Scared to buy X5M...is it a maintenance nightmare?

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by bad///Mechanic

Wow. This thread is exactly what I needed. New member here. Purchased my '13 X5 M with 107k miles on it a few weeks ago.

Coming from a Jeep that's old enough to drink to my first Bimmer, I'm in love but also terrified. I'm a DIY mechanic and not afraid of doing my own maintenance and repairs, but I know I'm lacking a lot of knowledge! ...and BMW TIS

I just changed the oil with Castrol Edge 5w30 and tightened up the oil pump chain tension per Sophisticated Redneck's "Something every X5M and 50i owner should check." thread. Mine looked exactly like that video so I'm glad I did!

Looks like my to-do list just got significantly longer.

Welcome to the family! Glad that video helped. I would add 2 cans of Liqui-Moly MOS2 to your oil also. I think its key to getting long life in these engines. IMHO it adds protection for the crank and rod bearings during LSPI (superknock) events that our engines can be prone to. Its best to premix the MOS2 with some oil and then poor it in so I would drain about a liter out (or wait until it burns about a liter of oil) and then mix the two cans with half a liter of oil and poor it in. Run the engine right away so it mixes properly with the rest of the oil.

PM me for info on how to get TIS.

[M3jamaica]

UPDATE
this Saturday I'm going to test drive both the e70 x5M and the f85. They are 4hr away from me so it's the first time going to actually see them in person. I can test drive both ,that will help make my choice.

[black_beast]

Originally Posted by M3jamaica

UPDATE
this Saturday I'm going to test drive both the e70 x5M and the f85. They are 4hr away from me so it's the first time going to actually see them in person. I can test drive both ,that will help make my choice.

Update?

[M3jamaica]

Good morning. Yes driving both it was very clear, F85 200%. It just feels newer and up to date, interior is way nicer and the gearbox makes a big difference. Once i was driving the F85 for 2 minutes i had no more doubts , going to collect it on Friday.

[conmar]

Originally Posted by M3jamaica

Good morning. Yes driving both it was very clear, F85 200%. It just feels newer and up to date, interior is way nicer and the gearbox makes a big difference. Once i was driving the F85 for 2 minutes i had no more doubts , going to collect it on Friday.

Congrats and good luck

[BMW-SRT]

I skimmed through most of the thread but did anyone bring up the huge issue with the S63 engine(all gens), regardless of regular maintenance.
Spun bearings!

My 13 x5m made it to 90K miles, my wife was leaving target and while driving through the lot bam engine failed, at the time we hardly drove the car, only when she needed the cargo area. I have read of some S63tu engines going at 40k miles so I guess i was lucky mine lasted as long as it did.

Luckily we have other cars and the x5m is just sitting in the garage, i was recently in the market for a SUV and as much as I wanted a new model x5m i dont trust the s63 engine of any generation, I opted to get my wife a glc63.

we also have a c63s which share the same engine as the glc so I knew those engines are solid. We do love the x5m so we eventually plan to replace the engine, but in no hurry at all..

[bad///Mechanic]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Welcome to the family! Glad that video helped. I would add 2 cans of Liqui-Moly MOS2 to your oil also. I think its key to getting long life in these engines. IMHO it adds protection for the crank and rod bearings during LSPI (superknock) events that our engines can be prone to. Its best to premix the MOS2 with some oil and then poor it in so I would drain about a liter out (or wait until it burns about a liter of oil) and then mix the two cans with half a liter of oil and poor it in. Run the engine right away so it mixes properly with the rest of the oil.

PM me for info on how to get TIS.

Thanks, and will do! I think I have to post a few more messages before the forum let's me PM...

[TTV8M]

Bmw TIS. You mentioned you have access?

Will send a PM

[OscarX6M]

Originally Posted by TTV8M

Bmw TIS. You mentioned you have access?

Will send a PM

What's bmw tis

[TTV8M]

All the technical ish like torque specs, diagrams, etc. It's mostly contained in the ISTA software, but it's a nice searchable website at https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/#/login

But it's paid membership by the day, month, or year. Probably don't need it if you have the updated version of ISTA. But let's see red's opinion.

[TTV8M]

whats your thoughts on adding lucas to the mix? or is that overkill and rather should stick to:

"Liqui Moly 5-40 Leichtlauf High Tech oil plus 2 cans of the Mos2 additive and changing your oil every 5k miles"

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

I am closing in on 180K miles on my 50i, which uses the same engine as the M minus the forged pistons and turbo/intake upgrades. I've had it modded and tuned to M power levels for 70K of those miles. Key to long life with this engine IMHO is using Liqui Moly 5-40 Leichtlauf High Tech oil plus 2 cans of the Mos2 additive and changing your oil every 5k miles.

Preventative Maintence you should do now, not so much of the miles but because of the age:

Replace all of your plugs and coils. Upgrade to NGK if you plan on tuning, otherwise get the OEM Bosch plugs and save the M tax. Eldor brand coils are the best for our platform.

Replace the Head to Head coolant line and upgrade the plastic Y junction to metal.

Replace the Plastic T's in the turbo coolant lines with Metal (Some M's have metal already)

Replace all of your CCV lines, especially lines that connect to your lower intakes.

Inspect all of your vacuum lines, including the ones that run back to the muffler flaps. If any of them appear to be drying out, replace them all with silicone lines.

Change your transmission, rear diff, front diff, and transfer case oils. Even though you have low mileage, the oil is a decade old and should be changed (assuming previous owner has not touched.

Change your Engine Coolant and Intercooler coolant if it has not been done yet. Note that there are special bleed procedures on both explained in BMW TIS

Inspect Power steering fluid and change if needed.


Realoem.com is the best place to look up parts and their oem Equivalents.

If you don't have BMW TIS, PM one of us here to get setup. You will need this if you plan on doing the work yourself.

Download and install ISTA or buy prebuilt laptop off ebay and get a D-CAN cable. Protools is second choice and Foxwell NT510 or higher is 3rd choice. You will need one of these to do basic service functions. Highly recommend ISTA or Protools. ISTA is pain in ass to install and use but most powerful and is full diagnostic suite for the E70.

You Should be good until around 100-120k+. Then expect increased oil usage and need to do valve stem seals.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by TTV8M

whats your thoughts on adding lucas to the mix? or is that overkill and rather should stick to:

"Liqui Moly 5-40 Leichtlauf High Tech oil plus 2 cans of the Mos2 additive and changing your oil every 5k miles"

I think lucas makes some good additives but never used that combo before. I would recommend just sticking with the Mos2 by itself. I believe that is what really is making the difference and adding another additive would be an experiment on how the two would interact. You could reach out to LM and see what they say if any possible conflicts.