My BMW X5 just hit 250,000 miles today!

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by joeboch348

that's amazing 250k on an X5 tranny. from the plate florida miles? flatlands lol that equal to about 150k northeast miles up the hills and thru the snow lol you tow that jetski with it too??

I have a double jetski trailer with a 265HP supercharged Kawasaki Ultra and a Seadoo hopped up. This rig is about 2500 pounds. Pulls it easily.

I have also towed UHaul's biggest trailer some long distances fully loaded.
Air shocks seem to be holding up well.

I have run this machine from Texas to W VA and all points in between. The majority has been in FL, mainly the jungle of South Florida.........

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by askhao

congrats! I am quite surprised to see a bmw owner using regular gas. It seems to be in excellent condition outside though, except the front emblem and it seems like you're running your spare?

All cars by law must be able to run on regular. Your computer will compensate. I did some very detailed comparisons years ago on the trade off between the higher energy of premium versus the lower cost of regular. I got about 1 mpg better mileage with Premium. Then compare cost differential and regular wins hands down. I probably didn't run more than 2 or 3 tanks of premium ever in this X5. On old school US big blocks you would get engine knocking if you had any stress on it. I had a 1980 Buick Park Ave with 350cu block and had to run premium when towing a 4000 pound boat or it would knock.

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by askhao

congrats! I am quite surprised to see a bmw owner using regular gas. It seems to be in excellent condition outside though, except the front emblem and it seems like you're running your spare?

Front emblem is shot, went about a year ago. Should get one, maybe Bimmer will send me one for free!

I am running the spare. I think I have another bad CV axle as the tire on it got scalloped. So being the cheapskate I've become I put the spare on. One minor beef is this is a Sport version with 18" wheels. The spare is only 17" and a different wheel pattern. The OD of the tire supposedly matches.

There is a good story on how 18" tires roll a lesser amount of revolutions. I have routinely gotten 80,000 miles out of the Michelins that I run. I've stayed with the stock energy ones except for an emergency when I bought two Bridgestones which promptly blew up at less than 30,000.

If I get that running gear back into shape I will reshod with another set of Michelins.

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by Dan Fowler

$15k for 200k miles is not too shabby. Note the pic was taken while driving.....uh oh- are those warning lights I see on the display?

Now you have discovered my soon to be patented way to deal with check engine lights........black electrical tape!

I've got three on now: Check Engine - came on about 4 years ago, used to come on and off. Code says problem with gas cap. Replaced, no go. When I fill it entirely I do smell gas a little. I think the filler neck to tank has small leak. I put in 18 gallons if it is not going to run a lot, but do fill all the way on trips. I have replaced the fuel filter.....that one is a monster and tricky. I had a shop do that one.......didn't want to go boom!

Airbag Light - There is some weird things that go on with those airbag sensors, so rather than spend a fortune chasing ghosts....black tape!

ABS center triangle - ABS went crazy on several occasions. The wheel sensors can and do go bad. Real easy to pull and replace. I had one almost wear through so I just opened it up and resoldered it, been running for years like that! When the ABS module failed I found a great rebuild service in Moscow, Idaho. Some old military electronics guy takes your bad ABS module (real easy to pull from vehicle, you lose speedo and see Xmas lights but car runs) by mail. Rebuilds it for $300 and sends it back. New ones are north of $1200 plus you'll get hosed for what is really pretty simple labor. All ABS lights were off for some amount of time. Then that yellow one came on about a year ago......heck, I got used to it.....ABS seems to work well.

I'm looking at a new Audi A5 with the 2.0TT........and all lights will be off for some amount of time!!

[tomgtv]

Originally Posted by tomgtv

I have a double jetski trailer with a 265HP supercharged Kawasaki Ultra and a Seadoo hopped up. This rig is about 2500 pounds. Pulls it easily.

I have also towed UHaul's biggest trailer some long distances fully loaded.
Air shocks seem to be holding up well.

I have run this machine from Texas to W VA and all points in between. The majority has been in FL, mainly the jungle of South Florida.........

Here's a pix of my tow rig with the X5. BTW I never got that $200+ towing card, I just hotwired into the harness and used a direct link for 12v. I had some issues with all the lights on my double trailer. I replaced with lesser draw LED and it works pretty good.

I founded the biggest Jetski club in the US - check out www.soflariders.net

In fact I'll be pulling this rig across Aligator Alley to Islamorada in FL Keys next week for a big club jetski ride. And yes I do dip the back wheels in Salt Water!

[gitchies]

wow thats awesome!!!maybe one day i'll see that number on my odemeter!! i haven't kept any one of my cars for more then 4 years.....this one i think i will though...i'm at 53,000 miles....

[Speedlogix]

That is impressive, congrats!!

[msammy]

Congrats on the major milestone Tom! We just hit 110K miles on our 2002 sport, Titanium Silver, same wheels - looks exactly like yours! All window regulators are original! We plan to keep her until at least 200K miles and we have had no major problems so far, just routine maintenance, brakes, tires, CV Joints, Sway Bar end links, etc. Keep on rolling!

[joeboch348]

good catch on the driving and taking pics lol oh ya look at the right rear wheel. that front emblem is easy to change.

[Isambard]

Originally Posted by Dan Fowler

uh oh- are those warning lights I see on the display?

No, he's turned his DSC off.

Anyway, the other money lights are all covered up with black insulation tape. So 'there is nothing to see here, nothing to see here, folks'....easier than taking the bulbs out, yes Tom?

With that mileage, it looks very clean Tom, a credit to its owner.