When will you sell your X5?

[X5only]

Originally Posted by Mr.Couch

I run one of the largest independent repairs shops on the east coast & spend 30+ thousand with BMW OEM, 18+ thousand with OE parts each month. I have not seen any specific decline in BMW OEM parts in the past 7 years at this facility. I can tell you this, with experience I know which aftermarket or OE parts to buy vs BMW OEM. Example, I have had multiple OE valve covers for M54 & N52 fail sub 1,000 miles since install & would only go with BMW OEM valve covers for any car that comes through our shop. This is just one example of hundreds but you get my point. In that same breath, for the GS7D36SG DCT transmission, URO & other OE transmission pans w/ gaskets are on par if not better than BMW OEM. I wouldn't expect most hobbyists to have the similar experience with this as someone who works at a repair facility but OE aftermarket parts should not be thrown to the side as lesser quality / value than BMW OEM.

Mr Couch, I think your above experience could be highly valued by a DIY-er . I'm curious, what's your take on OE suspension components relative to BMW OEM? How about the OE cooling system components? I maintain my family's four bimmers myself and we're soon adding a fifth one - my maintenance costs are nothing to sneeze at . Your input would be very valuable. Over the years I discovered Mahle Behr radiator to be as good as BMW OEM radiators, at least on the M52, N54 and N62 engines. I also tend to stay clear of OE electronic components but I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake here by making a swiping dismissal. One strategy I use to keep costs down is to leverage FCPEuro's lifetime replacement guarantee even if their prices tend to be on the higher side due to their business model.