To answer your question in short, Original Transmission and Engine were still in the vehicle.

However if your interest is further peaked then the story unfolds to reveal a long lasting bond between machine and man.

This past winter I tested the X-Drive and the DSC one more time on a very bad ice covered road. It still worked like a dream. The ice wanted me to spin sideways, up ways, down ways, and even slant ways, but the DSC had other plans and corrected the path with no hesitation ensuring I would get to my favorite cigar lounge without incident or delay. What a machine!

I hadn’t driven it for a month and this past weekend decided to take it out. The vehicle still ran smooth as it was when it was new. One month away from my E53 and it felt like seeing a long lost friend. Stopped at my favorite cigar lounge and the local dealer, general sales manager was there (Valley Auto World BMW, Fayetteville, NC). We had spoken many times about BMWs, my E53 and I mentioned I was looking to trade in for a new model even though it meant I would not reach my goal of one quarter of a million miles. After speaking for about an hour we both had to leave, but he told me he would make any deal work. He knew my X5 had been taken care of and I was finally ready to let her go.

Now for the sad ending of this decade long brotherhood between the X5 and I. Coolant started leaking from the radiator at the top, the valley pan gasket was leaking coolant very bad, and the engine started burning oil, sending a cloud of smoke out the tail pipes. With a long journey coming up this weekend I decided to make the purchase. Ten years, one month and 5 days later to be exact, I returned to the same dealer ship where I purchased the ’04 E53. It will take some time to get used to the new dash display and interfaces, but I feel like I’m about 80% used to it. Let’s just hope my two shepherds like it. After all I bought it for them. If they were so demanding I would have gone in a completely different direction. BMW for sure, but a different model.

I remember a thread on Xoutpost from the past about the longest road trip taken in your X. Well this has been one very long road trip. It’s taken ten years and 213 thousand miles to get to the end, but what a trip it was!

This is what 213k miles of maintenance looks like.

· BMW Schedule Maintenance (oil and whatever, nothing major) 0-50k miles
· Front brake pads and rotors at 50k (BMW warranty)
· Rear Pads at 101K miles
· Tires at 50k and somewhere around 120k, 170k, and 197k miles
· Right Left Lower Control Arm Bushings 132k miles
· Transmission Service and 100k service at 132k miles
· Left front outer CV boot replace 136k miles
· Power Steering hose replace 136k miles
· Lower radiator hose replace 136k miles
· Upgrade to performance Cross Drilled Rotors and Ceramic Pads 150k miles
· Recall, "Recall to have the programming updated to the vehicles DME (Engine Control Unit) & EGS (Transmission Control Unit)" whatever that is. The transmission was not happy about it. After about50 miles or so it starter bucking like a bronco when maneuvering in parking lots. As fast as that appeared it disappeared. Must have been re-learning the DSC settings? Ran fine after that. The “slam” we all know and love did come back later though as expected.
· Valve Cover Gaskets replaced around 165-170k miles
· Transmission service was done again at 180k miles - “Slam” disappeared.
· Alignment done at the dealer - First time having it done at 197k miles. I just felt it should be checked after five sets of tires. 3-5 thousand miles later it was completely out of alignment and had ruined the front tires. They don't warranty their alignments at this local dealer. L
· Alignment and two new tires at 200k miles. Not at the dealer.
· Timing Chain Cover Gasket around 206k miles. Guides and tensioner’s were “like new” according to the mechanic. I had photos taken.
· Transmission fluid service and transfer case fluid service at 210k Miles. “Transmission Slam” completely disappeared. I think the E53s consumes more ATF then planed. Well that’s my opinion, because after it’s changed it’s a whole new Ultimate Driving Machine.


Road trip to Ohio this weekend another 1200+ round trip.

-Tom

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'04 X5 4.4i