New owner X5 F15 high miles

[Rossh93]

After some great help by other members in the newbie section I have paid my deposit on a 64 plate x5 Msport 30d with many added extras! Such as pan roof/ comfort seats / surround camera / cold weather pack / reverse cam pro nav etc/ Main concern is 108k miles but with full bmw service history ! 2 owners with the last few years the car has covered a lot of motorway miles ( positive). It comes with a full Mot no advisories.. my only issue being the tyres I’m unsure if it’s always had * marked ones however I’ll be doing this instantly and getting the gearbox serviced.

Anyone got a rough price for this from bmw or shall I take it to an Indy? (Any suggestions in the Glasgow / North Lanarkshire area )

I’ll upload pics this week after collection.

Any other major things I should consider doing right away?
It’s having front shocks replaced today also.

Used prices are crazy so I was priced out a lower mileage one unfortunately so this was just shy of £20k including wheel refurb and done gloss black ( car is space grey) which seemed around fair going by other listings on the net with some covering 120k miles and priced £22/23k

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated

Happy Monday!!

Buzzing but nervous

[StuBeeDoo]

Congrats on your purchase.

BMW don't service transmissions. Look for a ZF approved service centre. My local charged me £640 a few weeks ago for what they call a "driveline service" - transmission, both diffs and transfer box.

As it's an MSport, it will have staggered tyres. Don't be taken-in by the old "brand new tyres have 8mm tread depth", they don't. If you replace the tyres (you've already read of the necessity for * marked ones) check the tread depths as soon as you get home. BMW's recommendations for tyre wear go by circumference, not diameter. I can't remember the actual differential front to rear figure, but it doesn't equate to very much in terms of tread depths, but you will find that there is a difference in tread depth between front and rear to keep the circumference within tolerance.

I'd recommend a full geometry check ASAP, too.

[Rossh93]

Congrats on your purchase.

BMW don't service transmissions. Look for a ZF approved service centre. My local charged me £640 a few weeks ago for what they call a "driveline service" - transmission, both diffs and transfer box.

As it's an MSport, it will have staggered tyres. Don't be taken-in by the old "brand new tyres have 8mm tread depth", they don't. If you replace the tyres (you've already read of the necessity for * marked ones) check the tread depths as soon as you get home. BMW's recommendations for tyre wear go by circumference, not diameter. I can't remember the actual differential front to rear figure, but it doesn't equate to very much in terms of tread depths, but you will find that there is a difference in tread depth between front and rear to keep the circumference within tolerance.

I'd recommend a full geometry check ASAP, too.

Thanks for the reply and heads up on some things to check.
Tyres will be first on my list followed by gearbox service at an Indy locally. Any recommendations on tyre types to keep the correct * ones.

I’m buzzing for the car but also quietly bricking it due to the mileage but good history and lots of receipts and 30k motorway miles in the last year or so not all bad!

Hopefully it lasts another 50k miles no bother !

[Wayfarer]

Congratulations on your x5, great spec, tyres are important, BMW say the tread difference between any tyre is 2mm assuming all the tyres are the same make, type and of similar age, this is from the info I got when I recently replaced a tyre, star rated are recommended by BMW to avoid any potential transmission issues. I’ll try and find and post the text when I find it for your info, although someone may post it on here before I find it.

The 3 litre Diesel engine is capable of very high mileages, if looked after, personally I get the oil and filter done yearly, but motorway miles is normally good for a car as everything warms up properly.

[StuBeeDoo]

.......bricking it due to the mileage

I used to be hung-up about the mileage on mine (it's just turned 9 years old and has done 107k). As long as you change the engine oil & filter regularly you should be fine. Some people do theirs every 10k, I choose 6k. I've been doing my own servicing for over 40 years, and although I understand that today's synthetic oils are far superior to Castrol GTX of the 1970s and quite possibly will keep their lubricating properties for 18k miles it bothers me that BMW specify such a small oil filter.

As for tyres, I can't answer that one. My F25 has a "square" set-up, which IMHO is slightly less likely to encounter transmission wind-up. I do know, from posts by X5Sport, that *marked tyre supplies have become a bit patchy.

[Wayfarer]

Found it, the tyre info as supplied by by local dealer

BMW Tyre Info .jpg (49.18 KiB) Viewed 13270 times

[Rossh93]

Congratulations on your x5, great spec, tyres are important, BMW say the tread difference between any tyre is 2mm assuming all the tyres are the same make, type and of similar age, this is from the info I got when I recently replaced a tyre, star rated are recommended by BMW to avoid any potential transmission issues. I’ll try and find and post the text when I find it for your info, although someone may post it on here before I find it.

The 3 litre Diesel engine is capable of very high mileages, if looked after, personally I get the oil and filter done yearly, but motorway miles is normally good for a car as everything warms up properly.

Thanks for the advice on this and much appreciated for uploading that photo, very useful to myself and probably others.

Looking forward to picking the car up later in the week and will get photos up.
I’ll book it in for a health check and get alignment etc checked over and change tyres along with a general maintenance service which I’ll probs stick to dealer or Indy whatever is available first.

Thanks again!!

[Rossh93]

.......bricking it due to the mileage

I used to be hung-up about the mileage on mine (it's just turned 9 years old and has done 107k). As long as you change the engine oil & filter regularly you should be fine. Some people do theirs every 10k, I choose 6k. I've been doing my own servicing for over 40 years, and although I understand that today's synthetic oils are far superior to Castrol GTX of the 1970s and quite possibly will keep their lubricating properties for 18k miles it bothers me that BMW specify such a small oil filter.

As for tyres, I can't answer that one. My F25 has a "square" set-up, which IMHO is slightly less likely to encounter transmission wind-up. I do know, from posts by X5Sport, that *marked tyre supplies have become a bit patchy.

Yeh I’ve never bought a car with more than 70k for a long time which was an old 07 Astra Sri 1.9cdti lol that had 120k when I got it and sold it at 145k still pulling nicely!

Yes regular maintenance is key!

Appreciate the useful information also!

Hopefully get back with more updates later in the week!

[Rossh93]

Update l**

I have the car and very happy with it, finding more all the time spec wise which is great!

Car is not on star marked tyres so I aim to have these changed and with 109k miles I’m getting a transmission service as mentioned above which will included transfer and diffs also, need to wait until jan though so should be all good.

Car does have a slight rumble / vibration feeling at times when driving, nothing major just ever so slightly and I have noticed steering sits slightly off so could be alignment which it’s booked into the dealer for a vehicle inspection etc this week so hopefully have it all sorted and hopefully not too costly

Thanks for all the wonderful advice it really has been a huge help!

PS will get pics up during the week once fully valeted again now the wheels have been done

[X5Sport]

The 'rumble' might be a warning sign about the tyres. What's the tread depth variance and are they all the same brand/type? If there is any sign of jerkiness at walking pace on full lock that it an even bigger warning of the transmission not liking the tyres fitted. Ignoring that warning can be 'expensive!'.

Tracking/.Steering alignment is a common issue with these cars, and a full 4-wheel laser alignment with Hunter (preferred by many on here) hardware every couple of years (and certainly if new tyres have just been put on) is with doing. Costs about £80 from memory.

I use Continental ContactSport 5's on the X6 (20" wheel set) and have had no issues so far. Car came with Dunlop Sportmaxx but they lasted less than 14k miles. Bridgestone Duellers were next and did rather better. There aren't many brands for '*' mark and all are premium (read expensive!) and a set is around £900-£1200 depending upon supplier. Dealer prices are full mrp and no one pays that! You can use MOE (Mercedes Original - Extended) as alternatives but as with '*' must be on all 4 corners.

BMW always 'recommend' use of marked tyres but have not demanded such.

When you get the oils changed, it's best to use the OEM versions. Gearbox is ZF Lifeguard 8 and comes as a set with a new pan and filter and with new bolts - do not let the indy reuse the old bolts!! - for around £400 (less if there are any deals). The transfer box is fiddlty because helpfully BMW put a transmission brace right in front of the fill plug!! Without 'modding' some tools the brace needs removing so as to get to the plug. That needs doing with correct support under everything to make sure it goes back in exactly the right place.

The X6 goes in later this month for a front-to-back fluids change. Just under £700 with all parts, OEM fluids and labour inc. Local ZF 'Aftermarket Service Centre' wants £1k just for the box itself - rip off!!

[Rossh93]

The 'rumble' might be a warning sign about the tyres. What's the tread depth variance and are they all the same brand/type? If there is any sign of jerkiness at walking pace on full lock that it an even bigger warning of the transmission not liking the tyres fitted. Ignoring that warning can be 'expensive!'.

Tracking/.Steering alignment is a common issue with these cars, and a full 4-wheel laser alignment with Hunter (preferred by many on here) hardware every couple of years (and certainly if new tyres have just been put on) is with doing. Costs about £80 from memory.

I use Continental ContactSport 5's on the X6 (20" wheel set) and have had no issues so far. Car came with Dunlop Sportmaxx but they lasted less than 14k miles. Bridgestone Duellers were next and did rather better. There aren't many brands for '*' mark and all are premium (read expensive!) and a set is around £900-£1200 depending upon supplier. Dealer prices are full mrp and no one pays that! You can use MOE (Mercedes Original - Extended) as alternatives but as with '*' must be on all 4 corners.

BMW always 'recommend' use of marked tyres but have not demanded such.

When you get the oils changed, it's best to use the OEM versions. Gearbox is ZF Lifeguard 8 and comes as a set with a new pan and filter and with new bolts - do not let the indy reuse the old bolts!! - for around £400 (less if there are any deals). The transfer box is fiddlty because helpfully BMW put a transmission brace right in front of the fill plug!! Without 'modding' some tools the brace needs removing so as to get to the plug. That needs doing with correct support under everything to make sure it goes back in exactly the right place.

The X6 goes in later this month for a front-to-back fluids change. Just under £700 with all parts, OEM fluids and labour inc. Local ZF 'Aftermarket Service Centre' wants £1k just for the box itself - rip off!!

Apologies for the delayed response, so Tyres on the car are clearly budget but all matching and pretty new, however Ill be £900 down over the weekend for a new set to be safe! praying this stops the shuddering.

Took your advice on board and tried the full lock which seemed fine however there is still a shuddering when driving and also when braking, I have booked in for a driveline service as advised above, unfortunetely cant do it until 6th Jan which covers transmission/ transfer and both differantials. ( would it be advised to still drive the car as little as possible where I can to and from work etc) ?
hopefully this plus tyres will sort this out, this is also a ZF approved garage as recommended. cars been serviced and new discs and pads and front suspension arms replaced recently also.

hopefully this will keep me going for many more miles

appreciate all the help and adivce, and I promise over the weekend the car will be valeted and pics uploaded

[X5Sport]

Check for warped discs and/or sticking callipers. The simplest way to find a sticky calliper is to check how warm a wheel hub is after a drive of a few miles and when the juddering occurs. If one hub is warmer than the other three then that calliper is sticking. It can also lead to warped discs - surprisingly common - which will need replacing. If you have the tools (or access to them - then a runout gauge on a disc will find the bad one.

They don’t generate a rumble as such unless one is dragging badly. That being the case, application of the brakes may well cause the car to veer to that side slightly, or the steering wheel to turn into the sticky brake.

[Rossh93]

Check for warped discs and/or sticking callipers. The simplest way to find a sticky calliper is to check how warm a wheel hub is after a drive of a few miles and when the juddering occurs. If one hub is warmer than the other three then that calliper is sticking. It can also lead to warped discs - surprisingly common - which will need replacing. If you have the tools (or access to them - then a runout gauge on a disc will find the bad one.

They don’t generate a rumble as such unless one is dragging badly. That being the case, application of the brakes may well cause the car to veer to that side slightly, or the steering wheel to turn into the sticky brake.

Yeh I'll check that out too, I fear its the transfer but will look out for a kit to buy and I have a specialist who does this locally and quoted £300 plus however much the kit costs.

as for Tyres- I can get x4 Bridegstone Dueler for £850 fitted over the weekend. ( could go for toyo and be £22 cheaper, but not sure its wirth the risk) between that and the £715 driveline service It;s killed the buzz already especially at xmas time lol ! currently has Junyu Tyres so that could be the issue...

Will keep you posted! Thanks again

[X5Sport]

Sadly BMW can mean Breaks My Wallet or Being Mended Weekly. There are people who buy luxury cars but aren’t prepared to then stomach the expensive habits of such and stick cheap parts on. Tyres are one of those items that I (personally) would never skimp on anyway simply because they’re the only thing between you and a visit to a ditch!

I’m sure the ‘buzz’ will return once it’s all fixed though

[Rossh93]

Sadly BMW can mean Breaks My Wallet or Being Mended Weekly. There are people who buy luxury cars but aren’t prepared to then stomach the expensive habits of such and stick cheap parts on. Tyres are one of those items that I (personally) would never skimp on anyway simply because they’re the only thing between you and a visit to a ditch!

I’m sure the ‘buzz’ will return once it’s all fixed though

UPDATE**
Your absolutel right it does break the wallet lol but It will be worth it long term I hope! I replaced all tyres with Bridgestone Dueler HPs RFTs( got a discoutn code plus NHS discount so was £790 for all round supplied and fitted on my driveway I did have to book seperate slot for alignment which is annoying as I still seem to have the vibrations at a certain speed so if they are still evident after that ( Monday) I have the driveline service booked for Jan 6, failing that I guess I need to look at driveshaft or wheel bearings / possibly warped roters etc.. Hopefully it doesnt come to that as otherwise the car is a dream to drive daily even with 109k miles! BMW also carried out a full health check which was al green lights only had to replace brake pade sensor.

Also a slight knock from passenger side but the driver side suspension arm was replaced only 2 weeks ago so could now be the other but nothing major at this point until I get all the other stuff done and get rid of the shuddering / vibrating which is really only now and then it gets bad and then - praying the fluid change will cure all if its not wheels balanced / alignment.

Thanks again for all the wonderful help and advice!