X 35d- If you could do it all over would you?

[k80jr]

We've had our 35d since Feb 2009. We really like it. We have 23000 miles on it and average about 26mpg city and highway combined. It has plenty of power and ours is "nicely equipped". The only problem was the dealer learning how to refill the diesel exhaust fluid correctly. I think they have that figured out now. The diesel is so smooth and no smell or soot. It also is quiet and does not clatter. The only time it sounds like a diesel is when it's cold. Once it warms up you hardly know its diesel. You really notice the massive torque when you step on the accelerator. Most of the time you can keep it under 2000rpm and enjoy the smooth economical ride.

[k80jr]

Originally Posted by k80jr

We've had our 35d since Feb 2009. We really like it. We have 23000 miles on it and average about 26mpg city and highway combined. It has plenty of power and ours is "nicely equipped". The only problem was the dealer learning how to refill the diesel exhaust fluid correctly. I think they have that figured out now. The diesel is so smooth and no smell or soot. It also is quiet and does not clatter. The only time it sounds like a diesel is when it's cold. Once it warms up you hardly know its diesel. You really notice the massive torque when you step on the accelerator. Most of the time you can keep it under 2000rpm and enjoy the smooth economical ride.

Update at 75000 miles after warranty has expired. Maintenance costs are becoming rather expensive. Front brake pads, fluid changes, oil change $2200. Change brake fluid and replace cabin filter $337. Now the left LED on the lift gate is out. To fix it requires a new light assembly for $473. The vehicle still performs well and is just as nice as when new, but is pricey to maintain.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by k80jr

Update at 75000 miles after warranty has expired. Maintenance costs are becoming rather expensive. Front brake pads, fluid changes, oil change $2200. Change brake fluid and replace cabin filter $337. Now the left LED on the lift gate is out. To fix it requires a new light assembly for $473. The vehicle still performs well and is just as nice as when new, but is pricey to maintain.

Not sure if these prices are specific to the X35d or not. I can get my oil changed for $100, brake fluid flush is $100, and the tail light assembly cost me about $250 to have replaced. All prices are from my indy. HTH.

[ard]

Originally Posted by k80jr

Update at 75000 miles after warranty has expired. Maintenance costs are becoming rather expensive. Front brake pads, fluid changes, oil change $2200. Change brake fluid and replace cabin filter $337. Now the left LED on the lift gate is out. To fix it requires a new light assembly for $473. The vehicle still performs well and is just as nice as when new, but is pricey to maintain.

Who pays $2200 for front brakes, oil and fluid changes? (what fluids? Next line is 337 for brake fluid)

Sounds like a failure to manage costs, not an issue with the car.... I mean seriously all cars are expensive if you take it to thieves to be serviced.

[JGard]

Originally Posted by ard

Who pays $2200 for front brakes, oil and fluid changes? (what fluids? Next line is 337 for brake fluid)

Sounds like a failure to manage costs, not an issue with the car.... I mean seriously all cars are expensive if you take it to thieves to be serviced.

I would certainly like to think if you did rotors and pads yourself the cost would be about 1/4 of that $2200. And really, pads and rotors are typically a pretty easy job, even for a novice mechanic. Likewise an oil change even with BMW oil can be done for about $80

[TriX5]

Originally Posted by ard

Who pays $2200 for front brakes, oil and fluid changes? (what fluids? Next line is 337 for brake fluid)

Sounds like a failure to manage costs, not an issue with the car.... I mean seriously all cars are expensive if you take it to thieves to be serviced.

Amen.

Brought it in for something simple and promptly got quoted $1200 for diffs, transfer case and brake fluid...... Not to mention some 250 for the diesel filter. Needless to say this will be done for about $200 in materials when the weather improves.

Owners should learn to say no when they are quoted stuff they did not ask for, then re-evaluate calmly before making decisions.

Anyway, a friend of mine regularly gets screwed by the Acura dealer this way. His battery collapsed but it jump started just fine. Next I heard the battery was free, less than one year old....but they charged him 600 for a starter motor. That was after they sold him an 800 dollar brake pad replacement. I told him not to tell me about his adventures anymore, as he won't take advice and authorizes everything they call with. Weird thing is, his shocks are bicycle pumps, totally wasted OEMs after more than 80k. The car is dangerously unstable but they steadfastly refuse to replace them.....

I am finding the X reasonably reliable these days but I have had about 5k worth of goodwill fixes and would be very hesitant to buy another one because these issues I had are reported here by almost every owner.

At a dinner last night I was sitting next to the owner of a local independent shop that does European cars. He told me BMW has serious issues with most of their latest gen engines.....

[Lambeau]

Seriously, why can't everyone do brakes, oil, & fluid changes themselves? It's certainly NOT rocket science. There's much more joy in ownership if you can do such basic maintenance on the vehicle. We need an icon for "Man-Card Pulled"!

[neliconcept]

Originally Posted by Lambeau

Seriously, why can't everyone do brakes, oil, & fluid changes themselves? It's certainly NOT rocket science. There's much more joy in ownership if you can do such basic maintenance on the vehicle. We need an icon for "Man-Card Pulled"!

Some of us don't have the time or space to do it. I live in the city and can't jack my car up on a street side and do it there..