Expect to spend big $s if you own an older X and DON'T DIY (especially an N62 V8).

I've dropped over $1500 on parts/special tools for my '03 4.4 M62 over the last year (avoided the later N62 because of added complexity/failure/costs). The repairs I DIYed would have cost over $8000 had a dealer done them.

In order to keep cost of ownership less then 1/5th the dealer maintained cost, I ALWAYS find the time to troubleshoot/repair it myself (In the 4.5 yrs of ownership, my X has NEVER been to a dealer/indy shop, (the only work not done in my garage is tire mounting/road force balancing (done by Classic BMW, $260 a full set).

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'03 X5 4.4 Sport, last of the M62s (8-03 build date)
I believe in deadication to craftmanship in a world of mediocrity!