What's broken on your E53 today!

[Joshdub]

The AC compressor took a dump. Puts a bit of a dent in the suspension fund...

[David D]

^ Owee... That's not gonna be cheap.

Took mine to the dealer Wednesday evening and dropped it off along with my usual list of things to get fixed (still under warranty for another year).

• Passenger side front door won't open at all
• Rear passenger side outside door handle carrier is broken
• Rear suspension needs repair/alignment (worn inside driver side tire edge)
• Mount and balance 4 new tires
• Passenger seat heater getting replaced (part that's been on back order for 6 months finally arrived)
• Engine making rattling noise
• Windshield washer tank keeps losing fluid and don't know where it's going
• Windshield washer tank float switch indicates low fluid when only half empty

I'm lucky I bought the warranty when I bought the car. Best $1600 I've ever spent. I'm sure the warranty company is counting the days until my contract is over!

[nebilex]

Originally Posted by David D

^ Owee... That's not gonna be cheap.

Took mine to the dealer Wednesday evening and dropped it off along with my usual list of things to get fixed (still under warranty for another year).

• Passenger side front door won't open at all
• Rear passenger side outside door handle carrier is broken
• Rear suspension needs repair/alignment (worn inside driver side tire edge)
• Mount and balance 4 new tires
• Passenger seat heater getting replaced (part that's been on back order for 6 months finally arrived)
• Engine making rattling noise
• Windshield washer tank keeps losing fluid and don't know where it's going
• Windshield washer tank float switch indicates low fluid when only half empty

I'm lucky I bought the warranty when I bought the car. Best $1600 I've ever spent. I'm sure the warranty company is counting the days until my contract is over!

That warranty has paid for itself with just the list of repair you have here. How many miles do you have on the car and what's the warranty company you are using?

[David D]

^You have no idea!

To date, the warranty company has paid out over $13K in repairs, and that's the negotiated price, not street price. I've had numerous leaks, both front half-shafts, window regulator, etc replaced. Big ticket items were a complete panoramic sunroof rebuild a couple of years ago, and last year they did the valve stem seal replacement. Without the warranty, the sunroof bill would've been $4700 and the engine valve stem replacement would've been over $9000 according to the dealer.

I actually called the warranty company and asked them "At what point do y'all cry uncle?". They're reply was "when the total cost of repairs exceeds the cost of the vehicle". I bought the car at Carmax for $25K in 2011 and bought the extended warranty through them.

The actual warranty company is Western National. I have a $250 deductible per visit, so I usually wait until I have a list of items and get them taken care of at the same time. This visit is typical of that. They even replaced the nav screen due to dead pixels a couple of years ago.

I've had far more repairs than I think is normal for most vehicles, but then, the X5 is not "most vehicles". It can be frustrating, but damn the thing makes me smile whenever I drive it! It's also my daily driver (101K miles on the clock), so it's no garage queen.

[Dking078]

Well nothing broken on the car, but my new 4.8is OEM rotor had a crack before I even installed it
Gotta love HuskerParts customer care though, made it super easy and understanding.
Already have a new one being overnighted

[jopecasa]

Blown right brake light bulb!.........again in 6 months!

Thinking of getting the Spyder.....idk yet.

[puddinboo]

Originally Posted by Dking078

Well nothing broken on the car, but my new 4.8is OEM rotor had a crack before I even installed it
Gotta love HuskerParts customer care though, made it super easy and understanding.
Already have a new one being overnighted

looks like shipping damage ( was dropped probally.)

[Ricky Bobby]

Stupid trim piece with the leather that clips on top of steering column and moves with the wheel when getting in and out has some busted clips and keeps popping out when I'm driving -

$40 + tax from the dealer and 7-10 days to arrive as its only available in Germany - biting the bullet because I hate trim pieces that don't fit properly and it will drive me crazy as its right in my vision.

[Scott ZHP]

Looks like I need to replace the double u-joint lower steering shaft. I have an 01, and the lower piece isn't available anymore, so I have to use the upper+lower from the later models. Debating if I want to DIY, or take it somewhere.

I don't really have the time to spare at the moment. The upper bit goes through the firewall into the cabin, so I'm guessing some interior bits need to come out to get at the coupling inside. Anyone done the whole shaft, and not just the lower joint? Ballpark estimate of labor involved? I'm guessing the dealer will want $1500 or so. Probably more as they mark up parts about 20% over full retail.

Are there index marks on the top/bottom so it's self aligning?

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

Looks like I need to replace the double u-joint lower steering shaft. I have an 01, and the lower piece isn't available anymore, so I have to use the upper+lower from the later models. Debating if I want to DIY, or take it somewhere.

I don't really have the time to spare at the moment. The upper bit goes through the firewall into the cabin, so I'm guessing some interior bits need to come out to get at the coupling inside. Anyone done the whole shaft, and not just the lower joint? Ballpark estimate of labor involved? I'm guessing the dealer will want $1500 or so. Probably more as they mark up parts about 20% over full retail.

Are there index marks on the top/bottom so it's self aligning?

Scott what kind of mileage do you have on your X5?