I’ve posted before about a month ago and I’ve never really formally posted pics after I got her… Anyway, it’s been a month since I first bought her and she’s been nothing but spectacular. A few minor issues but she runs like a champ. Here’s my write-up after 1 month but here’s her specs first:
2004 X5 4.4i Titanium Silver with Black Interior and light wood color. She came with little scuffs on the 2 rear wheels but I know of a place that can fix it in one day (as they say). But no hurry to get it fixed at this time. Also a little scratch mark on the left corner bumper. Not a big deal to me anyway…

Sport Package, Premium Package and Cold Weather Package
PDC, Navigation, DSP, Adjustable Ride Height… pretty much every option that I know of. Though no Panoramic roof and from my previous cars, I rarely open the sunroof anyway. So I didn't care for it much. I don’t know if it’s me, but X5’s with the Adjustable Ride Height seem to look “lower” than X5’s without this feature. I usually keep it on the middle setting.

Second day of ownership my wife, son and I had to run some errands at Costco and Target. As I started her up when I got home from work saw the DSC light on. Didn’t think much of it and just figured DSC must be turned off. So I just went off driving with the DSC light on. As i’m about maybe 15 minutes from Costco, I realized the Engine went on some type of safe mode. She wouldn’t change gears over 1st or 2nd (whichever) and I knew something was up. As I got to Costco turned her off, got the dreaded “Trans Fail Safe Prog”. Went into Costco and just as I was thinking, I’m going to be stranded at Costco on my second day of ownership. I was ready to hear it from my wife! Didn’t tell her of course though… After finishing our errands, got back in the X5, everything was fine. Thought it was kind of strange, but it still bugged me a little.

Anyway, as the week went along, I realized during cold start up in the morning, my DSC light would be on. Cold start up as in cold temperatures (below 37 degrees according to that BMW chime). After I let her warm up a little, turn the engine off, the DSC light would disappear! She ran fine. I figured the cold weather had to have triggered something (temperature sensor?). Maybe have a summer X5?

My first somewhat roadtrip was to take the family out to New Jersey to visit my sister and really stretch the legs of the X5. The NJ Turnpike has a speed limit of 65mph and was able to run to 90mph easily. But I found myself staying at 80mph just to be on the safe side. But of course, the most noticable vehicle that passed me was a BMW X5 E70 4.8i with the Sport Package. It was a woman driving and it seemed like she was easily cruising 100mph. But I wasn’t going to run with her due to the fact that I have my wife and kids in the car. On the way home though back to NY, I found myself running with a Porsche Cayenne S and a Subaru WRX sti. We weren’t weaving out of traffic but when the roads opened up, we just ran togehter. Nice to know the X5 can hang with ‘em!

Well, I have a couple of co-workers who also have X5’s and one of them recommended me to this independent mechanic. His shop isn’t the best looking condition, but man, does he know his stuff. Was told a MB SL class was brought in with messed up electronics. Guy took it apart and rewired the whole thing. Was done in 3 days! Owner was ecstatic! Put my X5 on a lift, checked everything out to see if my X5 was in any accidents (clean as a whistle) and the only issue was a loose clamp on the power steering line. Put on a new clamp and everything was good. Then he ran an Diagnostics (told him about the DSC light on cold start ups) and everything came out fine. He mentioned something with the speed sensor but said not to worry. Everying was all good and I came out feeling good about the X5.

Next on the list was a new set of tires. The Michelin Diamaris that came with her could have probably lasted (tread wise) until the end of this 2009 year, but I opted to have tires that ride a little softer and have all-weather capabilities. Toss up was between the Michelin Latititude’s or the Pirelli Zero Assimimetrico’s. I went with the Pirelli’s and got a whole new set (staggered of course) for $1200 bucks from Mavis Tire. With the new tires all set, was ready for a round trip to Wilmington, NY… Whiteface mountain. But of course, needed racks to haul 4 snowboards. Picked up a set of Yakima crossbars and racks… now she should be good to go to.

I felt now that this roadtrip to Whiteface is the real test for the X5. I was looking at 300 miles trip there and back. The X5 handled it. She ran strong and solid! Stereo was kickin’ with the DSP but I chose to use my Garmin Nuvi rather than the BMW navigation. The Garmin just seemed more precise and looks better too. At times just for fun I found myself using both Nav’s just for the heck of it. :P Passing on 2 lane roads was joyful and not once did I feel any fatigue. I was averaging 13.9 miles per gallon the whole trip as per the computer with mostly cruising between 80-90 mph. But you also have to remember that on the trip there, I’m mostly climbing and with boards on the roof, it sure isn’t helping with aerodynamics. Now on the road trip home I was able to hit 110mph no problem. I even had this incident with this girl hogging up the fast lane in her white Nissan Altima coupe. As I went to pass her on the right lane, she had the nerve to nail the gas obviously being a jerk on not wanting me to pass her. But her Altima was no match for some V8 power! I pulled on her and as I passed her, she let off. She knew what the deal was…

In conclusion, the X5 ran strong! She’s solid and I hope for many years of motoring. The modding bug hasn’t hit me yet but my first choice would be to get a set of Stoptech Brakes. Red Calipers would look sweet! I’m glad to have a buddy of mine hook me up with a reliable independent mechanic and I’m going to try to avoid the stealer at all costs. :P Also, I want to mention, my key fob died yesterday unexpectedly. The key works fine in opening the door and starting her up, but it seems like the battery is dead. I did that reprogramming thingy on both keys just to test it out and I was able to only reprogram 1 key but the other key I would just hear a “click”. I’m off Saturday to the stealer (Hassel BMW) to see what I can do with the key situation. Oh well… at least 1 key works.

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