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

[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]

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

But there is a reason why M54 is arguably one of the best engines BMW made.
So smooth!

Exactly. It's good in every chassis they put it in. Plus it's cheap and easy to work on (relatively by BMW standards). But I do appreciate the N62 power vs. the M54 in the e53 chassis. At least with the auto gear box. We had the M54 in an E83 and wished it had 40 more HP/TQ.

Glad the trip was uneventful and the vehicle lived up to expectations. Enjoy bringing it back up to snuff, and we will eagerly await pics.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Exactly. It's good in every chassis they put it in. Plus it's cheap and easy to work on (relatively by BMW standards). But I do appreciate the N62 power vs. the M54 in the e53 chassis. At least with the auto gear box. We had the M54 in an E83 and wished it had 40 more HP/TQ.

Glad the trip was uneventful and the vehicle lived up to expectations. Enjoy bringing it back up to snuff, and we will eagerly await pics.

Thank you.
I did consider X3 briefly because of N62. But, I simply love E53 too much.
I did wash it today and tommorow is pics and inpection on lift.

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

Quick update guys:
I'm back and X5 performed amazing!
<snip>

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. !

--

Glad to hear you made it back and had a smooth trip. I totally agree about the 3.0. Granted I'm pretty much an old geezer, but it's fast enough for most driving I do, and the reliability/relatively easy maintenance of the M54 is one of the reasons I bought in and now have two of 'em in the garage.

Now I think it's fair to say we all need some pictures of this new acquisition. :-)

Chris

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Bottomfeeder

--

Glad to hear you made it back and had a smooth trip. I totally agree about the 3.0. Granted I'm pretty much an old geezer, but it's fast enough for most driving I do, and the reliability/relatively easy maintenance of the M54 is one of the reasons I bought in and now have two of 'em in the garage.

Now I think it's fair to say we all need some pictures of this new acquisition. :-)

Chris

Thank you.
Finished preliminary wash and cleaning this evening.
Tommorow is pictures and going on lift for inspection:
So far:
Change oil and filter, replace thermostat, replace angel eye bulb and get replacement for missing hitch cover.