My New Project: 2002 X5 4.6is

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

Awesome, that's more like it! Thank you! And I'll definitely replace the bulbs. I've noticed that they are slightly different colors and want them to match.

What do you suggest for a sealant? I used to make my own with a mixture of polyurethane and mineral spirits then airbrush it on. It looks good at first, but starts to yellow and peel after a couple of years. I thought about using regular clear coat, but maybe there's something better?

I just use regular polymer liquid sealant I use on the paint (however, the tmv headlights I showed you above were brand new 3 months ago, I had the new lenses wrapped in Xpel clear film so they will stay looking perfect. I always seal all my plastic and glass. Not sure what sealant/wax product you use. I also don't like the mineral spirits/urethane mixture, it does yellow after a while.

As for the bulbs, grab a pair from HIDbulbsRus | Home, Osram 66240 or Philips 85122 are the OEM bulbs you'd want.

You can apply Opti-Lens to the surface to actually add more UV protection, but the lenses should be polished to perfection before applying, and its $50 a syringe.

[mam4.6]

Hey there! Loving this thread already, I'll definitely spend way to much time catching up on what's going on on the weekends, lol... Definitely a rare find, I really hope you keep it. I love seeing these cars in an environment where they are loved and appreciated. Sounds like you're that kinda guy!

I'll echo RB on the subject of headlights! Snap them housings up!! You'll never regret the buy when you see the light output of some upfitted projectors, and they'll totally change the look of your X! I still grin every time I look at mine.

A+ to RB for an awesome job of rerofitting Evo-XR projectors into my housings.

I'm a "picture" kinda guy... Keep 'em coming...

[tmv]

Welcome back, BimmerM3inGA

Nice to see my old E53 used as reference. Thanks RB

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

The valve covers are magnesium so use a proper powdercoat primer before the color.

Edit: obligatory timing guide reminder.

Congrats!

+1 on making sure that you get the valve covers properly powder coated. They will last far longer than the painted versions.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

is it really necessary to quote his entire story and massive photo again?

sorry I just wanted to reply. What's the trick in getting the words and not the pictures when referencing a reply. Please enlighten me.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

sorry I just wanted to reply. What's the trick in getting the words and not the pictures when referencing a reply. Please enlighten me.

Just edit the text that is quoted by deleting the picture and words you don't want. Simple.

Nice truck OP... I want a 4.8is bad... My 4.4i is great, but more power is more better as Tim "the Toolman" Taylor would say.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

See above I hope that helps man!

Ricky Bobby I need your help in understanding how to update my 2003 X5 4.6is headlight system. I would like to have the angel eyes that you reference on your vehicle but I am unsure all that I need to get to make the transformation or who can put it all together for me. You mention that you and Matt have the same headlight setup is that what is pictured on the post? I do not think I have enough posts yet to execute private messages so can you respond back to me via email:[email protected]. Thanks Look forward to hearing from you.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Just edit the text that is quoted by deleting the picture and words you don't want. Simple.

Nice truck OP... I want a 4.8is bad... My 4.4i is great, but more power is more better as Tim "the Toolman" Taylor would say.

Okay great and thanks for the tip.

[BimmerM3inGA]

I spent some time this weekend getting to know the X5 and sorting some of the easier issues.

The brake fluid was looking pretty nasty, so that got flushed with fresh fluid. I don't know how I didn't know this, but I was unaware that the 4.6is has two-piston front brake calipers and vented rear rotors. Just like an M car. Pretty cool!

While the wheels were off, I also gave the suspension a once-over. Everything looks pretty good except the rear upper links. The rubber boots for the ball joints are pretty rotten. I added those to my list and will replace them when I lower the suspension with the new springs. It'll need an alignment anyway and it makes sense to take care of it all at once.

Also new on the list is an outer CV boot on the passenger side. The inside of the wheel was covered in grease due to a rip in the boot. So I've parked the car until the new boot gets installed. The CV joints themselves seem fine - no popping or clicking, so I'll just repack it with grease and install a new boot. But I don't want to risk causing damage by continuing to drive it.

I've replaced entire axles before, but haven't ever done just the boot. I found a couple of DIY's and it doesn't look too difficult. It certainly looks like a lot less work than changing the axle. It's definitely a hell of a lot less money! Hopefully it will go smoothly.

Now for the big breakthrough: I believe I have solved the airbag warning light problem. In hindsight, I should have figured it out quicker than I did. But in my defense, the error descriptions in DIS and INPA can be quite cryptic. They each gave a slightly different description of the fault, but it basically said "Side Airbag, rear right. Coding data does not match equipment. Currently present".

There were a few service receipts that came with the car. One was for a recent replacement of the right rear window regulator. Easy, I thought.
My initial interpretation of this fault was that when the regulator was replaced, somebody switched on the ignition to test the window but had the airbag unplugged. I'll just reset the code and be done with it. When I did, the SRS light flashed until I turned off the ignition. Weird. But the light stayed off when I started the engine. Then came back on. OK, something else is going on here.

I removed the door panel to check the airbag connection. I unplugged it, made sure it was properly connected and reset the fault codes again. Same thing as last time: Light flashed until ignition was turned off. Then came back on when the engine was started.

Then I noticed this label and it clicked.


I remembered either reading or being told that when a dealer disables the rear airbags in a BMW so equipped, they not only disable them by recoding the control module, they also physically disconnect them. That seemed illogical to me, though. On a 2002 X5 rear airbags were a $500 option. Why would someone pay extra for rear airbags and then have them disabled?

What did seem logical though, was that the error code was telling me that the physical configuration did not match the electronic configuration. In other words, the module was detecting a right rear airbag as being present, but there shouldn't be one.

It's easy enough to test that theory: Unplug it, clear the code, and see what happens. What happened was that the SRS light did not flash when I cleared the code and been staying off. I've put about a half dozen drive cycles on it since clearing the code, and so far the light is staying off.

It's funny how obvious a solution is once you've figured it out!

Lastly, I had found an SMG steering wheel on eBay from a 2004 M3. It was delivered today and looks okay. It's pretty dirty, though. I'll clean it up and see how it looks then. Even though I'm not ready to do the shift paddle mod yet, I'll probably go ahead an install it since I like it better than the wheel in the car now. Then half the work will already be done when I'm ready to complete the mod.

[Riggodeaux]

BimmerM3, your clear explanation of your airbag troubleshoot shows why we appreciate your contributions here! Thanks and keep us up on your adventure!