2001 - 115,000 miles... Problems beginning

[mmartins44]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some helpful information from you guys.
I have a 2001 X5 3.0 with 115,000 miles on it. I've had it serviced through BMW service pretty much everytime. Just this past month I've been experiencing loud creaking noices coming from the front end. I had the Inspection II done this past week and the BMW service came back with a number of recommendations.
R/F outer CV boot is torn - replace
L/F lower control arm has play - should replace
Thermmastat stuck open
Valve cover gaskets seeping
Lube sway bar bushings

Eevrything else they said was fine. Is this typical for a car with these many miles on it. Its been driven normally, never any hard driving.

The Service dept. didn't even bother giving me a qoute because it was going to be thousands to repair. They recommended that I think about trading it in . I do not want to trade in or get rid of my car as the car as a whole is in great shape.

What would you guys suggest I do. What would these repairs typically cost? Are there any other forseen repairs I should be looking ahead for.

Any input would be greatful.

Thanks in advance

[Werewolf]

1) R/F outer CV boot is torn - replace (yes, normal, surprised it has survived so long) (labour intensive)
2) L/F lower control arm has play - should replace(yes, normal, surprised it has survived so long) - should feel some play / lack of tightness in the steering wheel - I had one replaced for $310 all-in
3) Thermmastat stuck open - no idea
4) Valve cover gaskets seeping - should last 80K miles at a go, so yes (labour intensive)
5) Lube sway bar bushings - no idea

I would use a BMW indepedent shop.

[01 BMW_X5]

Thousands to repair??
Please get a written estimate and post it here.
I would love to know how much they charge.

Werewolf define "labor intensive".
I would say 4.5 hours max in labor.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by Werewolf

I would use a BMW indepedent shop.

[motordavid]

Nothing sounds like major surgery and some of it reads like Stlr
bs/scare tactics, imo...they would like you to trade it/toss it,
(for pennies on the dollar), to them, for a new $70G car that's
sitting on their lot burning a hole in their floor inventory budget, lol!

Werewolf gave a good response and others here have done or,
had done, the things on your list.

The valve covers sound really bs ish, unless you see oil leaks or,
they actually took off the plastic engine cover to look; some oil
weepage or even seepage, does not demand new gaskets, but
on the IL 3.0 that is not a huge task, imo.

"Lube bushings"? Dunno what effect that has...

Nothing on your fix list sounds abnormal espc for the
mileage and age of your X...

As all said above, get a detailed quote from them or,
find another Stlr for another opin and quote or,
find a good BMW Indie.
GL,mD

[Werewolf]

Originally Posted by 01 BMW_X5

Thousands to repair??
Please get a written estimate and post it here.
I would love to know how much they charge.

Werewolf define "labor intensive".
I would say 4.5 hours max in labor.

Over 4 hr for a DIY

[blueagle]

Do not worry. I am sure you can save a lot of money with a little bit of help from our X5 forum members. As stated by other members, get a written quotefrom the stealership and go look for an experienced independent BMW repair shop.

Since you live in the Boston area, I am sure there are other forum members who also live around that area.

[tijanaw]

CV Boot should cost you around $300 at an Indy shop, $150 to $200 for the Lower control arm or $100 for the part and an hour of your time (very easy 2 do).
If you mean Sway bar link, do it at the same time than control arm, easy.
The rest I don't know, hope this help a little!!

Originally Posted by mmartins44

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some helpful information from you guys.
I have a 2001 X5 3.0 with 115,000 miles on it. I've had it serviced through BMW service pretty much everytime. Just this past month I've been experiencing loud creaking noices coming from the front end. I had the Inspection II done this past week and the BMW service came back with a number of recommendations.
R/F outer CV boot is torn - replace
L/F lower control arm has play - should replace
Thermmastat stuck open
Valve cover gaskets seeping
Lube sway bar bushings

Eevrything else they said was fine. Is this typical for a car with these many miles on it. Its been driven normally, never any hard driving.

The Service dept. didn't even bother giving me a qoute because it was going to be thousands to repair. They recommended that I think about trading it in . I do not want to trade in or get rid of my car as the car as a whole is in great shape.

What would you guys suggest I do. What would these repairs typically cost? Are there any other forseen repairs I should be looking ahead for.

Any input would be greatful.

Thanks in advance

[X5 Meister]

Agree with the above guys. All the work should be done.

Go to an recommended independent with the laundry list, tell them to get you an ITEMIZED quote and also to look over the rest of the car b/c you don't trust the dealer. Then based on the costs (run them by the guys on the board) haggle with the shop on price and get it all done. Shouldn't cost that much, probably a couple of grand at the most. Then you'll have a swiss watch again.

Dealer wants to sell cars like hell now given the latest sales figures (hello recession) so no wonder they want you to trade it in.

[mmartins44]

Thanks guys for all your help so far.