Well my first problem
 

sitting at a redlight and steam comes flying out from under the hood. I got it off the road into a parking lot and saw the upper radiator hose is split where it bends to go in the radiator inlet. That is a racket there my friends. That whole setup is so poorly designed. The hoses them selves are of such sub par quality. So flimsy. I liked how they make you get that whole complete hose setup instead of just one.:rolleyes: However the clamps were something I have never noticed before kinda like a high pressure hydraulic clamp. Anyway I guess its all in good fun, I was just not impressed with the quality of their hoses. I mean its got only 44k on it. Does anyone one know of a company like Samco the makes silicone hose replacement sets?

Replacing them all when one fails makes sense to me. They're all the same age and see the same conditions. If one goes there's the good chance the other ones aren't too far behind. The cost of the additional hoses is cheaper than another tow and repair a month later.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...0k-plus-x.html

welcome to the family ;)

'Replaced my upper radiator hose a couple of months ago. The dealer wanted $150 for the part. I opted for the hose only from a local autoparts store for $10. The OEM clamps were a PIA to remove but got it done and replaced the clamps with screw type. Also had to replace the small plastic hose on the filler/reservoir tank as it broke while I was doing the repair. I replaced it with 1/4" copper tubing which will be much more durable unless of course there is some negative interaction with copper and coolant.
SB

SMB - did your auto parts store have the hose specific for the BMW or did you just buy one that was the same diameter/ length??

It was a hose specific to the original one for shape and size. I can't remember which parts store I bought it from though. Sorry about that.
I just searched Advance and O'Reilly and couldn't find it again.
SB
I'll continue searching and let you know if I find it again.