A Couple of Things...
 

Hello all!

I am approaching 60K on my 03 X5 and I am noticing a couple of troubling things...

1. The other day in a parking garage (nose down on an incline) - I needed to back up and when I put it in reverse, I had a significant slide forward (at least 2 feet) before it caught and backed me up. Should I be concerned?

2. Sometimes the drivers door won't open when I use the remote to open it, but always when I put the key in...and sometime the back door won't close smoothly - takes a little extra to close it snugly.

3. Losing some of its acceleration (I think) - it just used to feel more powerful - It seems to be sticking in the low gears longer...

I've noticed a trend on this forum that 60K seems to be sort of a "magic number" for taking care of water pumps, trannys etc... I have been religious about regular service (between interval oil changes, taking it in every time the idiot light tells me to) so I'm just trying to get a feel for what I might face when I bring her in next week...

Thanks in advance!

Not sure where you got the magic number theory, is that like the single bullet theory?

Depending on incline, the trans may take a minute to engage going in reverse uphill. Common practice is you keep a foot on the brake to you feel it grab.

As for the doors, could be a bad battery in your key not sending a signal every time and for latching, have to explain "close loosely" a little better.

Losing acceleration is entirely subjective. If you think there may be a tranny issue, take it to a dealer and have them run a diagnostic on it. While water pumps frequently go in ALL BMW's, transmissions do not.

If you are approaching 60K and have not done a water pump/t'stat & housing, belts and hoses you better start planing on it soon! Water pumps fail, usually quite dramatically, and tend to take out outher things. If you catch it before failure it will cost much less. I spotted my problem at 37K just before things got expensive.

Have the transmission fluid level checked, slow engagement, especially on an incline, may mean low fluid.
The door latch may need adjusting for a better close.
Good luck!

Thanks to all for the advice. Making the call to the dealer tomorrow.

The sometimes not working remote sounds more like the uber-common lock actuator problem that persists on X's...The battery in your key is recharged everytime you put it in the ignition so they shouldnt go out...