Cold weather realted issues...

[bletour]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Ese

It may be a mind thing, but it seems like my X uses up more gas when it's cold (below 35ºF)

Not in your head at all. The colder the air, the denser and more rich in oxygen. Since a motor always tries to keep at fuel to air mixture no higher than 14:1 the more dense the air, the more fuel required to run it. So yes, it uses more fuel but the nice side effect is that you actually get more power.

So far the only cold weather related issues I have noticed is a noisier power steering pump. Especially when turning right.
Also a few more creaks/groans from the plastics in the interior.

--Bill

[lgoren]

Fixed many cold problems after installing oil pan heater. $50 plus 30 min labor.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by lgoren

Fixed many cold problems after installing oil pan heater. $50 plus 30 min labor.

please post pics + link

[1stBMWTom]

Originally Posted by switchman

below 35, i get intermittent rattle from lower windshield line, sounds like pelting of heavy rainfall. checked the wipers but it isn't the culprit.

Same exact problem I noticed and brought up in another topic.

Another one I just got this morning on the way to work was all 4 power windows being frozen stuck. My X5 is garage kept (about 50*F in the garage). I assume when it hit the cold air moisture formed on the way to work and then froze. It was 20*F this morning outside.

Nonetheless, I can't believe the lack of power the window motors have, not to mention the embarrassment of having to open my door and lean out with my access card to get past the security gate while driving in a $75K vehicle. That never happened once in my Silverado, which was never garaged and the windows would still go up/down even if there was frozen snow and ice all over them and the doors.

If this is the type of quality I can expect from my X5 with only 18,000 miles on the clock then I certainly will not be keeping it very long.

[CurtisD]

Well...crap.... $300 later and this is what I get for paying someone to work on my car (this was a first). I paid the shop to do my tstat a week ago. One week later my temp gauge is burried over in the red again... Anyone else have a similar issue?

[primetime]

Originally Posted by lgoren

Fixed many cold problems after installing oil pan heater. $50 plus 30 min labor.

How do you do this. And where can i get one?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by primetime

How do you do this. And where can i get one?

You could Google "oil pan heater"

This link is from a Canadian distributor, but the same product is available in the US as a Wolverine. I haven't used this brand, but I have used very similar products on heavy equipment (diesel).

http://www.padheaters.com/

[Lambeau]

Living in far Northern Wisconsin and having the temp colder than 30 below zero (not counting the wind chill) at least a dozen times the last 2 winters, I have yet to have a cold related problem. (knock on ice!)

One of the primary factors that the mileage decreases in cold weather is because the moving parts on the X have more resistance due to the colder temps. Wheel bearings, transmission fluid, rear and front differential fluid, transmission fluid, u-joints etc. all have more resitance to movement when very cold. After some of the fluids warm up the resistance will decrease but that may take many miles to get to full operating temperature. Next time the temp is below zero jack up your X front end and spin the front wheel and see how hard it is to turn.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Lambeau

Living in far Northern Wisconsin and having the temp colder than 30 below zero (not counting the wind chill) at least a dozen times the last 2 winters, I have yet to have a cold related problem. (knock on ice!)

I drove my 2003 3.0 in cold weather for three winters (Kootenay Mountains, on trips from the coast). I never had a cold-weather related problem either.

There are some simple truths here. All cars require maintenance. BMWs are no exception. Unmaintained vehicles have problems in the cold more often than well maintained vehicles. That is pretty much all there is to it. There is no reason why a BMW is any worse in the cold than any other vehicle. Yes, the consequences of a problem can be more expensive, but that is pretty much the price of admission for the BMW driving experience.

Just my $0.02

[skiboats]

My 01 has always been in Buffalo. Was actually stored during the summer(Hockey off season) and has had no cold weather issues at all, so far.

Maybe it is used to it. We have had an early winter and it's been plenty cold.