Problems/Issues/Maintenance since 2 yrs of ownership all were DIY.
 

Hi Folks,

I have had my X5 2005 for 2 years now and here are all the problems i had and fixed.

1. Radiator Expansion tank : Blew up hairline leak bursting all the coolant while on the highway. Car overheated.. stupid of me to drive 10 miles stop and go without coolant. Fortunately no head gasket failure. INDY fixed costed $450

2. Car over heated despite the repair from INDY. So did my own research and did a complete cooling system over haul DIY
- changed water pump (Metallic one), Thermostat, coolant, upper radiator hose. serpentine, ac belts. costed. $350 parts + tools

3. Replaced the spark plugs : DIY cost $65 for spark plugs from Amazon

4. broken Door handle : Replaced the carrier DIY : $50 for parts from ebay

5. panaromic moon roof stuck : No repair.. considering the cost.. so just careful not to lift the glass up for now.

6. Wiper motor failures : Both the wiper fluid motors failed with rust. Opened the motors, sanded the rust away. oiled up then used silicone sealant to avoid water contact. No COST DIY. New motors are around $20 piece on ebay.

7. Valve cover gasket : Found oil loss consistently. So replaced the Valve cover gaskets. Found the spark plug gaskets so Brittle. Had to be very careful to clean it all. Costed $100 parts DIY

8. A/C condenser aux fan not working : Too expensive to replace.. so trying to retrofit an aftermarket motor into the old frame. Any ideas ???

9. Auto head lights behaving erratically. doesn't turn on while dark. delayed start.

forgot a few more : ( losing track of things :( )
10. CV boots
11. power steering reservoir and flush.
12. Battery
13. Front brakes


Don't you all think these repairs are too much in 2 years of ownership.
questions me on the reliability.. I learnt a lot on DIY activities.. but is it worth it ??
This is my first BMW and none of my other cars i had to go thru this much of DIY stuff.

Just a thought. Please share your experiences..

Here are my repairs/preventative maintenance in 1.5 years:

1) Front air struts replaced, air compressor replaced to fix air suspension

2) PREVENTATIVE* Replaced AC and alternator belts, tensioners, and idler pulley

3) PREVENTATIVE* Brake flush/clutch flush

4) PREVENTATIVE* Changed trans fluid/transfer case/front and rear diff fluids

5) Replaced tension struts, rear sway bar end links, rear sway bar bushings, front control arm ball joints, wishbone control arms, and front sway bar bushings

6) PREVENTATIVE* Spark plugs and lower intake boot

7) Fan clutch, and headlight leveling rods replaced

8) Passenger door handle carrier

9) PREVENTATIVE* DISA valve gasket

10) Tires replaced (dry rotted originals) and new wheels fitted with tires

11) Front wheel bearings and outer CV boots (To be done this coming week), car was owned in Yonkers NY previously so i'm sure someone hit a pothole or bump hard, the right side is definitely loose but I'm doing both bearings to be sure of no problems up front anymore



Overall my wife is not too happy with the money we put into it since owning it, I keep telling myself its cheaper than a car payment though...

How difficult was the coolant expansion tank replace? Mine needs to be done. I'm hoping it doesn't blow anytime soon!

Not sure if you intended for this thread to become a list for everyone, but what the hell. I've had my 4.8is for just over two years as well. From 50k to almost 80k now. I should knock on wood as my list is fairly short, but I'm coming up on some key items (valve cover gaskets, plugs, belts, etc.). Just before the factory warranty was up, the PO had his dealer go through the air ride system and replace a few finicky items so I've been lucky in that arena.

-Both front air struts replaced with Arnott units
-Power Steering hoses (being done right now)
-Front Control Arm bushings
-Battery (although that was a mess in itself, lol)

would you guys buy another BMW again?

I have had a slough of issues on my e70 thy I can't even keep track off the too of my head anymore.
Currently, my vacuum pump, water pump, valve cover gaskets and running cover gaskets need replacing.

expansion tank blew a crack. Coolant everywhere
sand and debris in my headlights
Cracked rim on a spotless wheel
peeling steering wheel buttons
new battery (windows were opening on their own)
sunroof gator fell off
soft close mechanism fell off in door

I have a lot more but can't think of it right now.
Thinking about trading it in at a huge loss for a Lexus. Exactly one year of ownership.

1.5 years

Cooling hoses
Water pump
All idler pulleys and tensioners and belts
Oil pressure sensor x 2
Power steering reservoir and hoses
Valve cover gaskets
Front cv boots
Right front cv joint
All front suspension components
Prv valves
Thermostat

That doesn't include 2 oil changes, spark plugs and air filters

Through my life I always spend the most on a car at the beginning because being a DIYer you prefer to replace something before it becomes an issue which requires you to work harder and you also know what needs replacing. It seems to longer you own it the cheaper it becomes per year

I can hear the blower motor going but my wife just says, "I turn the radio up and it doesn't bother me". Case in point

If you sell a used car after less than 2 years you do yourself am injustice in my opinion because you have just spent all this money so somebody else can enjoy it. "There's always something" because its a machine and machines need constant maintenance, and these x's are like super models, they look and feel good but are high maintenance

4 years,
transfer case actuator motor and oil
valve cover gasket
spark plugs
transmission oil and filter change
angel eye lights
Both tension strut bushings
both Wishbone
both wheel suspension joint
both belts and pulley
alternator
thermostat

Unfortunately, the only fix for the AC condenser fan motor is to replace the unit with the same. AC fan motor receive a signal from the DME and sends back a signal to the DME to tell that it is working. Without this sophisticate communication, between the two, the DME will think that the fan motor is broken so it will not engage the compressor. I just replaced mine and the AC is blowing ice cold again.

I have had mine for 4 months and I've already had to replace an engine! :nanana:

I agree with you... we should enjoy the time effort and money that we put on this machine.. But am worried is this all or there are some more issues down the road... ??