BMW X5 Overheating & Slow Warm-Up: Thermostat Issues?

Hi there! I've got some experience with BMWs and had almost the exact same issue with my 2013 BMW X3 (gas engine). I also own a BMW 3 series, so I'm fairly familiar with these cars. The symptoms you're describing are exactly what I dealt with last year, sluggish warm-up, overheating, poor fuel economy, and that annoying check engine light. After checking a few things myself (I'd say I have some experience working on cars), I took it to my trusted workshop. Turned out it was indeed a faulty map thermostat. The repair cost me about 350 Euro, parts and labor included. Since the fix, the car's been running perfectly, normal temperatures, better fuel economy, and proper cabin heating. Before I can give you more specific advice, could you share: Your exact engine variant? Current mileage? How long have you been experiencing these symptoms? This would help me give you more detailed insights from my experience.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X5 just hit 15470 KM and had its latest service about 2 months ago. What's interesting is that my symptoms started pretty much right after that service. I was actually considering the thermostat too, and hearing about your similar experience makes me feel more confident about getting that checked first. The price you mentioned sounds reasonable, definitely better than continuing to burn extra fuel with these issues! Would you mind sharing how long the repair took? I need to plan around my schedule if it turns out to be the same issue.

Hey again! Glad my previous response helped. Yes, the timing of your symptoms starting after the service is quite interesting, sometimes these things can be coincidental, but it's worth noting. About the repair time on my X3, it took about 3-4 hours total. I dropped it off in the morning and picked it up after lunch. The actual replacement isn't super complicated, but accessing the thermostat can be a bit tricky on these BMW engines. The mechanics needed to drain the coolant, remove some components to get proper access, replace the thermostat, refill the system, and then run tests to make sure everything was working correctly. Since you asked, in my case, the total downtime was worth every minute. The fuel savings alone made up for the repair cost within a few months, not to mention the comfort of having proper cabin heating again. Just make sure you go to someone who knows BMWs well, these map-controlled thermostats are a bit more complex than traditional ones. Quick tip from my experience, when you get it fixed, ask them to do a thorough cooling system check while they're at it. These symptoms can sometimes mask other small issues that might need attention down the road. Let me know how it goes when you get it checked out!

Thanks so much for all the details! This is exactly the kind of first-hand experience I was hoping to get. It's super helpful knowing the repair took just 3-4 hours, that's totally manageable with my schedule. I'll definitely take your advice about getting a full cooling system check while they're at it. Makes sense to be thorough since they'll already be working in that area. I've actually just booked an appointment with a BMW specialist for next week. Your experience has made me feel much more confident about the likely diagnosis and what to expect. I'll make sure to mention all these symptoms and the timing after my service. Really appreciate you taking the time to share such detailed info about your similar situation with the X3. Will update here after I get it sorted, might help someone else down the line with the same issue. Thanks again for all your help!