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.

[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?

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by JCL

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?

Your the one that is bringing up reliability and and durability. I think the X is neither reliable or durable. I like fixing mine and driving a nice car that might otherwise be out of my reach since I do much of my own repairs.

Its you that was the first to mention either of these words. I just am angling for those that like their Xs enough to keep em on the road and in the interest of "bragging" who has a lot of miles.

Oil change is cheap insurance. since my engine has run flawlessly except for exploding CCV and Oil Housing Gasket (which have nothing to do with oil life). I'm not recommending that anyone else shorten their OCI. Just me my engine responds to fresh oil in the butt feel area and I like that. Mobil1 0-40 can go 15,000 miles and I must say I have even gone 10 to 12K when I just didn't have the time to change it.
I don't think any engine has failed more from over maintaining.

Back when American engines were toast at 80,000 miles on 3000 OCI my father-in-law always got 150K to 200K out of chevy novas, buicks, oldsmobiles, chevy pick up engines without overhaul. he absolutely stuck to a 2000 mile OCI. when the manny recommended 3000. from what I've read, I do think oil has a peak performance period and it begins to decline at some point before the recommended OCI but, it is still in the range of serviceable. So, I think changing at around 7000 miles makes me feel like it's good insurance. This is just me others do other things that may work just as well.

A thread like this is to discuss what is outside the realm of normal, including abnormal, anal, obsessive compulsive owners. Like me.

[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.