Unofficial Maintenance Suggestion

[BoomBoom]

I have been reading the forums for a while now and a common theme I read about is what to expect as the X5 grows older and gains mileage. Through reading a lot of posts, a lot of the maintenance items (like the window regulators and water pump) seem to break down at around the same time.

Although you won't get this information from BMW, I would be interested in having us BMW owners and someone who is familiar with the mechanics of the car to come up with a list of unofficial 'suggested' maintenance so that things don't break down.

For instance, the water pump will probably go by 100k (for example) and might ruin something else in the process when it breaks down or break at an very inconvenient time, so maybe a preventive maintenance step would be to replace it at 80k, knowing that it will break down soon after.

So, that said, I am defnitely not qualified to make suggestions, as I don't know much about the mechanics of these cars, however, anyone want to take a stab at this?

[bkran10]

I think that is an excellent suggestion. I have a 2000 X and I'm not a mechanic. What I would like to know, as an Xer, is what to expect regarding break down and repairs and what I can do to make my X look its best. I am sure there are some Xers who have good organizational skills to put this together. What do you think guys? Speak up!

[sawastea]

Hey, from what I gather looking over the posts, common 'maintanence' features include:

* Brake fluid change
* Coolant change
* Waterpump change
* Fuel filter change
* Spark plug changes
* Microfilter change
* Differential fluid change

Those seem to be the most common. Hopefully, someone with more insight can further elaborate.

[mrmomoman]

Great Idea as I am planning to keep mine for a while.

* Differential Fluid Change would be the top of my list. I will be doing this next week.
* Water Pump same time
* Coolant Change - already done
* Microfilter - haven't really read alot of about this one.
* Fuel Filter - same time as Diff and Water
* Spark Plugs - Already Changed
* Brake Fluid - Already Changed.

I read some posts about the car not starting up right away when it gets up on age/mileage. I heard the problem could be electrical instead of fuel rail/pump/pressure related.

Also CV boots I heard.

[NBX]

I have a 2000 X5 4.4 - 67000 miles. So far:

Expansion Tank and Cap (DIY)
Expansion Tank upper hose (broke 2 miles from home, DIY)
Radiator (Independent mechanic)
Upper radiator hose (DIY)
Radiator hoses to engine (it's a one piece T shaped, DIY)
Belts (Independent mechanic)
Microfilter (DIY)
2 window regulators(1 DIY, 1 under warranty)
1 Camshaft Position Sensor (DIY)
2 sets of all around brakes
2 sets of Michellins (19")
Crankcase Vent Hoses(2) - and Sprak Plugs soon to be replaced (DIY)

[sawastea]

Any thoughts on Warranty Direct?
I just bought a car and there is no warranty on it. It is a 2001 X5, 3.0i with 85K miles on it. There are a few things that I might need to take it in for and was trying to find the best place.

For those who've experienced WD, what don't they cover?

[motordavid]

OT...
WD is one of the last major aftermkt warranty joints,
still standing. Many were shaken out, merged and a
few went toes up in the past year or two.

From memory, Super Greg and I, and a couple others
here, have WD coverage; I've yet to use mine, while
SuperGreg received good service.

Withall that said, I do not believe WD or, any aftermkt
warr. joint will cover you, once the orig. oem warr.
expires. But, there website is easy and you will get
an answer quickly.
GL,mD

Originally Posted by sawastea

Any thoughts on Warranty Direct?
I just bought a car and there is no warranty on it. It is a 2001 X5, 3.0i with 85K miles on it. There are a few things that I might need to take it in for and was trying to find the best place.

For those who've experienced WD, what don't they cover?

[motordavid]

Excellent thread, imo...escp. as many of our Xs "age".

Our Sept. 2001 delivered, (8-'01 build), 3.0 5 Spd manual,
with 56K miles, has had the following R&R'd:
-Biz CD radio drain on battery, (software reprog.)
-aux fan repair, (recall)
-rear hatch light, twice, (warr.)
-water pump, (warr.)
-front brake pads & rotors, (maint.)
-final stage resistor, (warr.)

Other than oil&filter changes, wiper blades and lotsa Zaino,
it hasn't seen much fixing. We have that annoying and nearly
impossible to diagnose, high speed braking shimmy back again,
but I can live with it.

Great thread idea...
BR,mD

[Scotty]

I second that ! Excellent idea for a thread. We could produce a list of likely-to-need-work items and typically mileage for failure.

My list would include :

coolant reservoir cap (55k)
coolant hose (short) on the reservoir (65k)
both front, outboard CV boots (approx 70k, 78k)
CD changer going kaput (twice !)
radiator (failed at top joint, 79K)
weather strips on underside of rear doors (left at 79k, right at 52k)
buttons on the climate control falling off (three of them now !)
camshaft position sensor
both oxygen sensors
both fuel level sender units

I'd have to check my service records for exact mileages.

If you guys want to post or PM me with maintenance items together with mileage I will volunteer to aggregate the info.

[willy_manily]

I have an X5 4.4 2002 89,000kms which i think is around 40,000miles

And the only problem that i have had or having is the windows and the door unlocking system.

This is a really annoying problem, on dash where the dials are the LED which tells you consump and range and time, after a while the leds die and so ur screen starts loosing pixles which pisses me off