Could use some advice re a 2003 5-speed

[dgz32]

I'm looking at a E53 5-speed at a small dealer. Car looks and drives very well. Few things to address if purchased, but was curious about it's tire/wheel set up.

It has style 63s on it with the correct factory size of 255/50/19 on the front—and the not-so-factory correct size of 265/50/19 on the rear.

This works out to be a difference in diameter between the two of 1.4%. Factory size for the rear is 285/45/19—which works out to 0.3% difference between front/rear.

So my question—would the system recognize a 1.1% difference than expected? If so—would it throw any codes or airbag lights? Also, how might this affect the mechanical bits, transfer case, and so on?

[andrewwynn]

If it's pre facelift (not x-drive) then according to the user manual about 3% difference in front to back wheel circumference is ok and that makes sense for the drive train since the transfer case is pure ratio/differential just the abs software has to cope with the speed differences. If you dont get abs oddities you should be good to go.


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[dgz32]

Excellent. Thanks, sir! It's a pre-facelift. I'm getting it on a lift tomorrow so see how bad it's 15 years up north was on her.

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

If it's pre facelift (not x-drive) then according to the user manual about 3% difference in front to back wheel circumference is ok and that makes sense for the drive train since the transfer case is pure ratio/differential just the abs software has to cope with the speed differences. If you dont get abs oddities you should be good to go.


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[dgz32]

So figured I'd post back here since I bought the X5 I'd a question about in the OP.

Looked all around the country for a lowish mileage manual 6-cylinder X5 for my wife. Had to be E53 specific. Ended up finding it at a small car lot 5 miles from our house. 107k miles on it. Already had the style 63s on it along with an Android HU w/back-up camera. Also found out later it has H&R springs.

As mentioned, it had spent it's entire life up north—which was a concern until after I was able to get it up in the air and take a look at it. No rust on the body at all. Had def been garaged—and overall in great shape and dealer maintained over its lifetime. There is rust on the front and rear subframe, brake calipers, and various fasteners. I intend to replace all of the rusty bits eventually as we'll be keeping this one for a while.

So far I've replaced the rear subframe bushings, brake lines where they like to fail, ebay headlights with OEM Xenon, upper windshield trim, new B-pillar trim (both sides) from Tisher, vinyl replaced with standard leather front seats w/lumbar (ultimately will go heated Sport or Comfort), have leather back seats to go in, added BMW floor mats, roof cross bars, clear tails, and wipers, gauge cluster rings, plus several misc clips and covers here-and-there. Rear shocks/mounts and hardware, plus rotors and pads on all corners going on this weekend.

One added bonus of doing the subframe bushings is that the steering wheel now points perfectly straight, whereas before it was angled left a few degrees.

So far we're really diggin it!

A few pics...

[Victorious4.8is]

Originally Posted by dgz32

So figured I'd post back here since I bought the X5 I'd a question about in the OP.

Looked all around the country for a lowish mileage manual 6-cylinder X5 for my wife. Had to be E53 specific. Ended up finding it at a small car lot 5 miles from our house. 107k miles on it. Already had the style 63s on it along with an Android HU w/back-up camera. Also found out later it has H&R springs.

As mentioned, it had spent it's entire life up north—which was a concern until after I was able to get it up in the air and take a look at it. No rust on the body at all. Had def been garaged—and overall in great shape and dealer maintained over its lifetime. There is rust on the front and rear subframe, brake calipers, and various fasteners. I intend to replace all of the rusty bits eventually as we'll be keeping this one for a while.

So far I've replaced the rear subframe bushings, brake lines where they like to fail, ebay headlights with OEM Xenon, upper windshield trim, new B-pillar trim (both sides) from Tisher, vinyl replaced with standard leather front seats w/lumbar (ultimately will go heated Sport or Comfort), have leather back seats to go in, added BMW floor mats, roof cross bars, clear tails, and wipers, gauge cluster rings, plus several misc clips and covers here-and-there. Rear shocks/mounts and hardware, plus rotors and pads on all corners going on this weekend.

One added bonus of doing the subframe bushings is that the steering wheel now points perfectly straight, whereas before it was angled left a few degrees.

So far we're really diggin it!

A few pics...

Sweet! Looks like a great find. My first X5 was the same color with the camel interior. Enjoy! I'm S.C. born and raised, Walterboro. Enjoying the Florida sunshine now though.

[dgz32]

Originally Posted by Victorious4.8is

Sweet! Looks like a great find. My first X5 was the same color with the camel interior. Enjoy! I'm S.C. born and raised, Walterboro. Enjoying the Florida sunshine now though.

Same here—except for a 20 year hiatus in GA—we're now back in SC. Located near Myrtle Beach. We've vacationed several times in Cape San Blas on the gulf coast. Would not hesitate to move there if the opportunity ever presented itself!

The color has grown on me—but my wife loves it. Def different from most you see around.