Mileage expectations
 

I was at an independant BMW service provider getting the first major service done. When I asked as to the life I can expect from my 2006 X5. The mechanic replied that these vehicles (2006 X5) start falling apart at the 100,000 mile mark, i.e engine transmissission, etc. Anyone with a high mileage X5 taht can comment?

thanks

Ken

I dont think any car/truck falls apart. It's the way you take care of it, common things would fail etc which is normal. I see it like your body, if you dont take care of your health and what not we wont last long either. So just keep the X in tip top shape and im sure it will last. There are a few with high mile mark X's and they will chime in soon. Cheers

I have a 2004 X5 3.0i currently @ about 108k miles. I think what he meant is after 100k miles, more uncommon parts need to be replaced. Everything tends to wear down with age, but thats doesn't mean its falling apart. Just be aware that some repairs can get a bit pricey in the later stages of a cars life.

Proper care and maintenance will keep your car running smoothly. I'm still happy with the overall drive of my x5. There are a few suspension parts that need to be replaced, but its nothing surprising considering the abuse its been taking for the term of its life.

I have an '06 3.0 with 113K miles. Still drives great, and feels like new. I change the oil and filter every 7500 miles; did the ATF at 75K; changed the belts, water pump, and timing chain at 100K. Had to replace some parts of the suspension due to wear and tear - control arms, tie rods at 90K. CV boots needed replacing at 80K. Beyond that, just normal stuff like tires, wiper blades, and occasional bulb.

Maintain it regularly; fix things when they break; find a mechanic you trust; and enjoy driving your car!

Would like to hear from killcrap, weasel, etc... on the topics of:

- replacing/clearancing new main and rod bearings after a certain mileage, or if at all.
- ovaling of the cylinders, and what is required to rehone, recoat the walls, and procuring oversize pistons/ringpacks.

On a super high mileage car that has always been kept in tip-top shape, these are the main things that concern me as being killers.

To the OP,
This topic comes up here on the Jukebox, with regularity...
Here are a couple of long threads on "miles on your X";
easy find via the Search Tab.
GL, mD

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ng-strong.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...e-you-had.html

I agree with the previous posters, my brothers 06 has 138,000 and he has had not a single problem, other than totaling it a week ago.....

I take care of mine as most on this board do, before you buy, make sure you have a good history.

125k on mine. I have changed the separator and valve cover gaskets twice, expansion tank when it cracked, and thermostat and water pump as a precaution at 75k.

I had a freak situation where I replaced the engine wiring harness, but I hear this is more associated with gen 1 than subsequent years.

My driver's side window regulator is slow but all function. My suspension is all original so that all needs to go. My front halfshafts finally blew their boots and need to be replaced, but if you check those often you just have to do the boots and not the whole halfshaft.

A higher mileage X5 is going to need suspension, unless you are sure it has been done. It's not a matter of bushings; the entire members get the heave ho.

I am still running with the original motor, transmission, drive line, transfer case, front and rear diff. And there is not a day that she doesn't see 100 getting on the freeway.

:iagree:....Ditto

+1.

Out of my three bmws i must say, the X has had the best heatlh of them all!

97' 540i - Cooling system but at 120k the suspension is gona go soon, seats starting to fail
95' 740i - 148k Tranny, Cooling, exploding fan, same thing with the suspension
01' 4.4i X5- I dont know how much a CPO car should hold up to, but just at the 100k mark things didn't really die, very small things. O2 censors and a cooling overhaul are about it

Now at 120k im amazed at how the tranny is still pushing like day 1, other than that, i love this car for its durability so far..

150,000 miles.
 

I heard many years ago european and japanese cars are design to have a 200,000 km service life or 150,000 miles. American cars are design to have a 100,000 miles service life. And Mercedes are design to have a infinate service life (I don't want to start anything but that is what I was told from reliable sources).


But that is my .02

I have an '04 3.0 auto with 109k miles and everything is in tip top shape- the only problem i have fallen victim to is the dodgey a/c, cold on the left and hot on the right :banghead:

but car still runs like new and i look forward to driving it day in and day out :D

77k on mine, quickly escalating. Rebuilt front (and currently rear) suspensions. Other than that, it's been routine maintenance. See no issues getting another 125k out of her. That is my goal - 200k on it... and by then I'll be ready for something new.

I would expect that the sales person was giving you the average life expectancy, and 100k miles is probably on the low side. Statistically he is correct, but as with all statistics there are aberrations. Some will never have a problem for 250k miles, whilst others will get unexpected (and premature) failures - hopefully most will be minor (if expensive) and easily fixed. Almost all of the problems I had under warranty were minor but annoying electrical/electronic (mirror motors, locks, A/C fans, pano-roof, starter motor). Until the gearbox failure, the worst mechanical failure was the power steering hoses leaking.

When I bought my 'X', I expected that as the powerplant is diesel it would last 250k miles along woth most of the primary transmission components (unfortunately the gearbox crapped out at 42k miles - a tad premature!!) with things like CVJs, bushes, rotors, fans, dampers, springs, electronics etc lasting a shorter period as they are wear and tear items. In a lot of modern cars the electronics seem to be the weak point - but some owners never get a problem.

I guess it's fair to say that beyond 100k miles more of the 'expensive' items are more 'likely' to fail. Keep the servicing in line or better than OEM requirements and don't skimp on the cost of oils and key fluids and you stand a better chance of an 'X' lasting well beyond 100k miles.