Sell my X5 or drive it into the ground?

[NYCSterling]

Originally Posted by X5only

2005 4.4 sports at 110K miles and have had the car for 8 years. Updated wheels (style 87), the head unit (dynavin N6) and the wipers (E70 wipers). Feels like I have a new car. I do all the work myself and will drive it to the ground.

got a pic of the E70 wipers? wanna see how they look on the E53.

[jsoto]

Originally Posted by trader4

I would disagree. IMO, if you have an original BMW alternator and it's
working, I'd leave it alone. If you replace it with a brand new one
from Bosch or Valeo, it's expensive. And if you replace it with a $200
rebuilt one that you buy from the typical channels, you're depending
on the quality of the rebuild, which is done by some volume, low cost
vendor in Mexico or similar. They take in cores, quick test them, and
in many cases, only replace what tests bad. The core you send back
is working, it's unlikely they are going to replace the VR for example.
The next guy winds up with your old VR. If you take out your working
alternator and replace it with a rebuilt, that next guy is you.
.

Fuel filter, sure that should be changed. But fuel pump, again, I would
not screw around with what is working.

All in all, I don't buy into a lot of the preemptive replacement of parts
that in many cars, last the lifetime of the car.

My water cooled OE went bad in year 4 1/2 as well as in year 6.
It's been 6-7 years since then with a Bosch ~OEM~ and so far, no issues yet on on non OE alternator

[X5only]

Originally Posted by NYCSterling

got a pic of the E70 wipers? wanna see how they look on the E53.

I don't have the car with me right now but I've seen pics with a DIY for the wipers in a UK bimmer forum. Let me do a quick search.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by NYCSterling

got a pic of the E70 wipers? wanna see how they look on the E53.

Here's a thread of DIY with pics of front and rear wiper arms conversion.

E70 FRONT and rear wiper arms and blades fitted to my E53
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ed-my-e53.html

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Chicago has an excellent transportation network, from Uber rides, to Divvy bikes to the CTA, PACE and Metra.

I limit my driving of the X when temp is below zero and only drives the X if the trip is greater than 30 minutes. I mainly drive my FORD Ranger pickup during the winter.

For long trips I rent a car and if the car break along the way I just call the rental company and tell them where there car is and could they get me a replacement car.

I never take my X on long trips. I also go the rental route. I don't have to worry about hail storms, parking where I worry or outside, cement trucks, gravel trucks, trucks sucking sand off the shoulder, eating in the X, blowing a tire that nobody stocks, if something breaks leaving it somewhere or sitting 5 days waiting for parts so that it can be fixed, having to pay dealer repair rates- gives me shivers just thinking about a long trip in my X.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by X5only

Here's a thread of DIY with pics of front and rear wiper arms conversion.

E70 FRONT and rear wiper arms and blades fitted to my E53
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ed-my-e53.html

I've been wanting to do this mod since that thread was posted up. Just don't have the skills to modify the passenger side arm myself.

How did you do yours?

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by babyduke

I don't DIY but have a reliable mechanic who's taken care of me well for years. But he's not a bimmer specialist and often takes trial and error to figure some things out. Plus if he ever retires which won't be long, I'm screwed.

There are plenty of Indy BMW mechanics in Chicago and the suburbs, perhaps you should look at them instead of you non BMW mechanic. They may not be as Cheap as your indy, but they do know their way around BMWs and are normally less then the dealers.

[bestvaluestore]

Originally Posted by babyduke

2005 X5 3.0i sport 120K miles

I normally don't keep my cars for too long but something about my X5, I am not getting tired of it and want to keep it forever. FYI, I bought it new and it drove beautifully for about 7 years. Maintenance's done regularly and it's kept in the garage so still looks glossy. But in the last 3 years or so, mechanical problems started to appear.

- Had to get hoses, fittings, pcv replaced after serious oil leak during arctic winter

- Another minor oil leak, gasket replaced

- Coolant sensor and thermostat replaced

- Rear door carrier replaced

- Wear and tear items like CV boots, window regulator, wheel camber, etc... all corrected

What other costly problems may be knocking at my door soon? What to do prevent costly repairs? Many people have been telling me it's time to sell it while it still have some trade in value. Because of it, I'm kind of afraid to take it for a long trip.

What to do? Chicago winter scares me and this car isn't quite built to battle it IMHO.

Yes,if you feel it is time to part ways,just get rid of the car and get another.Nothing last forever.everything changes.

[bestvaluestore]

Originally Posted by babyduke

2005 X5 3.0i sport 120K miles

I normally don't keep my cars for too long but something about my X5, I am not getting tired of it and want to keep it forever. FYI, I bought it new and it drove beautifully for about 7 years. Maintenance's done regularly and it's kept in the garage so still looks glossy. But in the last 3 years or so, mechanical problems started to appear.

- Had to get hoses, fittings, pcv replaced after serious oil leak during arctic winter

- Another minor oil leak, gasket replaced

- Coolant sensor and thermostat replaced

- Rear door carrier replaced

- Wear and tear items like CV boots, window regulator, wheel camber, etc... all corrected

What other costly problems may be knocking at my door soon? What to do prevent costly repairs? Many people have been telling me it's time to sell it while it still have some trade in value. Because of it, I'm kind of afraid to take it for a long trip.

What to do? Chicago winter scares me and this car isn't quite built to battle it IMHO.

Yes,if you feel it is time to part ways,just get rid of the car and get another.Nothing lasts forever.Everything changes.

[bcredliner]

Key words--I want to keep it forever.