Quarter Million Mile Club, 402,000Km

[Ghost-Flame]

Hi Everyone,
I did a search and it looked like this hasn't been attempted before. With all the negative about the X5 reliability I thought who is going past 250,000 miles or well on their way to reaching that and who has past that milestone.

I got the idea when on the same day I heard 2 similar stories. First a friend of mine was telling me that over the weekend he had to put his 1992 Volvo 200 series down after well over 250,000 his odo was broken for the last 4 years. Anyway he drove it to the junk yard and said it was like putting his dog down

Secondly, I was at my Indie mechanic and this sharp dressed woman was getting into her early, black E53, I said man that's a nice looking car! She yelled back not bad for 408,000 miles. I almost fell over.

So, are you a Quarter Million miler? Are you on your way? Are you past it?
What do you think the secret to your E53's longevity? Are you on your first trans, engine, etc? What do you do that others may say your nuts but, it works for you?

Tell us your story!

[Ghost-Flame]

I'm not a 1/4 million miler yet but, I'm on my way.

2002 3.0
145,500.
Car was abused befor eit was re-homed with me.
I plan to drive for as long as I can, love the car
No major work on the engine
No major work on the original Transmission
I change the ATF Dex6 every 30K to 40K
I change the oil at 7,500
The standard monthly repairs that drive some crazy is... well, standard

My truck runs like new, I plan to keep it to 250K. I'm putting 20K per year since I've owned it so, in 2019 I should be. I do as much as I can myself. Although I'm not set up to do the suspension work, my Indie did that.

What's bothering me the most is the driver's seat looks and feels like SCAT! I will look to replace soon.

[nebilex]

Funny I saw this article right after I saw this CL add: 2003 BMW X5 3.0i actual Dealer link: 2003 BMW X5 3.0i - Cars For Sale Indianapolis, IN

looks real clean for the mileage.

[JCL]

Reliability is not the same as durability, they are two very different concepts.

The BMW inline six engine is very durable, it will go for a long time with scheduled maintenance. That doesn't mean it is reliable, as nuisance problems are fairly common.

The reason many people sell their vehicles IMO is that those vehicles are less reliable over time, but that doesn't mean that components like the engine and transmission are worn out.

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by JCL

Reliability is not the same as durability, they are two very different concepts.

The BMW inline six engine is very durable, it will go for a long time with scheduled maintenance. That doesn't mean it is reliable, as nuisance problems are fairly common.

The reason many people sell their vehicles IMO is that those vehicles are less reliable over time, but that doesn't mean that components like the engine and transmission are worn out.

You could say that about any vehicle that gets up there in miles (except a good many Hondas, Toyotas, Lexus). My intent is to start a conversation with people that want to keep using and fixing their X5s until hell freezes over. I'm sure that woman that got 408,000 out of her X5 bought her X twice but, she is having a good time and still driving a really nice looking car.

These things are known for their unreliability, no one is disputing or trying to prove otherwise.

When people ask me about my 10 year old X I tell them it's in great shape because I fix things as they come up. I make no pretense about i's reliability.

This is supposed to be a fun thread for those of us that think it's cool to drive a long long way on the same engine, trans, car you name it.

Some people trade in their cars after the lease. so you have no repairs. I used to be one of those and I might become one again.

I thought this was a forum for "ENTHUSIASTS" R U ENTHUSIASTIC or just STUCK with a TURD that has some nice driving features?

[Ghost-Flame]

Funny thing happened on the way to this Forum...

Every Monday I try to assess what my cars need in terms of maintenance and repairs. For the stuff I can do I buy the parts or order them on Monday so they are here by the weekend.

Irony of Ironies, I have done either a repair or a maintenance on the X every week since Thanksgiving 2011. I'm a little nuts I like doing it.

On the other hand my wife's Explorer 2006 85,000 miles just runs and runs, and never asks for anything. except for the consumables. But, it's like driving a water mellon on wheels compared to the X.

[swipe]

My mrs 2001 E53 4.4 has 123000 miles on it and I don't think for 1 minute that this would make it past 150000 miles. It's already had a gearbox and torque converter rebuild, rad, ecu, and the list is getting bigger. BMW used to make cars that we're bulletproof but not anymore. That said we still love the big beast!!!

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by swipe

My mrs 2001 E53 4.4 has 123000 miles on it and I don't think for 1 minute that this would make it past 150000 miles. It's already had a gearbox and torque converter rebuild, rad, ecu, and the list is getting bigger. BMW used to make cars that we're bulletproof but not anymore. That said we still love the big beast!!!

On the other hand , you are on your way to a rebuilt one

And sure you live in West Sussex with all the rich people.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by swipe

BMW used to make cars that we're bulletproof but not anymore.

I wonder if this notion that BMW used to make bullet proof cars goes along with consumers who thought they suddenly had 'lifetime fluids' and only needed oil every 15K miles. Or maintenance only when the lights 'say' to. And don't get me started on auto trannies. Used to be considered a mortal sin of true enthusiasts.

Or maybe not:

My 1975 2002 needed a new motor and transmission within 2 years of buying it used in 1986. The automatic tranny '02's were so bad, it was more common to replace it with a manual than find another automatic. The shock tower and foot well rust was so damaging that it could total a car over time. Nearly every one of them has rust bubbles just in front of the passenger door.

My parent's 1988 635Csi needed entirely new bushings in the under carriage- twice. Seen a dashboard from any 80's bimmer that ISN'T cracked? It happens, but it's rare. Any E34 525 would fall apart from the inside out around the engine and transmission. The Nikasil V8's melted from the inside of failing cylinder walls. The E36 rear subframe was so weak that it could suffer massive failure and separate on stress. Like no rear wheel kinda failure. The last 'bullet proof' BMW was maybe an ETA E30 or E28. Even THAT motor needed the cam belt replaced every 50-60K miles. That's if the tin worm didn't get to the license lights or rear rockers.

I think it's hilarious that people perceive what BMW 'used' to do. We're driving cars that are at least 6-13 years old and have ZERO discernible rust unless they were just abused. Try this of ANY model from the 70's and 80's. If Bimmers from the 90's were maintained like the ones from this century, they'd lose their drive train within...well.. about 100k miles.

Sound familiar?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Ghost-Flame

I thought this was a forum for "ENTHUSIASTS" Are you an ENTHUSIAST or just STUCK with a TURD that has some nice driving features?

Enthusiast, thanks. Reliability is a good topic to discuss. Just wondering why it is being mixed up with durability. Do you think changing your oil twice as often as recommended by the manufacturer improves reliability? Have you experienced random failures caused by oil change intervals?