Thanks for the props guys, hope it helps.

Piston, this isn't an exact science. Do two oil changes, then keep an eye on it. If it looks like it could use another one, great, but do two hot changes and see how it goes first.

Yah... will do. Now i need to drive around in circles for 20 minutes before arriving at my 2min away destination.

:rofl:. Sound a lot like what I do now. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I don't have to waste so much gas.

Good advice guys but I disagree with "all German cars get this" I have never had any car get this and I have owned 8 MB, 3 BMW, 1 Merkur, and 1 capri- all German. The only time I have ever see this was on a buddy's '74 Volvo 240 back in '82.

I totally agree, we have a 2007 X3 and 2007 550i and we have no "cheese whiz" at all. Our 2002 X5, bring on the crackers. Bad design and major problem waiting to happen (like a Toyota). :confused:

Never had this on my X5. Had it on my 318i back in '94. I also had it on a 245 Volvo wagon in the late '80s. Both vehicles were used for lots of short trips. The problem is the short trips, not the X5 design. BMW's failing was in not making the CCV a regular maintenance item. Cleaning it out (and BMW do sell a diaphram kit for it) every Inspection I would eliminate many of the problems owners have.

I'm confused. :dunno: How do we explain my other cars with no "cheese wiz" with the same commute? X3, 550i, 3.4 miles to work, 3.4 miles back, weekend groceries 6 miles away, 12 miles round trip? Hmmm...:popcorn:

Could be a characteristic of the X5 engine cooling system. There is a lot of air circulating around the block. Thermostat settings could impact it. We are speaking here about how the vehicle stands up to misuse, however. Give it a good drive once a week. It simply wasn't designed to never be warmed up. If you can't warm it up properly, then change the oil a lot more frequently (as per the severe service recommendations), and clean out the CCV each season.

Definitely keep an eye on this issue. I had mine go bad on me in a cold snap to the tune of a repair bill of just over $2,100.

Yah no doubt. Added an annual ccv clean to maintenance. Getting that done this weekend and changing the oil again. That will be the shortest oil change ever <100miles. I assume another filter is in order.