Ok, in regards to your 'transmission jerkyness sometimes' have a look at this thread on rough downshifts: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ownshifts.html In particular post # 6 on resetting transmission. As per the post that may or may not help, please let us know of outcome.

Apart from resetting the transmission maybe hold out till 90k's but it wouldn't hurt to at least crawl under and check out your cv boots and make sure they aren't cracked and are nice and dry. Look for excessive grease around axel parts, inside of rims etc. Also take a look under the hood at the ends of all rubber hoses for deterioration, cracking etc.

On other potential issues, check out: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...-problems.html Read all of post # 1 and in particular post # 8 by 'primetime'. Very informative and probably what you need to see what can go wrong at around 80k miles. A little scary as I'm at the same distance travelled but as you say you want to prevent rather than repair plus to be forewarned is way better than not knowing at all.

Your questions are not stupid, good to see you've got the right mind set of being in front of what could go wrong. I know I keep saying read, read and read some more. Believe me that's one of the best things you can do right now. Don't be afraid to use the 'Search' feature at the top of each page, second row, it's everyone's friend.

Good luck

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