There was a revision to the chain tensioner some years ago so if you have the original tensioner it is a very good idea to replace it with the new style.

Turned 368,000 miles this week. Miles might finally be catching up on it though as I notice a lot of underhood wire harness loom cracking away and oil pan gasket leaks actually leaving a drop on the driveway every now and then.


2002 X5 3.0 368,200 miles
2014 428i 65,100 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration - Engine dyno run results 443 lb ft at 3800 and 383 HP at 5400 with plenty of power yet to produce. Dyno load program wasn't matched to my carburetor secondary tip-in very well.

^ how often do you drain your X5s oil?

I go 7500-8000 between changes and averaging 800 to 1500 miles between quarts depending on the city/highway driving mix.

I’ve no idea if it’s the original or not since I’m not the original owner. I bought it from someone who got it from his grandfather that passed away. Not much info on the ax’s history. Might just be precautious and change it when I feel up to the challenge over the winter


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Tensioner is a ten minute job with the right tools. It's tricky to get the right socket to fit: the AC compressor is in the way so a deep socket won't fit and a shallow won't grab the tensioner. A medium depth 19mm with the right extension works or a though socket with extension also works.

3.0 diesel, 143k - changed trans this and transfer box oil because idiot prev owner had put wrong sized front tyres on causing all kinds of problems - correct tyres sorted problem and no apparent residual damage. Cracked exhaust manifold, changed to cast iron replacement. Rear suspension bushes and that's it in my ownership. Used for towing 1.4 ton caravan and achieves 28mpg when towing, 31mpg when not.

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Mine turned 315,000 (miles) over the weekend. Love the 3.0! :thumbup:

Just rolled past 245,000 miles this morning.

Pushing 255K on my 01 X5 3.0i, still running original brake and trans fluid, both trans and engine are still smooth as butter. Biggest expense so far was the airsuspension rear I should have done myself but didn't about $900, and the transfer case and front drive line/shaft that failed which set me back about $2600 total original BMW transfer case was ordered new for about $1800, plus $150 for an aftermarket drive shaft and about $600 in labor. About to do sub frame bushings and rear struts since I have the squeak waking up the neighborhoods I drive through. Any question on the original brake fluid read my more detailed post here I uploaded a long time ago. X5s today are nowhere near as good as the first generation. BMW I believe over built, over engineered the damn thing since they weren't sure how it would hold up. Once they figured out what they could get away with they shifted to lower quality parts and components in later models. Feel free to ask any questions