Would that be the Laptop GT1 like you find on ebay? Like this:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...aptop-gt1.html

I myself learned way back when I owned Fords and Mitsubishis that never go to the dealer unless NECESSARY. I've been dealing with an independent mechanic for over 7 years now who also works on my parents' car...all I do is buy the parts that needs fixin' and he installs it for me.

Just like when I needed rotors and pads. I bought rotors and pads with sensors for all 4 from Zeckhausen and he installed it for $100.

It truly does make a difference having an indy on your side.

A little bit of elbow grease could save you a bunch of money. BMWs cars, or bikes for that matter, are pretty expensive to maintain unless you do some of the maintenance yourself and a site like this one should help you to be less apprehensive to start working on your car. Jobs like brakes, control arms, tie rods are really that difficult to tackle yourself and you can save anywhere between 40 to 70%.

I second what alpac said.

It sometimes seems difficult when you open the hood and see a mess of hoses and mechanicals but it's just an engine like any other car. Start with a simple DIY oil change, the BMW I-6 is one of the easiest engines to do this on. IMO, the thermostat and the water pump are extremely easy to do since there is no timing belt to remove unlike many cars. Forums like this make everything so much easier too since others have tackled the same things, Google is your friend.

When it seems intimidating, remember this: Someone put it together, I'm pretty sure I can take it apart. You can always get help to figure out how to put it back together

lessons recently learned:

1) don't drive your X5 toooooo hard

2) once your car is out of warranty - never go to a dealer

Oct - stealership suggested I change the brake fluid, 3 months later get grinding noise while stopping only to find out that I need you front brakes (right side non sensor was worn down so the warning light didnt come on). Shouldnt the tech at tehd ealer have noticed that my pads were worn down during brake fluid chnage? you would think tehy would check it

my tranny went at 140k miles, so has my O2 sensors and possbily my cat converter. Stealership wanted 7$k for tranny (gt it done for $4.5 at tranny place)

they wanted $1200 for O2 sensors and $3k for cat converter. So in essence they want $11k for a 2002 x5 3.0 - the book value is $9k

I did the tranny cause I had, doing the O2s myself (Bosch parts $250 total for all 4). Hopefully I will not have to replace the cat. I just want my X5 to last until the new 5 series comes out

I love my X5 kind of the way one loves a sexy, but abusive girlfriend. Sometimes you ask yourself if you are better off without her.

Best analogy I have heard yet :rofl: I can relate to that one sooo well!!

This is the exact analogy I have used to describe owning a BMW to my friends. It is worth the drive, if you are willing to put up with extra b.s.

I stopped going to the stealer after the warranty ran out, but the stealer is the only place around here to get an alignment because of the DSC. I looked around at several places and all of them told me the DSC required "relearning" at the dealer. So I'll get the tie rods done at the indy and then go back to the dealer for the alignment.

I appreciate the idea of doing this all myself, but I am truly a walking disaster with a wrench, saw, or hammer in my hand. I can build computers and set up switches and routers and run entire networks in my sleep. I can even do plumbing and wiring and have built very complex groundwater remediation systems. But I have also destoyed engines and butchered walls when I tried auto mechanics or carpentry. I know my limitations. :D

Just a quick example, while hard wiring my radar detector to the overhead panel, I dropped the center light module and cracked the wood surround by my shifter. I *am* a disaster around cars. :(

But when you do look at universal cats. It will cost you a fraction of the OEM one.

M_six,

I am fairly good at working on my cars and motorcycles, but I too have found that I have no time to do such work, or prefer to spend the time with my little daughter watching cartoons than to spend it in the garage working on mechanical stuff.

Your best bet is to find a good mechanic that knows this car, and build a good relationship with him. I am looking for such mechanic in the bay area myself. When I had my mercedes, I had a very good mechanic that quit working for the dealer and started his own shop with similar equipment. Finding something like that for BMW would be real nice. There are plenty of independents around here, so it should not be a big deal. I am not sure how it is in your area... take a look at the local craigslist and see if there are any ads for shops that exclusively work on BMW.