[sinkheadhxc]

Bought an E91 this past winter and have done a few road trips on it since. Over the 93k mark at the moment. Things like the water pump and thermostat are on my mind.

I've ran across a lot of people mentioning that its recommended to be replaced at 60k miles. I'm racking my brain because it seemed the former owner had all maintenance done at the stealership, according to history report, but cannot remember if the pump/stat replacement was there.

The car had 78k miles on it when I bought it, and obviously no longer under warranty. Most likely, it was NOT replaced, being that it may have been out of warranty at the 60k mark.

Having just replaced the old run-flat tires, I hate to think about pouring another few hundred into it, especially when it may have been replaced, but also hate to think about it going bad. ($425 pump and stat @ fcpeuro, $300 labor estimate from shop, not bad really)

Any advice on finding any signs that it was replaced? Warning signs that its going bad? Etc? Don't mind the DIY stuff, but the pump and thermostat are enough of a pain I'd rather pay someone else lol.

All in all, the car runs like a dream. Schedule has been oil filter every 3500, oil change every 7k. Rotors and pads replaced last week, VANOS solenoids replaced (faulty filter cap was throwing timing codes, accidental replacement but whatever). Trying to stay ahead.

[CTinline-six]

If you crawl under the car, you should be able to see a year stamped somewhere on the pump. It might be hard to see, but it's there. My 2009 has the factory pump with an '08' on it, while my 2006 has a pump from '13 or '14.

[OTO335i]

If it ain't broke don't change it, that's how I see it. If you don't want to waste money then just wait until it actually breaks. I was lucky and my pump was leaking when it was starting to go bad but often you just get the coolant overheating symbol pop up in the dash which normally points to the pump no longer working.

[BimmerNugget]

60K water pump is for the N54/N55 guys. Us N51/N52 guys can go up to 100K!

Also you might want to check eBay for the water pump kit. There's a seller "partscontainer" thats selling exactly what FCPEuro is selling for only $335 shipped. Pierburg water pump, Wahler thermostat, BMW Genuine Coolant, and new aluminum bolts.

Also, if you're scared of the water pump leaving you stranded by the side of the road just get INPA (free) and scan your car once a month for water pump related codes. Another way to tell pump is going out is if your radiator fan comes on 100% (sounds like a jet taking off) right when you start the car cold.

[BimmerNugget]

Here's the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E83-X3-....H0.X2011.TRS2

I want to see FCPEuro beat this deal.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by sinkheadhxc

Bought an E91 this past winter and have done a few road trips on it since. Over the 93k mark at the moment. Things like the water pump and thermostat are on my mind.

I've ran across a lot of people mentioning that its recommended to be replaced at 60k miles. I'm racking my brain because it seemed the former owner had all maintenance done at the stealership, according to history report, but cannot remember if the pump/stat replacement was there.

The car had 78k miles on it when I bought it, and obviously no longer under warranty. Most likely, it was NOT replaced, being that it may have been out of warranty at the 60k mark.

Having just replaced the old run-flat tires, I hate to think about pouring another few hundred into it, especially when it may have been replaced, but also hate to think about it going bad. ($425 pump and stat @ fcpeuro, $300 labor estimate from shop, not bad really)

Any advice on finding any signs that it was replaced? Warning signs that its going bad? Etc? Don't mind the DIY stuff, but the pump and thermostat are enough of a pain I'd rather pay someone else lol.

All in all, the car runs like a dream. Schedule has been oil filter every 3500, oil change every 7k. Rotors and pads replaced last week, VANOS solenoids replaced (faulty filter cap was throwing timing codes, accidental replacement but whatever). Trying to stay ahead.

The DIY on the water pump & t-stat isn't horribly difficult. BAV Auto has a very informative video.

The only thing I would do differently from the video would be to remove the fan & FMIC, in order to create more room to work.

[hassmaschine]

mine went to 130k. several have gone much further. I wouldn't replace an N52 pump at 60k, but I would consider it if over ~120k.

[tlow98]

Agree on looking for the date. It’s free and easy.

[sinkheadhxc]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

If you crawl under the car, you should be able to see a year stamped somewhere on the pump. It might be hard to see, but it's there. My 2009 has the factory pump with an '08' on it, while my 2006 has a pump from '13 or '14.

Beautiful. Thanks!

[sinkheadhxc]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Here's the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E83-X3-....H0.X2011.TRS2

I want to see FCPEuro beat this deal.

Awesome! Thank you.

[CTinline-six]

The 06 had the exclamation mark on the highway so I just pulled over, it cooled down and limped home. There have been places though where I've been miles from anything where a breakdown would have sucked though.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by OTO335i

If it ain't broke don't change it, that's how I see it. If you don't want to waste money then just wait until it actually breaks. I was lucky and my pump was leaking when it was starting to go bad but often you just get the coolant overheating symbol pop up in the dash which normally points to the pump no longer working.

Back in the day when they would just leak first, sure. But if the electronics fail you basically stop wherever you are.

I gladly dropped a few hundred and spent an afternoon so I wouldn't be stick on the side of the road no warning.