G05
BMW X5
1.1KVIEWS
7REPLIES
5APPRECIATES
7ACTIVE PEOPLE
05-12-2026LAST POST
01-23-2026
So i'm the proud new-to-me owner of a 2021 X6 with 50,000 miles.

fell in love with this vehicle from the jump.

just doing some digging and i found out that the following should be completed.

Completed:

1) Oil change .... b/c i dont know what oil was in there .....
i used LiquiMoly Special-Tec Full Synthetic 0W-30 Longlife - 01 FE
Mann Filter HU 6022 z

2) Brake flush - Completed by BMW dealership.

3) Cabin Air Filters
Basic activated carbon ones from amazon.

4) Engine Air Filter.
Amazon again.

To be completed:

1) ZF 8HP Transmission fluid change
Kit from FCP Euro. (LifeGuard 8 & plastic pan/filter + new bolts/plug)

2) Spark Plugs - Have not dove into that rabbit hole yet on OEM vs ?

3) Transfer case oil change - FCP Euro kit - BMW DTF1 oil

4) Front & Rear Differentials - FCP Euro kit - BMW G5 Hypoid x 3 quarts. (i think 3 should do both front and rear) +new plugs and the large syringe thing with the flexible small hose.

Side note: purchased the Launch Creader Elite V2.0 to help with the trans temp monitoring and transfer case oil change. I don't think the diff's require any scan/diagnostic tools. 235 youtube video's later and my brain has just about had it.

5) Power steering fluid change. Another one that I have yet to watch videos about.

6) PVC Valve. A few videos mentioned this should be changed at 60,000 miles. dunno. but i will probably do it neway.

just watched a video that offered up more fun - guy was saying that he recommends replacing the cooling system @ 80,000 miles.... yeah, the whole cooling system,,,,, water pump, thermostat, expansion tank & upper and lower hoses.

then ive seen a few other guys saying that the fuel pumps should be changed at 100,000 miles.

I love the way this X6 looks & drives,,,,,, and ive taken a big risk with it just going out of warranty and hearing about all the $$$ you can sink in to them if you dont do your part on good maintenance.

that said ..... im the biggest novice on here im sure.

does anyone have any helpful suggestions/advise with what ive laid out?

have i overlooked anything ?

fire away - im all ears
01-26-2026
For number 5, don't you have an Electrical steering rack? they don't need the flush.

Take some of the recommendations with a grain of salt. Is it better to replace everything early - yeah, maybe - is it practical (especially if you don't see an evidence on the forum of that being a frequently failing item), probably not, unless you are doing it for fun and money is no objections. I'd check though if your engine has that lovely plastic oil pump or updated metal one as that can be a time bomb.

Just for reference, on my 340ix (similar engine, w/ 100k), I've been doing all the fluids regularly, spark plugs at ~60K (OE). The only components requiring replacement due to either throwing code or affecting drivability were:
Fuel Tank breather valve
Vanos actuators
Front Thrust Arm bushings

BTW, I would also do coolant (I am doing it around every 50K) - but it requires special tool now to do the vacuum fill. BMW is saying it is a lifetime fill, but somehow I don't believe them... for them lifetime ends around 50K, maybe a bit longer for CPO.
01-26-2026
I would be very careful about buying critical items such as oil and air filters on Amazon, so many counterfeit items pawned off there.
01-27-2026
Looks like you're going above and beyond which is great! As someone else mentioned take some advice with a grain of salt as it may be overkill. You got the big ones covered, don't forget to enjoy it!
02-01-2026
Thank you All.

just making sure I won’t be that guy who forgot a critical item and is out 5k or more.

I’m hoping I never have to replace a headlight as the laser type are 9k I heard.

Trying to enjoy a vehicle that I love, but fearful of screwing up.

the X6 is my wife’s…. I drive a 2014 ford f150 which isn’t hard to upkeep and I don’t sweat much about it……

(but I really do like driving her vehicle more than mine when the chance comes around)

I’ll watch out where I get my air / oil filters from now on……thanks fo the heads up!

I’ll also add a coolant flush to the list.

gracias amigos.
02-11-2026
One thing to note is to stick to 0W-20 oil weight as there have been whispers that heavier oil could cause premature failure of the plastic oil pump.
02-25-2026
Have a look at FCP Euro for parts and fluids, they do offer lifetime warranty. No affiliation just a happy customer.
05-12-2026
Weltdriver wrote
One thing to note is to stick to 0W-20 oil weight as there have been whispers that heavier oil could cause premature failure of the plastic oil pump.
If the vehicle's owner's manual permits heavier oils, it should be fine. Here's a screenshot from my 2026 G05 sDrive 40i manual:

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster

LiquiMoly 0W-30 Special Tec B FE meets BMW LL-01 FE and I would definitely pick this over LL-22 FE++ which is 0W-12 and the factory fill these days.