BMW X5 3.0i - newbee

[X5chemist]

Hi Ya'll,
I've been lurking around since December. I picked up a nice '06 survivor about 100 miles from Austin, Tx. The X5 popped up on Christmas day. We bought it the next day in Waco, Tx. I had looked at few in San Antonio, Houston, and locally. All were in bad shape. We practically gave up. This titanium silver X5 has a few flaws but nothing major. It was cheaper than others posted in the area. It was worth saving in my book. One of last ones built too. '06 April build date. I have not found a website to completely decode the VIN.
Maintenance was poorly kept. I have found evidence of a few things replaced. However, it will get major updates to make it long road trip worthy. I've made a list based on post and information on this board. The previous owners put on new tires, replace/rebuilt the A/C system, spark plugs, and new brakes all the way around. All in the last two years.

Major fixes so far:
Passenger side air bag error code fixed by using a bypass so it's away active
Alternator replacement
Oil filter gasket (saving me 1 quart every 500 miles) Three weeks and no oil loss.
Fuse 74 pulled
New final stage resistor replaced
New electronic key cylinder
New left driver regulator
Trans oil/filter change
Transfer gear replaced and upgraded
Transfer case oil (diff oil change coming soon)
Replaced a broken rear seat buckle
License plate LED cover and bulbs
Interior burned bulbs replaced
Two additional keys, that hurt
Washer pump
All windows and sun roof ceramic tinted
Lower ball joints (thrust arm bushings next)
Engine bay detailing
Additional glove box flash light
Upper radiator hose due to a leak on small reservoir connection
New A/C - auxiliary fan
New AMG Duracell high crank battery

Major items left before really digging into it.
Lower engine cleaning
Differential oil changes
Hand brake adjustments
Water pump check - upgrade to a Stewart water pump
Coolant system update
CCV delete
New Iridium single tip plugs
Wider taller tires
Disable the rear pano glass. Everything works great now.
Replace the tire tool kit.
Suspension updates
Rear suspenion updates - the rear tires lean in a little at the top.
New struts and shock - look original.

Special help needed for:
Transfer case reset for clutch wear. It's the only code stored after fixing and resetting all the others.
Coding to lower temp gauge readings

The most pressing issue to address: no sleep mode! Sleep mode stopped working around the Texas Feb freeze over! No sleep mode destroyed the last battery. With the troubleshooting done so far, my next step is to have the GM 3 fixed/checked out. For now, it's on a trickle charger when not in use. Or driven everyday.

I'm looking forward to learning more about these X5. Everyone thinks they are cool. I had offers on the same day I bought it. Peeps know I fix and keep maintenance up all vehicles. The plan? Put another 100,000+ miles on it!

[andrewwynn]

Welcome and sounds like you got the major stuff out of the way.

I missed the miles on the clock, but the things that failed like clock work on both mine and wife's e53 were the fuel pumps, the siphon jets, the disa valve, the coolant reservoir and the cam shaft sensors.

I've looked into 06 so I could stepping stone up the X5 family without having to go to the e70 chassis. My wife now has a '12 X5 and I do like mine better for driving feedback and less body trim squeak and rattle. (though hers is literally twice as fast to 80 mph).

XO is the best place to find help on maintaining an x5 for sure

[Effduration]

welcome.

I don't think the CCV delete is an upgrade. a fresh CCV is good and hassle free for 80k mile or so.

test your fan clutch with a small roll of newspaper...If you can stop fan with engine hot and running...replace it with a Behr/Sachs brand fan clutch.

[X5chemist]

Effduration,
My list doesn't list the clutch and fan. Once I found out the auxiliary fan was toast, I replaced the fan and clutch. I was surprised it was OEM. May have been original. It was hard to take off. I had to use an air hammer to get it off. The fan engages when temps go up. The old one free spun all the time. My next upgrade is the reservoir cap. Going from stock 2.0 bar to 1.2 bar. Better venting should help reduce the coolant system from blowing up. A coolant system overhaul will be done eventually. Other more important items need replacing first.

The new thrust bushing work great. I had a shop press the old ones out. They installed new bushings. The X5 accelerates better. Stopping is better. After new ball joints and bushings, the hard brake shaking is gone. The stance is slightly higher too.

My plans are to drive it 100,000 miles. It has 147k now. The oil has been cleaning up too. No more milky cap and valve cover. No more oil loss after replacing the filter housing gasket. I did an oil change upon getting it home. Changed it at 3000. I'm going 5K on oil changes and change the filter in between too.

[X5chemist]

Thanks to forum members, I've shrunk down a pic to post. The pics was taken on the day of purchase. We drove it 100+ miles back to Austin. It feels right at home with all the ATX BMWs running around town.

[andrewwynn]

Headlights are in amazing shape! Nice score good steps in Restoration

[svodnik]

I have sleep mode problem and fix it by replacing A/C unit. It woke up vehicle...

[X5chemist]

The headlights have been refinished. They have a film of clear. Unfortunately, spider web cracks are starting to show. I don't know if the clear can be removed to apply a fresh coat. I'll be looking for options later. Other items need attention.

svodnik,
The sleep problem started on mine about two months after purchase. It's the top priority item to fix.

[andrewwynn]

Did I miss if you reeplaced the FSU? It's the main cause of no sleep ; been there done that) the second most common is the telephone interface which is usually unused.

Pull the FSU (or fuse supplying it and the control hardware(, and see if your sleep works again.

When my FSU failed, it stopped running the blower. When wife's failed, it operated the blower fine just sucked the battery dead in three days when not driven.

[X5chemist]

Yes, the FSR has been replaced. Fuse #74 for telephone interface has been pulled. I even pulled the radio fuse for testing. Still won't go to sleep. I'm starting to believe the consumer relay is stuck closed. The shifter light is always on. Has anyone ever recorded how many amps a stuck GM3 consumer relay draws with the shifter light on? I have a clamp meter. I plan to test it for amp draw after closing the rear hatch latch but leaving it open. I know I have to watch it for 16 min.