Stranded in Bozeman MT...
 

Do any of you know of a BMW tech in the Bozeman area? My '01 4.4 will not 'go' (falls on it's face when trying to accelerate - no SES light either). I'm in a motel now, trying to locate some help...

Thanks for any advice, ...and wish me luck. It's a long way back to Seattle...

Cheers,
Mark

I'm persuing the web, for you...I suspect you are too.
The only "euro" oriented shop, via yellow pages, is:

Autoworks

http://img.superpages.com/images-yp/...es/0_stars.gif Not Rated | Write a Review
28797 Norris Road, Bozeman, MT 59718

406) 586-3709

GL, mD

Hey Mark,
I recommend contacting your local BMW dealer in Seattle prior to taking your X5 to a non BMW mechanic in Bozeman. Explain the symptoms to your dealer and see what they recommend. It sounds like a fairly simple issue, however, you would need to read the fault codes to determine the actual problem. If there's an Autozone parts store nearby you may want to pick up a code scanner by Actron OBD II Auto scanner. The code scanner connects to your OBD II port located under the dash on driver's side. Once you determine the fault code start looking for a replacement part. Let us know we'll be glad to help you anyway we can.
Mike

Thanks guys. The internet at the hotel here was down (thunder storms) and is just now back up.

I have talked with my tech in Seattle (Strictly BMW indy) and ran through the basics with them (checking connections etc.) And got a few local contacts here. Auto Works (Tim Fountaine) is one of them but they were closed by the time I called them. The local Audi indy recommened Auto Stop, who did answer my call. They agree to 'see' the X in the morning, which isn't too bad for a cold call.

I found an O'Reily's to see about pulling out any codes but it's too far away. With the net back up, I'll look for something closer to the hotel.

...and, just to add a positive spin on this. Some (most) of the roads out here are absolutely fantastic and really display the prowess of the X5, or any nice road car for that matter. Today we drove secondary roads (mostly posted at 70 mph) from Whitefish to Bozeman (a little over 300 miles) and what a joy. The closest thing to driving in Germany that I have experienced. Great scenery too! But, look out for deer, they bounce out of the woods frequently!

Okay, back on the search engine… J

Mark, based on past experience I always carry a code scanner with me, just in case, and a set of tools. My X5 only has about 70K miles on it, but you never know what could go wrong on the road. Let me know if you need any assistance, as I can call you and help you troubleshoot the problem. Send a PM any time and I'm here to help.
Good luck!
Mike

I know what you mean about the roads, as I've driven in Bozeman on my way to Big Sky. At one time there wasn't a speed limit and it was like driving the Autobahn. Montana is wonderful! Good luck with the X5 and have fun! Please let us know how it works out for you.

I agree on the driving in MT: on our last m'cycle trip across the state, we had the scoots pegged for a majority of time.
A plain car, rolling up on us, while we were boogieing at ~100, came on our CBs and suggested we keep it under a 100,
between the fences and, watch out for the prong horn antelope and cattle. He then pulled out and passed us, and waved...:D

GL on the remote area fix.
BR, mD

Not sure if there is anyway I can help, but I am located in Seattle...

I would highly recommend giving Rick at Signature BMW in Kirkland a call, mention James Y.

425-629-3329

disconnect the air mass meter, and see how she drives.

Yep, just about did that but I don't want to toss any more codes in the mix. I have limped home on that concept before, which is why I have a new air meter. The plan at this point is to take it into Auto Stop here in Bozeman in the morning and see what they come up with, keeping my tech in Seattle in the loop if necessary and my fingers crossed. We still have ~2K miles planned on this road trip...

Mike,
Thanks for the offer of support, quite cool. And I plan to procure a code reader in the very near future. This is my only OBDII car so I've resisted to date, but now I've learned the hard way, it's a must have in the road trip tool kit.

James,
Will do, if needed. The techs at Strictly have been good to me and they know the car (all too) well. I've not heard of Signature but will look at them too.

Mark, although I'm all the way on the east coast in CT, I'll be home all day in the next two days. If you need any help in looking up part numbers, making phone calls, etc, please feel free to PM me and I will give you my cell phone number - let me know how I can help to keep your trip problem-free! Your Xoutpost friends are here to assist!

Good news!
 

We're back on the road - fuel filter was the culpret. The local shop here, Auto Stop, was awesome to work with. The owner, Randy Wild, ferried me back and forth from hotel to shop, in addition to flexing his other jobs to fit me in. That, and all your input is very much appreciated.

...off to enjoy the great Montana hwys!! :D

More Cheers,
Mark

Happy trails Mark!!!:zoom::zoom:
Give us a shout when you get back to Seattle.

Post Script...
 

Home in Seattle now, the new fuel filter solved the prior issue. BUT, when pulling into Vegas after a 600 mile day in 105 degree heat, the trans slipped. In denial, I continued, another slip then the dreaded down shift 'frump'. We're toast! Bottom line, a) We're lucky to have limped home, b) We need a new or rebuilt trans. Ugh!!

So a question: Has BMW NA every stepped in to help any of us with these defective slush boxes (circa 2001)?

There's a cost associated with owning and driving these wonderful beasts... I was kind of pissed at it and went looking at other similar vehicles. But after driving some of them (including an X3), we decided to pay to fix our X. Since then we are tolerating one another a little better, so I washed it today...

Had the filter ever been changed before (I ask sheepishly w/62k miles on the odo and a 2500 mile drive staring me in the face in December)?

I was going to say to call me, but as I read the thread, sounds like you got it handled. Just my .02, but I change the transmission fluid and filter, plugs, fuel and air filters, diff, etc all around the 60k like clockwork on all my personal and my customers BMW's. Glad you got it figured out though.

I'd suggest a good resetting of your ECU and maybe a tranny service before you go replacing the transmission though. Yank out your spare, disconnect the battery cables and let them sit touched together overnight to give it a poormans reset. Just like Win7, sometimes a reboot solves a lot of problems.

Thanks M5James for the mileage intervals. I was going to change the plugs before my trip to DC but just did the air filter since I *knew* it was dirty. With the extended maintenance plan, I hate prematurely changing stuff (except fluids -- already did diffs, tc, oil at 2x the recommended interval, etc.).

I'll get the fuel filter done when I get home (roughly 65k on the beasty by then -- I won't be driving too much out here).

We should arrange a quick Las Vegas X's meet this weekend since I'll be in town!