I once had an eccentric neighbor, a retired HS English teacher, who name her dog 'Mister Darcy.' I suppose X5Professor's 'Lizzy' naming comes from the same place ....

When that list starts getting longer you might start calling her something else. :D

You have no idea the list will get longer.

:iagree:Especially if he's treated to a case of stripped driveshaft splines.

2002 X5 3.0 263,250 miles
2004 325i 116,000 miles

How is your comment constructive?

He might want to pull the front driveshaft (which I understand can be done without removing the transfer case) and inspect the condition of the splines, or inquire whether or not a prior replacement was made. An Indy told me that replacement drive shafts used after 2008 corrected the spline insertion length issue, but I haven't been able to verify that. Mine was done in 2009 and used a "freshened up" transfer case. The original failed at 136,000 miles, and I've got 127,000 miles on this one so I'll be taking a look at it soon.

Believe me, of all the little quirky things we deal with like window regulators, FSRs, and expansion tanks, the only item which has really gotten my goat is that front driveshaft. I can't believe the NHTSA has not ordered a recall on a drivetrain component that could leave you stranded on a railroad crossing or rolling backwards down a boat ramp, nor can I believe that BMW's engineering was so inadequate on that component. The X5 is still the safest and best driving vehicle out there when it's running right though.

This is the one repair I am dreading on my pre-facelift, although I have 75k on mine, so I think I have time.

Are you saying there is a revised BMW driveshaft part # now? I know you can buy rebuilt driveshafts from Cobra Trans, etc which have the longer splines welded in place now as well.

The Indy told me there was a revision to the part, whether the tube portion was lengthened or the splines were, I'm not sure. I still have my old one, so I'm going to check the tube length for comparison. I did make sure to have the splines greased up extremely well on reassembly to reduce the possibility of rust in the coupling though.

No name. She's just my baby. Though some others, after taking a test drive, have called it "The Beast". I have shutdown 5.0 Mustang GTs.

Mine is named Nikki :) Most people call her bug blue.