can leak oil into its hose, which could lose the brake assist. Dealers fit a vacuum line with a check valve. NHTSA

  • 16V071000 2007–2013

    The driver's frontal airbag inflator can rupture. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the airbag module or inflator. NHTSA

  • 16V364000 2007–2011

    The front passenger's Takata airbag inflator can rupture. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the inflator or airbag module. NHTSA

  • 16V746000 2007–2011

    Wire contacts in the in-tank fuel pump may not be crimped well enough. Dealers replace the fuel pump module. NHTSA

  • 17V020000 2007–2012

    The front passenger's Takata airbag inflator can rupture. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the inflator or airbag module. NHTSA

  • 17V683000 2007–2011

    The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 18V030000 2007–2013

    The front passenger's Takata airbag can rupture. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the airbag module. NHTSA

  • 19V017000 2007–2013

    The front passenger's Takata airbag inflator can explode as its propellant degrades. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the airbag module. NHTSA

  • 20V017000 2007–2013

    The driver's airbag inflator can rupture. Dealers replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

  • 20V016000 2007–2012

    Passenger airbag inflators fitted as a stopgap under earlier Takata recalls can explode as their propellant degrades. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace the passenger airbag. NHTSA

  • 22V119000 2007–2010

    The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers fit a wiring harness with a fuse. This replaces and expands 17V683000 and 19V273000. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2006, up to and including 2007.

  1. 2007E70 begins.
  2. 2007The second X5 arrives as the 3.0si and 4.8i, with an optional third row. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2006

Engines
4.4L V8 with Valvetronic (2004–2006) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Five-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference, Six-speed manual (2004–2006) Edmunds
Drivetrains
All-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Adjustable ride height suspension Edmunds, DVD navigation Edmunds, a published reference

2007

Drivetrains
xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
Packages
Premium Package Edmunds, Technology Package Edmunds, Cold Weather Package Edmunds, Rear Climate Package Edmunds, Sport Activity Package Edmunds, M Sport Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Third-row seat Edmunds, Adaptive Drive Edmunds, a published reference

Both years

Engines
3.0L inline-six (2007–2010) Edmunds, a published reference, 4.8L V8 (2007–2010) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Six-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference
Packages
Sport Package (2007–2009) Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2006

  • Sought after: A 3.0i with the M54 six 2001–2006

    Euro Premium Parts calls the 3.0i the most dependable E53 and the clear choice for ease of ownership, and Edmunds' 2006 page says the six-cylinder X5s are the ones most often recommended for lower-risk ownership. CarGurus also suggests a low-mileage six. Edmunds, CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Watch for: A 2004 to 2006 V8 without records 2004–2006 Less sought after One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts says the facelifted V8s with the N62 need careful inspection for valve stem seal wear and oil leaks, and calls the N62 the most complex engine in the E53. A seller's guide (unofficial)

2007

Nothing that 2006 lacks.