It is pretty straight forward. Kind of a hassle to clean the area though. Just when you think the OFH is empty, it dumps more and makes a bigger mess.

I was getting about the same consumption. Hopefully it is better now. I'd get the new tube. The new design makes so much more sense and it is so easy to replace with everything already torn apart.


I had to go to the dealer today to pick up the oil filter housing cap orings. I thought I had them, then cut off the old ones, then realized the orings were for something else. The BMW tax is real.

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps6wexaegg.jpg

Hey man, before the CCV/dipstick tube change to upgraded parts, I would go approx 4-5k miles before "check engine oil level" came up and I'd be 1-2 quarts low to get it between min and max. I've done 5k miles since last oil change (due within next week or two) and the oil level hasn't budged much at all, maybe 1/2 quart low.

I'm running Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 year round here in Jersey.

:wow:That's amazing! The only time I've ever gotten more than 3000 miles on a quart was doing a quick turnaround trip from Arlington, Tx to Hartsville, SC. I'm going to have to take a complete look at that CCV system and dipstick tube on this interval.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

Really? All the m54 equipped cars I've owned leaked a quart or less on my 5000 - 7500 mile intervals. These were in 3 e46's though.

Interested to see if you CCV system is the issue.

I use acid type wheel cleaner to get baked in brake dust off. just don`t breath when using it?

I've always changed oil and filter at 5000 miles. I use Royal Purple 5-30. At oil change I am about 1/2 quart low. Consumption has been about that or a little less for many years.

any idea how to determine what kind of low beam bulbs one has?

I have a 2004 E53 3.0, would it be in the manuel?

Just got the "check side lights" message and determined it's my passenger low beam that needs to be replaced.

Maybe this is a perfect time to get an upgrade kit from bimmian? :)

thanks that seems to be what a lot of people have been saying especially for the baked brake dust

^Serb do you have xenon or halogen? "Check side lights" is usually the angel eye bulbs on the facelift models

Yep, or side market lights. Low beam failures should specify.

Interesting observation and exactly what we experience with my wife's e46 also. I wonder if there's that much difference between the 2.5L and 3.0L versions, although hers is a 2004 model and mine a 2002.

2002 X5 3.0 290,000 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles