$$$$$ 95k SERVICE? $$$$$

[antonnyc]

ppl are telling me NOT to even think about changing the tranny fluid b/c it kicks.....

I had it reprogramed and it still shifts hard from 2nd to 1st......

What to do???????

Does the altenator effect the shifting? I read that on some site but forgot where...........

[edco]

If you are willing to make the trip to NJ, EuroSport in Westfield does OUTSTANDING work (he's an Indy). Call Sean Doherty at
(908) 654-5228
459 North Ave E,
Westfield, NJ.

[X5Flyboy]

edco - thanks for the EuroSport tip, as I'm in central NJ 2-3 times a year

Am at 93K and have the brakes/rotors/sensors/etc scheduled for Wed at indy Exclusively Bimmers in Mt Pleasant,SC - I figure I can hold off the tuneup/plugs/wires/belts/etc until I hit 100k, though I just had a SES light for 2 days, which then disappeared - already done the 90k Insp II, which had the differential fluid changed - concensus opinion here seems to be not to touch the tranny fluid until the tranny fails - already did the waterpump & thermostat at 61k, since anything beyond 80k you are living on borrowed time and/or are extremely lucky

my X5 is running better than ever, consistently getting 20mpg hwy - 22.6mpg with Chevron - Yes, over 2mpg better than any other gasoline I've tried - need to experiment more, which is tough since Chevron stations are rare where I travel across the Midwest & South - I may try that techron additive, if it's not too expensive

[BGM]

Originally Posted by X5Flyboy

edco - thanks for the EuroSport tip, as I'm in central NJ 2-3 times a year

Am at 93K and have the brakes/rotors/sensors/etc scheduled for Wed at indy Exclusively Bimmers in Mt Pleasant,SC - I figure I can hold off the tuneup/plugs/wires/belts/etc until I hit 100k, though I just had a SES light for 2 days, which then disappeared - already done the 90k Insp II, which had the differential fluid changed - concensus opinion here seems to be not to touch the tranny fluid until the tranny fails - already did the waterpump & thermostat at 61k, since anything beyond 80k you are living on borrowed time and/or are extremely lucky

my X5 is running better than ever, consistently getting 20mpg hwy - 22.6mpg with Chevron - Yes, over 2mpg better than any other gasoline I've tried - need to experiment more, which is tough since Chevron stations are rare where I travel across the Midwest & South - I may try that techron additive, if it's not too expensive

You are getting the Insp II even though you are not even close to 120K miles ? I have the same year as yours but I only have 83K miles and the SA told me not until 120K miles. Also, I have not replaced the water pump yet you have had yours done at 61K. But it was just in for a window regulator and tech said nothing about the water pump needing to be replaced.

[X5Flyboy]

I researched the water pump issue here on this website - it seems somewhere between 60-80k miles is when the water pump has an increasing rate of failure, with one or two failing at 45k or sooner - also some failures have led to warped heads and complete engine replacement - all due to plastic vanes in the water pump - now the 3.0 engine has an aftermarket replacement from Stewart with stainless steel vanes - unfortunately, the 4.4,4.6,4.8 are stuck with the OEM water pump - MY decision was to replace the water pump/thermostat at a safe interval since I travel from ID-SC (2400 miles) twice a yr; spend my summers out West where dealers are far'n'few; and the belief that it's less expensive to repair in the shop than out on the road

[BGM]

Ok gotcha. Well I have the 3.0 so maybe mine will last longer (knock on wood).

[X5Flyboy]

FYI - your 3.0 ALSO has plastic vanes if it's original - I definitely recommend that you have it replaced at an indy with the Stewart water pump. Another thread here just mentioned his water pump went at 80K. As I said, some last longer, a few shorter, but most fall into that 60-80k range.

[X5Guy70]

I just had the what my BMW dealer reccomened for 100k mi tune up which is Inspection 1 again. I had all the previous intervals perfromed. It is possible that if some were skipped they may reccomend # 2 or 3? In addition I had the tranny fluid changed.

[X5Flyboy]

Originally Posted by X5Guy70

I just had the what my BMW dealer reccomened for 100k mi tune up which is Inspection 1 again. I had all the previous intervals perfromed. It is possible that if some were skipped they may reccomend # 2 or 3? In addition I had the tranny fluid changed.

transmission fluid seems to be one of those things most here feel should be left alone - personally, I don't know why - unless it does not "go bad" as other fluids do - my experience leads me to believe most tranny problems occur because they weren't serviced properly

[BGM]

Originally Posted by X5Flyboy

FYI - your 3.0 ALSO has plastic vanes if it's original - I definitely recommend that you have it replaced at an indy with the Stewart water pump. Another thread here just mentioned his water pump went at 80K. As I said, some last longer, a few shorter, but most fall into that 60-80k range.

Ok, thanks. What are the signs that the water pump is starting to go bad or does it just go out ? Anyone here on their 3.0 get like 100K miles (or more) on their pump ?