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BMW X5 Maintenance and Repair

678 messages,  Last post on Aug 27, 2012 at 12:51 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X5, Auto Body, Engine, Suspension, SUV

Messages Page 46 of 69

#445 of 678 2006 X5 4.4i ~~ GAS CONSUMPTION ~~ by sanjab_x5

Aug 02, 2006 (10:37 pm)


 
Hello All
 
I am new to these boards, but have enjoyed reading many of your posts. I recently purchased (2 weeks ago) a new BMW X5 4.4i (2006). I love the car, HOWEVER, I am concerned about the gas mileage I am getting with it. On the window sticker it shows the mileage as "16 / 22", however every time I fill up (24 gallons of premium petrol) I am only able to drive 290ish miles, before the yellow fuel tank indicator light goes on. I drive for maybe 10 miles, then refuel, (it takes another 24 gallons) and the same thing happens.
 
I live in Los Angeles, and at least half of the miles I drive are on the freeway with a average speed of 65 - 70 MPH. I know I should be getting at LEAST a good 450 miles per fillup, and I don't know what I should do.
 
I am spending oodles of $$$ every 4 days putting fuel in the car, and I feel that BMW has not truthfully disclosed this car's fuel efficiency. If I would have known that I was going to get 13 miles per gallon I would have not bought the V8, and would have settled for the V6.
 
Can someone please tell me what my options are, and what I should do? Shall I go to the dealership, and if so, what should I say? No joke, this care is costing me a lot of money.
 
Any help would be appreciated,
 
Sanjab

#447 of 678 Re: 2006 X5 4.4i ~~ GAS CONSUMPTION ~~ [sanjab_x5] by tidester

Aug 03, 2006 (2:08 am)

Replying to: sanjab_x5 (Aug 02, 2006 10:37 pm)
Sanjab,
 
I copied one of your posts to the X3 & X5:MPG - Real World Numbers" discussion. Be sure to check it out to find what others are getting.
 
tidester, host

#448 of 678 2001 x5 ENGINE FAILURE by re1985

Aug 09, 2006 (6:58 am)

I am the second owner (I acquired at 44,500 miles) of a 2001 BMW X5 and suspect that I have blown my engine. I have 63,000 miles on it and do NOT drive the vehicle aggressively. My wife was driving when she noticed that, when stopped at a traffic light, it sounded as if it was going to stall. The light turned green, she push the accelerator, the x5 responded normally, she drove it 3/4 of a mile and parked it at a store (at this time it appeared to be operating properly). When she came out of the store and started the x5 she heard a loud continuous clunking and clanking noise within the engine compartment and immediately turned the car off. When I arrived I noticed a pool of oil (1ft x 2ft) under the car. There were never any warning lights on the instrument panel and I just had an oil change 4000 miles ago..
 
I am going to plan for the worst and hope for the best. However, if I have to replace the engine (3.0 L), what can I expect to pay for this at the BMW dealership. I live in the Detroit area and may consider have the engine rebuilt (if necessary) at an independent shop. As far as vehicle re-sale is concerned, would it be better to have a brand new out-of-the-box factory engine installed from the dealership, or a have my engine rebuilt, for less money, at an independent shop??? When I sell (who knows when now) will somebody be more likely to pay more money for an x5 with a new dealer installed engine as opposed to something rebuilt??? Help!!!

#449 of 678 Re: 2006 X5 4.4i ~~ GAS CONSUMPTION ~~ [sanjab_x5] by hesler

Aug 09, 2006 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: sanjab_x5 (Aug 02, 2006 10:37 pm)
I don't know if this may help, but I heard on a car radio talk show someone with the same problem. They said maybe the temp gauge was defective , telling the car it needs to send thru more gas to cool the engine. Worth a try.

#450 of 678 Re: 2001 x5 ENGINE FAILURE [re1985] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 10, 2006 (9:11 am)

Replying to: re1985 (Aug 09, 2006 6:58 am)
I would say either new engine (which is going to be VERY expensive) or a used engine installed by the dealer. I don't think many if any shops WOULD rebuild that engine and it might not be much cheaper if they do. At least a new engine has a factory warranty whereas an independent rebuild gets dicey if it breaks---was it the machine shop's fault, the mechanic's fault who put it together, or the installer's fault?
 
Maybe the engine isn't totally trashed, that's possible too. Sometimes things like broken water pumps make a hell of a racket.

#451 of 678 Re: 2001 x5 ENGINE FAILURE [Mr_Shiftright] by re1985

Aug 14, 2006 (11:39 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 10, 2006 9:11 am)
Thank you very much for your response. At the time that I wrote my question; I was frustrated and waiting to hear back from the BMW dealership (not to mention hours away from leaving on, or postponing, our vacation). Indeed, you know your X5's... It was exactly what you thought it could be. According to the dealer repair invoice:
"The water pump bearing failed causing the belts to break and wrap around the crankshaft pulley, hence the clunking sound. The lack of coolant in the reservoir (vapor causes the jugs to fail) Replaced the coolant water pump. Coolant Jug (reservoir), the A/C belt, Alternator belt and the plastic fan which was damaged during the ordeal."
Total cost: $917.17 Not fun, but not as bad as I thought. Thanks again for your help!!

#452 of 678 Re: 2001 x5 ENGINE FAILURE [re1985] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 15, 2006 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: re1985 (Aug 14, 2006 11:39 am)
phew! lucky you! Yeah, it kinda sounded like catastrophic water pump failure.

#453 of 678 Premium Gas and oil changes by re1985

Aug 16, 2006 (8:16 am)

I'll say... Thanks again for your help.
Two more questions...
1)What are your thoughts on using "mid-grade" gasoline versus the recommended "premium"? 2) The dealership charges $100 (maybe $110) for an "Oil Service" appointment. They record the service appointment on BMW's computer network so that the car service history is shown as consistent. I know that I can get an synthetic oil change for $55 at a national chain (non-BMW) maintainance shop. Is is worth trying to save $50 at the national chain, or do the BMW dealerships add that much more value (expertise/knowledge of the vehicle) for their higher price? PS: If I'm only paying the $55 at the national chain, I will probably be more likely to have the oil changed every 8,000-10,000 miles instead of the 15,000 mile BMW recommendation.

#454 of 678 2001 X5 fan problem ? by suv2006

Aug 18, 2006 (5:09 am)

I just purchased a 2nd 2001 X5, i don't know if its normal for the air con fan to operate on its own ? when we turn on the engine the fan will sometimes blow strongly and then turn itself down and then suddenly its blowing strongly again. This will continue for a few minutes and it will stop, is this a function of temperture control ?
Also when we turn off the engine, the air con fan will run on its own on and off for an hour ! can anyone help me out ? i am very confused.....
thanks!

Messages Page 46 of 69

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