New owner

[jljljl]

Welcome
Sweet ride!

[Bdc101]

One question I have is about the CCV. I have a little sludge that I can see under the oil cap and I can't find anything in the maintenance records about the CCV being done, so I think I will make that my first maintenance task.

I haven't found a good answer yet for whether BMW fixed the CCV or if the new one is exactly the same as the old. It seems to be a super common issue so I hope BMW has updated it. But, if it's just one of those things I'm gonna have to replace every 60-100k then so be it.

Also, the cold weather and non cold weather versions are interchangeable, right? That's my understanding at least. I don't know why I have but I will get the cold weather part.

[59vampire]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Being a cheapskate and owning a BMW is not a match made in heaven. My advice is to avoid buying the cheapest parts for the BMW. It will only come back to bite you.

New to theX5 as well got mine in September. But not new to BMW.

Upallnight's advice is worth heeding. Usually from my past experience with my e24, the difference in price was not that dramatic. True we are talking very different vehicles but in looking at parts my X5 may need as I plan on keeping it a while, there may be a 30% premium tops for the most important items.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

One question I have is about the CCV. I have a little sludge that I can see under the oil cap and I can't find anything in the maintenance records about the CCV being done, so I think I will make that my first maintenance task.

I haven't found a good answer yet for whether BMW fixed the CCV or if the new one is exactly the same as the old. It seems to be a super common issue so I hope BMW has updated it. But, if it's just one of those things I'm gonna have to replace every 60-100k then so be it.

Also, the cold weather and non cold weather versions are interchangeable, right? That's my understanding at least. I don't know why I have but I will get the cold weather part.

Can't tell what state you're located in, but from studying other posts it looks like anyone living north of I-70 can count on more frequent maintenance requirements on the CCV. It's really important to get your engine oil up to temp for 20-30 minutes at least once a month to help keep your CCV plumbing clear.

Here's a summary of my maintenance history over 311,250 miles:

On a regular basis:

> Rotate tires, inspect pads & Rotors, CV boots, general lookover every 5000 miles
> Oil / Filter change every 8000 miles
> Brake fluid flush every 30,000 miles
> Replace belts and clean CCV every 100,000 miles
> Replace differential and transfer case fluid every 100,000 miles
> Replace sparkplugs every 120,000 miles
> Replace expansion tank, coolant and hoses every 150,000 miles
> Replace bake pads every 163,000 miles (Akebono ceramics)
> Replace rotors??? (243,000 miles on current Brembos)

My unplanned repairs have included:

> Front axles at 60,000 miles (Prior owner didn't maintain CV boots)
> FSR at 78,000 miles
> Two sparkplug coils and accessory belt tensioner at 124,000 miles
> Alternator at 126,000 miles
> Front driveshaft at 136,000 (used a salvage transfer case for cost savings)
> FSR (again) at 159,000 miles
> Thermostat at 176,000 miles
> Rear differential seal at 200,000 miles
> Secondary air pump at 224,000 miles
> Rear suspension bushings and upper control arms at 242,000 miles
> Thermostat (again) at 245,000 miles - at least it was warranty this time
> Steering column double U-Joint shaft at 245,000 miles
> Valve cover gasket at 245,000 miles
> Both fuel tank sending units, fuel pump and canister at 245,000 miles
> Aux fan when the harness got chewed up in the mechanical fan and shorted out at 259,000 miles
> Pre-cat O2 sensors at 260,400 miles
> Water pump at 262,800 miles
> DISA Valve and MAF at 263,800 miles
> Thermostat (again) at 299,00 miles (don’t know what’s going on with these)
> Driver door handle carrier replaced a second time at 310,600 miles (thought they had these fixed finally)
> Intermediate accessory belt pulley at 310,600 miles


The "Expected" replacements have been:

> All four window regulators
> Driver door handle carrier
> Front axle outer CV boots (each side one time)
> Front tension struts

All in all, except for the front driveshaft job that cost $4200, I have really been happy with the vehicle. It doesn't get babied, but I do monitor and maintain it. I think a lot of my good fortune is due to four things: I live in Texas with short winters so I don't have a lot of the CCV condensation problems, my daily commute is 60 miles so the engine oil always reaches full operating temperature, I run the "M" series viscosity engine oil from May through September when I my driving includes 3000 miles of towing a 1400 pound Waverunner and trailer, and I stick with Shell gasoline.

Additionally, I don't change the transmission fluid! I'm a firm believer in leaving it alone and simply installing a full re-manufactured transmission if it ever becomes necessary.


2002 X5 3.0 311,250 miles
2014 428i 22,400 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration