x5 for the wife. Bad idea? too late now.

[gasayers]

Morning isis.
I also had a pre check done and it came out clean. I've been going to the same independent garage for 6 years who in the past has proven incredibly reliable. (I'm an engineer by trade and find it hard to "trust"). He tells me he has the gear to work on BMW's so I'll see how he gets on. Time will tell I guess.
I have to say I have no intention of spending 4K per year just on general maintenance. 1-1.5K at most thanks. My surf is costing around .8K including warrants)
Keep in touch. It would be good to compare notes and success regarding servicing and service costs. (ps the car test was done by a garage recommended for BMW work. I was totally unimpressed by them! Amongst other things they declared the key, fuel tank cover and alarm and central locking faulty. Turns out the boy didn't know how to use the Key. $#^%$#^#. The car had no stereo! ?????. So what the radio, cassette player and multiple stacker in the boot are for I don't know. I'll just use them until I can afford a stereo I guess. However their senior mechanic did the mechanical testing etc and I went over the numbers with the shop owner)
Cheers
Glen

[skeetjunkie]

'04 3.0i auto loaded with 80K - hasn't skipped a beat - my wife mostly drives it but I love to drive it as much as my E30 and E90 (long time BMW fan). it is such a pleasure on long trips. hope to keep it for 250K, and would expect to replace the transmission sometime before then.

the m54 engine is fairly bulletproof by most accounts - just needs old school maintenance - oil (5 - 7K), brake (annual), coolant (2 yr), steering (30K), plugs (60K).

unfortunately some owners have struggled with drivetrain repairs, but if yours is problem free at this point then count blessings and keep up with fluid maint - 30K for transfer cases and 60K for tranny (+ filter!).

m54 cooling components are known to fail at any time after 75K (radiator blew on my E39 after 95K - ugly). Mike Miller from Roundel suggests preventive replacement of water pump, thermostat, exp tank, radiator and hoses. for the moment, i keep a watchful eye for small leaks on X5.

I'm a chef and not an engineer, but do all my fluids, filters and spark plugs myself - easy stuff obviously and saves a TON of money.

congratulations and best of luck with your ride!