X3 owner for the first time.

[ngcreese]

Hi there! I'm a new X3 owner. Bought an '07 X3 3.0si Platinum Bronze with black leather interior, the Premium, Cold Weather Packages, Sirius Radio (previous owner must have forgotten to cancel it, or it must be some quartly subscription thing), Auto step-tron tranny, heated steering wheel, Xenon adaptive headlights, premium sound, tinted glass, Hill Descent Control, Parking Distance Sensors, Tire pressure sensors, electric fold-in mirrors and the panoramic moon roof. No navigation system in it. I was able to sync the bluetooth to my blackberry while waiting to finish signing the sales contract... lol!

It was a trade-in sitting at a Toyota dealership in Frederick, MD.
(Couldn't pass up the deal, as it's price was sitting very close to wholesale...)

So, first thing I did after buying it, was take it to the BMW dealership that works on my e30, for a full diagnostic.... Russel, BMW in Ellicot City, MD... and crossed my fingers.

They pulled it's service records to find that the car was very well maintained with very minor issues. (Yay!)

Tranny had not been a problem. My good old mechanic and service consultant, told me... my biggest concern would be getting a new set of brake pads, and that wouldn't be for a while.

Oil had 11K left on it. No dipstick... whoa.

Things done so far:
Changed a bunch of those plastic surfaces with the soft material on them. They seem to peal over time(?). I could have done them myself, being a seasoned e30 restorer... but I was new(er) car lazy and had the dealership do it. Wasn't too bad with a BMWCCA membership (30% discount).

Had the steering wheel plastic inserts, lower center console, driver's side window switch plate, rear heated seat switch plate, and both cup holders replaced. Bought a new set of floor mats ( when I bought the car, one was missing...).

Things todo:
Trailer Hitch...
My '07 X3 has the removable center flap on the rear bumper. From what I've read so far. It seems there would still need to be some cutting on the inside of the bumper. On the outside of the bumper, I can simply choose to leave the flap off, or trim it to fit nicely around the protruding receiver hitch, while hiding the electric plug(?). Anyone have pics of the trimmed flap and how it fits up?

Bike Rack...
I mountain bike (GT IDXC 1.0) and snowboard (Arbor Element). I use a Thule roof rack on my e30. I don't think I want to do the roof rack path on the X3. I didn't really enjoy lugging the rack onto and off of my car. I see that there's an internal bike rack or should I just get a hitch mounted one. Anyone out there have an opinion on this?

Navigation...
What's your opinion on the navi? Should I just keep it simple and get a big screen Garmin, or is the in-car system really worth it?

Ipod Connection...
I've read that there are adapter modules that connect the ipod to the stereo, via the cd changer connection. Also, I've heard that this connection is in the center console under the armrest. Is this true if you have the Sirrius module in the car? What's a good brand to go for? The car came with the aux input jack already installed.

Glad to be here. Looking forward to some opinions. I'll have to post pics later.

[JCL]

I'll take a picture of our 2007 with an OEM hitch. It was easier to install than the X5 version, and there is no recoding required for the vehicle. There are some good posts with pictures if you decide to do it yourself.

There are four different bumper versions according to the hitch install instructions, all with slightly different trim pieces. For ours, I trimmed it back very close to the square receiver, covering the plug. You can access the plug from below, or clip the cover out if you like. I usually clip the cover out when towing since it is easier to get to the pin.

Internal bike rack - never considered it. If bikes are dirty, wouldn't want to put them inside. It does take up all the luggage area. A hitch rack is reasonable for mountain bikes, particularly if it is a good one like the Thule T2 that holds the frames or wheels, and doesn't just let them hang. I prefer a roof rack (road bikes). Lots of threads, particularly in the X5 section of this site. Seach on bike rack.

BMW nav on the X3 is a waste of time IMO, even more so than on the X5.

For the iPod, you can use the Dice (see the links on this site, board sponsor) or the BMW kit. I just use the aux input behind the centre armrest. I had an earlier version of the Dice on my X5, worked fine.

Welcome to the board!

[Bora20]

I am going to add the hitch as well. My bumper is M-sport so I will be getting the new lower center plastic piece that removes the reflectors.

I also need a snowboard and bike rack. I will be getting the Thule or OEM version. I need the back seat for our new one on the way and I want the dirt on the outside of the truck.

We don't have OEM Nav, but I wouldn't spend the time or money to put it in. The Garmin Zumo that I have (waterproof and works on my motorcycle too) fits into the compartment in the dash.

We have Sirius and only use the iPod through the AUX input as we don't use it that much. I wouldn't spend the cash for the DICE, but that is only because hardly ever use the iPod. If I did, I would use the DICE.

...and BTW, this thread is useless without pix, so here is mine

[JCL]

OK, so we need pictures.

First one is when it was new.

Second one is of the hitch receiver, with the clip-out piece trimmed. Car wasn't clean, I know. The hitch looks very finished with the trim piece in place, if you aren't six inches away from it. The standard OEM wiring connector is on the left of the hitch receiver, pointed down and to the rear at 45 degrees. It is completely accessible with the cover in place. The pin for the receiver is not as accessible. Once you put the pin in, you can put the cover back on, but I usually don't bother.

The last two are how I carry bikes. Thule feet and load bars, Thule single bike and wheel carriers, ATAAC tandem carrier (now sold by Thule).

[ngcreese]

Nice pics guys! Tandem FTW!! Bora, that sport package areo kit has really nice lines to it!

I would have posted picks but this last week kinda went like this:
Saturday -- found SAV.
Sunday -- looked at car w/ Wife and Newborn... both approved.
Monday -- did the deal and brought it home.
Tuesday -- drooled over it.
Wedneday -- drove it to BMW dealership
Thursday -- hopped a flight to Jamaica (...had wife pick it up from the BMW dealer...)
Friday -- browsed the web and did research while eating a mango and hanging with family.
Saturday... ya get the idea...

I won't get a chance to really play with it until late next week... sigh!

Hey, JCL, any chance you could trace that cutout onto a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper, scan it at full size, and post it here. Would really like to use your pattern, the cut out looks great! Also if you could take some picks of the trimmed flap by itself and from a couple different angles, I would be eternally greatful. I think I'm going to order the hitch as soon as I get home.

I'm imagining your cutout extends all the way to the other end of the flap. So the flap has something of a U shape to it.

I agree, about keeping the bikes outside the car. Cause, when it's time to mountain bike... it's time to get MUDDY!

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ngcreese

Hey, JCL, any chance you could trace that cutout onto a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper, scan it at full size, and post it here. Would really like to use your pattern, the cut out looks great! Also if you could take some picks of the trimmed flap by itself and from a couple different angles, I would be eternally greatful. I think I'm going to order the hitch as soon as I get home.

I'm imagining your cutout extends all the way to the other end of the flap. So the flap has something of a U shape to it.

I don't think a pattern will help much. The following instructions might, combined with the photo to show you what you want to end up with.

There are actually two pieces to cut. Behind the black piece, there is a white structure that is the same material as the white of my bumper. It has an oval hole in it, and it needs to be cut out square to make room for the hitch. You don't see it, so it doesn't have to be perfect. The instructions for the hitch tell you where to cut it (there is a score line IIRC). Make this cut, but only this cut.

Next step in the instructions is to paint behind the filler piece with flat black in a spray can. I skipped this step.

Next the instructions say to throw away the black filler piece, and trim the remaining black vertical edges to make them clean. Those edges have the clips for the filler piece. If you cut them off, you have no place to attach the filler piece. I figured I could always come back and cut them off, but first I tried to retain the filler piece, since I had nothing to lose but 20 minutes of playing with it.

The black piece needs a slot cut the same size as the outer width of the receiver, centered. You can get that measurement with a tape measure. What you need to determine is how far up to bring the slot, and that is really a trial and error exercise. It is tough to put material back, so just go slow and take multiple cuts out till it is perfect. Don't worry about 'perfect' too much, since it is below the bumper and nobody will every see it that closely. At this point you will have a U shape filler piece, that goes in inverted, essentially. Now you need to cut the left end off the U shape, to clear the electrical connection. You don't see that cutout unless you are laying under the car, so I just took it up to the first horizontal crease. The black material would cut very easily with a Dremel; I used an air powered grinder with a 3" cutting wheel. A utility knife would probably work too.

The filler piece does not attach completely solidly any longer, since you have removed the bottom clips. It stays on fine on just the top clips, but the lower edges don't lay completely flat. You don't notice it unless you are very close to it, so I don't lose any sleep over it. The filler piece has stayed on for 5000 km so far.

Do a search on trailer hitch on this forum, and see my posts, as well as others that went before me. You don't need to drill out the rivets as the BMW instructions say, and there are a few other tips as well in those posts. I have attached a few useful links.

Good luck.

Jeff

Edit:

First link: X3eme's very useful post. Note that his vehicle is not the 2007, so the lower diffuser is different. Great instructions and photos though.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x3/...h-2006-x3.html

My towing results, with some installation tips.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...g-2007-x3.html

The BMW instructions. These are from X3eme's post, as he had scanned them. The copy I got as a printout from my dealer (they were happy to print it out when they sold me the hitch) is a more recent version, and includes steps relating to the lower diffuser and filler piece on the 2007 model. That is the version you want. I can't seem to find it, I probably tossed it when I finished doing the hitch.

[ngcreese]

Wow, awesome info! Thanks much! Man, I can't wait to get home to take pics, order this hitch and install it!

Edit:
Think I might look into that DICE kit for IPOD integration, as well. Just to be clear... when the X3 has Sirius radio in it, the audio connector that would have been available in the center console, is not usable because it is connected to another cable that runs to the Sirius tuner in the rear of the car?

If you have the Sirius tuner you have connect a DICE box (for ipod integration) from the rear of the car and run the wires forward to the center console?

Is this correct?

Edit:

Found this for BMW Portable Navi and DICE install... wow.

[ngcreese]

Hey JCL thanks again for the info! Got back from the islands and got down to business...

Trailer hitch...
... installed DIY style. That wasn't too hard at all! Took my time and trimmed the trailer flap, using a razor blade, to make that inverted U-shape cut out. Used my dremel to cut away at the white piece of plastic in back of bumper.

Also used the dremel to shorten the handle to the electrical connector's spring loaded cover. In this way, the flap was fully able to be clipped shut, with no rubbing. Nice!

Navi...
Did some digging, all to find out that the BMW Portable Navi Pro is NLA.
In fact, the most expensive Garmin, the 3790T is cheaper than the BMW option. Think I'm going to go in that direction.

Ipod....
I'm looking into DICE's Media Bridge MB1000. More on that later.

[ngcreese]

Here are some pics of our X3...

Was out at the park, so I figured it was a good time to snap some pics.






Our X3 came with Premium & Cold weather packages, plus the panoramic sunroof, Hill Descent & Dynamic Traction Control, Parking Distance Control, Tire pressure sensors, Sirrius Satellite Radio, electric fold in mirrors w/ park assist and the adaptive HID xenon headlights. I happened to find the ski bag and movable tie down anchors underneath the rear floor board compartment, still in their packaging. I bought the alternate center dash board with the garmin ball mount.... just waiting for that 3790t to drop in price a little...


There is that seatbelt issue where I just keep the passenger's seat belt buckled else the warning tone will ring... I wonder what it takes to get that fixed.




Bought the parts at the BMW parts counter and changed the rear rotors and brakes pads, one evening. Only took about 45 mins a side. My Mechanic was right, if I had waited much longer I would have had to change the wear sensor too. That wouldn't have been fun, since the plug is under some plastic panel on the passenger's side. By comparison, it looks like the used car shop must have changed the front brakes before I bought the car... that'll work for me.


Trailer Hitch Closeup Shots...
Following the instructions, taking off the plastic bumper, dismounting the orginal crash bar, bolting up the trailer hitch, running the wire harness and replacing the plastic bumper took all of 2 and a half hours.


Things I found useful to have during this work...
A torque wrench for the hitch install.
Threadlock fluid for the trailer hitch bolts... 71Nm is not a lot of force.
A blanket to put on the ground under the bumper in case it fell off during the remount.
A utility knife, for the trimming of the trailer hitch flap.




On top of the two and a half hours, I did slow down and take my time to get a really nice and clean cut out around the trailer hitch. The nice part about this, is the removeable flap is made of very soft material that cuts easily with a utility knife.




In order for the trailer flap to attach properly to the bumper, I needed to trim off some the trailer electric socket cover's handle. I believe about 2 to 4mm of the handle was cut off using my dremel tool.




After the initial cuts I took some more time to shave off additional material to get a REALLY nice finish on the trim job. The guys over at the BMW shop were impressed.




Hope you like the pics!!

[DWill]

As I recall there was a seat mat recall on the passenger side seat.
Don't remember though if it was when I had the 06 or the 07. Maybe it covered both years don't know.

I remember the airbag and the seatbelt warning were both ffected by the faulty seat mat. I think that was the case.