X5 and Cold Weather Headaches

[primetime]

[quote=MINz guy]Well, we've had no problems with out X5's so far. It is garaged, but it the garage isn't insulated at all. On Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 AM, the X5 has no problems starting up, or opening doors.

[quote]

You better knock on wood...

[BGM]

The more and more I read I'm beginning to think X5's are allergic to cold weather.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by StanF18

Seems quite ironic that BMW's premier flagship for handling cold weather driving and snow would have so many cold weather issues....

I liked the other thread about silicone spray for the door-lock mechanism. Will have to keep some on-hand, as that was DEFINITELY an issue this morning with 11 DEGREES outside. I actually got it opened no problem, but then could not slam the door shut. The latch was not locking... PITA

The other issue this morning (and yesterday) was the windshield washer nozzle jets were all frozen up. There was nothing physically blocking them, and the reservoir is half-full. But I got zilch coming out. I know some newer vehicles address this with active heating on the windshield washer nozzles. Is there a way to solve this?? I tried spraying the jets at several points during my 50-minute commute.....NADA

Can't help you with the door handles. Never had one freeze or break in four years with the X5. Never had one fail on any other BMW either.

But as to the washer jets.... Every BMW I have owned (going back many years) has had heated washer jets. My 2003 X5 3.0 had them. My 535 has them. My wife's 2007 X3 has them. Maybe it is a BMW Canada standard feature. The new E70 has them standard from looking at the website (bmw.ca) If you don't have them on your E53, I would consider adding them. Look under the hood, near the jets. You will likely see the wiring for the heated jets. If so, you just need new jets. Worth a try. EDIT: The 2006 E53 owner's manual states that the washer jets are heated when the key is in postion 2.

I have never had problems with BMWs in cold weather. Our X3 did great all the way to -30C over the past four days. It started every morning at -20C to -22C after having been parked outside overnight. The heater fan was noisy for about 5 seconds. That was it. The panorama sunroof made some noise when driving (from the ice) but scraping it off with an ice scraper solved that problem.

I used the X5 for four years on similar trips (Kootenay mountains) and never had a single cold weather problem. We have the CWP as standard here in Canada, but I imagine that anyone worrying about cold weather issues in the US does have the BMW cold weather package?

[///MB]

Thankfully, the biggest problem I have in LA is hot spots with my heated seats. Some spots are almost hot enough to burn my skin!

Good luck to those of you in cold climates. I remember having a few issues when I went to the mountains before.

[wysocki40]

It's kind of funny how we all deal with the same pains with the X5 in the cold weather yet deep down we all still love our cars because damn it's a sweet ride and soo worth it when it comes to driving it around in the summer all cleaned up.

[pm_wizard]

I experienced the frozen spray nozzle for the first time this past week. My 4.8 is supposed to have the cold weather package, so the problem may be bigger than just frozen. I will add it to the dealer list along with the sticking right hand rear view mirror.

The main winter gripe I have is how easy it is for the windows (particularly the driver's) to freeze shut. If I am lucky I can get it unfrozen by the time i arrive at my work garage door, otherwise it is a real pain reaching around the door to stick a passcard in the reader! I have never had frozen windows with the frequency of this one!

John

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by ///MB

Thankfully, the biggest problem I have in LA is hot spots with my heated seats. Some spots are almost hot enough to burn my skin!

Good luck to those of you in cold climates. I remember having a few issues when I went to the mountains before.

I was going to say, not hearing much from the Southern part of the US

I also have a hot spot in my driver's seat, but other than that I have noticed that my X runs great in the colder temps - natural nitrous!!!!

[X5rolls]

Knock on wood (thanks for the suggestion primetime) I've not had any issues. It's pretty hard to believe given the history some have had. I've paid my dues with other vehicles big time, maybe it's my turn (at least for a while) to be trouble free. I like the idea of running the washers (and trying to leave the fluid on the windshield without being wiped off) before shutting the car off when it's left overnight, thanks for that one motordavid.

[Fuzz]

Damn! So far this winter, I have had atleast 5 bad starts. I go to turn her over after sitting all night (20°) and... the car starts shake'n like theres a damn earthquake. But after she gets warmed up (5min), its all norm again.

I was thinking somekinda airflow problem or missfires... Any fixes for this???

[skiboats]

I'm still without issues. I will continue to knock wood I guess and it has been plenty cold here. I love driving it in the snow.