What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Way higher than me. I'm at 82k now, did my CCV at 76k last year. I checked the notorious weeping location when I had the TB out and it looked dry so my OFHG should be good for a while now.

Probably will do it around 100-110k or so just for preventative and peace of mind. Or if I have to do the alternator or am in the area in the future

It is pretty straight forward. Kind of a hassle to clean the area though. Just when you think the OFH is empty, it dumps more and makes a bigger mess.

Originally Posted by srmmmm

RB what kind of consumption were you seeing? I currently go 1200 miles per quart of the normal 5W-30, but 2000 miles per quart in the summer when I run the "M" 10W-60. I'm due for another CCV service interval soon and may go ahead and swap out the dipstick tube even though I hadn't noticed any issues with them in Texas.

Maybe fellow Texans TiAgX5 and bcredliner have similar experience to yours?

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

I was getting about the same consumption. Hopefully it is better now. I'd get the new tube. The new design makes so much more sense and it is so easy to replace with everything already torn apart.


I had to go to the dealer today to pick up the oil filter housing cap orings. I thought I had them, then cut off the old ones, then realized the orings were for something else. The BMW tax is real.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

RB what kind of consumption were you seeing? I currently go 1200 miles per quart of the normal 5W-30, but 2000 miles per quart in the summer when I run the "M" 10W-60. I'm due for another CCV service interval soon and may go ahead and swap out the dipstick tube even though I hadn't noticed any issues with them in Texas.

Maybe fellow Texans TiAgX5 and bcredliner have similar experience to yours?

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

Hey man, before the CCV/dipstick tube change to upgraded parts, I would go approx 4-5k miles before "check engine oil level" came up and I'd be 1-2 quarts low to get it between min and max. I've done 5k miles since last oil change (due within next week or two) and the oil level hasn't budged much at all, maybe 1/2 quart low.

I'm running Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 year round here in Jersey.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Hey man, before the CCV/dipstick tube change to upgraded parts, I would go approx 4-5k miles before "check engine oil level" came up. I've done 5k miles since last oil change (due within next week or two) and oil level is MAYBE a quart low, so a definite difference.

I'm running Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 year round here in Jersey.

That's amazing! The only time I've ever gotten more than 3000 miles on a quart was doing a quick turnaround trip from Arlington, Tx to Hartsville, SC. I'm going to have to take a complete look at that CCV system and dipstick tube on this interval.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

That's amazing! The only time I've ever gotten more than 3000 miles on a quart was doing a quick turnaround trip from Arlington, Tx to Hartsville, SC. I'm going to have to take a complete look at that CCV system and dipstick tube on this interval.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

Really? All the m54 equipped cars I've owned leaked a quart or less on my 5000 - 7500 mile intervals. These were in 3 e46's though.

Interested to see if you CCV system is the issue.

[puddinboo]

Originally Posted by Serb404

yeah, there's a few areas in between the nooks and crannies on my back rims

I just wanted to see what you guys have used so I don't mess up my rims lol

I use acid type wheel cleaner to get baked in brake dust off. just don`t breath when using it?

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

RB what kind of consumption were you seeing? I currently go 1200 miles per quart of the normal 5W-30, but 2000 miles per quart in the summer when I run the "M" 10W-60. I'm due for another CCV service interval soon and may go ahead and swap out the dipstick tube even though I hadn't noticed any issues with them in Texas.

Maybe fellow Texans TiAgX5 and bcredliner have similar experience to yours?

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

I've always changed oil and filter at 5000 miles. I use Royal Purple 5-30. At oil change I am about 1/2 quart low. Consumption has been about that or a little less for many years.

[Serb404]

any idea how to determine what kind of low beam bulbs one has?

I have a 2004 E53 3.0, would it be in the manuel?

Just got the "check side lights" message and determined it's my passenger low beam that needs to be replaced.

Maybe this is a perfect time to get an upgrade kit from bimmian?

Originally Posted by puddinboo

I use acid type wheel cleaner to get baked in brake dust off. just don`t breath when using it?

thanks that seems to be what a lot of people have been saying especially for the baked brake dust

[Ricky Bobby]

^Serb do you have xenon or halogen? "Check side lights" is usually the angel eye bulbs on the facelift models

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

^Serb do you have xenon or halogen? "Check side lights" is usually the angel eye bulbs on the facelift models

Yep, or side market lights. Low beam failures should specify.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Really? All the m54 equipped cars I've owned leaked a quart or less on my 5000 - 7500 mile intervals. These were in 3 e46's though.

Interesting observation and exactly what we experience with my wife's e46 also. I wonder if there's that much difference between the 2.5L and 3.0L versions, although hers is a 2004 model and mine a 2002.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles