Time to Cut Bait? (E70 4.8i Issues)

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Skyline

Face it, it's an $80,000 car you're driving, and as crazy as it seems to dump all this money in, it's still a fraction of the cost of driving a new one. Someone else has already paid the price for the $70k of depreciation. Do I wish it would be as reliable as a Toyota? Absolutely. But there's really nothing close to the combined performance and utility in the market except a newer and more expensive X5.

.

THIS. And I'm only at 95K on my '08. I fully anticipate dropping some cash on future repairs but a fully loaded new one at $1K/month finance for 60 months or whatever vs. a couple thousand a year in repairs is a pretty easy decision.

[jmitro]

+1

[Pushrod]

Originally Posted by Skyline

Difficult? Can you point to something even close? The only thing close I can think of is a Range Rover, and they are not only quite a bit more expensive but less reliable than an X5; and still quite a bit softer. The ML and GL Mercs are all mushy, as are the big Lexus SUVs. Am I missing something?

My intent of this comment wasn't a comparison to just other SUVs. My point is that my X5 with adaptive drive handles better than most cars, including many performance focused vehicles.

[Pushrod]

Originally Posted by Skyline

It truly is an amazing vehicle; yet as we all know, flawed. Kind of a love/hate thing. When I was driving my X5 today on a twisty back country road, at WAY beyond the legal limit, I thought, do I really NEED an M car? This thing is darned fast and handles great already. Seven years with two different X5's and never been pulled over; apparently PO's just see it as a soccer Mom machine and let it go...little do they know how fast it is. Yeah I still need a 500hp car, but I'd probably just loose my license.

As for the 20" wheels, they make a noticeable difference; I use 19's for 4 months a year, (Blizzaks), and the 20"'s make a noticeable difference. Not so much for traction, as it's pretty hard to get the car to break loose on anything but snow or gravel. But high speed stability is greatly improved. Normally, unsprung weight is a bad thing, and the 20" wheels/tires weigh a ton, (especially the rears,) but it seems to be uniformly beneficial to the X5. Perhaps it's just the lower tire profile, but I think it's more than that.

I'm right there with ya:

If I had a 500hp M type car, I'd probably be rapidly surrendering my license, but at least I'd get a ride to the police station!

I also have had a similar experience with the X5 and the speed limit. Mine's black, so it's just another black SUV in the sea of black SUVs; it's practically camouflaged. Plus the norm here is 80 in a 55, so it takes an excessively heavy foot to stand out from the crowd.

Good info on the 20's. I've never run anything but the 20's. With the Xdrive and the number of times I actually drive the thing in the snow here in Chicago, I really don't need snow wheels. I agree, it definitely does have high speed stability with the 20's.

[Pushrod]

I went ahead and authorized the repair. I probably won't get the car back until sometime next week.

To be repaired:

Coolant valley pipe replacement
Water pump replacement and gaskets / O-rings
Thermostat replacement and gaskets / O-rings
Valley pan
Low oil sensor replacement and oil change
New coolant reservoir cap
Brake fluid flush
Coolant flush
Install new front pads (Akebono), sensor, and rotors that I had purchased but hadn't installed yet

Total estimate: $2750

It should be like new and hopefully I won't have any further issues until at least 100k (currently at 79k).

One other item:

I asked the shop about the valve stem seals and how much that would cost. They told me that since I had all the upper engine oils seals replaced during the last major repair when the alternator bracket let loose, that I may not end up with the valve stem seal issue. I was told that the valve stem seal issue is often exacerbated by the upper engine leaks that cause issues with the oiling to the valve stems, and that repairing those leaks prior to the valve stem seal issue showing up can often delay the onset of the valve stem seal issue. Seems a bit far fetched. Any thoughts?

[ard]

Sounds like happy talk to me.... But I don't know.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Pushrod

I was told that the valve stem seal issue is often exacerbated by the upper engine leaks that cause issues with the oiling to the valve stems, and that repairing those leaks prior to the valve stem seal issue showing up can often delay the onset of the valve stem seal issue. Seems a bit far fetched. Any thoughts?

I had the dreaded oil consumption/loss (even though I'm downtown, walk to work and drive like 2 miles a week) it was pretty much every month oil had to be topped off at the dealer. My Indy saw the Crank Case Valve had a leak (which I've read can be the other culprit in oil consumption, white smoke out the exhaust) and fixed it. Since then, oil consumption is normal.

FYI I am in Chicago as well (Streeterville next to the lake), who are you using for your Indy ? I'm using M & R Car Import Services (on Sheffield) in Lincoln Park.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by Pushrod

My intent of this comment wasn't a comparison to just other SUVs. My point is that my X5 with adaptive drive handles better than most cars, including many performance focused vehicles.

We're not disagreeing here. It's basically that we really don't have much if any choice when it comes to a vehicle like an X5 so have to put up with the heavy maintenance baggage that comes along with it.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by BGM

I had the dreaded oil consumption/loss (even though I'm downtown, walk to work and drive like 2 miles a week) it was pretty much every month oil had to be topped off at the dealer. My Indy saw the Crank Case Valve had a leak (which I've read can be the other culprit in oil consumption, white smoke out the exhaust) and fixed it. Since then, oil consumption is normal.

FYI I am in Chicago as well (Streeterville next to the lake), who are you using for your Indy ? I'm using M & R Car Import Services (on Sheffield) in Lincoln Park.

You go to the dealer to top off your oil?

How much mileage on your car? Because while there are other things that can cause oil smoke after extended idling, I think the valve guides are inevitable at some point between 100k-125k miles. Regardless of staying on top of top end oil leaks and CCV system.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by Pushrod

I was told that the valve stem seal issue is often exacerbated by the upper engine leaks that cause issues with the oiling to the valve stems, and that repairing those leaks prior to the valve stem seal issue showing up can often delay the onset of the valve stem seal issue. Seems a bit far fetched. Any thoughts?

Yes, far fetched. It is inevitable between 100-125k miles. I will say that if you never drive in stop and go traffic, or leave your car idling for an extended period, you may not notice the smoke clouds, and attribute the mild oil consumption as normal behavior. But when you start seeing the clouds of smoke, you'll know it's time.