X5 maintenance question
 

We bought out 2004 X5 used from Carmax in July 08 with 45K miles on it.
Carmax completely serviced it (changed all fluids, battery, tires, etc) when they got it. When we bought it, the Service Interval Display showed no greens, but 1 yellow and red.

4 months and 8K miles later (~50% highway/city), the SID still shows 1 yellow and red.

After reading multiple threads, the recommend service intervals are 7.5K miles for inspection 1's and 15K miles for inspection 2's.

Should I be taking in my X5 for a inspection 1 soon?
I'm afraid to ask ... but what's an aproximate price?

I bought my X5 from Carmax as well. You need to get an oil change for sure. I know that they didn't use BMW's recemmended oil or OEM oil filters when they changed the oil in mine. This is important becaue the oil and filters that they use are not good for 15,000 miles like OEM oil and filters are.

I would personally take your X to a dealer or Indy shop and get all the fluids changed with OEM quality stuff.

Inspection I should be done at 30,000 miles and Inspection II at 60,000. THen you alternate I and II every 30,000.

Thanks for the info!

Oil changes every 7.5K or 15K miles or just go off of the SID after an OEM oil change?

That is up for debate and really comes down to your choice. I was on board with the 7,500 interval, but then I read this post;

http://www.xoutpost.com/other-bmws/49...2C000+mile+oil

Looks like BMW may actually know what they are talking about when it comes to 15,000 mile intervals.

I am a little compulsive, so I am still on the 7,500-10,000 mile oil change plan just to be safe.

Like I said though, the oil and filter that are in your car right now are most likely not designed to go over 7,500 miles if CarMax did it last.

Did you buy the MaxCare warranty? I did on my 02 4.4. It was only $1,800 for 3 years or 36,000 miles and has already paid for itself about three times over.

Thanks for the info FSETH!

I change my oil every 5k or 1 year (which ever comes first) since oil tends to break down after a while.

I follow the lights. Went nearly 100,000 kms on our 98 323 doing this and now have 80,000 kms on our X5. No problems.

All of our other vehicles including motorcycles get 10,000 kms per change. No issues ever. Oil is gets abit dirty the last 2,000 kms.

We plan on keeping our vehicles for atleast 7 years each.

You will get all sorts of opinions when it comes to oil type and change intervals on this forum. My recommendations are:

1. Find a good indy and have him go through the car. Service interval II at the dealer is a big hit to your wallet for a simple oil change.
2. I change my oil every 7.5K miles with a synthetic and OEM filter. Depending on your driving style, you can stretch it more miles.
3. I doubt Carmax changed the tranny fluid with ESSO that is required by BMW since it is so expensive. Even though BMW calls it "lifetime" fluid, there are numerous stories of tranny failure before 100K miles. Most agree to change the tranny and transfer cases at 60K miles or leave it alone if it's gone 100K+ miles.
4. The weak link on the 4.4 is the cooling system, so check all the hoses, valley pan gasket, expansion tank and flush the coolant. Plan on replacing the water pump and thermostat around 100K miles.
5. Flush the brake fluid. It's almost always overlooked on the maintenance schedule.
6. Did I mention to find a good indy ............

Post some pics of your new X ......