Adding coolant/anti-freeze (brand)

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by trader4

If you're not BMW fanatics, then I can't imagine why calling one part
on the car crap sets off this hostility. And IMO, those tanks and
the window regulators are crap.
If you search through this forum you will see lots of
people with failed tanks, including cars at well under 100K miles. In
every other vehicle I've had, I've never seen a single coolant tank
failure. And you also have many people here that have gone through
more than one tank too. It's 2015, we have modern, tough plastics
and it's simply unacceptable to have expansion tanks that crack
frequently. As long as you keep accepting it and saying it's perfectly
OK, then BMW has no reason to fix it. The same is true of their
window regulators.

Then you digress. I didn't say the X5 is "full of junky parts". I
specifically identified the tank and a few other parts as being crap.
But since you want to discuss the overall vehicle reliability, here is
what JD Powers says in their 2015 study:

2015 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) by Category | J.D. Power Cars

The X5 shares the lowest reliability rating on the list, 2 stars, while
the best SUV has 5 stars. Presumably they use real data and are not
out to lie and screw BMW. I could show you more too, but too many
folks on here just can't stand the facts.

Those ratings are for the 2015 X5... and JD won't let you see the E53 anymore as it's so old now. Not that I care what JD says about a car. But the 2008 X5 also has a 2 star rating in dependability but a 4 star rating in performance/design just like the 2015. So just like any other decision you have to decide what's important to you. We all choose to drive these things because of the way they drive and look. If we were concerned with absolute reliability and low maintenance costs we'd be in Hondas or Toyotas.

As for BMW putting crap plastic and seeing failures of it in expansion tanks... like I said, this is a forum. You are going to see the failures. No random owner pops in to say "Hi guys, new here, just signing it to say my expansion tank just ticked 200,000 miles. Have a good day." BMW doesn't have to design a part to last 200,000 miles... they design it to last 100,000 and then the typical BMW buyer will buy a new one. People like you, me, and the others on the forum are not necessarily BMW's target audience. But they do make cars that drive fantastically well and so we have to deal with changing certain parts when they fail or preventatively. It's always been that way with certain parts. No one complains about a timing belt service interval do they?

As for the regulators... those are a common failure in many vehicles. Obviously some more than others. But literally just a few minutes ago I got a text from a buddy who replaced his second window regulator on his C5 vette. So it happens... that's just the way it is.

You attract the hostility in the way you deliver your posts. And your extreme stubborn nature keeps fanning the flames. I don't know why people are focusing on age in your case... I've seen some pretty immature 50 year olds. It's not limited to younger people. But if you take a second to answer your own question about why you're attracting the hostility... you should be able to come up with the answer.

[luvmy03E53]

... wait for it...

[Ricky Bobby]

Did I not say trader was going to reference Consumer Reports? (JD Power is an equal to that IMO)

He has plenty of time on his hands, I don't know why he doesn't design a superior window regulator or expansion tank lol

[luvmy03E53]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

He has plenty of time on his hands, I don't know why he doesn't design a superior window regulator or expansion tank lol

And go broke when the damn thing lasts so long no one needs replacements...

I'll probably regret saying this, but it's called "designed obsolescence". Who hasn't heard of it??

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Did I not say trader was going to reference Consumer Reports? (JD Power is an equal to that IMO).......

Those two are the biggest jokes when it comes to rating vehicles.

When I purchased my first Viper (1994 MY, sig pic), they both stated, no airbags, no ABS, no DSC, no traction control.......no review. They almost called it a deathtrap, as if you drove one, you were going to die!

No understanding of cars built for drivers.

[StephenVA]

[TiAgX5]

They whined about no auto trans option too.

They see/rate vehicles as "transportation appliances".

[TiAgX5]

trader4, why are your posts AWAYS bringing up "dealer" when it comes to Genuine BMW parts/fluids?

I purchase the fluid online ($20 per gal, makes 2 gals with distilled water).

Some don't see the plus side of saving a few dollars every 4 yr change.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by trader4

Because if I need some antifreeze, I can go over to a number of local
sources and buy Zerex G5 for $15. Similar is only available locally
at the dealer. Do you stock a supply to cover every contingency?
And does that $20 include shipping a heavy container of antifreeze?

With regard to parts in general, whether you buy a BMW part
directly from the dealer or from a source online, if it's a real
BMW sourced part, it's almost always going to cost a lot more
than an aftermarket equivalent. For example, find me a BMW
window regulator at a great price. Last time I looked, it's $180
from the cheapest online source. Maybe you want to pay that
for a crap part that's no better than the $30 Chinese one, but
not me......

As always, your car, your money, your choice.

1) I have a gallon of BMW coolant in the garage ALWAYS (enough for a full fluid swap).

2) Online retailers have "free shipping" with minimum orders (usually around $50). When I order small parts and/or coolant, I sometimes add a tee-shirt or hat to exceed the min.

3) Documented on this forum months ago, found a seller in Sparks NV with a few NIB Genuine BMW regulators, $50.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...acement-4.html

You will need to do your own searches for deals, I don't do it for fun!

Edit; Added a pic. Don't want to get called "strawman"!

[Joshdub]

I search for deals for fun, but I am not going to share them with Trader4 because all of his posts give me Ebola.

I found genuine coolant for 26 shipped. $10 more than G5, but I also don't need to leave the house or put on pants to get it. I also found G5 for 15 shipped, but I find the grey container more astheically pleasing.