Alas, Dear Boise. I believe I'll stay a bit
 

Well, it took 16 years of driving E53's (3 of them), but I finally had my side line moment on the way to Boise, ID. I started off this morning in Wyoming with an all too familiar SLS error. This is common enough that I dont worry ab it at all- especially when loaded with luggage and at ab ~2,000 miles over the last few days.

I'd already called for a reunion of sorts with the folks at Boise European Motorworks. I was looking for an oil change and an SLS reset as I arrived for a night in Boise. But about an hour outside of Boise, I got the big one: CE light, Engine Failsafe mode (or whatever), ABS, all of the lights and no motor. Now I don't know why people have trouble moving their cars to the side of the road when they tell these stories. I also don't quite understand how that difficulty adds to their thoughts ab E53 reliability. But I moved to the side without drama and called up the shop.

The X5 would crank but not start. Until it did. :confused:

For grins and giggles, after a few failed attempts, I turned the key and she sprang to life! That was VERY exciting until it became a pattern repeated 5x's over the next 60 miles or so.

In the end, I got to the shop. Brian, the owner gave me a ride to my hotel in Downtown Boise, and here I remain. WTH knew it could be 105 degrees in damn Idaho?

Well, Brian just called. He said it's a relay (?) that controls voltage to the ECM. When they brought it into the shop, the X5 quit on them and they momentarily lost communication with the ECM. This and the bazillion codes it was throwing made them diagnose it as an IVM- or something- Internal Voltage Module?

But he says the dealer here has one and he can get me on the road in the morning. Seattle, here I come!

And people criticised me two years ago when I rented a Toyota Camry to travel from Crook County Illinois to Birmingham Alabama.

Nothing like driving a 15 years old BMW for the ultimate experience. I rather deal with a boring reliable not going to break in the middle of nowhere car like a Toyota then a 16 years old Ultimate driving machine that can let you down anywhere.

Safe Trip and hopefully an uneventful remaining trip.

Especially on this board, I'd still completely disagree with your choice of anything but an E53. Driving a car with which you have an emotional connection requires an understanding of the good times- and Oh my, what good times there have been in 88k miles and 5 years. In fact, this bit of trouble over 60 miles and about 90 minutes works out to less than 1/10th of one percent of my time with this E53. I'd shoot myself in a Camry for more than a rental ride from the airport to a customer.

But I value the relationship between the infinitesimally small risk and the huge reward of driving an E53 across the country for the 4th time. We'll have another set of amazing memories as we navigate National Parks in California and the Southwest in the E53. And we'll do it in a vehicle that will give back more than it can ever take.

Unlike a damn beige Camry.:rolleyes: Ug. You do what you like. This single 90 minute delay will take nothing from the safety, reliability, and performance that the E53 platform offers those who take good care of it.

Oh, and I found that the IVM is a common failure point in all N62 cars. This one goes well beyond the E53.

Edit:

And while I was sitting waiting for the IVM to reset so I could start the car again, you'll never guess what I saw? I noticed the tow truck because it was a AAA tow and I'd talked to them ab the trouble I was having. Of course this one was already giving someone a ride who'd broken down. In their Toyota. Golly. I wonder what malady could have penetrated that most reliable of boring reliability?

That sucks you had some problems but hopefully it really is just a relay. Talk about an easy fix.

I agree with not renting a car. If I had to take something as boring as a Camry I'd just fly to avoid that suffering. Nothing like being stuffed into a nasty rental econobox for hours on end. I wouldn't hesitate to hop in the E53 and drive it across country. This past winter I drove all over Oregon and Washington in just a week, with 9 hour stretches at a time through snow storms the entire way. The e53 didn't skip a beat. Hell, I wouldn't (and haven't) hesitate to hop in the E30 and take off toward any destination (less the snowstorms). Many times I have blasted over to the otherside of the state (~5h) in 100+ degree heat. Pop the rear windows and you're good to go.

True Story:
Back in the late 60's a gentleman went into his local Rolls Royce dealer and purchased his first RR. After completing all the paperwork and handing over sack fulls of money he was duly on his way.
Somewhere in the (almost) back of beyond his RR coughed and died by the side of the road. He walked to the nearest farmhouse (No cellphones!!!) and called his RR dealership about 60 miles away.
A few hours later a flatbed arrived with a vehicle under wraps on the back. The flatbed driver took off the wrap to reveal another brand new just like his own. FB driver hands RR driver and wad of papers to sign and the keys to the other RR. "Enjoy the rest of your journey."
When the RR driver asked the FB driver why he was so securely wrapping up his "old" RR he was told by the FB driver; "Very simple sir, RR DO NOT BREAK DOWN."

All mechanical devices can fail no matter how well made or expensive they are but some seem to do so more ofter than others. So belt up and enjoy the ride.

Enjoy the road trip PropellerHead, and am glad you broke down not too far from a reputable shop that knows what they are doing.. I give you props for having this much confidence on your car. I would rent for the peace of mind and i know if the car breaks down, i just call the rental place and they'll bring another boring camry or whatever appliance they have :-)

Boise is a nice town, but it can be hot in the summer. I was there doing work one summer and it was over 100F . . . but a nice 'dry' heat. :). Glad its not a big problem and you found competent help!

+1

I sh!t you not there was actually a beige Camry on the side of the road in Oregon today. :bustingup

Anyway, Brian's first diagnosis was ultimately incorrect. He installed the new IVM and the behavior continued. I found out ab this bright and early at 0730 this morning. What's that tell us? I was the last thing he looked at yesterday and the very first thing he looked at this morning. Brian was very discouraged that his first thoughts wasnt the right one, but he persevered. He explained his process well enough that I really should be able to tell it here.. but I had things like hotel reservations and lunch on my mind.

So he took another stab at it and by 1000 or so, he was sure he got it. I *think* it was the CPS. Brian was so gracious and conscious of my need to move along that he hurdled another blocker: No parts available locally. :(

I'll say only that he had a spare and that to get me on the road on a Friday, he gave it to me. That's right- a GIFT. Maybe it's only a $100 part, but his time, effort and experience were invaluable. He also changed my oil using the brand and weight that I asked for 2 years ago. It was still in his system.

So, ~500 miles later, I've arrived in Seattle and huddled in for the next 10 days or so. I've made an appointment on Tuesday with a detailer who will offer a simple polish and interior cleanse before we completely destroy it over 2 weeks and 3,000 miles.

Clean motor and clean car... Great way to finish another ....

6,000 miles in the X5!:thumbup:

Nice! That's awesome that he was able to get his hands on one, even from a personal stash.

Welcome to Seattle!

And he's back in business! What a cool Indy man. Keep on rocking!