My E70 Repairs So Far

zjuyyhu · 12-21-2023, 07:04 AM

I have been in this forum for a few years and really appreciate what everyone shared. I thought it might be helpful to share what I repaird so far for my 2012 X5 35i which I bought in 2011 and currently carries 120k miles. Here is the list:
2017: oil pan leak, quoted $2000 but decided not to fix it. No oil dripping and still do oil change once per year. ALWAYS use Mobil 1 0w40.
2019: water pump replacement, $600
2020: transfer case oil replacement, $200
2021: coolant line replacement, $200
2021: oil housing gaskets replacement, $400
2022: parking brake actuator replacement, $500
2023: had an accident and replaced front bump, oil cooler and several plastic parts: $1200
2023: check engine light on and intercooler gasket replacement, $200

Total repairs is about $3300 for the ownership of 12 years, which is not bad at all. The reason is that I am lucky to find a local mechanic who is skilled in repairing European cars and only charges $80-100/hour for labor. Of course, I didn’t include regular maintenance cost including oil changes, tires, brake services, etc. However, I still wanted to say owning a BMW CAN be affordable.

wcs531 · 12-21-2023, 09:03 AM

Thanks for sharing, sounds like you've had a pretty reliable example.

The water pump and oil filter housing gaskets are pretty much regular maintenance on the n55. Also are you sure $600 for the water pump is correct? I thought they were $1000+ easily ($400 part and a few hours in labor).

zjuyyhu · 12-21-2023, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcs531

Thanks for sharing, sounds like you've had a pretty reliable example.

The water pump and oil filter housing gaskets are pretty much regular maintenance on the n55. Also are you sure $600 for the water pump is correct? I thought they were $1000+ easily ($400 part and a few hours in labor).

Yes, parts were $400 and I paid $200 for labor (2.5 hours) back in 2019.

CarFan · 12-24-2023, 02:23 PM

My 2013 X5 3.5 has also been relatively trouble free. I got it in August of 2013. Just passed 73k.

2021: front passenger door grip replaced $135
2022: oil housing gaskets $725.00
2022: self closing door motor front passenger replaced $189.00
2022: front and rear brake job $425.00
2023: water pump and thermostat Replacement $1125

zjuyyhu · 12-24-2023, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarFan

My 2013 X5 3.5 has also been relatively trouble free. I got it in August of 2013. Just passed 73k.

2021: front passenger door grip replaced $135
2022: oil housing gaskets $725.00
2022: self closing door motor front passenger replaced $189.00
2022: front and rear brake job $425.00
2023: water pump and thermostat Replacement $1125

Thanks for sharing! It is amazing to see you just replaced your water pump after 10 years! Mine was failed on highway at around 50k miles. I remember the water pump was actually recalled for some years.

SF07e70 · 12-27-2023, 08:57 PM

No coil packs or valve cover gasket replacement?

zjuyyhu · 12-28-2023, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF07e70

No coil packs or valve cover gasket replacement?

Not yet. Do I need to replace now or wait until they failed? Thanks!

Daytonawim · 12-28-2023, 10:38 AM

The valve cover and gasket, you could wait until it’s leaking.

Or you could do it when replacing sparkplugs and coils, then you need to remove Some stuff only one time.

X5-35d · 02-07-2024, 01:53 PM

You guys have been pretty fortunate. My issues started mostly after it crossed the 100K mark.
1. EGR Cooler Asm.
2. Airbag seat occupancy sensor
3. Door soft closes (Driver, Passenger and Rear LH)
4. Particulate filter
5. Glow plugs

And now I have the dreaded diesel leak in my ECU that I'm working through. I worked on most of the above, so my cost was mostly the parts.

12-21-2023, 07:04 AM	#1
zjuyyhu New Member 15 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 35i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	My E70 Repairs So Far I have been in this forum for a few years and really appreciate what everyone shared. I thought it might be helpful to share what I repaird so far for my 2012 X5 35i which I bought in 2011 and currently carries 120k miles. Here is the list: 2017: oil pan leak, quoted $2000 but decided not to fix it. No oil dripping and still do oil change once per year. ALWAYS use Mobil 1 0w40. 2019: water pump replacement, $600 2020: transfer case oil replacement, $200 2021: coolant line replacement, $200 2021: oil housing gaskets replacement, $400 2022: parking brake actuator replacement, $500 2023: had an accident and replaced front bump, oil cooler and several plastic parts: $1200 2023: check engine light on and intercooler gasket replacement, $200 Total repairs is about $3300 for the ownership of 12 years, which is not bad at all. The reason is that I am lucky to find a local mechanic who is skilled in repairing European cars and only charges $80-100/hour for labor. Of course, I didn’t include regular maintenance cost including oil changes, tires, brake services, etc. However, I still wanted to say owning a BMW CAN be affordable.
	Appreciate 2 wcs53196.50 StradaRedlands4940.50 Tweet Quote

12-21-2023, 09:03 AM	#2
wcs531 Second Lieutenant 97 Rep 281 Posts Drives: E90 335xi / E70 X5d Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (1)	Thanks for sharing, sounds like you've had a pretty reliable example. The water pump and oil filter housing gaskets are pretty much regular maintenance on the n55. Also are you sure $600 for the water pump is correct? I thought they were $1000+ easily ($400 part and a few hours in labor).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-24-2023, 02:23 PM	#4
CarFan First Lieutenant 47 Rep 389 Posts Drives: 2013 X5 3.5 Premium Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Mercedes E400 ... [0.00] 2008 Porsche Cayman S [10.00] 2020 Chevrolet Subu ... [0.00] 2013 X5 Premium 3.5 [0.00] 2017 Nissan Titan SV [0.00]	My 2013 X5 3.5 has also been relatively trouble free. I got it in August of 2013. Just passed 73k. 2021: front passenger door grip replaced $135 2022: oil housing gaskets $725.00 2022: self closing door motor front passenger replaced $189.00 2022: front and rear brake job $425.00 2023: water pump and thermostat Replacement $1125
	Appreciate 1 StradaRedlands4940.50 Quote

12-27-2023, 08:57 PM	#6
SF07e70 Private 26 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2007 X5 3.0 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	No coil packs or valve cover gasket replacement?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-28-2023, 10:38 AM	#8
Daytonawim Private First Class 78 Rep 138 Posts Drives: X5 E70 LCI 3.5i 2012 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	The valve cover and gasket, you could wait until it’s leaking. Or you could do it when replacing sparkplugs and coils, then you need to remove Some stuff only one time.
	Appreciate 1 zjuyyhu15.00 Quote

02-07-2024, 01:53 PM	#9
X5-35d Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: X5 35d Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	You guys have been pretty fortunate. My issues started mostly after it crossed the 100K mark. 1. EGR Cooler Asm. 2. Airbag seat occupancy sensor 3. Door soft closes (Driver, Passenger and Rear LH) 4. Particulate filter 5. Glow plugs And now I have the dreaded diesel leak in my ECU that I'm working through. I worked on most of the above, so my cost was mostly the parts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote