2011 BMW X5 E70

Overview

Engines

3.0L twin-turbo diesel inline-six, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 4.4L twin-turbo V8

On record

6 warnings, 18 recalls

What changed for 2011

Refresh

• An 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

Compare 2011 with 2010

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Badges

• xDrive35d: 3.0L twin-turbo diesel inline-six, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
• xDrive35i: 3.0L turbo inline-six, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
• xDrive50i: 4.4L twin-turbo V8, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Engines

• 3.0L twin-turbo diesel inline-six M57 Edmunds, a published reference

  265 hp and 425 lb-ft · 2009–2013

• 3.0L turbo inline-six N55 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  300 hp and 300 lb-ft, or 315 hp and 330 lb-ft with the 2013 M Performance Package · 2011–2013

• 4.4L twin-turbo V8 N63 Edmunds, a published reference

  400 hp and 450 lb-ft, or 440 hp and 480 lb-ft with the 2013 M Performance Package · 2011–2013

Transmissions

• Six-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
• Eight-speed automatic (2011–2013) 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
• Convenience Package (2011–2013) Edmunds
• Luxury Seating Package Edmunds
• Third-row seat Edmunds
• Adaptive Drive Edmunds, a published reference

Figures for the whole E70

• Built: At BMW's plant in Greer, South Carolina A published reference
• First: The first production vehicle to use the FlexRay electrical bus, for its damping control A published reference
• Safety: An IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2008 A published reference
• Third row: Edmunds calls it strictly for small children Edmunds
• Towing: Up to 6,000 lb Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Oil burning and turbo failures on the N63 V8 2011–2013

  One source so far

  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)

• Electric water pump failure All years

  One source so far

  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

  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

  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

  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

• Front driveshaft joint recalls 2011–2013

  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

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2010–2011 Recall 23V707000

  The aluminum bolts holding the VANOS housing can loosen over time and break. Dealers replace them. NHTSA

• 2007–2012 Recall 20V016000

  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

• 2007–2013 Recall 20V017000

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

• 2007–2013 Recall 19V017000

  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

• 2009–2013 Recall 18V336000

  The bolt of the engine's idler pulley can loosen and break. Dealers fit an improved bolt. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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)

• 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)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 7,500 miles or 1 year, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, or yearly, and not to rely on the service indicator alone A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Automatic transmission fluid All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 50,000 miles despite BMW's lifetime fill claim A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Transfer case and differential fluid All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Coolant All years

  Replace every 50,000 miles or 4 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 30,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 30,000 to 45,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new