whats life expectancy on 2003 x5

There is really no way to answer your question. There are to many factors. First a 2003 is only ten years old so there wouldn't be enough time for this car to have been on the road to have any kind of statistical data. If it was a 1993, that would be different. The life expectancy could be determined after the next time you pull out of your driveway. Put generally speaking BMW's are well built cars so you should if you maintain it well and don't have any unforeseen situations like a wreck get a very good life expectancy.

Here is one example of a extremely poor life expectancy.

If it is maintained, Bimmers will usually get an excess of 15 years when driven regularly. The ABS components that have been utilized for weight savings, tend to dry out and crack if not disentigrate. The all wheel drive component adds the equation. More parts equals more potential problems. Service is the key to longevity.

Well put Michael, that is what so many over look. Being that for so many their car is their status symbol, just because you think you might be getting a good deal often in the end run is not a good deal, unless you are able to do all the repairs yourself. One expensive repair at a shop which would be just about anything for a BMW will make you wish you would have bought something with less status symbol appearance. That AWD is a complicated and has had it's share of problems, and like Micheal put so well, the more stuff the more their is to fail and I can assure you that to take a car in to have the AWD worked on, is going to be a sorry day if not the day you want to buy another car. Just a tuneup on a BMW is expensive and not because of the cost of the parts, it's the driver. If this person can afford a BMW they can also afford to pay out the nose.

I love the AWD system, but mine is an 05 with the XDrive. I believe that was introduced in 2004, so yours should have a full time ratio of 40:60 which is what XDrive vehicles maintain most of the time anyway.