How the deuce do you link pictures. Do they have to be in my Gallery?

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

go to imgur.com - upload you pic.

Copy the direct link, and click on the little insert image button ontop of the post editor, clear out the existing http in there, paste link, and click ok.

Congrats and welcome

:shizzle:

A GIAGANTATRON +1!

It's really irritating when some clown writes in "Get ready to spend money on xxx.!" Or "Hope you're a great mechanic!" The community is UNDER SERVED by this kind of crap. It chases people away from the board AND from the brand. They may think they're being 'realistic' or whatever. IMO, They're being a big ole collective Negative Nancy :loser:

:explode:

I drove an i6 for 7 years. It had about as much monthly expense as the 4.8is I've driven for the past 3. My mother in law has had an i6 since new at 13 years now. I've had my E39 540 (V8) for 14 years and the i6 330 for 12 years. They're all BMWs and they are ALL expensive when they break. A new owner is either ready for that or not, but let's give him the benefit of a nice welcome rather than a crappy outlook.

Great thoughts. I own a few BMWs I6 and V8s as well. All are GREAT cars, everyone of one of them. Each has its own characteristics, everyone one of which is good. Owning a BWM is not for everyone. They are expensive to maintain compared to lesser cars. If you can turn a wrench, tighten a screw, have more than one thumb, and can follow written and visual instructions, they can be a DIY project, thereby reducing your total cost of ownership.

This forum is a great example of the collective knowledge of many owners who over the last 10 years+ have opened their heads and shared their experiences (some good, some bad) on how to keep these SUV Beast up and running 100%. Some owners have moved on to newer models, some wondered off in the automotive world in search of something shiny, some even joined the minivan world as kids came along. Some even share things they should keep to themselves…like “What did you find in your X5” topic? WOW WOW !@#@!

Now that many are reaching the 10 year 120K mark, all the NORMAL repairs and preventive maintenance of HI-PO vehicles, are reaching out and touching our collective body of owners. Is it expensive to keep them up? No, compared to a car payment of a $70,000+++. Cheap actually. My own cars/SAV are Washed weekly by hand & detailed, and then Waxed 3-6 times a year, clients ask me all the time if it is new. Most of them equate cleanliness with newness, as their own vehicles are run through the local “beat it with a dirty spinning brush” car wash annually.

Like what has been posted before, WELCOME everyone to the ownership family of BMW E53 X5s. As second, third, and even fourth owners, please search the forum (especially the Articles link above) and see what has already been written on your challenge, BEFORE you post, “I have this problem”. Someone has already experienced it long ago. Post to it and revive the topic for us all to share in your approach. This process is called knowledge sharing.

Hit the loud petal on your way today and enjoy the rush…That is why we own ‘em!

Congratulations and welcome!

Well said my friend. Keep em cleaned, keep em well maintained, and you will surprise most on the streets. "Oh that car is 11 years old? It looks so new" is what I get most of the time, I take pride in that.

Definitely get to searching bc 99% of stuff has been covered before, read through all the FAQ's and tips and tricks before posting any new threads, chances are we've solved the problem many times over the past 10+ years.

Indy Labor - 89-100/Hr (must find a honest mechanic)
Dealership - 150-200/Hr
DIY - Free (only if you have the time, patience and skills)

These are very technical stuff (Mechanical Aspect)
- Tools Investment (some are specialized for BMW)
- BMW specific diagnostics softwares and cable / multiplexer / interface
Old/Used or New Laptop
- TIS or Bentley Manual
- OE versus Alternative OEM
- Not all have a lift and space to work


I'd rather know the weak points as early as possible (if that's what you call negative nancy, clown, crappy outlook) so be it.

You and I have all the good and bad experiences why can't we share that to the new owners?

I am not offended by any means. Just like you said we are all BMW owners, just different outlook and opinion which is good for true collaboration (This is a free forum right?) I encourage freedom of speech( positive or negative stuff ) like good cop and bad cop :)

Trying to post this photo...

http://i.imgur.com/E0JgwuC.jpg

A family member!

Thank god, another addition with a great rare color combo.....It seems like 80% of the X5s 4.8is are in black or LeMans Blue. Welcome brother to the forum.