'04 X5 4.4i No major problems

[2004_BMWX5_4.4i]

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum and have been reading a lot posts both old and new for about a week or two before becoming a premier member.

To the point. I've read a lot of posts about major maintenance issues on X5's. I'd like to think that my maintenance has been fairly common with the exception of some silly things like brake light lamps and fog light lamps (which was only two lamps total). I don't baby it, nor do I drive it like I stole it. Well not too often, it is a lot of fun though! I carry the dogs in it, travel from NC to OH often, take it to the field with the military on training events and take a terrible dirt road every day to work (military road short cut).

So does anyone think the following maintenance and repairs is excessive?

My X5 has had normal maintenance work done since the day I drove it away from the performance delivery center in South Carolina. It has been great. Aside from the minimal maintenance that BMW actually did for it during the first 50k miles. To date at 152,000+ miles I have done the following maintenance:

BMW Schedule Maintenance (oil and whatever, nothing major) 0-50k miles
Front brake pads and rotors at 50k (BMW warranty)
Rear Pads at 101K miles
Tires at 50k and 130k miles
Right Left Lower Control Arm Bushings 132k miles
Transmission Service and 100k service at 132k miles
Left front out CV boot replace 136k miles
Power Steering hose replace 136k miles
Lower radiator hose replace 136k miles
Upgrade to performance Cross Drilled Rotors and Ceramic Pads 150k miles
Recall, "Recall to have the programming updated to the vehicles DME (Engine Control Unit) & EGS (Transmission Control Unit)" - Whatever that was, made things worse for about three or four days when tight cornering in parking lots. Mysteriously then all was fine. Mechanic thought it might be the transfer case going bad. But, symptoms went away as fast it they appeared.

That's it.

Never had an alignment, tire wear is always even, struts are all fine. She corners like she's on rails and my indie mechanic loves it! The dogs love it and always want to go for a ride. Well maybe they just like me and I'm always in the thing!

Is that maintenance out of the norm?
-Tom

[haigha]

I've done a lot less on my 04 4.4 but mine only has ~29k miles.

I did the FSR, a couple of transmission software updates and put some Rial 20" wheels on at 18k (still have the 18" sports with MXV4 with lots of tread but mD would probably warn me against using those 7.5+ year old tires). Annual oil changes and a couple of cabin filter changes. Added a bluetooth module but I use an external A2DP module now. Also added a StealthOne for my Valentine One a long time ago.

[2004_BMWX5_4.4i]

I'm more curious to know if this is less than normal wear and tear or fair wear and tear.

[Isambard]

Originally Posted by 2004_BMWX5_4.4i

I'm more curious to know if this is less than normal wear and tear or fair wear and tear.

Depends on how long you've had the car, and if all the maintenance work you have listed is all that has been done. ie is that what you have done in your ownership, or is that what is showing for the vehicle from birth? On that same note, is the maintenance work based on documentation you have or info gained through the stealer?

If thats all that has been done, with that mileage, you have a solid motor on one hand, but on the other hand you may be in for some big(ger) bills in the future when things invariably start to fail..

I didn't see anything on timing chain guide rails... Mine went at 101k miles, and cost me £1200 all in with a new w/pump and seals etc. BMW quoted £3000 in labour just to strip the engine, quoting some bollocks about 22 hours labour, before they had even started on parts etc. Luckily I have a great mechanic who did the lot for me for pennies in comparison.

Just something to be aware of if it hasn't already been done as it is apparently common around the 100k mark. I hope I haven't jinxed you now!

Also, the front end (sway bar links, control arm bushes, balljoints) tends to be a common problem area for most. Also, the rear subframe bushes are somethnig to look out for. A 'clunking/thumping' sound when the 'box changes down is the most common symptom.

As for the direct question as to whether its been fair wear and tear etc, I think you've been extremely lucky if thats all the maintenance work with a motor with that many miles-particularly as its done nearly twice as many as the yearly average!

[2004_BMWX5_4.4i]

I purchased the vehicle new from BMW. Picked it up at the BMW Performance Driving Center in/near Spartanburg, Sought Carolina. All the work listed is all that has been done.

I will be replacing the plastic window clip/bushing in the window regulator this week. Why do they always make the window regulators so cheap on cars? I replace all the little plastic parts on all of the regulators on my 1998 Jetta Wolfsburg back years ago.

Getting back to the thread, I don't think that the maintenance has been too bad for me.

[gzkerry]

I hope I'll have minimal maintenance on mine. Did you do the regular maintenance in BMW's service centre after the warranty expired?

[2004_BMWX5_4.4i]

All the regular maintenance was done at the dealer throughout the warranty period and then two oil changes and rear brake pads after that.

I was not pleased with the quality of service, timeliness or service or the customer service at that location. Since then I have been using an independent service provider in the Raleigh, NC area that is amazing. (Autobahn Automotive) They are fantastic.

The only thing I have gone to the dealer for was the engine/transmission programming recall service this year. They haven't changed.

I'll probably has another transmission fluid/filter service done at 180k and then the timing chain at 200k. I just might see 200k by December 2011.

[2004_BMWX5_4.4i]

Update to the maintenance: Add these to the list:

Valve Cover Gaskets replaced around 165-170k miles
Transmission service was done again at 180k miles
Alignment done at the dealer - First time having it done at 197k miles. I just felt it should be checked after five sets of tires. 3-5 thousand miles later it was completely out of alignment and had ruined the front tires. They don't warranty their alignments at this local dealer.

Alignment and two new tires at 200k miles. Not at the dealer.
Timing Chain Cover Gasket around 206k miles. PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2
Transmission fluid service and transfer case fluid service at 210k Miles.

Transmission was giving me the 1st - 2nd slam almost every day and I felt it might be betterto have it done before the holiday trip to OH. I would at least see if it was low or the fluid was bad. I have my suspicions that the automatic transmission consumes much more fluid than it may have been anticipated. After the transmission fluid service the slam is gone and runs smooth like it did when I left the PDC in Spartanburg, SC.

Counting everything except fuel, I believe I have spent just over $17,000 in maintenance since June 2004.

I have switched to an independent shop much closer to home. (Wagenhaus Website is very minimal). Small place, definately not as nice as the place in Raleigh, NC or a dealer. Just a bare bones garage. They do great work at a fair price in my opinion and the car is ready when they say it is. They don't offer complimentary loaner cars like the other place I used to go in Raleigh, NC, but it is in the same town.