Formal Introduction
 

I posted yesterday asking for help putting together a "must have" list of tools for doing basic maintenance on an 2002 X5 3.0d that I was going to buy. Well... here it is! Took all day to get it done, but she's home. 124,000k, complete maintenance records from dealership. Previous owner had 20" wheels on it, but I'm buying it for comfort so I had him put the originals back on it. (All four of the 20"ers had been repaired at some point...) Looked fine, but kind of defeats one of the main reasons why I bought it in the first place.

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Welcome aboard!!! nice 20"... but you are right, with the potholes in SJ, you need the 17"!!!

I had my X there for 2.5 years, drove to Managua and to Panama City (through Cierra de la Muerte!!!), killed the suspension there (replaced the parts at least twice when there, and again, after we left)
yours looks good, the headlights are clear, the paint looks good...

I did the tire changes at the Costco but did not buy the complete set in CR, too expensive... a local fellow (Raul) detailed the car once a week, for about 7000 colones... now it is probably 10000 colones...

I lived in Escazu - where are you at?

I live in San Isidro, (on the other side of the Cerro de la Muerte). Fortunately I don't have to go to San Jose much and most of the time when I do we go up the coast. Don't know how long ago you left but the coastal highway is paved all the way up now so it only takes about 30 minutes longer than the mountain but it's a far less brutal trip (on the vehicle and on my back!). It's a shame they'll never resurface the Pan American Highway over the Cerro, that would be a blast to drive in the right kind of vehicle. I'm from NC originally but been here since 2003.

i was in CR from 2007 to 2009... Nice place, very nice people... but their roads suck - with the rainy season, no wonder half of the roads would wash away...

Welcome! I'm pretty new here myself the people on this forum are great one of the best online forums communities I've seen in a long time. Very active community which is rare these days with forums in general.
There's a wealth of knowledge and experience lurking in the shadows lol I think in general it's more like we're all the in the same boat as a family and it's not as competitive as some other car forums it really is all about how to help one another with their issues and mods.
I think in general BMW/X5 owners just love the cars that's why so we enjoy seeing what's being done to them..
See you around the X5 looks great!

That's exactly what I was looking for. I've always admired BMWs from a "safe" distance and am stoked to finally have one of my own. As a first time owner, and as one living abroad, it's nice to know that there is a community willing to help out.

You left too soon! This was an election year so the road workers were out in full force resurfacing, you know, "por el bien del pueblo". So for the next 6 months (until the end of the incoming rainy season) it will actually be nice to drive here!