Questions on 2004 X5 4.4

[sumo]

Hi Guys!
I just bought a 2004 X5 4.4 with 67,000 miles on it. Think I got a OK deal on the price , but wanted to see if I should be concerned about any major issues in the near future. I have a few questions and will really appriciate answers from the experienced folks in the forum!

- I was wondering if I should buy the extended warrenty (Not BMW, third party) but that is around 2700 for 2 yrs/30K miles. The SAV does not have any issues apperently and still under the dealer warrenty of 30 days.

- Mirror auto fold (Same issue that many have encountered on this forum, mirrors not staying folded when the button is pressed). Has anybody found a DIY for this or do I need to take the SAV to the dealer?

- Another question is where can I find the Cigarette lighter under the dash since it was missing when I bought the SAV and if anybody knew the price for it?

- Also at this high milage, do I need to be worried about if something major might happen to the SAV? Any particular maintenance that I should be doing?

- Key memory does not seem to be working, how would I know if the keys were programmed to remember the setting?

- Any advice on maintaining the exterior during normal operation and snow?

Thanks in advance,
Sumo

[Driver8]

Hi Sumo - Congrats on the new ride - I have an '04 also.

I bought an extended warranty from a BMW dealer for my '03 530i last year for around $1900 and change for 2 years/36k miles (it was a GE warranty). Shop around. If you like your dealer and the work they do, check with them...ask them who works with them the best. They wouldn't sell you something from whom they have trouble collecting.

If I understand your question correctly, the cigarette lighter plug should be just to the right of the point where the console meets the underside of the dash, above the passenger's footwell. It is easy to see if you climb underneath and look up. It's a great place to plug a cellphone charger or a V1 If you just need a replacement lighter element, call your dealer. It's around $9 w/ BMWCCA discount.

Key memory is a dealership setting. You may have an hour's labor in getting it done unless you know somebody who can do it for you.

Mirror auto-fold....hmmm, no clue. Sounds like a control module or sensor?

At the mileage on your X, I would perform oil changes at 5k to 7.5k intervals and use synthetics (Mobil1 or Castrol Syntec, which is BMW Synthetic). I'd also have a brake fluid flush and change the fluids in the F/R diffs and transfer case. In terms of maintaining the finish, a good-quality wax applied every couple months should handle it nicely. Many in here use P21s, Zaino, Klasse or the better Meguiar products. Anything works well if you use it regularly instead of when it absolutely has to have it. Twice a year is stretching it.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the new ride! - Mike

Originally Posted by sumo

Hi Guys!
I just bought a 2004 X5 4.4 with 67,000 miles on it. Think I got a OK deal on the price , but wanted to see if I should be concerned about any major issues in the near future. I have a few questions and will really appriciate answers from the experienced folks in the forum!

- I was wondering if I should buy the extended warrenty (Not BMW, third party) but that is around 2700 for 2 yrs/30K miles. The SAV does not have any issues apperently and still under the dealer warrenty of 30 days.

- Mirror auto fold (Same issue that many have encountered on this forum, mirrors not staying folded when the button is pressed). Has anybody found a DIY for this or do I need to take the SAV to the dealer?

- Another question is where can I find the Cigarette lighter under the dash since it was missing when I bought the SAV and if anybody knew the price for it?

- Also at this high milage, do I need to be worried about if something major might happen to the SAV? Any particular maintenance that I should be doing?

- Key memory does not seem to be working, how would I know if the keys were programmed to remember the setting?

- Any advice on maintaining the exterior during normal operation and snow?

Thanks in advance,
Sumo

[Driver8]

By the way, Sumo, I'd rather have a newer car with more miles than an older one with less. Sounds like the previous owner racked up highway miles, which are the easiest ones to have (high gear=low RPMs, limited use of brakes, reductions in RPMs in the transfer case, axles, tranny, etc). Older cars have issues with parts that get old (hoses/belts/seals/etc). Based on this and allowing for the fact that I'm making several key assumptions, you should have no issues with the miles on your ride.

[BruinMan]

Wanted to use these smiley boys. Sorry !

[sumo]

Thanks Guys for the replies! Here are a few pictures!

[benathon]

YOu have the headlight washers, xenon... No PDC.

[Ecko]

Sumo,

Hey thats my SAV. Oh never mind thats an 04 as mines is a 01. Congrats on your purchase! I don't know if these known issues were fixed for 04 but things to consider replacing are: CV (8) boots, and water pump. Again not sure about the 04 but FYI just in case.

[sumo]

Will any indicator lamp's in the SAV light up if there is an issue with these things (CV boots, water pump etc.) or is it a part of normal maintenance?

Thanks,
sumo

[Driver8]

There are no indicator lights for these items.

Originally Posted by sumo

Will any indicator lamp's in the SAV light up if there is an issue with these things (CV boots, water pump etc.) or is it a part of normal maintenance?

[Ecko]

Just like Driver8 said.
For the CV boots you can crawl underneath the vehicle and visually check all 8 boots. You want to look for cracks/leakage coming out of them. Start with the front left outer boot as that is the one that commonly craps out first. It literately craps out the grease inside of it so you'll know!