Another new 5-speed owner!

[5X5]

Hi folks. I am the proud new owner of a 2002 X5 5-speed. I have to say it is the nicest vehicle I have ever owned!



I plan to put this thing to work, going to see a lots of dirt!

I would like to get setup to tow my small camper. The salvage yard in Sacramento wants $600 for a factory hitch and wiring setup. Anyone got a line on a factory tow setup, or a good alternative? I apologize in advance for not finding it myself with the search function, I have looked and not come up with much yet, so help is appreciated!

[Ricky Bobby]

Welcome - yes the E53 with a manual transmission and the straight 6 is not only reliable, but the most fun you'll have driving an SAV! No its not fast but the stick makes it feel quicker than it is -


OEM tow hitch has been out of production for many years, you'll have to source setup from a junk yard -

[Calipsoe]

I'm not a hitch expert but I know they are difficult to find. The factory hitch cost about $500 new. Maybe offer $400 and see if they bite.

[Bdc101]

Make sure to get the towing module AND the wiring harness from the junkyard. It's unavailable anywhere but junkyards these days.

I tow a 20 foot trailer with our 2003 5-speed and it tows great. Seriously a great tow vehicle. You'll need a brake controller. At sea level it seems to have enough guts, but runs out of steam at 4,000 feet when towing. My trailer's only about 3,000lbs.

[5X5]

Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and bite the bullet on the hitch/module/wiring harness. I offered $300, then $400, I'll try $500 and see haha.

Ironically, the week between looking at the X5, and purchasing it, the right rear muffler fell off. Call it fate, now she's got some glorious glasspack mufflers instead.

Tested it out on my favorite hillclimb, "Sonic Hill", and she made it up clawing all four tires through the rocks. Passed my test!

[Bdc101]

How does it sound with the mufflers? I wanted more soundbut I settled on some 4.6is mufflers I found locally. They're bolt-on but I haven't got around to putting them on yet. We'd love to hear how you like them since there aren't a lot of folks modding the 6-cylinders.

[5X5]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

How does it sound with the mufflers? I wanted more soundbut I settled on some 4.6is mufflers I found locally. They're bolt-on but I haven't got around to putting them on yet. We'd love to hear how you like them since there aren't a lot of folks modding the 6-cylinders.

It sounds pretty bad, definitely do not recommend, and would not do again! But it is kinda fun to roll around with glass packs on an X5

I would love to buy a set of 4.6is mufflers! Install should be beyond easy, if they just bolt on.

[Ricky Bobby]

LOL^ I can imagine it drones terrible -



The 4.6iS mufflers bolt on but don't increase sound too much - you want the 4.8iS setup which has beefier mufflers and piping - it gave a very OEM+ tone to my X5 but if you want more tone/sound you would want to do an Xpipe or something in place of the center resonator -

[5X5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

LOL^ I can imagine it drones terrible -



The 4.6iS mufflers bolt on but don't increase sound too much - you want the 4.8iS setup which has beefier mufflers and piping - it gave a very OEM+ tone to my X5 but if you want more tone/sound you would want to do an Xpipe or something in place of the center resonator -

The drone is not the worst I've experienced (*wishful thinking) but it definitely is there. My e30 was much worse before I put the stock exhaust back on haha. I'll look for a set of 4.8is muffs, that sounds like the ticket.

[5X5]

Well after another week of running glass packs I got tired of the drone. I picked up a set of 4.8is mufflers over the weekend and will install monday.

Also investigating a metallic sound which I hear sometimes if I push the clutch in too quickly when accelerating. My friend who owns a repair shop specializing in BMW felt the front driveshaft for play and thought it is the culprit. He has installed a longer shaft on another customers car and is recommending that for me.