2010 vs 2011 BMW X5

- 2010
E70 2007–2013 Sold as xDrive30i, xDrive48i, xDrive35d
- 4 warnings
- 19 recalls
- 2011
E70 2007–2013 Sold as xDrive35d, xDrive35i, xDrive50i
- 6 warnings
- 18 recalls

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

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

2010

Nothing that 2011 lacks.

2011

Oil burning and turbo failures on the N63 V8 2011–2013 One source so far

What to check: Ask how much oil it uses and look for blue smoke at a cold start.

Euro Premium Parts says the N63 can burn oil from as early as 30,000 to 50,000 miles, wears its valve stem seals from the heat and loses turbos early.

A seller's guide (unofficial)
Front driveshaft joint recalls 2011–2013

What to check: Make sure the front driveshaft recalls were done.

NHTSA lists recalls for 2011 to 2013 cars whose front driveshaft joint can let in water and dirt and wear until it fails.

NHTSA

Both years

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

2010

10V025000 2010
The windshield may not be bonded well enough in its upper right corner. Dealers remove it and refit it. 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
13V339000 2009–2010
The diesel fuel filter heater can overload and stay switched on. Dealers replace it. 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

2011

10V233000 2011
The tire label lists 19-inch wheels and their pressures on cars with 20-inch wheels. BMW sends correct labels. NHTSA
16V311000 2011
The front driveshaft's universal joint may let in water and dirt, which can damage it until it fails. Dealers replace the front driveshaft. NHTSA
17V138000 2011–2013
Water and dirt can get into the front driveshaft's universal joint and wear it until it fails. Dealers replace the front driveshaft. NHTSA

Both years

11V521000 2010–2011
The circuit board of the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA
12V550000 2009–2012
The bolt of the engine belt's idler pulley can loosen and break. Dealers replace and tighten it. NHTSA
14V176000 2010–2012
The bolts holding the VANOS housing can loosen over time and break. Dealers replace them. 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
18V248000 2010–2012
The electric auxiliary water pump can fail and its circuit board overheat. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA
18V336000 2009–2013
The bolt of the engine's idler pulley can loosen and break. Dealers fit an improved bolt. 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
23V707000 2010–2011
The aluminum bolts holding the VANOS housing can loosen over time and break. Dealers replace them. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2010, up to and including 2011.

2011An update brings new styling and the turbocharged xDrive35i and xDrive50i with an eight-speed automatic. The diesel keeps its six-speed. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2010

Engines: 3.0L inline-six (2007–2010) Edmunds, a published reference, 4.8L V8 (2007–2010) Edmunds, a published reference

2011

Engines: 3.0L turbo inline-six (2011–2013) Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L twin-turbo V8 (2011–2013) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic (2011–2013) Edmunds, a published reference
Packages: Convenience Package (2011–2013) Edmunds

Both years

Engines: 3.0L twin-turbo diesel inline-six (2009–2013) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions: Six-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains: xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
Trims: Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference
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

Colors

2010

Vermilion Red Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Alpine White 2010 Edmunds
Titanium Silver Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Carbon Black Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Black Sapphire Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Jet Black 2010 Edmunds
Monaco Blue Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Deep Green Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Space Gray Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Platinum Bronze Metallic 2010 Edmunds
Mineral Green Metallic 2010 Edmunds

2011

Nothing that 2010 lacks.

Interiors

2010

Sand Beige Premium leather, 2010 Edmunds
Tobacco Premium leather, 2010 Edmunds
Black Premium leather, 2010 Edmunds
Beige Leatherette, 2010 Edmunds
Black Leatherette, 2010 Edmunds
Saddle Brown Premium leather, 2010 Edmunds

2011

Nothing that 2010 lacks.

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2010

Nothing that 2011 lacks.

2011

Avoid: An xDrive50i with the N63 2011–2013 Less sought after

Euro Premium Parts calls the N63 V8 perhaps the most problematic engine in the E70, for oil use and heat, and CarGurus calls the engine problems of 2011 to 2013 among the generation's most significant issues. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Both years

Sought after: A 2011 to 2013 xDrive35i or an xDrive35d 2009–2013 One source so far

Euro Premium Parts says the N55 xDrive35i from 2011 gives most buyers the best balance of performance and reliability, and calls the xDrive35d an excellent choice for high-mileage drivers. A seller's guide (unofficial)