2016 vs 2017 BMW X5

vs

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.

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Both years

  • 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

2016

  • 16V919000 2016

    A loose ground cable on the engine control unit can cause low voltage, putting the gearbox in neutral. Dealers tighten it. NHTSA

2017

  • 17V189000 2017

    The passenger's frontal airbag inflator may not vent properly when it deploys. Dealers replace the airbag module. NHTSA

Both years

  • 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

  • 24V608000 2016–2018

    A badly sealed electrical connector on the water pump can let water in and short circuit. Dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed and fit a shield. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2016, up to and including 2017.

  1. 2017A Wi-Fi hotspot, a wireless charging pad and a touchscreen iDrive arrive, and the active steering option is dropped. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Both years

Engines
3.0L turbo inline-six Edmunds, a published reference, 3.0L turbo diesel inline-six Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L turbo V8 Edmunds, a published reference, 2.0L turbo four plug-in hybrid (2016–2018) Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, sDrive rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference
Packages
Luxury Line Edmunds, xLine Edmunds, M Sport Edmunds, Premium Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Cold Weather Package 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

Colors

2016

  • Carbon Black Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Black Sapphire Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Space Gray Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Alpine White 2016 Edmunds
  • Sparkling Brown Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Imperial Blue Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Dark Graphite Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Mineral Silver Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Glacier Silver Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Mineral White Metallic 2016 Edmunds
  • Jet Black 2016 Edmunds

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Interiors

2016

  • Ivory White Nappa premium leather, 2016 Edmunds
  • Mocha Dakota leather, 2016 Edmunds
  • Ivory White and Black Dakota leather, 2016 Edmunds
  • Black Dakota leather, 2016 Edmunds
  • Black Leatherette, 2016 Edmunds
  • Mocha Nappa premium leather, 2016 Edmunds
  • Canberra Beige and Black Dakota leather, 2016 Edmunds
  • Terra Dakota leather, 2016 Edmunds

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Both years

  • 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)