What to check/replace before Free Maintenance Expires?

[digitaljok]

The maintenance and warranty period are about to expire, and I'm wondering what I should make sure to check and replace under maintenance. I've already gotten a new rear wiper blade and front brake pads this year.

[motordavid]

Have you had:
-brake fluid replaced; rec'd every two years, and
covered under "free maint".
-coolant ok? Constant loss or, even continual
loss is possible sign or porosity/leak somewhere.

Other posters should have add'l tips.

If you are thinking of an ExtWarr., BMW does a "CPO-like"
prog. for considerable bucks. A third party program would
be one from Warranty Direct, one of the last good joints
still in biz. Extended Maintenance, different from an Ext.
Warranty, is also avail at dlrs. Shop around; prices vary.
GL,mD

[noncom23]

More lists.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ht=maintenance

[Sudesh]

My dad had the instrument cluster, front seatbelts and side runners replaced on his X under warranty, they also replaced 2 rear hydro mounts. Not sure what they are but were causing a knocking sound every so often.

[The Cleaner]

I recommend an extended warranty if you plan to keep it or trade it in for a CPO X5. X5's are not the most ideal car to buy with only the 4 year 50k warranty term. If you are a strong DIYer and are into the idea of working on your car then the X5 is a bargain. If you have to pay someone to work on it your going to go broke very fast.

[digitaljok]

Originally Posted by The Cleaner

I recommend an extended warranty if you plan to keep it or trade it in for a CPO X5. X5's are not the most ideal car to buy with only the 4 year 50k warranty term. If you are a strong DIYer and are into the idea of working on your car then the X5 is a bargain. If you have to pay someone to work on it your going to go broke very fast.

Yup, got extended maintenance on a '00 528i which paid for itself, and learned the hard way that I should have gotten the extended warranty too. But recently I found a competent and reasonably priced independent shop which, together with sites like this one, make ownership outside of warranty much cheaper. I came to the conclusion that if the timing is in your favor (ie brakes are about to wear out), you'll at least break even with the extended warranty and maintenance, BUT only going by the dealer service rates. If you can find a good independent shop, then the extended plans are not worth it.

Thanks everyone for the tips, I'm going to look through the records to see when the last time the brake fluid and coolant were changed.