So, what happens when 47 year old kid falls in love with X5 2600 miles away?

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Paper map is a good idea. I usually make my route and download offline maps on Google maps though to avoid dead zones. As long as the phone has battery, it works. Paper maps don't have that limitation.

Exactly!

[andrewwynn]

Here is an example of an impossible fuel gauge reading. The left side is stuck at seven and the right side is below 1.4 hovering between one and zero right now.

That means I have less than a gallon of gas come to find a gas station right away.

The reason this is impossible is that when working properly the right side tank will stay at 014 until the left tank goes to 000. My left tank sensor is dirty or bent or something it never reads below 7L. I noticed something was afoot when my DTE stopped dropping one day about 37 mile to empty; I drove about 20 miles and it never changed.

I'm not sure if i refurbished mine or wife's left side sender but it's not a difficult task so apparently i have a job to do.

[motordavid]

Have a good trip and don't sweat it: we have done dozens of road trips cars and m'cycles, inc a 13,000 mile 35 state/6 provinces of CDA in our Vette Vert, with a cheap azz cell phone, a laptop for evening work in the motel, non RFTs, on mostly 2 lane black tops.

Adventure, yes but zero problems other than my CEO wanted a vacay from me when we got home!

Keep it under a hundred and fifty and between the fences, as the MT trooper reminded us, and let us go!
GL, mD

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Here is an example of an impossible fuel gauge reading. The left side is stuck at seven and the right side is below 1.4 hovering between one and zero right now.

That means I have less than a gallon of gas come to find a gas station right away.

The reason this is impossible is that when working properly the right side tank will stay at 014 until the left tank goes to 000. My left tank sensor is dirty or bent or something it never reads below 7L. I noticed something was afoot when my DTE stopped dropping one day about 37 mile to empty; I drove about 20 miles and it never changed.

I'm not sure if i refurbished mine or wife's left side sender but it's not a difficult task so apparently i have a job to do.

Thank you for the info. I'll pay attention to it when I drive. It looks like it's at 1/2 tank which is very unusuall for dealer and maybe a good sign.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Have a good trip and don't sweat it: we have done dozens of road trips cars and m'cycles, inc a 13,000 mile 35 state/6 provinces of CDA in our Vette Vert, with a cheap azz cell phone, a laptop for evening work in the motel, non RFTs, on mostly 2 lane black tops.

Adventure, yes but zero problems other than my CEO wanted a vacay from me when we got home!

Keep it under a hundred and fifty and between the fences, as the MT trooper reminded us, and let us go!
GL, mD

Thanks!
I love your outlook on life.
I am preparing but at some point good or bad luck will also play a role.
I'll carefuly inspect the car when I get there and just go from there.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

Thanks!
I love your outlook on life. We are RetiredBums since 2000...our clocks are ticking quickly; love cars & travel/pre CV19!

I am preparing but at some point good or bad luck will also play a role.
We raised kids, (our Kidz are now 52 &50), but we both had v well paying high level corp jobs/co car, et al and lived well below our means. And, Yes to luck, though hard/smart work tends to make for more luck, in my experience.

I'll carefuly inspect the car when I get there and just go from there.
We drive that '02 VetteVert all over and we do 3-4 trips a 'summer/fall' in our 2001 E53 from NC to NJ & back, to see our knuckleheads every year. Our 19 yr old E53 runs better than my Rolex. Have fun, safe trip!

GL, Ol'UncleMotor

[14thbmw]

Well if I understood your first post you are probably on your way to Seattle now. If you have Internet, and a few minutes, post a few updates about the vehicle and the trip.

Good luck! And ENJOY the drive.

[bmw540san]

Quick update guys:
I'm back and X5 performed amazing!
Left the Burlington, WA on Friday 11:00 PM EDT and parked in my Ooltewah, TN driveway at 10:00 AM EDT this morning (Monday).
Some raw facts: 59 hours, 2700 miles, 120 Gallons, 22.5 mpg, speed mostly 70-90 mph.
Took the I-90 through WA, ID, MT, WY etc...Map doesn't do justice to size of Montana and Wyoming.
WA and ID were pretty, ID very much (the 70 miles through panhandle).
I got some pictures but not much, this was really mini cannonball. I got really lucky that car was everything I hoped for and then some:
I haven't put it on lift yet as I'm still resting and need to wash it but I haven't had to add any fluids and it looks like it used about 1/3L of oil.
2 minor issues found at dealer:
During inspection I opened secret menu and thermostat is clearly stuck open but no CEL. Actually, it was a good thing as car ran mostly 80-90C which was safer for this long run vs 92-95 which would put extra pressure on cooling system.
Weird gap under driver side headlight and hood doesn't close even on that side. No signs of body work and I will investigate further.
On that subject, love the "BMW Dynamic Xenon" this X5 has. Much better lights than my 2003 4.6is with "regular" Xenon.
And of course it wouldn't be BMW if it didn't do some kind of warning:
During trip one of the tailight bulbs was on and off and one of passenger side "Angel Eye" is out.
If these are all problems I find, I can live with it, lol.
More updates and pictures are coming but I'm extremely happy so far!
Thank you for all your advice guys!


P.S.
I disagree with 3.0 being called "underpowered" and this is coming from a guy who's been driving 4.6is for last 5 years.
BMW did a great job with shorter diff to help M54 haul heavy X5 and it's perfect for daily driver around the town which this will be.
The only time I felt it "underpowered" was in instances where I had to do a quick 90 mph pass and go back to "regular" 80 mph.
But there is a reason why M54 is arguably one of the best engines BMW made.
So smooth!

[Overboost]

[14thbmw]

One of the nice things about the E53 is you can do that drive and arrive in pretty decent condition (back pain, etc). Glad you had a safe run and no mechanical issues!