Numerous Problems, No Fixes Photos Added

[chonko]

Originally Posted by jwratts

Just got my '07 3.0 X5 back from 2 days at the dealers. Left it with the following list of issues:

2.Navigation system occasionally goes black and reloads. At other times displays a message that there is a problem with the CD drive. Unloading and reloading the CD will temporally fix the problem.
3.Automatic windshield washer setting will operate normally for a while and then goes to continuous operation. Some times turning the wipers off will reset it, other times not.
5.Right side front park distance control unit occasionally indicates that it is close to an object when there is nothing close by. Tried cleaning it, didn’t help.
6.When first started engine will occasionally run rough and is very sluggish for 5 to 15 seconds. (Reported before).

Sounds like software issue to me. You might want to suggest to them to check the software, and the system memory.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by JBHorner

One of my biggest beefs with dealers are when they say, "we cannot reproduce the problem." I remember one time I was so angry, I replied, "You're right. I made it up. I was bored, had nothing better to do with my time, so I made up a few problems and then brought it in to see if you'd catch me."

I wonder if the fuel mileage is influenced by temperature? I've noted that warmer weather, or colder weather, influences my mileage. I presume it is the AC, in addition to air density having an impact. It's a reach, I know.

I don't buy #1. I've never had this problem. It sounds like the outer seal leaks, and the inner seal holds the water in. Hardly what I'd call a normal condition.

Joel

Right on JBhorner. I get so frustrated, discouraged and mad when the dealer says "Cannot duplicate Problem". HA ha ha...one time too, I said a similar thing; "Yep, you caught me, nothing wrong, just thought I'd see how good your service techs really are!".

[Penguin]

> Now don't hold me to the 10 to 20 as I have read this several places but don't know the exact figure but do know it works out about that way.

Hard to imagine it could be that much, since only 10% of the fuel is alcohol, i.e., your numbers suggest one could get better mileage (20%) if you just didn't put in the 10% ethanol and instead only put in 0.9 gallons of gasoline instead on a gallon of 90/10 gasoline/ethanol!

[genew]

If you haven't tried ethanol in cold weather you might be surprised. Like I said I am not sure of the range....might not be 20 but it is significant. Jwratts was getting 25 so even 10 would be 2.5. It does make a big difference..try it and compare then come back and post your results.

[Penguin]

t

Originally Posted by genew

If you haven't tried ethanol in cold weather you might be surprised. Like I said I am not sure of the range....might not be 20 but it is significant. Jwratts was getting 25 so even 10 would be 2.5. It does make a big difference..try it and compare then come back and post your results.

Remember, it's only 10% ethanol, so if your mileage goes down by 10%, you are saying that the ethanol migh as well be air. In fact, ethanol has about 70% of the energy content of gasoline. As a result, unless the people who did the engine management software are compete idiots, there should on ly be a 3% decline in MPG at most.

Sorry, it makes no sense that the ethanol would provide nothing at all.

['08 X5 3.0si]

Originally Posted by JBHorner

One of my biggest beefs with dealers are when they say, "we cannot reproduce the problem." I remember one time I was so angry, I replied, "You're right. I made it up. I was bored, had nothing better to do with my time, so I made up a few problems and then brought it in to see if you'd catch me."

I wonder if the fuel mileage is influenced by temperature? I've noted that warmer weather, or colder weather, influences my mileage. I presume it is the AC, in addition to air density having an impact. It's a reach, I know.

I don't buy #1. I've never had this problem. It sounds like the outer seal leaks, and the inner seal holds the water in. Hardly what I'd call a normal condition.

Joel

Heat and the use of A/C do have an impact on fuel economy.

According to research conducted by Chevron, the average percent reduction in fuel economy due to temperature (20 degrees F vs. 77 degrees F) was 5.3% The maximum observed was 13%. Running the A/C in "extreme heat" resulted in an average percent reduction in fuel economy of 21%. That's pretty sigificant.

Aside from A/C and heat, the largest contributing factor to reduced fuel economy was Acceleration Rate. According to the research, the average percent reduction in fuel economy between "hard" and "easy" acceleration was 11.8% with a maximum of 20%.

For someone like me who lives in Phoenix, about the only thing I can [or am willing to adjust] is acceleration rate. I went for a day drive yesterday and minded my throttle from full-stop and achieved 21.0 mpg through a mixture of city and mostly highway driving.

[WolfX5]

Keep holding the bar high Deutch! Everyone of us should expect better quality design and performance from ALL aspects of these very expensive luxury/performance cars. Those that want track cars should buy Miata's...

[Penguin]

> Keep holding the bar high Deutch! Everyone of us should expect better quality design and performance from ALL aspects of these very expensive luxury/performance cars.

Correct!

I can accept faults in a complex luxury vehicle, but the dealership should be able to fix them quickly and with a minimum of hassle for the customer.

[Muz]

Agreed ... it seems they take our money happily but become ever more slow at fixing the problems

[deutsch100]

Thanks A LOT WolfX5, Pengiun and Muz

SO good to hear there are sensible, reasonable people on our Board, that expect quality, proper and complete fixes for problems and accountability of behalf of BMW! Freude am Fahren!!