2013 vs 2014 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.

2013

  • 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)

  • 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

  • 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

2014

  • Valve cover and charge pipe failures on the N55 All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for oil on the engine and smell for burning oil, and ask about the charge pipe.

    Euro Premium Parts says the N55's plastic valve cover and its crankcase vent crack and leak, usually between 60,000 and 90,000 miles, and that the plastic charge pipe cracks under boost.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Electric water pump and thermostat All years One source so far

    What to check: Ask whether the water pump and thermostat have been replaced.

    Euro Premium Parts says the electric water pump usually needs replacing between 70,000 and 100,000 miles, and that the thermostat often fails around the same time.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Oil use on the V8 All years One source so far

    What to check: Ask how much oil it uses between changes.

    Euro Premium Parts says the xDrive50i's V8 still uses oil, wears valve stem seals between 60,000 and 100,000 miles and leaks from its turbo oil lines.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Diesel EGR cooler and fuel pump recalls All years

    What to check: Make sure the EGR cooler and fuel pump recalls were done.

    NHTSA lists a recall for an EGR cooler that can leak and let soot smolder and melt the intake manifold, and another for a high-pressure fuel pump that may fail.

    NHTSA

  • Air suspension compressor failure All years One source so far

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

    Euro Premium Parts says the compressor can burn out, above all when a leaking air strut makes it run all the time.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Tailgate latch and motor failures All years One source so far

    What to check: Open and close the power tailgate several times.

    Euro Premium Parts says tailgate latch and motor failures are unusually common on the F15.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

2013

  • 12V267000 2012–2013

    A machining error on the steering gear can let power steering fluid leak. Dealers inspect the steering gear and replace it if needed. 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

  • 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

  • 18V030000 2007–2013

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

2014

  • 14V202000 2014

    Pulling the inside handle of a rear door can undo the child lock. Dealers inspect the locks and replace them if needed. NHTSA

  • 15V147000 2014–2015

    The head protection airbag may not be securely connected to its inflator. Dealers replace the head protection system. NHTSA

  • 16V683000 2014–2015

    The driver's frontal airbag inflator may have been welded badly. Dealers replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

  • 18V755000 2014–2017

    The EGR cooler can leak inside, and soot mixed with coolant can smolder and melt the intake manifold. Dealers replace the cooler as needed, and the manifold if it has leaked. NHTSA

  • 21V586000 2014–2018

    The high-pressure fuel pump may fail. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 21V907000 2014–2017

    The EGR cooler can leak inside, and soot mixed with coolant can smolder and melt the intake manifold. Dealers replace the cooler and inspect the manifold. Cars fixed under 18V755000 need this repair too. NHTSA

  • 23V797000 2014

    The driver's airbag inflator may explode when it deploys, because of a manufacturing defect. Dealers replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

  • 24V527000 2014

    The driver's airbag inflator may explode when it deploys, because of a manufacturing defect. Dealers replace the driver's airbag. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2013, up to and including 2014.

  1. 2014F15 begins.
  2. 2014The third X5 arrives as the sDrive35i, xDrive35i, xDrive35d and xDrive50i. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2013

Engines
3.0L twin-turbo diesel inline-six (2009–2013) Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L twin-turbo V8 (2011–2013) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Six-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Technology Package Edmunds, Rear Climate Package Edmunds, Sport Activity Package Edmunds, M Sport Package Edmunds, Convenience Package (2011–2013) Edmunds, M Performance Package (2013) Edmunds, a published reference, Third-row seat Edmunds, Adaptive Drive Edmunds, a published reference

2014

Engines
3.0L turbo diesel inline-six Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L turbo V8 Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
sDrive rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Luxury Line Edmunds, xLine Edmunds, M Sport Edmunds, Driver Assistance Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Plus Edmunds, Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds, Lighting Package Edmunds, Third-row seat with rear air suspension Edmunds, Bang & Olufsen sound system Edmunds, a published reference

Both years

Engines
3.0L turbo inline-six Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
Trims
Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference
Packages
Premium Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Cold Weather Package Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2013

  • 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)

2014

  • Sought after: An xDrive35i with the N55 All years

    Euro Premium Parts calls the N55 xDrive35i the most dependable and smartest F15 for most drivers, and CarGurus says the third and fourth generations give the best blend of value and reliability. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Watch for: An xDrive50i without records All years Less sought after One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts says to avoid the xDrive50i's V8 unless ready for higher running costs and frequent oil checks. A seller's guide (unofficial)