New to BMW Ownership - Bought an X5

[RaymondP]

Owner/driver of both a BMW and Merc. Wife's car is the GLC300 4Matic SUV. Mine the F30 3 series Beemer, one of the last remaining manual trans. (at least in N. America) and my primary reason for buying. I do all and everything I can myself due to the high costs of dealerships and independents, as well as the satisfaction of successfully working on my cars and the assurance it is done right. Have not found it particularly difficult to work on both, once you learn how.

First thing I did on the BMW was to buy a second set of rims and mount good snow tires. Didn't think I would survive rear wheel drive without them in Michigan and today is another day that confirms I made the right decision.

Oil for the Merc has been M1 ESP 0w30 from day one. Do all the services myself. AutoZone has a consistently good deal with a 5 qt container (needs 6 qts.) plus STP premium cartridge filter for $38. Seems to be working well. This oil is specifically specd. for compliance with the needs of the cat filtration, but I know there are other oils available too.

For the BMW I have been using M1 0W40 Euro, along with a Mann filter "kit". Kit is less widely available as includes a replacement (plastic?) drain plug along with the filter cartridge and O ring (316z). Has to be ordered online as local stores only supply the non-kit version that does NOT include the plug.

You will love your X5. Congratulations!! Have always enjoyed German cars after a period of domestic models. First cut my teeth on a 323i years ago, and more recently VW R32, Merc E350 saloon, and a Porsche sadly recently sold. Working on these cars is different. They seem intimidating until you learn how, then you start to appreciate. Don't force something if it doesn't cooperate or you will damage it. Be patient and methodical and you will be rewarded. Some good "How to" videos are becoming more widely available and tremendously helpful.

Eventually you will find it useful to acquire a compatible OBD 2 scanner as your vehicle ages. Used a simpler scanner for the E350 to diagnose check engine light issues. Will have to upgrade when the BMW needs the battery replaced, as have to reset/reprogram after installation. Assume you will too at some future point if you retain the vehicle.

Not much else to tell at the moment. Enjoy - stay safe!

 

[mikeduf]

Yep! You'll need the OBD scanner reset tool,
I'm done with Euro Cars, had an BMW M5 that was plagued with error codes, drained my wallet, had a Mercedes that did the exact same thing and went as far as a manufacturers buy back with it. Friends Audi was played with multiple engine lights continuously, but he kept making excuses for it. Good luck

 

[BHopkins]

Thanks, @RaymondP and @mikeduf.

I have an iCarsoft scan tool, that has done all I have needed on my E350. I used it to generate a report on the X5 before I bought it, and it worked well. I haven't looked to see it it will register a new battery, yet, but I expect it will.

I guess I have been fortunate with Euro cars so far. My first was an '07 SL550. I had to fix a lot of little things, but nothing serious. My E350 has had stellar reliability. The only things I have had to fix, is replace the LED turn signals in the side mirror housings, and replace torn seat cushion covers, on the driver and passenger seats.

I am a big believer that most problems with Euro cars can be avoided by being OCD about doing all the required maintenance. But, being new to BMW, and having friends that have shared constant repair stories with their BMW cars, that is why I opted for the extended warranty. Towards the end of the warranty, if the X5 has proven to be reliable, I will keep it for my typical 10 - 12 year car ownership.

I have also found it a joy to work on my Mercedes cars. I appreciate the engineering. Time will tell if I feel similarly about the X5.

 

[2heeldrive]

1. Buy only MANN oil filters for the B58. Aftermarket filters are a no-no in the B58.
2. Buy a 22mm short socket and a swivel for the oil filter cap.
3. Don't go by the oil change indicator. I change my car's oil every 5k to 6k miles using Ravenol VMP 5W30. Check used oil analysis section to see my latest UOA.
4. An x0W40 oil is too thick for the B58 engine. In Europe that engine gets 5W30 oil. We are supposed to use XW20 bc BMW NA spec'd that oil when doing fuel economy runs.
5. Check the aftermarket warranty to see if you can have the X serviced at a reputable indy shop. If you can, go to www.bimrs.org to find a shop near you.
6. Frequently check the front axle outer CV joint bellows. They are easily damaged.
7. The installation of aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten.

The viscosity debate (i.e. thick or thin oil) has been beaten to death for the B58. Search for all the info. Bottom line, an LL01 spec 0W-40 is just fine.

Did you know that the normal oil temperature for the B58 is 230F (110C)? That's hot!

 

[Oillover]

6. Frequently check the front axle outer CV joint bellows. They are easily damaged.

A annual application of silicone spray/grease will certainly help prolong their lifespan.

 

[02SE]

A annual application of silicone spray/grease will certainly help prolong their lifespan.

The OP's X5 is an sDrive. Ie: Rear wheel drive.

 

[edyvw]

1. MANN, Hengst and Mahle are all OEM on BMW’s, depending on the engine. However, most are MANN. B58 had an issue actually with OE filters not aftermarket ones. It was a bad batch where bottom part of filter stayed stuck.
2. Engines can use any viscosity! There is no such thing as too thick, but there is such thing as too thin. BMW approvals, LL01 and LL04 are not grade based. LL01/04 can be XW30 or XW40 as long as HTHS is minimum 3.5cP and maximum is 4.1cP. Other approvals are fuel efficiency approvals (FE). Also LL01FE comes in both 0W30 and 5W30 flavor (min HTHS 3cP, max 3.49).
3. B58 can take any of those. IMO sweet spot for Euro engines that are not seeing track, especially engines like B58 that have cooling system like 18 wheeler, is LL01/04 in XW30 flavor. Personally, I would get Castrold Edge 0W30 in local AAP which goes $37 for 5qt plus filter (and yes, they carry MANN too, not sure whether they carry it for B58 though).
4. BMW enthusiasts web sites are much better than for Mercedes. You just have to have patience to find what you looking for. In your case, being RWD it simplifies things dramatically. You only have to care about transmission fluid (ZF8) and rear differential, and brake fluid (DOT4 LV). That is it.

 

[chris719]

1. Buy only MANN oil filters for the B58. Aftermarket filters are a no-no in the B58.
2. Buy a 22mm short socket and a swivel for the oil filter cap.

B58 filters are not Mann. Also, 22mm is not the correct socket, it’s 32mm. B58 filters are made by UFI. Mann may be similar if they are repackaging but the filter is UFI mfg in Tunisia.

 

[edyvw]

B58 filters are not Mann. Also, 22mm is not the correct socket, it’s 32mm. B58 filters are made by UFI. Mann may be similar if they are repackaging but the filter is UFI mfg in Tunisia.

That is correct! I forgot UFI. However, issues with filters were OE ones.

 

[edyvw]

1. Buy only MANN oil filters for the B58. Aftermarket filters are a no-no in the B58.
2. Buy a 22mm short socket and a swivel for the oil filter cap.
3. Don't go by the oil change indicator. I change my car's oil every 5k to 6k miles using Ravenol VMP 5W30. Check used oil analysis section to see my latest UOA.
4. An x0W40 oil is too thick for the B58 engine. In Europe that engine gets 5W30 oil. We are supposed to use XW20 bc BMW NA spec'd that oil when doing fuel economy runs.
5. Check the aftermarket warranty to see if you can have the X serviced at a reputable indy shop. If you can, go to www.bimrs.org to find a shop near you.
6. Frequently check the front axle outer CV joint bellows. They are easily damaged.
7. The installation of aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten.

Absolutely not! You could, for all intended purposes, run the 20W60 Motul 300V Le Mans series in B58.
In Europe it is approval that is required as everywhere, not grade. They were required to use LL04 in Europe, and that could be any XW30 or XW40 as long as it is LL04.

 

[chris719]

That is correct! I forgot UFI. However, issues with filters were OE ones.

Issues were with OE but they got revised. Mahle is the worst and constructed like the original OE filter part number and known to fail on removal. The Mann appears to be a UFI repackaged.

 

[edyvw]

Issues were with OE but they got revised. Mahle is the worst and constructed like the original OE filter part number and known to fail on removal. The Mann appears to be a UFI repackaged.

Was it revision or it was bad batch?

 

[chris719]

Was it revision or it was bad batch?

I saw revision on forum but don’t know for sure.

 

[Marcozi]

B58 filters are not Mann. Also, 22mm is not the correct socket, it’s 32mm. B58 filters are made by UFI. Mann may be similar if they are repackaging but the filter is UFI mfg in Tunisia.

I beg to differ. I have 2 oil filter for my car. The boxes say "MANN."

 

[Marcozi]

Absolutely not! You could, for all intended purposes, run the 20W60 Motul 300V Le Mans series in B58.
In Europe it is approval that is required as everywhere, not grade. They were required to use LL04 in Europe, and that could be any XW30 or XW40 as long as it is LL04.

Here's my concern: I've been told that the B58 has tighter bearing clearances, hence the thinner oil.

 

[JavierH19]

If you plan on owning it for a long time I wouldn't use thinner than 30 and I'd rather play it extra safe and do no more than 5k miles. I'd also do a pan drop every 50k or less. I think the plastic drain bolt can be reused but it's best to leave it alone and drop the pan but it's messy. So maybe get a new pan which is about a hundred bucks even if the filter is good to at least 150k as they take so long to clog up. A great fluid for the zf8 is Valvoline extended protection atf. I would not use maxlife atf/cvt if it was mine but I'd use the Valvoline EP atf all day, don't really trust the new maxlife for neither step shift or cvt's. I believe these diffs and t case can be picky and really do need their specific fluid.

 

[edyvw]

Here's my concern: I've been told that the B58 has tighter bearing clearances, hence the thinner oil.

BMW used 5W30 for logistical purposes.
So, how does that oil lubricate at -20c?

 

[Dr_Dr3i]

Congrats, OP! The X5 is on my short list when the time comes to replace our only SUV.

Good advice given so far, I would advise you buy/download these 2 iPhone apps: BimmerCode and BimmerLink.

You can use a cheap OBD2 dongle like Veepeak or other compatible one and you'll have access to everything you could possibly need for both service/maintenance and repairs. It will make your BMW ownership experience much better and definitely cheaper long-term.

Enjoy, and some pics would be in order!

 

[chris719]

I beg to differ. I have 2 oil filter for my car. The boxes say "MANN."

Sorry but you’re wrong. My boxes said BMW and the filter says UFI. Mann boxes are not genuine and never have been. There’s nothing wrong with the Mann filter most likely and it’s rumored to be a UFI sourced part with different markings anyway, but in the interest of accuracy I have to point this out.

 

[BHopkins]

So much helpful information! Thanks.

Re. motor oil, the Owner's Manual calls out 0W-20 or 0W-30, and LL01 FE or LL14 FE+ or LL17 FE+. I bought an extended warranty for the X5, and I am quite sure that if I don't follow what BMW calls out, the warranty could be voided for any engine repair. So for now at least, I will be looking for a 0W-30 that meets LL01 FE. After the warranty expires, from the advice given here, I am leaning towards M1 FS Euro 0W-40. That is what I already use in my E350, in the snow blower, and lawn mower.

Re. filters, I did see a UFI filter listed for the B58, on FCP, but I had never heard of UFI before, and was a little hesitant to consider the brand, especially since it is the least expensive option listed. Perhaps I will order both a UFI filter and a genuine BMW filter, and compare them. And if the BMW is indeed from UFI, I will order the UFI in the future.