Happy to help.

Parts retail for $458.24 and $78.87 = $537.11 but labor is another story. I believe BMW is currently at 10 FRU per hour and that job is rated at 33 FRU which would then be 3.3 hours. I have no idea what the hourly rate would be, but let's say for the sake of argument it's $130 per hour. You're looking at a $966+ job with tax, minimum.

Wow just read this whole thing..Bman i hope your troubles get better with BMWNA and your situation. X5 mesiter..You gotta calm down buddy. Bman has as much right to post on here about X5's as all of us do. I know you're not knocking that fact, but let him do as he sees fit, and I know you'll do the same. But lets keep this civil by all parties..

I will probably do the repair at $1400, and hold on to the E53. Does anyone know because of my daily commute being 6 miles, what issues may come up next? Also, my commute of 6 miles daily just going to give rise to hydrolock later on?

Do you park your car in a garage?

No I don't.

I have the same type of commute, 3.4 miles each way; car doesn't get up to temp until the weekend for maybe one drive for about an hour. She's garaged and I've never had a separator problem. The key is the super, sub-freezing temps in the teens and single digits and parking outside overnight, that's what's killing these trucks. On the brighter side, its mid-February and warmer weather is just around the corner. We'll all need to move on to our next repairs - replacing the CV joints this spring/summer after the CV boots are torn from all of this deep snow on the east cost, and everyone forgets to look underneath before the damage is done. The $tealers are just waiting, wringing their hands waiting for the next influx of $$$'s. :(

Well then I'd say in the winter (like the rather cold one you are having in NJ this year) combined with very short trips puts you at risk my friend. Also keep in mind that you will be taxing your battery as well so you might want to invest in a charger... see link:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...w-one-fyi.html

If you will be parking outside you might consider the CTEK which I believe is waterproof.

E53 fire
 

Monday evening I was returning to Chicago O'Hare airport after a 4 day business trip. (N.A.D.A. conference). My X5 had been sitting in long term parking outside. After loading up my bags I hopped in and let it warm up a minute or so before taking off. Temps have been in the 20's here lately. So it wasn't abnormaly cold. Before I even left the parking lot I noticed a burning smell in the cabin (very faint). I stopped and checked under the hood and walked around the vehicle as the smell was ONLY present inside the cabin. I turned off the fan and heat controls and proceeded on my way home. Less than 10 minutes later the smell was still present and even growing a bit stronger. As I needed fuel anyway I pulled into a gas station to examine the smell further. When I came to a stop smoke rolled heavily out from under and on all sides of my vehicle. I quickly accelerated into a snow bank at the end of the parking lot away from the fuel pumps and ran for a fire extinguisher. As I approached with the fire bottle everything from the oil pan forward was covered heavily in flames. I was able to put the flames out myself.

I called in a claim to my insurance agent and began inquiring. My service writer tells me the same I read here. This is a common problem with many BMW models. Not just the X5. However this "common problem" could have easily injured or ended my life as well as others around.

This is my 2nd owned BMW and 3rd total as I had one for a company car as well. I am a loyal BMW owner and would probably continue to be, however this "common problem" quite honestly scared the hell out of me.

My claims adjuster cannot come see my X5 till tomorrow and I have not taken it to a service facility yet as I am not sure just yet how I want to proceed.

From first glance I cannot tell exactly how the fire started but there is clearly oil everywhere in the engine bay.

Any advice, tips, what to expect help would be greatly appreciated. My advisor did tell me I should go ahead and call BMW NA right away as well.

I also see that some of you are attributing your separator issues to short commutes. I drive 32 miles each way 6 days a week for work.

6 miles - wow, I would probably figure out a way to bike commute that. Although the weather where I live is a bit more friendly for such a thought...