Maintenance @200k miles

[11_335D]

I finially hit the 200k mile point on my 2014 35D and actually have some time to do some necessary maintenance. The transmission pan/filter plus drain and fill was my biggest worry since I never tackled this before. There was quite a bit of metal shavings on the magnets but I guess this is to be expected at 200k miles. I went ahead and decided to change out both lower control arms as I started to have the infamous low speed noise/rattle which is actually still present after replacement, so I will change out both upper wishbones tomorrow. The lower control arm rubber bushings looked like they could have gone another 20k or 30k miles but 1 ball joint had some slight play. I also completed the routine oil and fuel filter change. Having completed all these maintenance items at one time definitely made a huge improvement.

[The Libertine]

200K! Very impressive. But serves as testament to both the build quality of the F15, and your diligence in keeping up with the maintenance.

[M302_imola]

I was so hoping this was a 35i (N55), but kudos to you anyway. 200K on a diesel is just breaking it in right? lol

Which lower control arm did you replace? There's a lower forward and rearward arm. I had a hard time diagnosing my control arm clunk. Mine was more of clunk at very low speeds instead of a squeak like in this video, but the arm in the video was indeed my culprit. To bad that was literally the last arm I replaced lol.

[11_335D]

Yeah that's what I hear generally speaking about diesels we shall see lol. I feel the N55 can be just as reliable as long as one maintains it well and keeping the rpm down.

I replaced both lower forward and rearward arms(driver and passenger side). I completed the passenger upper wishbone minutes ago which is a royal pita. Driver side upper wishbone looks to be way easier(knock on wood), I'll find that out tomorrow.

[P1]

Congrats on the 200K, impressive! Any major issues or repairs?

[11_335D]

As far as repairs go I've replaced the right tank fuel level sensor that was operational but had a delayed response and a Particulate Matter sensor(fault code).

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by 11_335D

Yeah that's what I hear generally speaking about diesels we shall see lol. I feel the N55 can be just as reliable as long as one maintains it well and keeping the rpm down.

I replaced both lower forward and rearward arms(driver and passenger side). I completed the passenger upper wishbone minutes ago which is a royal pita. Driver side upper wishbone looks to be way easier(knock on wood), I'll find that out tomorrow.

Very nice! I replaced passenger side upper wishbone as well since I was already replacing the lower forward arm. This did not solve my clunking. I then thought it was a strut or strut mount as the sounds seemed to generate in the passenger side around the strut mount area. Decided to do I full suspension upgrade (since I was at 100K miles). After comparing OEM strut prices for all 4 corners I pulled the trigger on some BC Racing coilovers. The shop that did the coilover install did my driver's side upper wishbone replacement at the time of the coilover install. Still didn't fix my issue though. That's when I saw the video I linked to you above. Replaced that arm on my passenger side and it fixed my issue. All this stretched out over a period of 3-4 months so it was a pain in the butt diagnosing the issue. I wish you better luck sir.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Very nice! I replaced passenger side upper wishbone as well since I was already replacing the lower forward arm. This did not solve my clunking. I then thought it was a strut or strut mount as the sounds seemed to generate in the passenger side around the strut mount area. Decided to do I full suspension upgrade (since I was at 100K miles). After comparing OEM strut prices for all 4 corners I pulled the trigger on some BC Racing coilovers. The shop that did the coilover install did my driver's side upper wishbone replacement at the time of the coilover install. Still didn't fix my issue though. That's when I saw the video I linked to you above. Replaced that arm on my passenger side and it fixed my issue. All this stretched out over a period of 3-4 months so it was a pain in the butt diagnosing the issue. I wish you better luck sir.

Yeah I’ve been there with past BMWs. These days when things start to wear (typically 60-80k miles) I literally just buy everything for both sides. One and done and it handles like new.

Kind of a pain to the wallet, but buy once, cry once!

Glad you got it sorted!

[jluzbet]

and here I am with 110K balling , congrats

[Keithwand]

I’m catching up. 2016 with 45k miles as of last night.

[Xolinlevh]

My 15 35D at 110 as well, looking forward to smooth operation till 200!

[M3HNGRY]

2018 with 57k now, hoping for smooth operation until 350k

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

200K! Very impressive. But serves as testament to both the build quality of the F15, and your diligence in keeping up with the maintenance.

200K miles is indeed very impressive. Our family 2015 F15 has only 31K miles.

[XxBBVTMxX]

My 2014 35d just hit 104k, and it suddenly has some nasty shakes under 1k revs. I have diagnosed everything from injectors, fuel, glow plugs, and even cleaned out all sensors, but all test come back in compliance and since there is no CEL I cannot pinpoint.

I checked the Harmonic Balancer and it is fine as well. I ran tests on my motor mounts via ISTA & pressures and they are activating the vacuum valve and holding pressures yet it is the same feeling so I do believe my mounts are shot.

Gonna go in tomorrow and attempt changing them myself. I have everything I need, I just hope I can do it in less than 8 hours 🙄

[2008bimmerM3]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yeah I’ve been there with past BMWs. These days when things start to wear (typically 60-80k miles) I literally just buy everything for both sides. One and done and it handles like new.

Kind of a pain to the wallet, but buy once, cry once!

Glad you got it sorted!

cheaper than buying a newer car right?

[cmoy135]

Glad to see a high(er) mileage 35d, I have 114k on 14 35d hoping to get up and beyond 200k wouldn't trade it for anything currently on the market.

[11_335D]

UPDATE: So after changing out both upper control arms in December I still had a front passenger suspension noise when going over road bumps and decided perhaps its failure of the passenger shock absorber. I went with the Bilstein B6 for a more sporty ride. After removing all stock shocks and testing them by compressing them down. I realized there wasn't much movement and waited for it to travel back up...here's what they looked like after 5 minutes of waiting. Yes 3 of 4 shocks where blown and the 4th(top) was traveling back up at a snail's pace I guess that's blown as well. Only one shock had visible leaking fluid covered by dirt/road grime I somehow missed during previous inspections. The rest were dry until you flip them upside down then fluid started dripping from the upper rubber cap. I will update my thoughts on how these ride after putting some miles on it.

[Variante Alta]

Wow - it'll feel like a new car with those shocks replaced! My '15 35d has the M Adaptive Suspension option so a totally different set up I believe. Mine will be more costly to replace if / when it starts to go but I hope I'll get much longer out of the adaptive…time will tell. I'd like to get 300k miles at least out of the X5 (at 100k now and loving every minute driving it). Wishbones and control arms - well that'll be mandatory no doubt…appreciate the post and info.

[atwal187]

From what I've heard timing chains need to be done around that interval if not before. Have you taken a look into that ?

[jmack123]

Originally Posted by 11_335D

UPDATE: So after changing out both upper control arms in December I still had a front passenger suspension noise when going over road bumps and decided perhaps its failure of the passenger shock absorber. I went with the Bilstein B6 for a more sporty ride. After removing all stock shocks and testing them by compressing them down. I realized there wasn't much movement and waited for it to travel back up...here's what they looked like after 5 minutes of waiting. Yes 3 of 4 shocks where blown and the 4th(top) was traveling back up at a snail's pace I guess that's blown as well. Only one shock had visible leaking fluid covered by dirt/road grime I somehow missed during previous inspections. The rest were dry until you flip them upside down then fluid started dripping from the upper rubber cap. I will update my thoughts on how these ride after putting some miles on it.

Curious to hear your thoughts in the B6s. Particularly with respect to ride comfort.

[tlow98]

Same about your thoughts!

[Recon3D]

Do you have the 3rd row option on your 35d? If so I'm curious how the b6's feel.