How reliable has your 5/5.5 gen been? Just got mine with 44.5k on it and wondering what I had to look forward to. Thanks!

 

I bought mine with around 90k on it almost four years ago. It's a 2000 SE. I had an O2 sensor go out and a wheel bearing go bad; I've also had some issues with the axle nut working lose and getting a little noisy, it's currently held on with lock tite, heh. It's also got a throw out bearing going at 136k which is to be expected and I replaced the battery about 2.5 years ago (was original) ... my husband has a 2003 and has a burnt out driver's seat motor and also a noisy heater fan. Other than that, we've had no problem with either car to speak of.

I consider all that we've done to be fairly basic maintenance. You may read about some of the VQ35s burning oil, so you may want to pay attention to oil consumption for the first few oil changes that you have the car to see if you have that issue.

Other than that? Expect to pay at least $120+ for tires if you have 17"s and prefer low profile tires, which you probably do if you have a 2003 GLE.

Best option? Use the search function for common 5th Generation issues.

 

Search is your friend. I bought mine with 97k and now have 127k and haven't had any issues the only things I've replaced was plugs and an inner tie rod other than normal maintence ie brakes and fluids I've had no issues with mine. Even at high miles these cars run great mine still puts down 210whp and runs under 15 in the 1/4mile.

 

This thread has been polled many times.

I had 150K on mine until I sold it, and its still running strong as I see it around town sometimes

 

Wheel bearings, coil packs, o2 sensors, pretty much it.

Do you notice any hard gear shifts, any cel codes, weird noises?

 

Always run 91 gas.
Fully synthetic motor oil is your friend

 

i have 44.5k currently on mine, bought it with 28k, no problems at all, and best of all, my 3.5 doesn't burn a drop of oil

 

cv joints are a fail around 80k

 

So much of how reliable a used car is based on how well the former owner(s) treated the car.

Wheel bearings and O2 sensors do seem to be the most common issues.

 

Is it a common issue tho. Its a part that wears with time and use. Remember these cars are now nearing 6-9 years old now.

but scott is also right about how the previous owner treated it.

 

Coil packs, 02 sensors, alternator, starter, wheel bearings, and CV joints are common problems, IMO.

 

the biggest and the most common ones are the coil packs, oil burning, and the transmission slip/late shift issue.

 

Just the third gear synchro and the clutch slave cylinder has gone out so far and they were both covered under warranty..I'm at 90k.

My mom's 2k went from 60-240k miles without replacing anything besides brakes/tires/fluids.

 

MAF and coils also seem to be problematic. The motor is virtually bulletproof (on the 3.0).

My list of repairs: MAF, 2 coils, transmission rebuild, sway bar end links (twice), immobilizer, clutch slave cylinder, muffler rusted off twice.

Edit: Purchased in '03 at approximately 45k miles and now about around 130k.

 

Only issue that I had was an Air conditoner condensor fail at 70,000, other than than no issues at all (did all minor mainetenance stuff----tarnny fluid changes etc)Now with 98,700 miles this thing pulls harder than ever, the 3.5 is just a gem!!

 

2002 @ about 114500 miles.

Nothing but routine maintense until slightly over 100000. Valve cover gasket, serpantine belt replacement, an o2 sensor, 2-3 transmission flare when engine is cold, and gutted a rattling catalytic converter. Basic things that had to be done but werent really problems were cleaning the MAF and the TB. You at low mileage for these cars, you take good care of it, youll be driving it until 200k

 

We're coming up on 300k on our '01 now. Brakes have been the big problem. The front discs just kept warping. We finally put a set of aftermarket discs on it and they've worn a lot better. Did the slave and master cylinders about a year ago. Replaced a rear ABS sensor a few months ago.

Overall, the car has been pretty solid. It's using oil more than I like now, though.

 

my 2k2 bought new has 56K and the only changes are fluids and gas, she has been perfect since day one!

 

63K miles. 3rd gear sychros, secondary 02s, power steering hoses, shifter bushings.
Slave was replaced under factory warranty.