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

[X5SilverBeast]

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?

We know you are a die hard bmw enthusiast. I think we all are. IMO, it is really something to brag about or be proud of when you are able to swap a motor that was never designed for that particular car and make it work. Plus the added benefit of being to have a more affordable engine to maintain over the years, especially when you plan on keeping the car for a long period of time. Like james said, having the best of both worlds. A car that can handle great with a motor that is powerful and cheaper to fix if something breaks(engine wise) The rest of the car would be all BMW.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by X5SilverBeast

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.

I know I'm only middle class, but my neighbors gave me the raised eyebrow when the X was purchased. The ooh's and ahh's still felt good and I still laugh knowing what I paid for it though. I've gone to construction bids in the X sometimes, and I know that if people saw the X (even being an 01) they'd still make judgements like that vs driving my work truck. I had a boss in Seattle who's wife was a BMW junkie like me, and sometimes we'd go do bids in his wife's E70...same reaction. "How much are you charging me?!" as they looking out the window. Oh well, it is what it is.

I live in an HOA, so trucks, trailers, etc get parked on the side of the house behind the fence in what used to be a dogrun area that the PO had made...out of site and out of mind for the neighbors. Personally, I don't HAVE to park trucks over there, but I like a nice looking neighborhood...no cars on the curbs, POS vehicles, etc.

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by 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.

The hell with the Malibu motor, go all out for the corvette motor.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by 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.

Touche.

PS - Some older Malibu's came with I6's as well. Just sayin

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by X5SilverBeast

We know you are a die hard bmw enthusiast. I think we all are. IMO, it is really something to brag about or be proud of when you are able to swap a motor that was never designed for that particular car and make it work. Plus the added benefit of being to have a more affordable engine to maintain over the years, especially when you plan on keeping the car for a long period of time. Like james said, having the best of both worlds. A car that can handle great with a motor that is powerful and cheaper to fix if something breaks(engine wise) The rest of the car would be all BMW.

I understand what you guys are saying, but I wouldn't want to bastardize any quality car like that. It is fine for old pickups and muscle cars, but not a BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, etc.

Post the pics when you get done though, so I can bash it. Just kidding.

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by m5james

I know I'm only middle class, but my neighbors gave me the raised eyebrow when the X was purchased. The ooh's and ahh's still felt good and I still laugh knowing what I paid for it though. I've gone to construction bids in the X sometimes, and I know that if people saw the X (even being an 01) they'd still make judgements like that vs driving my work truck. I had a boss in Seattle who's wife was a BMW junkie like me, and sometimes we'd go do bids in his wife's E70...same reaction. "How much are you charging me?!" as they looking out the window. Oh well, it is what it is.

I live in an HOA, so trucks, trailers, etc get parked on the side of the house behind the fence in what used to be a dogrun area that the PO had made...out of site and out of mind for the neighbors. Personally, I don't HAVE to park trucks over there, but I like a nice looking neighborhood...no cars on the curbs, POS vehicles, etc.

I agree on the nice looking neighborhood. We all pretty much keep our projects in the garage so it does stay nice.

What really pisses me off is when we bought tires for the X in August. I had bought a set online and had them delivered to the house. Called a few shops to price mounting and balancing. Everyplace asked what kind of vehicle, when I told them an 05 X5, they quoted me well over $100. I'm like what the hell, it'll take 20 mins. to do the job. If I had my own equiptment, I'd do it myself. Called another shop, $80 and they said the type of vehicle doesn't matter.

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I understand what you guys are saying, but I wouldn't want to bastardize any quality car like that. It is fine for old pickups and muscle cars, but not a BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, etc.

Post the pics when you get done though, so I can bash it. Just kidding.

Give me a few years and I will. wife told me I gotta finish upgrades on the X and finish the 81 before I start the swap on the 540.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I understand what you guys are saying, but I wouldn't want to bastardize any quality car like that. It is fine for old pickups and muscle cars, but not a BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, etc.

Post the pics when you get done though, so I can bash it. Just kidding.

LS2BMW.com - his homepage makes a great statement as to why a swap like this is popular.
E39 BMW 540 LS Swap Completed - LS1TECH
2000 BMW 540 5.3L Turbo Project - LS1TECH

Short of the pretty BMW plastic engine cover (which I don't have on my 7 anyways), cleaning up the wiring and that turbo, most people probably wouldn't even know the difference unless they were gearheads...he even used the stock BMW airbox.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by X5SilverBeast

What really pisses me off is when we bought tires for the X in August. I had bought a set online and had them delivered to the house. Called a few shops to price mounting and balancing. Everyplace asked what kind of vehicle, when I told them an 05 X5, they quoted me well over $100. I'm like what the hell, it'll take 20 mins. to do the job. If I had my own equiptment, I'd do it myself. Called another shop, $80 and they said the type of vehicle doesn't matter.

I know what you mean. I just call places and give the specs of what I need done. Oh, exhaust work...it's 2.25 inches. Wheels...17x8 or 20x9 and 20x10, I'll bring them in for you instead of on the car (center caps removed). I know why they ask, and if it's generic work that doesn't require knowing vehicle specifics, I simply won't tell them.

[X5SilverBeast]

Originally Posted by m5james

I know what you mean. I just call places and give the specs of what I need done. Oh, exhaust work...it's 2.25 inches. Wheels...17x8 or 20x9 and 20x10, I'll bring them in for you instead of on the car (center caps removed). I know why they ask, and if it's generic work that doesn't require knowing vehicle specifics, I simply won't tell them.

I've started to learn this with owning 2 BMW's. That is one of the reasons I decided to do all my own work years ago. Too many shops taking advantage of consumers. My brother used to work at firestone when he was in high school, the bosses told them to advise customers on changing parts that were still in good working order. It truly is sad, there isn't many good trustworthy shops around.