Using my X5 for sales job (lots of travel)

[mm3boost]

Hey everyone,

My wife has made the executive decision that she wants to use our F15 as her vehicle to drive with her medical sales job. This means it will be driven 40-50k miles a year up and down the mountains where we live.

We have a 2014 x5 35i which now has 89k miles and even though I’ve been maintaining BMWs for 15 years, I’m a bit nervous to try that with this vehicle. If you had to try and keep your X5 in tip top shape for this type of use, what are some of the big preventative maintenance items you would do and is this even a realistic task for this vehicle?

[X5Brian]

I use mine daily and also medical device sales…
Change oil every 3-5k period …
Plugs and coils every 15-20k
Alignments once a year …
Tires are $$ and these have a lot of camber for performance …
Transmission oil and filter every 50k …

[mm3boost]

Originally Posted by X5Brian

I use mine daily and also medical device sales…
Change oil every 3-5k period …
Plugs and coils every 15-20k
Alignments once a year …
Tires are $$ and these have a lot of camber for performance …
Transmission oil and filter every 50k …

The 3-5k oil service would mean I’d have to change oil every month. That would be pretty time consuming for me personally since I have two other track cars (money pits) I’m always building/maintaing.

With that maintenance regiment, how reliable has yours been? I’d be willing to give it a go in lieu of a Honda or Toyota but just don’t want to be spinning a bearing at some point down the line after the time and effort you know.

[X5Brian]

Not one issue (knock on wood) and I’m running a stage 3 big turbo at 26lbs of boost. (All supporting mods of course)
I take it on 9-10 hr drives, no issues.

[mm3boost]

Originally Posted by X5Brian

Not one issue (knock on wood) and I’m running a stage 3 big turbo at 26lbs of boost. (All supporting mods of course)
I take it on 9-10 hr drives, no issues.

Would you trust taking it to 150-200k miles?

[suitedcboy]

Yes good for that milage but you will need to replace coolant tank and other plastic cooling system pieces. 10 years in TN heat is enough for those to be ticking down to their explosion.

[tlow98]

Yeah, I’d be prepared to preventively replace some cooling system components, but other than that and normal maintenance it should be fine.

Plugs and oil I’d replace at factory intervals (60k and 10k, respectively). Then i’d do the trans + transfer case if you haven’t already and send it. You’ll be able to charge $0.655 cents per mile right? That’s like $8k towards gas and $18.2k for usage of the vehicle. I’d prolly put $2k of that into cooling system and others above and send it.

Sounds like that car is about to make you some money… not lose it. Besides, the lions share of the depreciation has already happened.

3k oil changes only apply to a high boost custom engine. No need to stray from factory stuff in your case!

[LovemyBMWX5]

Lots of good suggestions already, but want to note, do not be nervous! The X5 will do great as long as you’ve shown her love and take care of the regular maintenance items, she will be a great driver for the wife!

[PGH_X5]

[QUOTE=tlow98;30946710]

Plugs and oil I’d replace at factory intervals (60k and 10k, respectively). Then i’d do the trans + transfer case if you haven’t already and send it. You’ll be able to charge $0.655 cents per mile right? That’s like $8k towards gas and $18.2k for usage of the vehicle. I’d prolly put $2k of that into cooling system and others above and send it.
/QUOTE]


Tax Cut and Jobs Act in 2017 screwed sales reps who don't already get mileage, a car, fuel,etc from their employer. Need to be self employed, small biz owner or a few other exceptions.

[mm3boost]

Great replies everyone! I feel a LOT more confident now that I can keep this one going and not have my wife stranded every few months (I would never hear the end of it lol!).

My s54 from my e46 m3 was magnificent. Had it making over 700 whp (maxpsi kit) with over 215k original miles and it never skipped a beat. If the F15 is even half as reliable as that we’re in good shape!

[E85 Sport]

If she’s driving over forty thousand miles per year, get the diesel F15. Very good at long hauls.

[srybicki]

Change all the fluids along with monthly pass to a carwash and you are good to go.
It will do great

[sukhk527]

Nothing to be nervous about on the N55 even with that kind of mileage. Regular oil changes , fresh plugs every 30k on a stock tune car, and your typical valve cover gasket/water pump stuff.

Do the Mickey Mouse coolant flange and a crank seal guard for good measure and you’re golden.