The catalytic converters in a BMW X5 are difficult to steal due to their location behind other powertrain components; however, thieves will still try since the catalytic materials in hybrids are more precious than those in traditional combustion engines. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to combat this type of car theft
. Catalytic converter theft is one of the most common property crimes committed against car owners—but some cats are easier to steal than others. Your BMW X5 catalytic converter is tucked away, but it's still highly desirable to thieves.
We’ve put together this guide to help you prevent catalytic converter theft in your BMW X5.
Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a BMW X5?
The location of your BMW X5’s catalytic converters makes them fairly hard to steal—but that doesn’t mean a thief won’t try!
SUVs are usually more prone to cat theft due to their height, and BMW X5s aren’t an exception. The BMW X5’s ground clearance
of 8.7 inches makes it easy for thieves to slide under your car—thankfully, that’s where BMW’s catalytic converter placement comes in handy. The BMW X5’s catalytic converters are tucked away next to your exhaust manifold and positioned behind your car’s front axle, starter motor, subframe, and reinforcement plate. This makes the catalytic converters virtually inaccessible from the underside of your X5.
That said, the catalytic converter in the X5’s hybrid powertrain is more valuable than a standard gas model. An experienced thief may very well still try to steal your cat, and they’ll likely cause other damage along the way.
While your Bimmer SUV is safer than a similarly-sized Jeep Patriot
, it’s still at greater risk than a gas-powered, low-riding BMW 330i
. Top BMW X5 years that catalytic converter thieves target
There are no model years that are especially targeted for cat theft since the BMW X5 is a rare victim of this crime. However, any BMW X5 plug-in hybrids
from 2016 to the present will be the most desirable for thieves, since the catalytic converters in these powertrains contain more precious materials. Why are BMW X5 catalytic converters stolen?
BMW cats may be difficult to steal, but thieves will still try given the materials inside. Catalytic converters contain precious metals, like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which hold the following values as of January 2022:
Platinum: $1,090 per ounce
Palladium: $1,739 per ounce
Rhodium: $12,400 per ounce
The BMW X5’s hybrid powertrain is more emission-friendly than standard combustion engine vehicles, which means its cats contain even more precious materials to attract thieves.
BMW catalytic converter replacement cost
Replacing a catalytic converter isn’t an easy task, especially on foreign luxury models that typically require a specialized mechanic. RepairPal estimates that the cost to replace a 2022 BMW X5 catalytic converter is somewhere between $2,261 and $2,467, and that’s before factoring in any additional fees or taxes.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a BMW X5
If you’re still concerned about catalytic converter theft on your BMW X5, consider taking the following precautions.
Park in a secure area
Parking your BMW X5 in a well-lit garage with video surveillance is a great way to protect your car from cat theft and more. Cameras and motion-sensor lights are a great way to scare thieves away, and these are fairly easy to install around your driveway and garage.
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds regular etching events to permanently brand your catalytic converters with your car’s VIN. This makes a stolen cat easier to identify and trace on the black market.
Keep in mind that since the X5’s cats are harder to access than a regular car, you may need to go to a specialist or a European muffler shop to have the VIN etching done.
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Comprehensive insurance
is a fantastic policy upgrade for an expensive luxury ride like the BMW X5, and it will even cover the costs for a replacement catalytic converter up to your policy limit. Sure, this doesn’t prevent catalytic converter theft, but it will come in handy in the worst-case scenario and it can be used to cover much, much more!What to do if your BMW X5’s catalytic converter is stolen
If your BMW X5 becomes the victim of catalytic converter theft, you should contact the police. Your local authorities will have the best access to resources and security footage (if available) that will help them identify and track down the perpetrator.
You’ll still want to involve the authorities, even if a thief only caused some serious damage in an unsuccessful attempt to steal your X5’s cat. This will be instrumental when it comes time to file a car insurance claim report
. You should contact your insurance company right away to start the claims process, and the process will go much faster once you submit an official police report. Your insurance company will coordinate and pay for the repairs, although you’ll likely have to pay a comprehensive deductible
. If you don’t have an insurance policy that covers car theft, you’ll be left scheduling and paying for the repairs on your own. Can you drive a BMW X5 without a catalytic converter?
Your BMW X5 is technically safe to drive without its catalytic converter, but you won’t want to drive without one.
Your luxury SUV’s powertrain will get loud and rough without the cats. But more importantly, your X5 won’t be able to filter out harmful toxins from your car’s exhaust. You won’t be able to pass emissions testing if they’re required in your state, and your hybrid car will be doing all the harm to the environment it was designed to eliminate—and then some!
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