[james0013]

I did some searching but could not come up with an answer, so hence the post.

I am about to go over the 50,000 mile mark on the odometer, what should I be looking at changing? Things that come to mind are:

-Spark Plugs (I was not sure what the BMW interval is)
-Oil change (A given)
-Coolant flush .
-Transmission fluid change.
-Torque converter fluid replace.
-Serpentine belt replacement.
- Preemptive replacement of the water pump and Thermostat? (everything I can find suggests they konk out around 60,000 miles)

Last year I did the break fluid and air filters and a new set of tiers.

Thanks
James

[NGEE]

I would look into servicing your keyboard first

[ctuna]

You left out Differential and Power steering.
Although you could maybe hold off on these awhile.
I don't believe there is any torque converter fluid.

What about the blinker fluid.

[AM330i]

Originally Posted by ctuna

You left out Differential and Power steering.
Although you could maybe hold off on these awhile.
I don't believe there is any torque converter fluid.

What about the blinker fluid.

The torque converter is a fluid coupler so yes it does have fluid in it. It gets oil from the transmission, there just isn't anyway to drain it out unless you remove the torque converter.

[hockeyplayer]

You probably don't need to do the plugs for a while but on the other hand it wouldn't hurt anything by doing them.

[NGEE]

I believe the TC holds ~3L of ATF. I just changed the ATF in my Acura RL. 3X flush to get most of the old TC fluid out, but that's probably overkill. For the Honda, it was about $125 for a case of ATF - much more for the BMW I think.

Decent threads out there. Here's one. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=617182

[adiba14]

No idea why would just replace water pump no reason just cause 50k miles? Lol

[james0013]

Originally Posted by adiba14

No idea why would just replace water pump no reason just cause 50k miles? Lol

The electric water pump is a known weak point on the E90, research suggests that they go anywhere between 40,000 and 60,000 miles. They also have a reputation of being some what digital in nature of their failure, alright one minute not the next.

The problem is that if it fails you run the risk of warping the head and having to replace it. Which is much more costly than a water pump.

Traditionally I have always changed a water pump and thermostat at 75,000 miles when changing a timing belt. So changing a water pump at 50,000 may be early but it does not seem out of the question as a maintenance item.

[hockeyplayer]

Originally Posted by james0013

The electric water pump is a known weak point on the E90, research suggests that they go anywhere between 40,000 and 60,000 miles. They also have a reputation of being some what digital in nature of their failure, alright one minute not the next.

The problem is that if it fails you run the risk of warping the head and having to replace it. Which is much more costly than a water pump.

Traditionally I have always changed a water pump and thermostat at 75,000 miles when changing a timing belt. So changing a water pump at 50,000 may be early but it does not seem out of the question as a maintenance item.

I hear you on this but for my money's worth I'm going to run that part until it fails or is showing symptoms of failure. Others on this forum have suggested ordering the parts kit for doing this and having it on-hand so you're ready to go whenever it dies. Typically you're car is going to go into limp mode so as long as you pull over relatively quickly i don't think there is much danger for warping the heads. Just MHO.

[gigabyte]

you should also service the transfer case if you have xdrive

[james0013]

Originally Posted by gigabyte

you should also service the transfer case if you have xdrive

That I do, is there a DIY online anywhere?

[Spoolin Montego]

No need to do the belts really.I'm at 102k with factory belts and tensioner.

[ctuna]

There are many useful subforums here.
They include DIY and maintenance forums.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=378

Also there are quite few DIY's on ytube and at some of the online
part suppliers like Pelican Parts.

Some of them have water pump themostat kits.
Gasket Kits , Brake Kits etc etc...
Transmission Kts with Fluid and Filter for the automatic
tranmission I think it takes like 7 quarts.

My Indy says unless the belts are cracked no need to replace them.

Google Mike Miller BMW for the old school maintenance schedule
and some history and perspective on maintenance.
Transfer Case Fluid must be BMW Fluid .

[LeeCatD8209]

Originally Posted by Spoolin Montego

No need to do the belts really.I'm at 102k with factory belts and tensioner.

Belts, and tensioner should have been replaced ages ago. The tensioners are known to go bad, and shred the belt. Then big long strands of the belt get forced into the head through the cam seals. At least on the N54s.

[gigabyte]

Originally Posted by james0013

That I do, is there a DIY online anywhere?

it's pretty straight forward, at least it is on my x3. i used this diy when i did it on my x3

['02onthebrain]

Not quite a maintenance item but if you are passing 50k, your rear shocks are probably on their way out. I just swapped mine at 65k and I had no idea how bad they were until I started driving on new shocks, like night and day.

[james0013]

Originally Posted by '02onthebrain

Not quite a maintenance item but if you are passing 50k, your rear shocks are probably on their way out. I just swapped mine at 65k and I had no idea how bad they were until I started driving on new shocks, like night and day.

60,000 miles as the life of a strut (shock absorber)

no way that is a maintenance item and very disappointing if that is the case, what junk did they fit at the factory? I have never had to replace struts that early.

['02onthebrain]

Originally Posted by james0013

60,000 miles as the life of a strut (shock absorber)

no way that is a maintenance item and very disappointing if that is the case, what junk did they fit at the factory? I have never had to replace struts that early.

Mine were OE made in Poland likely to the lowest bidder. Not sure who actually made them but the rears in these cars wear pretty easily. I probably could have driven them to 100k as others have and dealt with the rougher ride on my 19" rims, but I wanted to put on Koni FSDs in my xi. These shocks dramatically improve the way the xi handles.