Adding coolant/anti-freeze (brand)

[cn90]

Generic issue but...

On the issue of parts lifespan, we expect ___ year/miles from each part.
Any time things fall below that we can complain.

So, let's say we expect the coolant reservoir to last 10y/110K on an average car, but if the reservoir cracks at 50K, it is unacceptable. But then one has to deal with it and replaces it every 50K like those folks owning the E39 with M62 engine!

[TiAgX5]

Agreed.

Climate/temps/road treatment chems/cleaning chems or total lack of cleaning & conditioning all play into plastic life.

I'm over 200k miles/12 yrs with one tank replacement. X has never seen snow or road chems & when chassis/underhood is cleaned, it's done with BikeBrite, a mild motorcycle cleaner that contains plastic/rubber conditioners. NEVER degreasers that kill plastic/rubber.

[TiAgX5]

Regardless of who said what and when, I can only speak of what I 've seen with the E46 & E53 when it comes to plastic failure.

As for someone using what's been seen in a shop as indicative of BMW quality.......

1) Does the shop use Genuine BMW parts exclusively?

2) Do they verify failed parts are Genuine BMW?

3) Are they the exclusive shop doing repairs to vehicle?

4) Do they have access to full vehicle history?

Don't see how anything posted prior is "shooting myself in the foot".

[TiAgX5]

Nobody said you need to salute a flag or go to a dealer for repairs/parts.

I buy Genuine BMW parts on line and DIY.

There are many owners on here who don't see NEARLY the # of failures you see.

As I stated prior, climate plays a major role in failure rate. It seem the E53 operated in hot climates hold up much better.

I've had 1 regulator fail in over 12 years, BCRedliner has yet to see a failure in over 13 years (TX vehicle).

[Ricky Bobby]

Does trader EVER stop bitching about the god damn window regulators?

Use a genuine replacement, replace all clips (there are even aftermarket, heavy duty regulator clips on Ebay), and stop slamming doors with the windows unsupported in the frame.

As far as expansion tanks, for plastic pieces to be lasting 100k miles is a just fine service interval for me, considering the cooling system and pressures in it.

Do you really expect a vehicle to only need oil changes until the frame rusts out and nothing else?


Lets keep the discussion on point and not having tirades about window regulators in every thread about maintenance regimen. Stop slamming your doors with your windows down and/or unsupported, without doing some preventative maintenance like replacing the clips prior to total failure (window falling down and shattering in the door)

[TiAgX5]

Good points on possible causes that can lead to reg failure RB.

Can also add NEVER use the power windows when ice has not been scraped from the glass, also, condition door seals/lithium grease the hinges & latches (takes 10mins), the doors of the E53 close when released from around 5" open (less stress on the regulator).

BMW didn't "gorilla proof" the E53 (operation or repair), if they did it would weigh as much as an H2 Hummer, and drive like one!

[StephenVA]

I have replaced multiple window regs on vehicles in the last few years, but not one on the X5, M5, or the 528i. Watch tomorrow one will fail.....

I don't abuse the doors and neither does my shopping wife. Windows up 99% of the time equals a clean car (no dirt or leaves in the back seats). Hell other than tolls, I never even open the damn things. Nice and quiet driving experience. That is why God created the human who invented A/C for.

[TiAgX5]

The "Trail Rated" Jeeps my ex drove ('99 & '03) had 5 window regulator failures combined in the 8yrs we owned them (4yrs each).

Did I go on the forums and bash? No.

"Trail Rated" drivers seat frames that bent (4 seat assemblies replaced). Bash? No.

AC compressors that fail and fill the system with metal shavings in 3.5 yrs (both Jeeps). Bash? No.

I've personally seen fewer failures on the BMWs owned vs Jeeps.

EDIT; Forgot the hood/rear hatch support struts that failed every other year. E53 still on OE set 12+yrs and counting.

[TiAgX5]

40yrs of driving and you think a higher sticker price= fewer failures/lower repair cost/less maint???

With that logic, I bet you think cars should be priced by the pound (weight, not currency).

[Helihover]

40 years of driving?

Your over 50 years old?