205K miles on my X5

[anthony1k]

My 2002 X5 3.0 just turned 205K and I’d like to offer some comments and observations on it.

It was bought new (actually ordered) with only two options: leather seats and moon roof. That’s it. It also came with the manual 5 speed transmission. I’m a true believer that simpler is better. The more gadgets, the more things to break. The only option that I regret not getting is the upgraded stereo. The standard stereo is pathetic.

All work on the car, except for the items covered under warranty, was done by me. This site has been a great source of information. All maintainece work has been performed according to factory schedule. Except for oil changes that have been religiously done at every 7,500 miles.

Relatively little has gone wrong with this car. Below is a list of the major items.
-AC control module at around 40K miles. Under warranty.
-Water pump at around 70K miles. Under extended warranty.
-Both front outer CV boots at around 110K.
-Real light assemblies at around 120K.
-Driver door handle assembly and real left window regulator at 140K.
-Battery at around 150K. I killed that one.
-Driver seat memory module at around 160K. Not fixed yet.
-Strut mounts, both front control arms and rear upper control arms between 165 and 170K. NYC roads killed those.
-Alternator at around 180K. Rescued by AAA flatbed.
-DISA valve and oxygen sensors at around 190K.
-Hood release cables at 195K.
-Left front outer CV boot (again) and wheel bearing at around 202K.
-Thermostat at around 204K.

Struts and shocks were replaced at around 150K miles with Bilstein Heavy Duty which are totally unsuitable for this car IMO. See rant here. The rears were replaced with Sachs OEM 10K miles later. The car is on its third set of brakes and on its fifth set of tires. OEM parts have been mostly used except in cases where they did not make sense. By the way, I have found that dealer part prices can vary widely. In addition some dealers offer up to 20% discount to BMW CCA members.

At 205K miles it burns a quart of oil at every 1,700 miles and is showing some wear and tear but it runs and drives very well and people often mistake it for a much newer vehicle. As BMWs go, the e53 X5 is well made and fairly easy for a shade tree mechanic to work on in my opinion. My wife’s e90 330i by comparison does not feel nearly as solid and mechanically is much more complicated and inaccessible.

My X5 has not had an easy life. It has been our primary family vehicle through the inhospitable streets of New York City, the brutally cold winters of Upstate New York and, since 2005 the tow truck for my race car. I’m amazed how admirably this relatively smalland underpowered luxury SUV has performed all these duties.

Inevitably I’m going to have to replace it with something newer. I’m almost certain that it will be a newer e53 X5, hopefully one with a six speed manual. The e70 X5 does not excite me. Call me old fashion but I hate runflats and I like a dipstick and a water temp gauge in my car.

Cheers

[Nik]

Very nice! I am not sure if manual is offered for engines different then 3.0. Get more optioned this time )) Adaptive Bi-xenon, 20" wheels, Air suspention for towning...better engine and all. you know where i am hading right? Good work.

[rocksteadyX5]

Very nice to see post like these - mine is pushing 175K. She is schedule for her yearly checkup in Jan with her Indy.

[faz]

Very nice post, op.

[SlickGT1]

That's cool. If they would have made the 4.8is in a manual, I would deff get that instead of my auto. So what I am trying to say, they don't have manual. I even tried searching for a way to put one in, but no luck, at least nothing reasonably priced.

[motordavid]

Nice post and report, imo.
Looks similar to our '01, also a 5 speed.

Wish you good luck in hunting down a 6spd 3.0 E53, but worth the search.
GL, mD

[Phr3d]

+1 on the '04 6-sp, we looked for months no-joy, settled on ours. A white e53 6sp, ~100k mi at prem price, is the only one we have seen..

Great write-up, thanx for taking the time.. other than the headlights (that look identical to ours when we bought it), that's a good-looking grand dame..

.

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[skeetjunkie]

Just curious Anthony - aside from thermostat, the other coolant system parts are original - expansion tank, rad, water pump, hoses, etc.???

[anthony1k]

Thank you guys for the kind words. I've read the troubles that some people have with these cars and I wanted to share a more positive experience. This is my ninth BMW over the past 30 years and my second favorate. My most favorate being an e28 535is that had over 320K miles on the clock when we parted ways.

Originally Posted by skeetjunkie

Just curious Anthony - aside from thermostat, the other coolant system parts are original - expansion tank, rad, water pump, hoses, etc.???

Skeetjunkie - the water pump failed at around 70K miles. The coolant was flushed every a couple of years. The radiator hoses were changed twice so far. The thermostat was changed recently because the engine was running cooler than it used to. Everything else in the cooling system is original.

Cheers

[PersonaNonGrata]

It's always nice to hear about E53s with such high mileage. It gives us all hope. I do think you've gotten pretty lucky with yours. Mine has 107,000 miles and has had 3 door carriers and I just replaced my 7th window regulator. My moonroof is FUBAR but at least I got it closed after it got stuck open. I have not dared mess with it for fear it'll get stuck open again. A new moonroof cassette is much bucks that it might as well be a bad transmission.