300,000 miles...I made it!

[mrbmwx5]

Chad ..... Congrats to you and your X. I'm -100k of your....

[m5james]

Originally Posted by wallyx5

Hey thanks guys. Here are some pics. Lasting this long is a double edge sword because I really want something faster now but I am also curious how long the X will keep running. It's fun telling people how many miles I have on it.

Funny that you say that, I've got a little 1990 POS S10 Blazer that I drive around in the winter (I've got plenty of snow here now, just got new tires yesterday) that has 270k...I want to see how long it goes till it dies as well. I also agree that driving it hard is the way to go...103k on the X, 136k on the 7 and 198k on the M5...all driven hard, just as they should be. Congrats on hitting 300k, I'm sure 400k is right around the corner

If you ever get really bored, you should write down a parts/maintenance list of everything you've done over the years, just for the fun of it.

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by m5james

If you ever get really bored, you should write down a parts/maintenance list of everything you've done over the years, just for the fun of it.

I was thinking about that. Maybe I will get around to it this weekend. But I will do it.

[Budget M3]

Originally Posted by JCL

I don't really agree with your transmission fluid analysis.

It is not a given that a fluid replacement will cause a problem. It may do so. There are lots of examples of a fluid change causing a problem, but lots is a relative term. There are more examples of a fluid change not causing a problem. The real issue is whether there is any benefit to changing it other than the feel-good factor.

Any transmission fluid change (other than a power flush) is only going to change 50% or so of the fluid, because you can't drain the torque converter. The old fluid doesn't fill the gaps due to its thicker consistency, it is more that the new fluid contains fresh quantities of detergents that can loosen the deposits built up over time inside the transmission, allowing them to shift from where they were doing no harm, to somewhere that they do cause harm, like a valve body, with many small passages, or an actuator or solenoid.

Common wisdom is, if you are going to change it, to change it early and regularly so that there is no buildup inside the transmission. Also, common wisdom is to change the filter every time you change the fluid. Finally, common wisdom says to use approved fluids that meet the original spec. I agree with all of the above. However, wallyx5 didn't do any of the above, but had great results nonetheless. My point is that I don't think fluid has much to do with transmission failures, whether it is changed or not (unless you use a bad fluid that in and of itself causes a problem)



People are paranoid about X5 transmissions, and worry endlessly about them, but look at a few facts:

• Different models of X5 have either GM or ZF transmissions, and either 5 or 6 speeds (different models). Yet all have similar transmission issues. Why would all versions have problems if there was a weakness in the transmission design? Wouldn't one be better or worse? I suggest that it isn't due to the design.
• Some run for a very long time. That demonstrates that they are capable of running for a long time, without wearing out. I think this one is the longest on here, but there are others at high mileages as well.
• Transmissions have reported to have failed for a wide variety of reasons. It is because something broke in them more often than not. Breaking is not the same as wearing out. They are entirely different failure modes. Breaking can be a weakness in the metal; a failed solenoid, sensor, or controller; a failed actuator; failed wiring harness; or a software problem. Transmission used to fail years ago because the clutch plates were worn out, for example. Too much friction and heat. These aren't failing like that, they are simply breaking randomly, in many different ways, at a wide variety of mileages from 10,000 on up. There isn't a common failure time or mileage from the reports on here, they are spread all over.
• Given the above, it doesn't appear that there is much to be done to change the results of the transmission lottery. You can't change something which is random. It may fail. It may not. Abusing the transmission will speed it up, but not much else seems to matter.

If you want to change the transmission fluid, you should. If you don't want to, that is fine as well. There are arguments both ways. However, wallyx5's great results with his X5 have resulted in three posts about his transmission fluid practices. I think they are entirely irrelevant. He has shown that driven properly, the vehicle can run a long time, and that is great news. I just don't think it results in transmission fluid change recommendations.

Whoa...I did not intend my post to be considered an analysis, so appreciate your thorough response . I've been worried about when I might hit the transmission lottery since I bought the vehicle with 148k, and at 183k I'm just looking for the silver bullet that will save me from getting stranded in a remote area where I do much of my long distance driving .

If I'd owned the vehicle since new, I could have influenced the maintenance shedule as suggested, but at this point I guess I'll stick with the ol' "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach and hope I don't hit the lottery.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

Whoa...I did not intend my post to be considered an analysis, so appreciate your thorough response .

I didn't want to pick on you, you were just the 4th poster on this thread to bring up the transmission fluid change issue. I was really addressing all four posts.

[thecount123]

congrats wallyX5 on hitting 300k miles. Awesome!

[CharlieHustleX5]

Thats one great achievement. Congrats on 300K.

[EKS PYB]

WOW! I'm speechless really...we both have 3.0's and I'm hitting 100k miles in a month so I'm hoping to reach 300k as well. I even joke around with my wife saying that I will hand over my X to my 4 year old son when it's time for him to drive. We will see if that happens.

From your pic, I can't believe that even your cluster looks brand new and dust free. You sure take good care of your X!

[faz]

Congrats! 300k is awesome milestone to achieve. I too believe that driving longer distances every day keeps problems away. In almost all of my cars, the problems have started when they were not being used a lot. Every car that I have driven a lot has had less problems in its life time.

[Speedlogix]

Holy cow, congrats!! I just got my first BMW ('11 X5 35i) and am at just over 300 miles ... hope to make it as long as you!!