My Luxury Hoopty
I took my new (new to me, but used) BMW X5 to my mechanic for a check up a couple of weeks ago. I’m totally anal about car maintenance and it was driving me crazy that I didn’t know when the last tune up was, so I told them to check it out, change the oil and tune it up if it needed it. It turns out that it definately needed a tune up, oil change, cooling system flush and brake fluid flush. $714.59. Cha-ching! But, the following ailments also plague my pretty lil car:
* Fan belts cracked ($145)
* Power steering reservoir & hose leaking ($327)
* Both outer CV boots torn ($570)
* Transmission cooler leaking ($354)
Nothing needed to be done immediately, so I told them that I would bring it back after the 2007 new year (which was a few days away) since it’s a tax write off and I’m pretty sure that I have enough write offs in 2006, since that is when I bought the car. Hey it’s a company vehicle 
. Vicious Enterprises rolls in style…
Last weekend my super awesome boyfriend went to get the beemer detailed while I was sleeping in. Right as he got to the detail place, the driver side back window fell into the door (the power window apparently fell off the track). He had to pull it out and tape it (hahahah) so the car could get washed. Sweet. Three days later, the car wouldn’t start. Shit, it wouldn’t even turn over. So I had it towed back to my mechanic:
The cool part is that when the tow truck driver was wenching my X5 onto his flat bed, the tow truck did a wheelie (both front wheels off the ground!) because the X5 is so heavy. He looked worried, but it made it to the shop without a scratch. LUCKLY, the car only had a VERY dead battery. VERY dead as in, it couldn’t even be jumped. Although it still cost $225 for a new battery…
wow, whoever sold you that thing sure did make out! It seems like a total lemon…I would contact them ASAP about a full refund with 10% interest and a message weekly for one year.
Sounds as if your beamer was almost as ill as yourself. How are your batteries holding up? Did the sleep-in recharge them?
$200.00 dollars for a bloody battery… what the hell kind of battery is it?
Monks – You owe me for taking that beast off your hands
…
Bulbboy – My batteries are back to normal, it’s the pulled rib muscle that is killing me!
Beth – It was a magical battery specially flown in from Germany for the ceremonious 1st battery replacement. I think it’s like a quinceanera…
Seriously though, the battery was $86 and the labor was $128. The car had to be taken apart to reach the battery. We tried to jump start it once and couldn’t even FIND the battery the 1st time…
I thought the X5 (maybe X3) had the (possibly a) battery in the back for ‘easy access’
@stevievep: isn’t that the inova x5 you’re thinking of with the easily removeable battery in the back.
I loved my beemer when I had it. Brand new off the showroom floor. Now the x has it, out of warranty hehe. Love it when my pal the auto mechanic tells me she just had it in for $1500 worth of repairs. I just love the fact that she insisted she get the beemer…
Stevievep – Nope, the battery in my x5 is under the hood.
MediaGuru – The thing is that even after all of the $$$ in repairs/maintenance, I absolutely love my beemer too. My next one will definately be new/newer. I’ve learned that it’s worth it to buy them new and sell them before 50,000 miles to avoid the expensive repairs.
congrats on your new used vehicle.. as far as maintaining a ‘brand name’ car, i know what you mean.. i spent a lot (!) of money on up-keep of my little benz.. what can you do.. got to ride in style
Yelena – Hehe…that’s right! Luckly, my work vehicle is a write off
!
What a sexy ride