Misc X5M questions

[P6]

Picked up a new-to-me 2011 X5M a couple weeks ago. Spent some time this weekend detailing, checking fluids, etc. Couple questions.

1. What is this small reservoir in the first pic, just left of the oil filler cap? Is it a secondary coolant tank? Not shown in the manual. Second pic is the coolant overflow tank.

2. Third pic is of my rear tire. 8/32 tread left but inside shoulder is showing increased wear. Both sides are the same. Camber and toe are within spec. Is this a common, expected wear pattern?

3. Guess what I cleaned with this rag? Same color front and back.

4. last pic is of armrest with half cleaned for reference.

[RWilky]

The first pic is for the intercoolers.
I'm going to say no on the tire wear.
And I'm going to guess brake dust on the rag.

[SteveMD]

+1. The intercoolers are air to water and have their own coolant reservoir. That is the cap for it.

[P6]

Thanks. What fluid do you put in the intercooler reservoir? I drew some out to check it and it was blue.

Rag is from the steering wheels? Disgusting.

[RWilky]

Originally Posted by P6

Thanks. What fluid do you put in the intercooler reservoir? I drew some out to check it and it was blue.

Rag is from the steering wheels? Disgusting.

Same fluid as the engine coolant.

[PAX5]

Originally Posted by P6

Picked up a new-to-me 2011 X5M a couple weeks ago. Spent some time this weekend detailing, checking fluids, etc. Couple questions.

2. Third pic is of my rear tire. 8/32 tread left but inside shoulder is showing increased wear. Both sides are the same. Camber and toe are within spec. Is this a common, expected wear pattern?

Show us the measurements, and I'll tell you if they are optimized. They may be in spec, but the BMW spec is so w i d e, it will cause abnormal wear as you are experiencing.

[P6]

Originally Posted by PAX5

Show us the measurements, and I'll tell you if they are optimized. They may be in spec, but the BMW spec is so w i d e, it will cause abnormal wear as you are experiencing.

I don't have any current alignment results on a pro rack. I have a toe tool and did a quick measurement in the driveway. Looking at about 1/8" toe in. Eyeballing the camber, it looks like about -2.0. What is the consensus for specs to minimize rear inner tire wear? I suppose I could go down to 1/16 toe in and a little less negative camber in the rear, but I don't want to adversely affect handling. Front is also about 1/8" toe in and tire wear looks fine.

[PAX5]

Originally Posted by P6

I don't have any current alignment results on a pro rack. I have a toe tool and did a quick measurement in the driveway. Looking at about 1/8" toe in. Eyeballing the camber, it looks like about -2.0. What is the consensus for specs to minimize rear inner tire wear? I suppose I could go down to 1/16 toe in and a little less negative camber in the rear, but I don't want to adversely affect handling. Front is also about 1/8" toe in and tire wear looks fine.

Attached are my recommendations: these are optimized for minimal (shoulder) tire wear without a severe compromise in handling and within BMW specs, albeit on the edge for toe-in.

Let me know how it works.

[P6]

I'll give those specs a try.

You're probably getting pretty response turn-in with that front toe setting. Do you find it tramlines? I like 0 front toe on my 1M but it will wander a bit more. The X5 is my wife's truck and she would be more interested in straight line stability.

Is there much adjustability in front camber? I can see why people complain about eating front outside shoulders. O camber will do that.