Approaching 100,000kms...what to do?

[Bouchedag84]

Hey All,

Probably been mentioned but my X 4.4i is at 95,000kms (60000miles) and I'm curious if there are any MUST or suggestions maintenance things or things to replace?
I know the manual says sparkplugs etc but is there any things you guys recommend? I trust you more than the manual haha

[lhordmclain]

In General

* Do a thorough inspection ( Leaks [e.g. Oil, coolant....], electrical related [e.g. battery, alternator.....], suspension related [e.g. bushing, check for plays, alignment.... ], Tire thread, Brake Pad and Rotor thickness.


Depending on what has been done already.

- Brake Fluid (every 2-3) years, some do yearly
- Coolant (every 3-4) years,
- Engine Oil (yearly or every 7,500 miles - 15,000 miles)
- Micro Filter (aka Cabin Filter) , yearly or every two years
- Engine Filter (aka Air Filter) , every 2-3 yrs or less
- Transmission / Filter / Gasket (I will leave this up you)
- Transfer Case (I will leave this up you, check if you are compatible with ATF or Power Divider Fluid )


If the vehicle drives great and no high priority repair items based on your inspection, leave it alone for now, BUT set aside the money for VCG, OFHG, Cooling System Overhaul (e.g. Expansion tank, related hoses, water pump, fan clutch, T-STAT.....) and battery.

Good Luck!

[srmmmm]

On a regular basis:

> Rotate tires, inspect pads & Rotors, CV boots, general lookover every 5000 miles
> Oil / Filter change every 8000 miles
> Brake fluid flush every 30,000 miles
> Replace belts and clean CCV every 100,000 miles
> Replace differential and transfer case fluid every 100,000 miles
> Replace sparkplugs every 120,000 miles
> Replace expansion tank, coolant and hoses every 150,000 miles
> Replace bake pads every 163,000 miles (Akebono ceramics)
> Replace rotors??? (201,000 miles on current Brembos)

My unplanned repairs have included:

> Front axles at 60,000 miles (Prior owner didn't maintain CV boots)
> FSR at 78,000 miles
> Two sparkplug coils at 124,000 miles
> Alternator at 126,000 miles
> Front driveshaft at 136,000 (used a salvage transfer case for cost savings)
> FSR (again) at 159,000 miles
> Thermostat at 176,000 miles
> Rear differential seal at 200,000 miles
> Secondary air pump at 224,000 miles
> Thermostat (again) at 245,000 miles - at least it was warranty this time
> Steering column double U-Joint shaft at 245,000 miles
> Valve cover gasket at 245,000 miles
> Both fuel tank sending units, fuel pump and canister at 245,000 miles
> Aux fan when the harness got chewed up in the mechanical fan and shorted out at 259,000 miles
> Pre-cat O2 sensors at 260,400 miles
> Water pump at 263,000 miles

The "Expected" replacements have been:

> All four window regulators
> Driver door handle carrier
> Front axle outer CV boots (each side one time)
> Front tension struts

All in all, except for the stupid front driveshaft job that cost $4200, I have really been happy with the vehicle. It doesn't get babied, but I do monitor and maintain it. I think a lot of my good fortune is due to four things: I live in Texas with short winters so I don't have a lot of the CCV condensation problems, my daily commute is 60 miles so the engine oil always reaches full operating temperature, I run the "M" series viscosity engine oil from May through September when I my driving includes 3000 miles of towing a 1400 pound Waverunner and trailer, and I stick with Shell gasoline.

2002 X5 3.0 263,800 miles
2004 325i 116,000 miles

[Quicksilver]

In your service manual there's a 100.000 mile service.
Go over what's needed and instruct who's ever will perform
the service not to skimp on the requirements.

During that inspection and service other things may be discovered
and need attention. If so spend the money and get it done.
No need not to trust the Manual. After all that's where you're
going to find the directions for the service. Why would BMW lie about it?

[Pierce330]

That's low kms...wow

[Bouchedag84]

Man I wish I had a garage for all this. I wonder if it's worth contacting an Indie to perform a bunch of stuff after my inspection.
Or if I should say 'screw it' and just drive it til something requires attention. I don't plan on having it for more than another 1-2 years

[drgeeforce]

One thing I noticed as a BMW owner is that the tension pulleys need replacing every 4-5 years. Once you get that screeching noise its a matter of when (in hours), not if, they need replacing, otherwise the belts go snap and then you are going nowhere fast.

[Clockwork]

bouchedag84, thats sad to hear you say that about such a low km X5.
If you can afford the X5, you should have known about the maintenance and should be able to afford that too.
If not, sell it NOW before you drive it to the ground and never get good sale value for it, OR you screw the next buyer.
Glad I'm not buying a vehicle from you.

[Bouchedag84]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

bouchedag84, thats sad to hear you say that about such a low km X5.
If you can afford the X5, you should have known about the maintenance and should be able to afford that too.
If not, sell it NOW before you drive it to the ground and never get good sale value for it, OR you screw the next buyer.
Glad I'm not buying a vehicle from you.

I know. I baby my vehicles and take care. I've never had a BMW and I just don't want to replace stuff that doesn't need it but might need it. If that makes sense.
I LOVE my X5 and I may have to keep it for longer than 1-2 years depending on my Visa situation (trying to get permanent residency in Australia) so we will see what happens.

In the meantime, I'm making a spring list of what to do.

I was thinking of replacing my brake pads but with only 100,000kms (come spring) I don't know if they'll need it. However, any recommendations on brands to get? Should I do rotors as well? I was looking here this morning BMW E53 X5 M62 4.4L Braking Pads - ECS Tuning

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

In your service manual there's a 100.000 mile service.
Go over what's needed and instruct who's ever will perform
the service not to skimp on the requirements.

During that inspection and service other things may be discovered
and need attention. If so spend the money and get it done.
No need not to trust the Manual. After all that's where you're
going to find the directions for the service. Why would BMW lie about it?

I suggest you ignore lists of all the stuff that you can look forward to repairing or replacing. They may or may not happen. As one example, I have not overhauled the cooling system. I have replaced one coolant hose but otherwise the system is all original. Recently I replaced the clutch fan with an electric fan as a mod. The clutch fan was still functional. I have 112,000 hard miles on mine.

As you know brake pads are a wear item. There is no set number of miles they should be replaced. I don't replace them until the brake pad wear sensors let me know they are minimum thickness. I am not going to start the--which brake pads are the best debate. Depends on what you want. I use aftermarket pads that are very low dust and are supposed to reduce stopping distance.