New X5 5-speed owner!

[BrwnNbrusd46]

Hey guys and gals, just excited to make my first post here! Recently purchased an '02 X5 with a manual transmission. It was a steal since it seems to have all the major, common problems all the e53s seem to have lol. I always enjoy a project car though. It is blowing fuse #48 occasionally/randomly causing tha a/c to cut out, it shimmies and shakes under high-speed braking, it has gone into engine fail safe program a couple times which feels like eco mode honestly, AND it clunks if I don't shift correctly. So it is a problem child, but I believe I know the fixes for these thanks to this great resource. The only thing I'm unsure of is why the factory navigation/dsp will not receive radio stations... I know, seems trivial. I can play music through the cassette adapter, or CD changer, if it would read discs, but sometimes I just want to turn on the radio and not have to think about what I want to listen too. I'll continue scouring the web, but any input would be great. Issues aside, the suspension is fairly fresh so it drives like a dream and there are no engine or driveline leaks whatsoever. Also, are there any modifications that y'all would definitely do to a standard X5 3.0i?

[Ricky Bobby]

Clunks when shifting - Subframe Bushings
Blowing AC fuse? - Final Stage Resistor (I think)
Shimmying while shaking/braking - needs a front suspension overhaul including thrust arm bushings (do it all and align it once)


The Radio not playing is confusing to me -


I know you posted the suspension is fresh but there is something wrong in the front suspension and unless you know the quality of parts and they were installed correctly, I would do my due diligence and at a minimum do the thrust arms.


Other than that, keep an eye on the typical M54 wear items, change the oil hot once or twice, I use T6 5w-40, in the South where its hotter the engines will benefit from a 5w-40 IMO vs. a 5w-30 which was really only spec'ed for fuel economy -


Flush the brakes and clutch as well, and enjoy

[BrwnNbrusd46]

Awesome, thanks a lot Ricky! I did figure most of that out, but the radio issue is strange.

The shake is from some resurfaced rotors. I've replaced the brakes on every car I've ever owned anyway. Seems like nobody ever wants to touch them or spend money on quality parts for such an important safety item.

And I am in Georgia so thanks for the oil suggestion. My Mercedes uses 0w-40. Would that be too light?

I'm actually very happy with the mileage. 19 mpg seems pretty good for a rig of this size imo.

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[Overboost]

Welcome to the family. You are in the right place for answers to any and all questions you have with your new whip.

[white46]

0W-40 is good choice for the engine oil

[white_335i]

+1 for T6 5w40. For the shimmy, resurfaced rotors can cause that, but how are the tires?

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by BrwnNbrusd46

Awesome, thanks a lot Ricky! I did figure most of that out, but the radio issue is strange.

The shake is from some resurfaced rotors. I've replaced the brakes on every car I've ever owned anyway. Seems like nobody ever wants to touch them or spend money on quality parts for such an important safety item.

And I am in Georgia so thanks for the oil suggestion. My Mercedes uses 0w-40. Would that be too light?

I'm actually very happy with the mileage. 19 mpg seems pretty good for a rig of this size imo.

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Yep I would get some better pads and some rotors - Centric (parent company of Stoptech) makes nice rotors that are coated in the non contact areas to prevent rust - Centric pads or Power Stop pads are a good aftermarket choice which will get rid of a lot of dust! I just got done overhauling at all 4 corners, only unforseen circumstance was my brake master cylinder took a dump, oh well, it lasted 15 years, replaced and had to have a full DSC bleed procedure done but she's working well now.


5w vs 0w vs 15w is cold start flow - don't worry about that. Mobil 1 0w-40 is way too expensive and shears to a 30w too quickly. Trust me, your engine will thank you, there are a lot of top quality additives in the Shell T6 formula, a lot of anti-wear and its a super oil.


Also its $19 a gallon at Walmart so just pick up 2 for $40 and enjoy the savings vs the boutique oils and heavily marketed Castrol and Mobil 1 etc



and YES it says heavy duty diesel oil, but its a secret between us car people, not only does it work fantastic on gasoline engines, but we use it in our motorcycles and lawn mowers as well - check out some used oil analysis from people who had it tested if you don't believe me.


My wifes E70 35D runs it, my E53 runs it, my Triumph runs it too - Easy on the wallet and great for your engine -



And yes for a rig our size, I have no complaints with 19 mpg! Thats about what I get with my 20" staggered wheels and my 5 speed.

[BrwnNbrusd46]

@white_335i The tires are all matching Continentals with even wear on them front and back.

@Ricky Bobby Stoptech is what I was referring to. I've used their Z23 or Z26 performance brakes on my past 3 cars and never had anything but positive results.

Mobil 1 is what I have for the Merc, but I never thought very highly of them. It's just what all the Benz guys say to use because of the sticker under the hood

I've heard of people using some Rotella oil in their gas engines with positive results, just never tried it myself. I'm still apprehensive to stray too much from what's proven since another car community recommended Royal Purple mtf/gear oil and the trans went shortly thereafter...


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[Ricky Bobby]

Royal Purple is garbage

I did Redline D4 ATF in the transfer case, Redline 75w-90 gear oil in the diffs, and Redline MTL for the manual transmission when I did my fluids, 45k miles ago (I have 106k now and did them shortly after buying the truck)

I'm not recommending Royal Purple or Amsoil or any other big marketing snake oil companies - T6 has a proven formula that just works, but use what you'd like, I just can't complain for less than $5 a quart. IMO, they have not only the top fuel quality on the market but also the top oils.

[BrwnNbrusd46]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Royal Purple is garbage

I did Redline D4 ATF in the transfer case, Redline 75w-90 gear oil in the diffs, and Redline MTL for the manual transmission when I did my fluids, 45k miles ago (I have 106k now and did them shortly after buying the truck)

I'm not recommending Royal Purple or Amsoil or any other big marketing snake oil companies - T6 has a proven formula that just works, but use what you'd like, I just can't complain for less than $5 a quart. IMO, they have not only the top fuel quality on the market but also the top oils.

Agreed, all those heavily marketed products are garbage. Redline is good stuff. I'll be changing ALL the fluids soon enough. I'll look more into the T6 stuff.

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