Bought an 2006 X5 4.8is last week...

[Ricky Bobby]

Jealous of your running boards bigmixxx.

Hope the compressor repair kit I linked to you does the trick and gets the air susp back on track!

[StephenVA]

Man, I missed a lot by working hard this week. My posting (#16) in response to what I perceived, as a negative posting to a new intro, was a J O K E about V8 envy. As usual, the internet fingers took and ran with it far and wide of any intent to promote it. I must have hit a nerve somewhere. My error in posting.

Note to responders: "my perception" was just that, mine only. Sorry to start a tread where every owner, every former owner, everyone who has had an issue with their BMW, or life's work, got started pounding away about the issues on owning vehicles going on 10+ years old, or “if I had only known XXXXX, I would have done something differently”. Well too late, you own one.
Second note: I currently own I6 and 2 - V8 BMWs, a V6 Dodge Caravan, and a Vespa (As if anyone cares). All are great within the limitations of engineering intent and designs. Example, none of the BMWs make great Home Depot lumber haulers. Even though I have seen BMW convertibles having drywall roped on to their roofs, 4x4 pressured treated lumber shoved into the rear leather seats, cement bags tossed into the back seats, etc etc. The best image of wrong car wrong tool, was the IDIOT shoveling loose "recycled" yard trash (here in Washington DC, it goes by the name "FREE COUNTY MULCH") in to his BMW wagon without any liner of any kind. The stuff was on the seats and all the way to the dash. Must have been a leased car. Yes, I have seen minivans with wide tires, fat exhaust tips, sway bars, and lowered. Nope, does not make a good race car. Too far a trip and there are a lot of other starting points that will have better results out there to even try.

Wrap up on this way too long posting, Welcome one and all to the greatest gathering of X5 owners of all power plants (6 and 8). Post freely about your efforts in keeping them on all four wheels, and we all will enjoy the forum.

Now back to work and later today I will give the daily driver BMW a bath and a good detailing for the second time this week. I hate, hate, hate salted roads and light rain. Find that damn rodent up in PA, who saw his shadow, and let’s cook his ass. Maybe these postings were really in response to winter rage that I have been reading about…

[RickM5X3]

Originally Posted by BMRSEB

Wow! What a "welcome" thread! Can I just say Welcome to the OP, enjoy your ride!!!
I have been lusting after a "Beast" myself and there is one local Imola Red, very tempting. Must resist!!! Lol..

Tmv, have to make it out to you one day to test drive yours for a "feel"..

My Imola is available. Fly into Denver and have an epic drive back. PM me if interested.

[bigmixxx]

Well -- there is a suspension saga that's started. Having done a little work and watching when I had a rover, I'm pointing to the place where I bought it. Taken it back twice.

Last night, I followed some instructions from the good guy that PM'd me. I opened the battery hatch and what I found was that the air hose was being pinched by something. I had the code reset this morning and let's see where this goes.

if it continues, I'll open another thread.

What's a good OBD II reader to get?

[Ricky Bobby]

Get a dedicated clean hard drive laptop and the inpa/dis software suite from our Romanian friends. It will do you well, generic obd2 readers suck.

Did the compressor repair kit for the seal come in yet?

[tmv]

I have dedicated laptop for diagnostic and coding, and a <$20 MaxiScan OBDII code reader just to read and clear SES.
Sorry, RB. It's limited to just read and clear SES but it doesn't suck

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by tmv

I have dedicated laptop for diagnostic and coding, and a <$20 MaxiScan OBDII code reader just to read and clear SES.
Sorry, RB. It's limited to just read and clear SES but it doesn't suck

I'm sure just to read and clear generic codes for the 20 bucks its no big deal, but if he had to choose between dedicated laptop w/Romanian suite or OBDII generic, I'd get the dedicated option.

Not everyone is baller like you with everything lol

[bcredliner]

Over the years I have purchased a code reader that wouldn't reset the airbag, a code reader that would reset the airbag, an iPad for live info and then the Romanian software package.

Once I discovered the Romanian software was in one of the several languages of Romania and the instructions are only available from a secret society on a remote mountain of pinnacle understanding, I accepted my inadequacy and descended to the other diagnostic tools, that because of enlightenment, I now know to be inadequate. I live in fear of the dawn of the day I am impelled to attempt to ascend the mountain again.

[e30cabrio]

I have bought 5 cables. The last attempt at GT1, SSS, INPA etc was the Romanian & it works but is a hassle.

For 98% of my needs BMW Scan 1.40 is great. combined they were 60 bucks. I suggest getting both & use BMW Scan most of the time.

[shanev]

Originally Posted by lhordmclain

I have to be honest here, yes my head turns every time I see a well maintained V8's ( the sound ) .. But that envy goes for 10sec, reality kicks in money pit unless you are mechanic / getting greasy is your hobby...

Don't isolate the i6 for the condensation paste, it can and will happen to v8 as well (only easier to replace the CCV, that's the only advantage )


Post when you reach 120, 000 - 150, 000 miles ...let's see who smiles the i6 or the v8 owner ...

ok 4.8is with 160... still going strong