Just picked up a 2005 X5, 4.4; seeking advice

[willgabriel]

After owning several BMW cars (the latest a 2000 540i), I just picked up a 2005 BMW X5 (white/saddle with every option except for NAV which I hear is fine since BMW NAV stinks) with 89k miles on it last Sunday as I need the space of an SAV for a yellow lab and a road bicycle, but did not want to lose the BMW driving experience by going with a [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Toyota[/COLOR][/COLOR]
LC or 4 Runner (though they are both excellent vehicles).

The X5 was thoroughly checked over by a Master BMW Mechanic (the one who has serviced it all of its life; I am the third owner), and has a clean bill of health, so there will be no immediate needs. However, from those of you who have owned or do own one, I was hoping to get some ownership tips.

Many thanks ahead of time ...

[sames1]

You have the exact vehicle I have, just a different color.

Having never owned a BMW until this one I felt like a total car newbie. These are my experiences with it so far..

It took me a while to figure out how to jump start another car using the X5. A total newbie I couldn't locate the battery... ( doh.. no battery needed.. terminals on the firewall )

With help here I found out the windows will all go down if you use the key, unlock the doors, and keep holding the button.

The front and rear tires are of different sizes so you can't simply rotate the tires like you would with another car.

You must have proper tires to run in the snow and have traction. The tires I have suck for that.

Mine did some weird thing where the starter would not disengage. The dealer replaced about $2,400 worth of stuff including the starter but it still happened. Then one day it was really bad, I could not get the car started where the started would disengage. Not finding a way to get it to the dealer and figuring it needed fixin anyway.. my last attempt I just started it and let the starter stay engaged as long as it wanted.. That was the last time it did it, and the dealer couldn't find anything wrong. Never had a problem since. Wierd.

Replacing the rear break light was a pain. It should have been simple. Just reach in, twist the white bulb holder and pull it out. The problem is I couldn't get my fingers in the right spot for leverage and I simply couldn't make it twist. My solution was to get a socket the size of the bulb holder, put it over the holder, then turn it with a pliers. ( there was no room for the socket wrench either)

The battery is in the rear under the spare tire and costs about $4 billion if you want to replace it.

You can get the same oil filters and air filters much cheaper online at Amazon than you can at a dealer. I use Amazon because I get free shipping.

The mirrors fold with the touch of a button. We found that after a few weeks. I'm sure it's common knowlege for BMW folks.

You can use your bluetooth with the car, but if you marry your phone to it, don't be trying to call someone while your wife backs out of the garage or she will hear everything and be talking to the person you were trying to call . LOL