2001 X5 4.4i ONLY 75,000 miles- What maintenance would you do?

[tonybia]

So I broke down and bought a 2001 x5 4.4i with only 75,000 original miles on it. The x5 is like new inside and out. Besides an engine oil and filter change, what other items would you service/ change? I am debating doing a trans filter drop and fill. SO what would you do?

I also plan on doing some undercoat protection, waxing and interior protection in the coming weeks to preserve the rustfree body and nice interior. Suggestions?

Thanks,
T

[bcredliner]

If you didn't have a pre purchase inspection done, I would have that done to see what a well recommended independent shop that specializes in BMWs has for input looking over your particular vehicle in person. If you have history of ownership and maintenance that will help tons.

You will get suggestions of a bunch of preventative maintenance repairs to consider that can cause buyer remorse if you let them. Only 75,000 miles and obviously well taken care of is a good indication it is in good shape.

There are two entrenched camps about changing transmission fluid. I am on the yes side. I drive hard and have done many engine mods. I change fluid and filter every 40,000 miles. I have 118,000 miles on the original transmission with no problems. The only potential other reason I have had no problem is the Dinan trans software installed at around 1,500 miles. I use the ZF fluid. My basis is 20 year veteran of working on BMW transmissions that advised there is no such thing as lifetime fluid and recommended the interval I use. That doesn't mean I am the yes folks are right. Suggest you ask someone of the caliber I did and see which side he falls.

[semcoinc]

Congrats on the cream puff buy!

That's about the mileage I got my 2003 4.4i in 2014.

If there are no records of what has been done, I too am a fan of tranny fluid total drain and flush (I drained and flushed my fluid about 4X to insure all the converter fluid was clean and new).

Other than fluids, engine oil, differentials, xfer case and cooling, most of the hoses and belts might be good to near 90K, IMHO. Spark Plugs? Fuel filter?

Then near that 90-100K mileage cooling system hoses, water pump thermostat, fan clutch and suspension and CV joints are the things that I preemptively change to give me high reliability.

Good Luck with your new to you E53!

Mike

[ChiefRider]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

There are two entrenched camps about changing transmission fluid. I am on the yes side. I drive hard and have done many engine mods. I change fluid and filter every 40,000 miles. I have 118,000 miles on the original transmission with no problems. The only potential other reason I have had no problem is the Dinan trans software installed at around 1,500 miles. I use the ZF fluid. My basis is 20 year veteran of working on BMW transmissions that advised there is no such thing as lifetime fluid and recommended the interval I use. That doesn't mean I am the yes folks are right. Suggest you ask someone of the caliber I did and see which side he falls.

FWIW, completely agree on changing trans fluid and filter.

As a past member of STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers) I will tell you there is indeed no such thing as a "lifetime" ATF. Changes over time and temp cycling take place that change the nature of the fluid. Additionally, particulate from the inevitable wear and bedding in of trans internals needs to be removed, and much of this is too fine for the filter to capture. More then you might think will stay in suspension and act as an abrasive. 40k miles is a good interval.

All that said, there are plenty of people out there that have very high mileage on transmissions with no maintenance. I believe you stack the odds in your favor by changing it.

[wpoll]

I think few would argue against regular trans fluid changes - myself included. The arguments for doing so are many and compelling.

The arguement for NOT doing it relates to high-mileage units with little or no previous maint. Or any evidence of any previous maint. Then it's a crap-shoot.

There are far too many examples of folk with trans unit functioning ok or with only minor issues who then proceed with a full fluid flush, using advise offered with the best of intentions, only to have a full trans failure very soon afterwards... Bugger....

It seems that if you don't get it young, and establish a routine of regular changes, then you run the risk of shocking an older unmaintained unit by introducing new fluids, dissolving the build up of sludge already in the unit.

While not usually fatal, as a mechatronic replacement or rebuild will often address the resulting failure, it seems few folk have the stomach for this level of work.

Einy meeny miny mo.....

[bcredliner]

From posts here I get the impression that most that the fluid has never been changed are already having transmission problems and are hoping that a fluid and filter change will be the fix. Once in a while it works, my guess when the fluid was low, but most of the time it doesn't help. Transmission then fails before long and it is attributed to the change of fluid rather than attributing the problem that was the reason to change fluid was the reason for failure.

Sounds logical new fluid could dislodge sludge or debris. My view is if there is enough to cause a failure after a fluid and filter change the bad stuff has stopped settling in the pan or getting caught in the filter so it is better to get it out of there. I'm skeptical enough that if I purchased a high mileage X5 that the transmission fluid had not been changed, I would change fluid and filter and again after driving 100 miles and after another 500 miles.

[wpoll]

I'm going to need to take on this soon myself. I have about 130,000 miles on my GA6HP26X and it has the classic 2-1 kick along with holding 3rd too long when cold. Mechatronic sleeve it starting to weep, so the fluid has to come out to address this. While I'm in there I'll replace the bridge and jump seals, as well as the filter and the fluid etc. Some might say use the old fluid again but nope - that seems too desperate.

I have the trans pan with only a single drain/fill location (no seperate fill port) so I need to get some tools and parts together first.. :-)