x5 - how often need to change spark plugs if at all?

[X5SilverBeast]

We all bought a BMW for one reason or another. I personally never imagined owning a BMW, because like everyone else that thinks of the name, $$$$$$$$. I've heard the saying, you might be able to afford to buy a bmw, but can you afford to own a bmw. I was extremely shocked when I first came to BFC and the amount of issues with the e39's. I have spent close to $10k over the past year reconditioning the 540. From the cooling system to the suspension to upgrades. My cooling system cost around $2500 due to the zionsville setup, does GM cost that much to replace? Hell no. The point of the LS swap is to achieve a goal that is rarely done and have one bad ass car. It is far more affordable to maintain over the years and it'll pack way more power with a lot less out of pocket. Yeah I could have went with a GM or honda or ford if I wanted to save money, but I fell in the love with BMW the minute I drove the 540 and the X

[m5james]

Originally Posted by FSETH

With regards to that, of course you are going to hear about vanos and other issues on Bimmerforums. Most people don't come to forums to brag about how reliable their car is. They come looking for info on how to fix issues. Every car manufacturer is going to have issues with it's engines, but it says something to me about the motors that BMW makes when I have never owned one that I didn't get rid of with less than 300,000 miles, when they consistently do more with less horsepower than most manufacturers in the world (especially domestic) and they are winning prestigious awards twice as often as the second place manufacturer.

I realize why they come to forums, and I already said that all cars have issues. Difference is, who's parts cost more or less, which is easier to tune and get more HP per dollar, etc. You said it once, and I said yes...tunability is on my list because I never leave anything stock. As for 300,000 miles, I'm sure it's far cheaper to maintain an I6 vs a V8 for the simple fact that there are far more I6's on the road, therefore the parts are going to be cheaper due to supply vs demand. In comparison, I'm sure it's cheaper to maintain the V8 vs the V12, for the same reason. Out of all that, I can't even speculate how many more V8 LS motors there are out there vs I6 BMW engines, but just by guestimating, I'm sure parts for the V8 LS's are cheaper than any BMW I6's because LS motors are a dime a dozen, less electronically demanding, making them easier for the average owner to maintain.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by X5SilverBeast

We all bought a BMW for one reason or another. I personally never imagined owning a BMW, because like everyone else that thinks of the name, $$$$$$$$. I've heard the saying, you might be able to afford to buy a BMW, but can you afford to own a BMW. I was extremely shocked when I first came to BFC and the amount of issues with the e39's. I have spent close to $10k over the past year reconditioning the 540. From the cooling system to the suspension to upgrades. My cooling system cost around $2500 due to the zionsville setup, does GM cost that much to replace? Hell no. The point of the LS swap is to achieve a goal that is rarely done and have one bad ass car. It is far more affordable to maintain over the years and it'll pack way more power with a lot less out of pocket. Yeah I could have went with a GM or Honda or ford if I wanted to save money, but I fell in the love with BMW the minute I drove the 540 and the X

I bought the M5 in my early 20's for the name (not going to lie), but then realized why people loved and hated them at the same time. Great handling, recognition (jealousy ) but can be a killer on the pocket book. Fortunately the M has been a dream, and while driven the hardest, it's ironically been the easiest to maintain...I attribute that the famous BMW I6. The 7 was strictly for interior size (Realtor and buddies the same size as me) and the X because I wanted an SAV that didn't handle like other SAV/SUV's that I'd driven in the past, so I knew BMW was the way to go. Between all 3 cars, I still wish I had the lower maintenance costs that USUALLY come with domestic cars, but I still stuck with BMW and did chose to the "pay to play" to policy.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by FSETH

With regards to that, of course you are going to hear about vanos and other issues on Bimmerforums. Most people don't come to forums to brag about how reliable their car is. They come looking for info on how to fix issues. Every car manufacturer is going to have issues with it's engines, but it says something to me about the motors that BMW makes when I have never owned one that I didn't get rid of with less than 300,000 miles, when they consistently do more with less horsepower than most manufacturers in the world (especially domestic) and they are winning prestigious awards twice as often as the second place manufacturer.

FSETH, you're replying to me as if I said I hate BMW and their engines. That's simply not the case, otherwise I would have went somewhere else long ago. I like them just as much as the next guy, but I'm not going to lie when I wish they weren't so expensive and easier on the pocket book (in both stock form and tuned) as some of the other 20 something different make and model of vehicles I've had in the past.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by m5james

I realize why they come to forums, and I already said that all cars have issues. Difference is, who's parts cost more or less, which is easier to tune and get more HP per dollar, etc. You said it once, and I said yes...tunability is on my list because I never leave anything stock. As for 300,000 miles, I'm sure it's far cheaper to maintain an I6 vs a V8 for the simple fact that there are far more I6's on the road, therefore the parts are going to be cheaper due to supply vs demand. In comparison, I'm sure it's cheaper to maintain the V8 vs the V12, for the same reason. Out of all that, I can't even speculate how many more V8 LS motors there are out there vs I6 BMW engines, but just by guestimating, I'm sure parts for the V8 LS's are cheaper than any BMW I6's because LS motors are a dime a dozen, less electronically demanding, making them easier for the average owner to maintain.

James, you keep bringing up costs, yet you own 3 of the most expensive used BMW's to maintain. I don't understand why you even have these cars if cost is THAT big of an issue to you. Who doesn't know a BMW is going to cost more per horsepower to mod than a Chevy? Why stop with the engine? Maybe you could systematically replace every single part over time in your BMW's with a GM part. In the end you would have a much cheaper car to maintian.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by FSETH

...maybe you could systematically replace every single part over time in your BMW's with a GM part. In the end you would have a much cheaper car to maintian.

When you make comments like this, it literally makes me laugh. Read the post above. Can a guy not at least WANT the best of both worlds? A great AND affordable car?

In reality though, I've really got nothing to complain about. My buddies got a 93 Ferrari F40 in the sub 20k mileage range and has gone through IHI turbos like their going out of style...at the tune of around $30k a set. That is the epitome of "pay to play". Good times!

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by m5james

When you make comments like this, it literally makes me laugh. Read the post above. Can a guy not at least WANT the best of both worlds? A great AND affordable car?

Well to me it sounds like you want a Chevy with the looks and size of a BMW. Am I wrong?

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by m5james

I bought the M5 in my early 20's for the name (not going to lie), but then realized why people loved and hated them at the same time. Great handling, recognition (jealousy ) but can be a killer on the pocket book. The 7 was strictly for size inside (realtor and buddies the same size as me) and the X because I wanted an SAV that didn't handle like other SAV/SUV's that I'd driven in the past, so I know BMW was the way to go. Between all 3 cars, I still wish I had the lower maintenance costs that USUALLY come with domestic cars, but I still stuck with BMW and did chose to the "pay to play" to policy.

It's funny you say the jealousy part. When we bought the X, our neighbors who just bought a GMC Yukon a year earlier(very nice too) when out a traded that in for a brand new Buick SUV . My wifes boss got all ticked off and asked her to park the X out in the street instead of the driveway and then had the nerve to tell her that she didn't need a raise because we aren't hurting.(she is a private nanny). Now her boss wants to go buy a BMW. When we purchased our cars, we never intended to try to keep up with the jones. It was really funny when I did the suspension on the 540. I pulled the 81 silverado out of the garage( which has been torn down to bare frame.) 1 week later I received a letter from the city about parking junk vehicles in plain sight. I know my neighbors bitched. We don't live in an OHA and I was like what the hell, I pay property taxes like everyone else.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Well to me it sounds like you want a Chevy with the looks and size of a BMW. Am I wrong?

No, I want the looks, prestige and handling of a BMW...with Chevy prices. I know, I know...dream a little dream.

[FSETH]

To fairly answer your last question, yes, who wouldn't want thier BMW to costs less to maintain? However, I am not going to swap out my silky smooth straight six with a engine from a Malibu to do so. That is where we differ.