Absolutely agree with you...It is interesting to me how many people invest in car audio and neglect engine internals aside from regular oil changes...It's funny that many people think that a "well maintained" vehicle means that one changes oil during normal intervals...

Awesome , I must be just as insane .. what people don't get is BMW in general are addicting. The X5 is unique and becomes a obsession cleaning, maintaining , modding, and or course driving lol

Mybest dealer story is the guy who brought in a 1 year old vehicle with 38,000 miles on the original oil and filter. After it tossed a few internal parts due to the lack of oil, he dropped it off by a roll back tow and demanded that this was normal usage and should be covered under warranty. After all, 5 people in his office had skipped a few oil changes and nothing happened. It is only bad build quality from the manufacturer that caused it.

The factory rep came by, laughed at the oil pan contents, and then yellow high lighted the owners manual for the owner. It was not pretty.

The oil was 80% grit and the filter had stopped working and had gone to "bypass mode" somewhere along the way. The interior looked like a homeless person was living in it. It was left on the lower lot until it was sold off as a junker one year later.

Oh, did I mention that the last time it was washed was by the new car prep dept?

I like this one even better....

"Intro thread I just bought my new E53 / X5 / 4.6iS / 4.8iS isn't my car so awesome and bad ass I love this thing etc etc here is my mod list"

Then 3 months later...

"Well my indy inspected it when before I bought it and he said it looked awesome I don't know how I just spent 3k on repairs between the cooling system maintenace I had to fix the air suspension and replace a bunch of leaking gaskets, I don't have the money for these kind of repairs I'll be buying premier membership and it will be for sale in the classifieds soon"

Rolling audio. You think they would understand the word "Rolling" means it has to be "running" first.

Kind of like daily drivers. The number one most important thing it should do is start every morning, and drive to point B. EVERYTHING else is optional. I think I can live without the under car and wheel well lights till then.

I believe I was reading on here that someone just purchased a 4.8 without completing a PPI and has run into some major maintenance associated with purchased mileage...I don't remember the title of the post...

Wait...That one is up on the forum at least twice this month and it is only the 9th!

StephenVA, I assume that you work for a BMW dealership? You must have seen some funny things...I can just imagine...

I forgot the add
Suspension: Gee, heavy HiPo cars chew up the parts that keep them "light on their feet" Really? Who Knew?

I was reading on the Ferrari owner site (yes, I am looking for at a 360) and on that model the motor mount are a 20k normal miles replacement item. Along with the belts, plugs, and $5K worth of parts to get to them. And we bitch about Pano Roofs!

In a previous life, I worked in the Automotive world for 20 years.
Diagnostic equipment, Champion Spark Plugs, the last years with a $14 billion automotive parts manufacturer. We built OE and aftermarket parts, including engine management, clutches, Fuel system, emissions. I worked at a dealer for 3 year before all that. Now I just go and visit friends who own shops and enjoy the stuff that limps in with the expectations of a “cheap fix” for the total lack of up keep. The average car comes in for one thing at a repair shop, after an inspection, 5- 10 items need to be addressed under safety and maintenance. Maintenance Deferred is the normal American practice.
I was totally shocked when I first got into the automotive business after college, as I grew up in a large family who did everything on cars. No trash left behind, washed when dirty, detailed monthly, and that was with 7 kids! The car was an investment and part of the family.

In the repair world you hear every day "It's only a car".