2018 vs 2019 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.

2018

  • 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)

2019

  • Air suspension compressor and spring failures All years One source so far

    What to check: See that it sits level and at the right height, and listen for a noisy compressor.

    Euro Premium Parts calls the air suspension compressor a common failure on every G05, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and says the rear air springs leak.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Oil leaks on the six All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for oil at the valve cover and oil filter housing.

    Euro Premium Parts says the B58's valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets seep from about 50,000 to 80,000 miles, and that a leak onto the exhaust can smoke.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Early iDrive software faults 2019–2020 One source so far

    What to check: Make sure the software is up to date, and test the screen and controls.

    Euro Premium Parts says 2019 and 2020 cars had iDrive 7 freezes and reboots, mostly cured by software updates.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Integrated brake system recalls All years

    What to check: Make sure the integrated brake system recalls were done.

    NHTSA lists recalls for the integrated brake system, which can lose its power assist and ABS, on 2019 to 2021 cars and again on 2024 and 2025 cars.

    NHTSA

Recalls

2018

  • 17V727000 2018

    Bolts holding the front suspension may not have been tightened properly. Dealers inspect and tighten them. NHTSA

  • 18V439000 2018

    The pivot bolt of the front lower left control arm may not have been hardened properly, so the arm could break. Dealers inspect it and replace it if needed. NHTSA

  • 18V652000 2018

    Capacitors in the portable charger can fail, a shock or fire risk. Dealers inspect the charging cable and replace it if needed. NHTSA

  • 21V586000 2014–2018

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

2019

  • 18V732000 2019

    Capacitors in the body domain controller can short circuit and overheat. Dealers replace the control unit. NHTSA

  • 18V918000 2019

    The sun visors may carry a wrong airbag warning label or none. Dealers inspect them and replace them as needed. NHTSA

  • 19V096000 2019

    The bolts holding the driver's seat or seat belt may not have been tightened properly. Dealers check them and tighten them. NHTSA

  • 19V513000 2019

    The high-pressure fuel pump may not have been fitted properly, which can crack its flange and leak fuel. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA

  • 19V541000 2019

    The left wheel bolts may not have been tightened enough and can loosen. Dealers replace and tighten them. NHTSA

  • 19V684000 2019–2020

    The reversing camera's settings can be changed so its picture is no longer visible, and the car keeps that setting. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

  • 20V434000 2019–2020

    The bearing plate of the steering column shaft may not have been fastened properly and can loosen. Dealers inspect it and fasten or replace it. NHTSA

  • 21V062000 2019–2021

    The rotor and shaft in the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and can separate under hard braking, losing ABS and brake assist. Dealers replace the brake system. NHTSA

  • 21V096000 2019–2021

    Part of the reversing camera's picture may be blocked, or the screen may stay dark, when reverse is selected. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

  • 21V520000 2019

    The instrument panel may not have been made correctly, which could stop the passenger airbag deploying properly. A dealer replaces the panel. NHTSA

  • 22V267000 2019–2022

    The roof control unit may let the sunroof close without the key in the car, against the federal power window standard. Dealers reprogram it. NHTSA

  • 24V576000 2019–2020

    If the starter motor fails, repeated tries to start the car can overheat it. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

  • 25V644000 2019–2020

    After repeated tries, the starter motor can overheat from an electrical overload. Dealers replace the starter, including on cars fixed under 24V576000. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2018, up to and including 2019.

  1. 2019G05 begins.
  2. 2019The fourth X5 arrives as the xDrive40i and xDrive50i, both with all-wheel drive. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2018

Engines
3.0L turbo diesel inline-six Edmunds, a published reference, 2.0L turbo four plug-in hybrid (2016–2018) Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
sDrive rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Luxury Line Edmunds, xLine Edmunds, M Sport Edmunds, Cold Weather Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Plus Edmunds, Lighting Package Edmunds, Bang & Olufsen sound system Edmunds, a published reference

2019

Packages
xLine Design Edmunds, M Sport Package Edmunds, Convenience Package Edmunds, Executive Package Edmunds, Off-Road Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Professional Package Edmunds, Parking Assistance Package Edmunds, M Sport Professional Package Edmunds, Two-axle air suspension Edmunds

Both years

Engines
3.0L turbo inline-six (2019–2020) Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L turbo V8 (2019–2020) 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, Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Third-row seat with rear air suspension (2019–2023) Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2018

  • 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)

2019

  • Sought after: An xDrive40i All years

    Edmunds says to go with the xDrive40i, and Euro Premium Parts calls it the best balance of performance, reliability and running costs, with 2021 and later cars the sweet spot. Edmunds, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Watch for: An early 2019 car or an xDrive50i 2019–2020 Less sought after One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts says early 2019 cars carry more software bugs and first-year problems, and that the 2019 to 2020 xDrive50i's V8 has a history of oil use. A seller's guide (unofficial)