High Mileage

[Bimmer Ese]

Jinxed myself again with the "the X is running great" speech. Moved her into the garage last night and noticed a big puddle of fluid on the pavement. Turns out, the windshield washer pump is leaking. I love her dearly, but $40-$50 here and there are starting to add up. Then again, with over 90k on the clock, things are bound to happen.

[enoteware]

I am at 95K on my 02 4.4. So far besides normal inspections I have replaced my valve cover gasket, complete cooling system replacement. In January I will be doing my control arms/ball joints and front struts.

Still runs like a champ, but I can feel that my suspension arms need replacing as the steering is a little looser that than before.

[DocMike]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Ese

Wow...a 4.6is...

I live in Moore. When the CV boots split, I went ahead and ordered new half shafts. I made the mistake of purchasing aftermarket half shafts. Ended up buying OEM BMW ones because the generic ones were crap. As far as the bushings/joints, they are easy to replace. Don't remember the costs though.

If you need help with the X, drop me a line.

Daniel

Just wondering about the 1/2 shafts, and why the after market ones were bad. Also why did you replace instead of just repairing the boot?

Originally Posted by paulymano

. One of my O2 sensor (right side pre-cat) went out and had to replace that too. Total bill over 3K. Not very happy about that and for a moment thought about getting rid of the 4.6is, but realize that I love my ride. Going to keep her running until she's on her last leg.

$3k for an o2 sensor wtf?

[disturbedk24]

my 02 4.6is has 130k on it and its a dinan stg 3, car is still going strong. when i took it in for inspection 2 bmw recomended having one of the bushings in the front end rechecked in about 15k miles, other than that they complimented me on my meticulousley maintained ultimate driving machine

just be sure to keep up with recommended maintenance because that is the most important thing with these cars

[BigWalmac]

I was looking for the same type of input... what expenses are out there for X5s over 100-150k miles?
I have 159,000 on my wife's 01 3.0. We love the truck and have a hard time even thinking about getting rid of it, but lately expenses have been adding up and I'm wondering what else will come down the pike.

I feel like I’ve had just about everything…

Last few months:
Radiator
Radiator hoses
DISA Valve
P/S Pressure Hose
Belts
Water Pump
Exhaust Bracket, bolts, and anti rattling clips
Intake Sensor
edit.... I forgot the washer fluid pumps I put in (myself)
Last few years
Expansion Tank (Done myself)
AC Final Stage Blower (Done myself)
Front Two CV Boots
3 Window Regulators
O2 sensors
Welded the tail light that corroded (Done myself)
Valve gasket
Regular Maintenance
Rotors and Pads (Done myself)
Oil (Myself for cost)
Lights (Done myself)

Her tires won’t make it another year, and I need to decide if I’s worth putting another $1,000+ into the car (if not more unexpectedly)

Thoughts…???

[CharlieHustleX5]

Originally Posted by DocMike

Just wondering about the 1/2 shafts, and why the after market ones were bad. Also why did you replace instead of just repairing the boot?

Aftermarket half shafts tend not to be very good replacement pieces for our cars. Materials used are usually inferior, overall lengths are "close" but not exact, splines dont mate well during installation, and they can generate a wobble while driving at moderate speeds.

[ezrax5]

lets keep this going.
my 2001 x5 4.4 133,000
i have owned this car for almost 3 months so far I car 2 handle cradles, 1 lock acutater, chain tenchiner, final tage unit. gresed the double u joint. alternator.... thats all i can think of at the moment. the only thing i havent been able to fix is the start up rattle on cold starts. i have done alot of research and still havent came up with a fix i can do. im thinking about replacing the chain guides but first going to have the local indy cheak it out

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by CharlieHustleX5

Aftermarket half shafts tend not to be very good replacement pieces for our cars. Materials used are usually inferior, overall lengths are "close" but not exact, splines dont mate well during installation, and they can generate a wobble while driving at moderate speeds.

^^^bingo. Do you really expect a made in China axle set at $60 per side to match the quality of the axles BMW equipped on the vehicle which under normal maintenance are designed to last a couple hundred thousand miles and be smooth and vibration free? (With the occasional boot replacement and cleaning/regreasing of joints)

Sure, you can get lucky, but majority of the time with axles I see more people returning the aftermarket ones.

GKN Loebro are $280 a side and the OEM axles, I wouldn't hesitate to pony up the extra bucks if I ever needed to replace one.

[StephenVA]

[lhordmclain]

High Mileage is just a one part of the equation.

#1 factor for me is how the vehicle is driven and maintained.
#2 cost to keep maintaining/repairing versus the monetary value of the vehicle (sentimental value is a different story)
#3 environment / condition

It's a personal preference we will just rely on guidance or recommendation based on internet resources, personal experience, tips from a well experienced mechanic / friends / relatives.

- get the current state / condition of the vehicle
- fix / maintain what is really needed "major/top priority" to get the vehicle back on the road
- tackle the minor items at later time.
- do mods / detailing if you are up to it.
- enjoy driving!