New (used) M37x, 75k miles recommended work?

[artandscience]

Just bought a 75k mile M37x. Love it so far (though it feels like the nav system is a bit hard to use!)

I believe I need to (recommended by dealer):

Change power steering fluid
Brake fluid
Engine oil (last service they put in conventional oil - about 500 miles ago)

However, I think I also want to change:

Transmission fluid
Transfer case fluid
Front differential oil

Just so I'm starting with known circumstances.

Any advice pro or con for the above? I will be using synthetic fluids (Mobil 1) by preference.

I've looked at threads in this forum and haven't found too much about preventative fluid changes, just problems.

TIA.

[crrraaig]

Welcome to the community! My 2012 M37x is just about to hit 78k, I've had it since 35k. I think you are right on track - I've had my diffs, transfer case and transmission fluids changed over the past three years during our required annual state inspection. I also did a coolant flush @ 70k. I did a full brake job - the factory's lasted till ~60k, and she eats front Yoko's due to wearing the outside edge down to the primary rubber (I have a windy country road commute). Only 'repair' was I had to replace my LF wheel bearing. Front bushings are going - she's not as silky smooth anymore.

Resetting transmission adaptations can help quite a bit: howto-perform-an-ecu-reset-learned-beha ... 03469.html. I do this a couple times a year and am always impressed at the change in behavior of the car. It tends to 'learn' to be doggy.

I usually interact with the Nav system via voice (button on steering wheel) and it's not too bad. A Nav update is available (for $150ish) to bring it up to date a bit, but I've found it to be a bit more frustrating than the original map, which wasn't bad, just old and showed it's age in some growing cities. The update is only the data - the interface is the same and the CDDB database is not updated (I'm working on a hack for this to allow it to know about CD's made since 2011).

Ilya highly recommends a 3rd party solution from Grom which replaces the infotainment system completely and allows modern smartphones to connect, ex cetera.

Enjoy!

[DCHammer]

I'd also suggest going through the front end thoroughly. All the steering components. I bought one with about 75K miles and didn't get into the front end soon enough. Now at 120K miles, I'm finishing the last pieces which are the lower control arms.

The sooner you replace a failing steering component, the less it will cost you overall.

My initial negligence led me to replacing everything in the front end. I don't regret it. Love this car and I'm keeping it forever. Last winter will be the last snow it ever sees thankfully.

[emm3seven]

What symptoms caused you to replace so many of the front end components? Chasing some clunks in my front end on my 2011, curious what you found.

[DCHammer]

What symptoms caused you to replace so many of the front end components? Chasing some clunks in my front end on my 2011, curious what you found.

I ended up doing everything. First thing I noticed was degraded ride and some weird noises. Struts first then. Found a shop willing to rebuild them which saved a bunch. Can't thank that shop enough.
Eliminating that revealed steering darting. Or things just degraded on their own in that time.
At any rate, tie rods and upper control arms were next. I didn't do lowers at the same time because they are silly expensive and can't be rebuilt.
Then I developed a power steering fluid leak. Replaced the rack with a reman and got burnt. That rack is marginal at best. Although still installed, it's not going to make 25K miles and be replaced. But for now, it just makes a little noise.
But, that bad rack caused additional pressure on the pump and that has now been replaced as well.

So at this point, pretty much everything in the front end has been replaced.

The lower control arms are on order as well. I figure I better replace them before they lead to wearing on something I've already fixed.

I big part of the problem was Southern Ontario winters and the salt used. The original owner did not Rust Check the car which would have delayed much of this pain. Such is life. I don't regret a penny I've put into this car.