Help with possible repair issues, please?
 

Hi,

I'm hoping to get some feedback on my current issues with my X5 from people more knowledgeable than myself!

I own a 2001 X5 4.4i, approx 118,000 mi (purchased second-hand from my brother). The AC stopped working so we brought it to the dealer. (We have recently moved to the Ft Myers area and know no one in the area to ask for a shop referral). I also have a small oil leak (literally one or two drops over a >24 hour period after I first park the car. There are no warning lights on at the moment.

The AC repair is an apparently well known issue, the final-stage resistor. Price to fix that is approx $370. They say I have not one but two oil leaks: one from two collapsed hoses behind (leading to?) the crankcase ventilation valve, and a leaking timing chain cover. The tech said he cannot believe my check engine light is not yet on. The quotes for those repairs are approx $1,500 and $2,500 respectively.

The tech recommends the ccv repair ASAP, but says the timing cover can wait as it is not too bad yet (literally a few drops when parked, but I have no idea how bad when running. I did just have the car detailed several months ago, incl steam cleaning of the engine - it does not appear to be covered with oil even now).

I did price the AC job at a local area shop, but he quoted me $900 after looking up the time est in a book. Not only was the price higher, I was not comfortable with an alleged "high end import specialty" shop unfamiliar with what is a common BMW problem (it took me less than 90 seconds to find lots of info on it via an online search).

My questions:

Are these prices in line with what you might expect (given it is from a dealer)?
Does anyone have any experience with BMW of Fort Myers?
Does anyone have any recommendations for a reliable quality shop in the area?

Most importantly, we are supposed to take our grandsons on a trip to Orlando this weekend. Do I need to get this problem (ccv) fixed before I go, or can I chance the trip (est 350 miles or so for the 4 days).

I know no one can give me a definitive answer based on this message alone, but I'd appreciate any "educated guesses" you might be willing to share.

Thanks so much!

Laurie

I have had work done at Pine Ridge Imports in Naples...not right next
door to you, I realize, but worth a shot in the future, esp on the
oil leak situ...
Pine Ridge Imports:
http://www.pineridgeimports.com/

The Final Stage Resistor fix for $370 and/or $900! are both rip offs, imo.

The ccv situ is troublesome as it could "last" quite awhile,
(esp as very cold temps tend to exacerbate it), and you don't get those temps in SW FLA...

If it were me, I would make sure the oil is topped off and take the trip...but who knows;
crap happens on trips.

No a/c won't be fun, however.

If you do make the trip successfully, give Pine Ridge a shot when you get home to FtMyers...
there may be other quality Indies in FtM area, but I simply don't know them. I assume you are
speaking of Germain BMW, which I would not go to for service if I had to, imo.
GL,mD

final stage resistor and those 2 oil separator hoses aren't hard.

there is a diy in homepage for final state resistor (http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/m...placement.html)

as for the oil separator hoses, it's also easy. search the forum, a member here posted a diy. for the X at that mileage, your valve cover gasket is most likely leaking too.

can you post pictures showing your timing cover leak?

I am out of town right now but I will try to post pics when I return. As to a DIY repair, I have not worked on a car since my high school days, which is several decades ago, at least. I'm not so sure I'm ready to attempt it right now. Home renovations are one thing - working on a vehicle that travels on public highways is another. I do appreciate the responses, and I'm going to review the instructions when I return.

Finding a GOOD independent rerpair place is so important with ANY car, but more so with a BMW - Up here in Charleston,SC, it's Exclusively Bimmers in Mt Pleasant, just off 17N - can any Florida members here recommend any?

We ought to establish a separate forum for recommended dealers & indys - my two recommends are BMW of Idaho Falls, Idaho Falls,ID (great service at indy prices) & Exclusively Bimmers, Mt Pleasant, SC (a great indy)