What is/was broken on your E53 today?

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Dremel will modify the length of hex key in seconds


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Oh I agree but I want to keep this one long as it fits my well pump pressure valve much better with the longer length. That's where I think my combo set of allen wrenches met their demise. I had "help" cleaning up after doing some work on it and haven't seen them since.

I was tempted to cut it with the dremel, trust me.

[Crowz]

Also to clear the check brake linings message or the warning symbol on the cluster turn the key to the second position aka where it is when the motor is running but don't crank the car. Let it sit there for 10 seconds or so till the brake light goes out. Now crank the car and let it run a second or so cut the car off. The warning should be gone.

If its high cluster you make have to crank the car a 2nd time to get the text message to go away.

[andrewwynn]

I found the reset procedure when I did my rear brakes recently. Back to tires: I can't use 235 in the summer. I often don't use brakes while cornering and I need 255. I upgraded wife from 235/65-17 to 255/50-18 and the difference is stunning


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[Crowz]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I found the reset procedure when I did my rear brakes recently. Back to tires: I can't use 235 in the summer. I often don't use brakes while cornering and I need 255. I upgraded wife from 235/65-17 to 255/50-18 and the difference is stunning


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I couldn't go that route. I scrub now at times (rarely but it happens) with the 235/65r17's. Going lower wouldn't work for me.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Crowz

I couldn't go that route. I scrub now at times (rarely but it happens) with the 235/65r17's. Going lower wouldn't work for me.

Not sure what you mean. The 255/50-18 are identical in size to the 235/65-17. That's the beauty of it. I can have the 235 that fits in my spare well that matches the rolling circumference of the 255.

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Not sure what you mean. The 255/50-18 are identical in size to the 235/65-17. That's the beauty of it. I can have the 235 that fits in my spare well that matches the rolling circumference of the 255.

Nope they are shorter.
This isn't going line up perfect but should make sense.


235/65r17 255/50r18
Diameter 29" 28" -3.4% smaller

Width 9.3" 10" +7.5% wider

Sidewall 6" 5" -16.7%

Circum. 91.1" 88" -3.4%

Revs/Mile 716 741 +25 more per mile rotation

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Crowz

Nope they are shorter.

Revs/Mile 716 741 +25 more per mile rotation

My bad I thought the base tire was 235/60-17 not 235/65-17.

Some quick math does work out to 12mm lower. Good catch on the 65vs60 ratio I didn't realize I was using the wrong ratio.

That said; Lower Cg does help with cornering. Smaller radius also puts more force to the ground during acceleration. I'll live with the 1/2" lower ground clearance that's what the engine shield is for :-).

I have gone through some pretty amazing obstacles with my X: quick enough incline that I dug my trailer hitch into the ground, steep enough ditch that leaving the ditch getting on the road, I lifted one of the front wheels 5-7" off the ground and one steep culvert where I measured 37°down and 15° roll.

Never had a problem being 1/2" closer to the ground. For me the handling trade off is more than worth it.

(Says the guy that in two months will be putting on a set of 235s; for winter. The grip of the otherwise identical tire is tremendously better)

[Crowz]

Now that I think of it the trick I used might come in handy for someone so here is what I did solve the 7mm being to long. I left the bottom bolt out of the main brace that bolts to the rotor backing plate and pushed the bottom part as far inward as it would go and tightened the top backing plate bolt down. That have just enough room to force an extension into the 7mm socket going by the shock. After I had the 7mm caliper bolt tightened down all the way I loosened the top backing plate bolt aligned it all and put the bottom bolt back in and tightened both of them. Then I tightened the top caliper bolt.

Goofy but worked.

When I was removing it all to start with I just took both backing plate bolts out and pulled caliper and the plate together.

[pearlpower]

Knock on wood, both of mine are set, no issues, no need to fix anything. The 4.8is has a new upper windshield seal in a box waiting for me to find time, but that is it. I recently installed new brakes all around incl. new rotors.

Contemplating selling both for a X5M or 50i, unsure at this time. Reading about a host of issues with the N63 also. Gheesh BMW, I am not asking you to build a Lexus reliable car, but how about testing out new drive-trains before releasing into the wild.

[blakamin]

Awesome thread... I'm sure I'll have some things to contribute soon, with 2 E53s in the house and all...