High Mileage

[southbaylefty]

As my 2002 4.6is "matures" (she's almost at 90,000) I'm wondering if I'm going to start seeing more and more astronomical repair bills. I previously had a 750il that became prohibitively expensive for me to own as it crossed the 100k mark. If I purchase another X5 I won't be able to afford nearly the vehicle I've got now, but it would be under warranty. Anybody like to share their experience with a high mile X5?

[Bimmer Ese]

Originally Posted by southbaylefty

As my 2002 4.6is "matures" (she's almost at 90,000) I'm wondering if I'm going to start seeing more and more astronomical repair bills. I previously had a 750il that became prohibitively expensive for me to own as it crossed the 100k mark. If I purchase another X5 I won't be able to afford nearly the vehicle I've got now, but it would be under warranty. Anybody like to share their experience with a high mile X5?

What part of Oklahoma are you from? My X5 crossed the 90k mark last month (currently at 93,XXX miles). She's like a woman....a love/hate relationship. My main expenses have been the front half shafts and I'm starting to notice some trim pieces cracking. Other than regular maintenance and modifications, she has been ok.

Daniel

[southbaylefty]

OKC, the NE side. Yourself? If you don't mind me asking, ow much did the front end work set you back?

[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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[Dannyell]

I have a 4.4 at 127k miles ... and it seems I have less problems with it then I had before. Besides the usual maintenance which I do, I can't complain about anything else.

GL

[X5Flyboy]

am at 111k, been lucky so far - caught the CV boots the day after they started to leak, so the axles were still good - tranny still good - brakes & rotors done at 91k - replaced door seals and driver's body door seal as it was cracked - big $$$ cost was valve gaskets and valve cover gaskets replacement when spark plugs showed oil, very labor intensive - need to replace driver seat leather, the rest still looks good - most of the lights winked out at 51-53k, so when they started again at 104k, I replaced the lot - I figure the water pump is due to be replaced sometime after 120k (1st done at 61k) - the 100k tuneup included fuel pump replacement

besides regular maintenance, my X5 gets a good "look-see" twice a year just before my cross country trip SC-ID in May & ID-SC in Sept - much less expensive to fix it in the shop than out on the road

Best of luck with yours

[CharlieHustleX5]

I currently have 95k on my 04 3.0i. Have really only done regular maintenance and front end suspension service on mine so I'd say I've been blessed. I can only imagine what changing all the rest of the suspension bushings will cost me once they all wear out.

From 100k on, the only things I would be looking to have serviced or replaced are front/rear suspension and subframe bushings, all struts on your x5, transmission fluid/filter, and ball joints. Those can get costly, but wont be so severe if you catch them in time.