[ROMIL]

Not sure if the M5's PHEV bits have any relation to the ones on the new X5 50e PHEV, but the owner reviews for that particular version of the X5 are pretty abysmal as a whole. Seems to be a lot of people with vehicles that have completely failed at well under 1,000 miles on the odometer due to an issue with the CCU (combined charging unit) and BMW isn't fixing the problem. Looks like this has been an issue over 1.5 years on both 2024 and 2025 X5 50e's.

https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/x5/2024/...A%22DESC%22%7D

Lots of posts on the Bimmerpost X5 forums regarding the issue as well.

Hopefully the M5's system is different and more robust, otherwise it will potentially be a huge flop.

[subterFUSE]

There will be problems, and long-term these cars will be a liability. Leasing for 3 years is going to be the sweet spot. Get it, drive it for a while, and dump it before the problems arise just like Leo DiCaprio's girlfriends.

[Alan l.]

Pretty much you have to treat most EV vehicles this way. They are complex and the tech is still evolving.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Pretty much you have to treat most EV vehicles this way. They are complex and the tech is still evolving.

They are not THAT complex and I've actually found them to require less service, maintenance, and repairs... I'm on my 5th EV (and the G99 will be my second PHEV after my i8). My experience has been that these cars are actually much simpler with less moving parts, no oil changes, no filter changes, etc. Pretty much "unplug-n-go"! I've had Chevy, Tesla, BMW, and Porsche EV/PHEV's...

The only electric car I've had any issues with was my Taycan Turbo S. Total main battery failure aside (!!!), most of the issues were not even unique to EV technology (A/C (twice!), brake booster, brain-dead infotainment system, etc...) No more Porsches for me...

[ROMIL]

Consumer Reports recently did a study that showed the following in terms of reliability of vehicle types:

1. Hybrids (26% fewer problems than ICE vehicles)
2. ICE (baseline)
3. EVs (79% more problems than ICE vehicles)
4. Plug-in hybrids (146% more problems than ICE vehicles)

So it seems PHEVs with overly complex powertrains are going to give you the most problems of any vehicle type.

[robfen]

FWIW I've had an x5 45e in the past for a few years and a 550e since it launched.

Neither gave any trouble at all.

[ROMIL]

Originally Posted by robfen

FWIW I've had an x5 45e in the past for a few years and a 550e since it launched.

Neither gave any trouble at all.

Good to hear. How do you like the 550e?

[subterFUSE]

Originally Posted by ROMIL

Consumer Reports recently did a study that showed the following in terms of reliability of vehicle types:

1. Hybrids (26% fewer problems than ICE vehicles)
2. ICE (baseline)
3. EVs (79% more problems than ICE vehicles)
4. Plug-in hybrids (146% more problems than ICE vehicles)

So it seems PHEVs with overly complex powertrains are going to give you the most problems of any vehicle type.

Logically, one would expect a PHEV to be the most problematic, since you are combining both ICE engine with EV technology. So you could have issues with the ICE side or the EV side.

[robfen]

Originally Posted by ROMIL

Good to hear. How do you like the 550e?

Really like it. It's fast and comfortable and I like the B58.

It's not overtly sporty but handles well and I have the m performance kit to jazz it up a bit.

Still unsure about the M5.

I've always wanted one but the extra width, weight, smaller boot space is giving me pause.
There's a lot of narrow roads here.

The price difference is around 30k here so not huge.