COVID-19 Quarantined or Stay At Home X5 Projects

[tmat1977]

yo try northside imports ask for Adam (my brother in law) all european car part store

i can get quote for if you like

https://www.northsideimports.com/

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

crystalworks:

you have a link for those doors seals? My e53 has effed up seals I've been wanting to replace. But, too much money.

I bought them off Ebay. Depending on which ones you need there are some on there right now and appear to be in good shape for the E53. I took a quick look but there could be more. You can always shave some costs by using the "Best Offer" option. Saved me $25 total on the 2 seals. Works especially well if ordering multiple seals from the same seller as they can save on shipping and put in the same package.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-BMW-x...sAAOSwPKRec~i~

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exterior-Do...cAAOSwPYpa89AE

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I bought them off Ebay. Depending on which ones you need there are some on there right now and appear to be in good shape for the E53. I took a quick look but there could be more. You can always shave some costs by using the "Best Offer" option. Saved me $25 total on the 2 seals. Works especially well if ordering multiple seals from the same seller as they can save on shipping and put in the same package.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-BMW-x...sAAOSwPKRec~i~

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exterior-Do...cAAOSwPYpa89AE

Thanks!

[shedtastic]

Current COVID-19 task list:

E53 X5:

- Replace the $15 aftermarket rear-view camera, with a slightly more expensive $18 rear view camera - DONE
- Get rid of the rattle from the tailgate - possibly one of the electronic latches in the lower tailgate not actually latching.. (left side seems to not latch) - REPLACED the latch with an eBay used part - didn't seem to make a difference. Realized the upper tailgate was able to rattle when closed (perhaps a hangover from when the first $15 rear view camera was fitted...). Adjusted the latch plate where the upper section closes - No rattle! - DONE
- Replace the passenger door handle carrier, so it will open from the outside. - FAILED, the $25 part supplied was the wrong part. Now ordered the right BMW part for $150..
- Replace the battery that goes flat if unused for 2 weeks. And stopped taking charge. - DONE
- Maybe upgrade the Stereo to a Sony that does Carplay and will support the use of steering wheel buttons. Maybe Sony XAV-AX1000? Or, fit a simple switch to allow me to reset the current cheap Android stereo when it freezes..
- Fit a gearknob that doesn't wobble around on the gearstick. Preferably slightly shorter. - DONE, much nicer!
- See how easy it is to delete the Clutch Delay Valve, which I'm hoping is to blame for the slightly erratic clutch biting point..
- Fit the cheap tow bar hitch that I was gifted by a neighbour.
- Replace the gasket and microswitch in the upper tailgate that has stopped working again. (I previously disassembled and & dried it all out, and tried to repair / reuse the gasket that was falling apart)

E39
- fix that rattle in the driver's door where I didn't tighten up one bracket when I changed the window regulator last year. That now totally detracts from the otherwise supreme impression of perfect build quality, every time I use the car. And that constantly reminds me I did a sloppy repair job
- replace a rear window regulator
- repair / reattach somehow the passenger seat control panel

E30 convertible:

Maybe take out the passenger seat, and fill and smooth the cracks and spray dye over it all, so it kind of matches the previously repaired driver's seat. Hopefully without the "amateur plastic surgeon" effect I got on the driver's seat.

(Seriously - if you ever saw the "It's time to dye" article written by Rob Siegel, my similar attempt on my driver's seat could be used as a Pinterest FAIL meme..

https://www.bmwcca.org/roundel/time-...-seats-part-ii

His was a very good article, and the repair products are great, but some semblance of skill and patience are needed. Both of which I seem to lack..)

[wpoll]

I'd suggest a better Android stereo rather than the Sony - and retain all the OBC function plus more via iBus.

That and standard DIN/Double-DIN head units look shite in any BMW....

[shedtastic]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I'd suggest a better Android stereo rather than the Sony - and retain all the OBC function plus more via iBus.

I think My X5 is so old that the OBD functions are all on the main dash cluster, not the stereo. (MPG, av speed, range etc.) But it has been such a long time since i took out the original stereo I can't remember if I lost some functions. (I had an expensive Blaupunkt Double Din unit in place at first [trying to stay 'Germanic'] but that touchscreen failed just outside warranty. Then I replaced that with a $35 delivered Chinese double DIN, just to see how functional something so cheap could be. Turns out, not bad. But not good enough. FM tuner really not good enough, and occasionally it won't switch off..

And now I've got used to Apple CarPlay in other cars, I kind of like the interface.

[wpoll]

Age of car not relevant to accessing OBC functions - yes, you can see them but you can't change anything... i.e. how do you reset the clock?

Have a look at the threads on here about Android units that retain all functions (via an additional adapter/software) and retain OEM looks, like the Avant Avin 4 etc. Well worth the $.

[shedtastic]

I reset the MPG by pressing and holding the OBC button on the stalk.

Clock was on the old stereo, now there is a clock on my new stereo, so editing the clock is not really relevant.
Were there some other OBC functions on the stereo that I have forgotten even existed?

[Overboost]

Finally got a little energy to go out and start working on detailing the paint on the cars. I put 3 hours in on the nose of the X5 and then called it a day. Front fenders, hood and front bumper finished. Maybe tomorrow I'll do the front doors and roof. So hard to find any ambition lately.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Finally got a little energy to go out and start working on detailing the paint on the cars. I put 3 hours in on the nose of the X5 and then called it a day. Front fenders, hood and front bumper finished. Maybe tomorrow I'll do the front doors and roof. So hard to find any ambition lately.

It looks beautiful. Hang in there brother.