CleanIsFast Journal: 2011 X5 35d

[CleanIsFast]

Picked up a 2011 35d at my local dealer earlier this week. I've been looking for one for some time and have missed out on a few nice examples. Surprised how quickly these sell when they come on the market. I saw this listed over the weekend without a price or pictures. Luckily it was at a local dealership and I knew one of the client advisors very well. He was able to give me the information I needed prior to anyone else on the market. Board member Ricky Bobby has been very helpful in answering some of the questions I had prior to purchase, thanks man!

VIN: L657624
Alpine White
Beige Interior + Poplar Wood Trim
Production Date: 12.13.2010 (LCI!)
Sports Package
Cold Weather Package
Rear DVD
3rd Row option
Comfort Access
Running Boards
Comfort Seats
Side View Camera
Heads up display
Originally Euro Delivery? (S863 is listed on the VIN decoder as Dealer List Europe)

I haven't even had time to drive the vehicle let alone explore what's in it. We weren't really looking for a 35d with optional 3rd row, but it's an option now. Not sure if a human could really fit back there But the vehicle checked off 99% of our boxes and we couldn't be happier. Carfax was a little strange; I assume it's 1-owner but it doesn't say how many owners at all. Also says it was imported from the UK in 2014. Dealership told me, prior owner was Military guy.

Now, I know you all want to see pictures but I haven't had time to take any! And the fact its only about 20 degrees outside this weekend and we had a little snow/ice storm roll through. So all I have are two exterior photos.





Already went ahead and purchased a few maintenance items and will be performing soon. Anyone looking to buy a 2003 X5 4.6iS? Let me know!

[ ] Cabin Filter Replacement (2)
[ ] Recirculation Air Filter (1)
[ ] AFE Dry Intake Filter
[ ] Oil Service
[ ] Good interior cleaning
[ ] All weather front beige floor mats
[ ] All weather trunk mat

[Ricky Bobby]

Looks great man - glad to help!

If you don't think you will ever use the 3rd row (personally I wouldn't), I assume you probably could take it out completely and get a rear floor piece from a parted out car or something maybe?

I know it folds flat, the only thing that would drive me nuts is hiding the seatbelts in the cargo area -

Car looks great, side view cameras are nice to have as well as the heated rear seats and steering wheel!

In case you didn't know, IND Design sells perfect color matched rear reflectors ($75) and front reflectors ($85) that clean up the front and rear by deleting the amber and extra red - rears pop out and in by hand in 2 mins, the fronts on the diesels you don't have much room so you have to drop the bumper (its easy though)

Glad to see you are going with the AFE dry filter, I like being able to just clean it out every other oil change or so -

Have you ordered the cabin filters yet? I have the full set of 3 in my basement (dealer did them all under warranty service when it was in getting the PS pump and NOX sensors replaced shortly after we took delivery) - I was going to save them but I usually only replace every 2 years - if you want them now just let me know how much ECS sells them for and I'll ship them to you in a flat rate box -

[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Looks great man - glad to help!

If you don't think you will ever use the 3rd row (personally I wouldn't), I assume you probably could take it out completely and get a rear floor piece from a parted out car or something maybe?

I know it folds flat, the only thing that would drive me nuts is hiding the seatbelts in the cargo area -

Car looks great, side view cameras are nice to have as well as the heated rear seats and steering wheel!

In case you didn't know, IND Design sells perfect color matched rear reflectors ($75) and front reflectors ($85) that clean up the front and rear by deleting the amber and extra red - rears pop out and in by hand in 2 mins, the fronts on the diesels you don't have much room so you have to drop the bumper (its easy though)

Glad to see you are going with the AFE dry filter, I like being able to just clean it out every other oil change or so -

Have you ordered the cabin filters yet? I have the full set of 3 in my basement (dealer did them all under warranty service when it was in getting the PS pump and NOX sensors replaced shortly after we took delivery) - I was going to save them but I usually only replace every 2 years - if you want them now just let me know how much ECS sells them for and I'll ship them to you in a flat rate box -

Yes already ordered the filters but thanks for the offer! Still can't believe how much those filters cost, even going with MANN vendor. Yea, I decided on the AFE because replacing the filter isn't a 30 second job like it is on the 4.6iS or even the M5. It doesn't take long but having to remove the cover and stuff adds a little time and the AFE filter is something I can clean out every 6-12 months. Had an AFE filter in my E83 and E46 3 series previously all good experiences

I haven't looked that far into a 3rd row delete option, but I'll see how annoyed I get with it (if ever). I wouldn't mind finding another cheap set of style 214s but from the quick research, they are quite expensive.

[daytonatrbo]

Looks good. Similarly option to mine.

One thing I would keep an eye on is engine temp. The thermostats seem to like to fail open causing ancillary systems to fail without ever throwing its own SES light.

I suspected it was an issue on mine and unlocked the cluster. Engine temp was struggling to maintain 72°C when it should be in the 80's.

[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by daytonatrbo

Looks good. Similarly option to mine.

One thing I would keep an eye on is engine temp. The thermostats seem to like to fail open causing ancillary systems to fail without ever throwing its own SES light.

I suspected it was an issue on mine and unlocked the cluster. Engine temp was struggling to maintain 72°C when it should be in the 80's.

Thanks, i'll have to check it out. So normal operating temperature should be 80*C?

Is the secret menu unlock the same on all BMWs? Adding up the last 6 digits to unlock?

[daytonatrbo]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

Thanks, i'll have to check it out. So normal operating temperature should be 80*C?

Is the secret menu unlock the same on all BMWs? Adding up the last 6 digits to unlock?

The temp should be hitting as high as 90C and should maintain above 75 even when lightly loaded. Mine is dropping as low as 65 when coasting and never got above 77.

The cluster is the same. I think menu 19 to unlock and 7 for temps (IIRC).

If it's running too cold, it won't regen and will cause emissions errors.
It also kills your glowplugs and fuel mileage.

[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by daytonatrbo

The temp should be hitting as high as 90C and should maintain above 75 even when lightly loaded. Mine is dropping as low as 65 when coasting and never got above 77.

The cluster is the same. I think menu 19 to unlock and 7 for temps (IIRC).

If it's running too cold, it won't regen and will cause emissions errors.
It also kills your glowplugs and fuel mileage.

Thanks i'll check it out.

Going in for emissions soon as well (Dealer will cover any expenses, if any)

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

It doesn't take long but having to remove the cover and stuff adds a little time and the AFE filter is something I can clean out every 6-12 months. Had an AFE filter in my E83 and E46 3 series previously all good experiences

You'd be surprised how easy - 2 grommets and the engine cover pulls off, pop off the intake tube, one hose clamp holding the MAF on (it stays connected to the top of the airbox lid, easy to clean if needed) and a few snap clips on the airbox lid and shes out!

I agree I have had AFE dry intake on my 3.0 for 3-4 years, ran 50k on my wifes TDI with no issues, and suspect only good things on her 35D as well - its been in there since I changed the oil 2k miles ago.

Good call to the other guy to unlock the cluster, I will have to do that like on my E53 -

[CleanIsFast]

Cabin Filters, Recirc Filter and Oil Filter arrived today. Apparently the AFE Intake Filter was on backorder but that wasn't communicated to me upon check out so I won't be receiving that for another 7-10 days. I also stopped by my local dealer to pick up my first 0.5gal DEF along with a 2.5gal tank. Price was pretty reasonable, I'm sure I can find some adblue somewhere else for a little less but it was on my way home from work. The DEF indicator is not on, but no harm in a top off right? I plan on doing an oil service anyways and people say to top off the DEF when doing such service.

I was able to source the previous owner maintenance records from the dealership. Some notable maintenance items that were taken care of: EGR Replacement, Both NOX Sensors, Brake Rotors and Pads. Along with a decent amount of oil services and filter replacements. One thing on there I didn't see was fuel filter replacement, so I think that'll be on my list of things to do.

I'll take some photos for the journal when I perform some of these maintenance items. I won't get to them until next weekend, we'll be out of town starting Thursday. I drove the beast for the first time over this past weekend to get my M5 from my office and it was a sweet ride! Comfort seats are awesome, field of vision is great, torque is instant, and MPG is phenomenal! (relatively speaking) I averaged about 23.5 mpg on this commute which is 10 mpg better than my 4.6

Now, for the embarrassing part: I am starting to look for some all season (possibly summer) tires for the 35d. Any recommendations? I know about the Conti DWS06, I just put a new set on the 4.6, but any other? I know most guys ditch the run flats, but there is no spare in this vehicle. Michelin finally came out with the A/S3 in 315 so I am really leaning towards that because I love the A/S3+ on my M5. They are only $100 more than the DWS06. Any Pirelli PZero fans out there? Bridgestone Dueller? Or should I just stay with what I know. Now before you ask me "why are you looking for tires, didn't you just buy the vehicle?" This is the embarrassing part and quite frankly I am a little pissed I missed this. When I went to check out the vehicle, I looked at the tire tread (was great), tire stamp date (late 2015's), Pirelli's, sizing was correct, all good I thought. 2-3 hours later after the back-and-forth negotiations, waiting for the wash detail, and paperwork I noticed the tires were Pirelli Ice & Snow tires! (Bring on the flamming...) But seriously who buys standard spec 275/315 snow tires?!? So, of course I asked if they would honor swapping them out for all-season, of course not...So, now I am on the hunt for tires and possible another set of style 214. (Current set is a little beat up from the previous soccer mom driver) For now, I am okay on the snow tires because we recently just had snow & Ice (performed flawlessly), and some cooler temps. But in the next month or so those temps will go up and burn out this expensive snow tires.

[Ricky Bobby]

Yeah top off whenever you do a service, easy that way - the bottle will stop filling when its full. The AFE filter shipped direct from them when I ordered from ECS. As I mentioned on PM, highly recommend doing a fuel filter service if your records back to 2015 don't show it done recently.

Isn't it amazing that these big trucks get mid 20's in mpg? Not bad!

Get the OE style 214's refinished by whoever your dealer uses for wheel repair (mine uses AWRS, very good work), and sorry about the snow tires lol! I ditched the run flats for DWS06 and very happy even though we don't have a spare. Got a small pump and fix-a-flat for emergencies on road trips, but for local driving, save for a major blowout, my wife would either call roadside or me for help anyway.

(I know my statements are HIGHLY controversial but I give zero fucks)

Tire rack gives free road hazard for an additional year (in case you didn't know, Continental's warranty is 1 year free replacement for road hazard, they don't recommend patching tires) - so with the purchase I got 2 years of reimbursement for road hazard which we already used - wife got a screw and slow leak, ordered a new tire from TR, got it installed and took pics and sent to their claims person email, got a check a week later for the full price plus the shipping I paid for replacement. Not a bad deal!