I have a 2008 4.8l X5 with 78k mile on it that I picked up with 64k in Feb and for those worried about the coolant transfer pipe problems, suggest you look into this option - Bimmer Fix | Coolant Pipe Repair System

$200 kit and all that is needed is to remove/replace the water pump.

My water pump started making noise just before a 2300 mile road trip. Did not have time to replace the pump before the trip. Crossed my fingers and hoped I would have the luck of the Irish. Luckily the water pump survived the trip.

So when planning on the pump replacement, I decided to proactively install the Bimmerfix stent kit. Not so hard, slight PITA with having to sand the front engine housing slightly to get the stent to slide in without too much resistance.

Ended up using a 1/2" drive socket that happened to be exactly 1 1/2" long to tap the stent in the final depth.

Do not have much time on the modification at this point, but hope and expect this to head off any coolant pipe problem in the future.

Water pump replacement was not too bad, I was able to do it without removing the front engine pulley, which makes things a bit trickier. Suggest replacing the later stub coolant pipe and the plastic water pump pulley when doing the water pump job.

I am also running the 90C thermostat in the engine as well and so far no MAP thermostat codes (will have to see what happens this Winter), but it is an easy swap back to the stock thermostat if needed for the Winter. Engine clearly runs cooler, right around the 90C range even in the high Summer temps.

Overall I really like the 4.8l, I am able to get 23 MPG pushing the thing hard on long trips. I averaged 23 MPG for 1100 miles at a 72 MPH speed for the 1100 miles. I am sure if I slowed down I would have been able to get closer to 25 MPG. Again, this is with the 90C thermostat.

No oil usage at this time, if it becomes and issue, there are people that will do the job for around $2000 if you shop it or you can buy the tools, then resell them if you want to try the DIY route.