E53 3.0i Historic Forum Builds

[TwistedMetal]

Hi all,

I'm new here but a long time BMW owner, worked at the dealer, etc. I primarily have owned 3-series E30, 36, 46, etc. Anyway i'm thinking about an E46 or E53 as the next purchase.

If I go with an E53 it will probably be m54, auto and riding on springs. Was wondering if there are any cool M54 builds on here. Seeing that its a truck I probably wouldn't do all that much to it but interested in what anyone else has done.

[MINIz guy]

richirich was what I remembered when I first joined. His X5 had more early 00's styling though.

X5SND bagged his X5, which was cool as it still kept an OEM+ look

The most recent one I remember is an X5 offroad build. I'm not around the forums often enough now to know the member though.

[TwistedMetal]

Thanks! I'll take a look and see what I can dig up

[TwistedMetal]

Is there a "technical/mechanical" section of the forum? I haven't seem to found any area where everything is grouped up together in.


Any cool double din options like this for those who didn't have nav from the factory? Figured some people on here might have found some good stuff like this that don't disappoint.

Car DVD player for BMW X5 E53 with gps radio tv bluetooth



Also how much do E53 5-speed auto's go for approximately used private sale, like from part outs and such. The X's don't seem to have as big of a cult following as some of the 3's do.

[TwistedMetal]

Also has anyone chased any power with the M54 on here? I've never build an engine up for an SUV and I know the drivetrain and 5,000 lbs is going to change the game but curious to if anyone has done so. The torque being as important as it is most common mods you see on a 3-series, you intake/exhaust bolt on stuff kind of becomes irrelevant.

If anything I would want to stroke the m54 to make it a 3.3-5L but a $4,000 crank shaft is a little excessive on these old beasts.

[Joshdub]

For m54 mods you are better off looking at the e46 forums. The 330i has the same engine as our X5s. Lots of info to be had on e46fanatics when it comes to getting the most out of these engines.

[TwistedMetal]

The only issue is that with a lighter two wheel drive setup that has a clutch you can sacrifice a little torque on the bottom end if you want to go all out.

Anyway im going to look at an X tomorrow, looks clean but has wheel bearing and possibly a transmission issue asking 3600. I'll have to see if this one is worth it.

[Joshdub]

All the mods you are going to find will be designed for the e46. No one has turned a m54 into a stump puller.

I wouldn't bother with an auto 3.0. if you're going to buy an auto x5 and are worried about torque, buy a 4.6 or 4.8is.

[TwistedMetal]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

All the mods you are going to find will be designed for the e46. No one has turned a m54 into a stump puller.

I wouldn't bother with an auto 3.0. if you're going to buy an auto x5 and are worried about torque, buy a 4.6 or 4.8is.

no m62's, any 8-cyl and i'll go crazy on the pedal and the wallet. I've done enough timing chains and cases on them already. Its an SUV I don't want to be getting 7 mpg all the time.

I've had good results in maintaining the toruqe by keeping the OE airbox in the past but have never had an awd 5,000lb system coupled too it. More displacement is what it needs a 97mm crank would be nice but that cash is a little excessive to get there. And the fuel economy would most likely go south even further making the m62 more viable.

the 46 and 48 are some damn nice motors though. The vano's alone are enought to make me want one over the standard V8 x's