Jordi's E53 Mod/Service History Thread(picture heavy)

[SpookX5]

Update time!

I replaced the front airbags with BC Racing coilovers since 20-07-2020. Fitted like a glove! The reason for removing the air suspension is that there was a leak in a line or one of the bags. I added the front air myself without any modules, just an airtank hooked up to a paddle valve and the rear compressor. But the airtank was leaking and the compressor would only turn on when the rear bags needed air. This would mean I needed to pump up the bags everytime they lost air.(which was once a week) Finally got tired of it and hated to ride on the bump stop when the air escaped.
So I ordered the BC racing shocks for the front only, which I should have done in the first place...

Fitment is great, no modifications needed.

The ride quality is very comfortable, about the same as air! I had them on a very low setting the first day and it drove fine, not hitting the bumpstop like the air suspension would when it was at the same height. The tire would hit the fender on big bumps though, so I raised the ride height about 1 inch and increased the dampner stiffnes to 10 clicks from soft. Perfect.

Way less droop, I like that





I was reading about Big Brake kits for a long time and the first idea I had was to buy some Range Rover 380mm 6 Piston Brembo's off ebay and make them fit the E53 hub. Turned out that that they needed a new set of inserts to fit correctly and a new brake line. So I came acros this very nice thread: https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...o-upgrade.html

E70 X5M Big Brakes would be a direct fit to the E53. SWEET! So I went online to find me a pair and immediately found a complete set with rotors and pads for just 600 Euro's from Germany Cheap if you ask me. Pads and Rotors are OEM BMW and about 50% life left on the discs and pads. Nice.

They are huge.


Ready for paint


Base coat done, 364 Topaz Blau./ (no plants were harmed when painting these calipers)


Meanwhile doing the rear brakes too


And fixed the weird spot on my passenger rear door


2K clear coat done on the calipers.




Very happy with the results!!! Missing M sticker will come in soon.

I will fit them next week as this weekend I will have my first Time Attack event with my Renault Clio RS in Germany and I need to make sure the X is 100% ready to tow the trailer with the Clio. Looks like we will have a rainy weekend over there. Can't wait to make the trip with the X5, many pictures will be taken and I will post some over here.

After we are back from the race weekend I will put the X5 on the lift and replace some parts:
Rear subframe bushes (4x)
Rear camber and toe arms from Project Silver
Rear balljoints
Rear and front roll bar rubbers (2x)
Remove middle resonator or a muffler delete. Not sure yet.
Possibly replace 4 inch tip with stock 4.6is tips when keeping stock mufflers

When this is done I will have almost all new suspension parts apart from rear shocks and topmounts (bags have been replaced about 2 years ago(Arnott))

Will check condition of gearbox mount, engine mounts and central bearing as there is a big clunking sound when suddenly pressing the gas when driving in gear. Might be rear subframe bushes, dont know, will replace them first.

I will check for worn parts like CV joints and boots, Guibo's, diff bushings.
I want to give the underside a good clean and maybe restore some parts if needed. I've noticed that some heatshields are loose in some places. Find my minor oil leak. Check Steering U joint. Torque stiffening plate.

After all the work is done I want to re-torque front and rear suspension parts under load. After that I want to make sure the rear suspension is level and do a full alignment.

[guntherrex]

holy cow that's soem serious brakes! Looking good, should stop pretty well? Doest the pedal get softer with the bigger pistons?

Good luck in the clio - nurnburg ring?

[SpookX5]

Originally Posted by guntherrex

holy cow that's soem serious brakes! Looking good, should stop pretty well? Doest the pedal get softer with the bigger pistons?

Good luck in the clio - nurnburg ring?

I hope they will give a sharper feel but I have read about a softer pedal. I will make sure to use INPA to bleed the ABS unit too.

I raced the Clio at Racepark Meppen in a Time Attack event, but I have driven many laps on the Ring with that car too. I might go back this month

Originally Posted by jopecasa

I want those!

Looks awesome!

Hopefully to find these on my local junkyard!

They are huuuuuge, good luck finding them

[jopecasa]

I want those!

Looks awesome!

Hopefully to find these on my local junkyard!

[guntherrex]

if the brake pistons get bigger and the master stays the same then in principle the pedal travel will be longer but can excert more power. if there's little slack that should be fine.

How did the time attack go? Any pics?

just did a trackday at zandvoort on the bike, bit wet but good learning

[SpookX5]

Originally Posted by guntherrex

if the brake pistons get bigger and the master stays the same then in principle the pedal travel will be longer but can excert more power. if there's little slack that should be fine.

How did the time attack go? Any pics?

just did a trackday at zandvoort on the bike, bit wet but good learning

That makes sense. I even felt a difference after changing brake fluid. Felt like I had more travel. This time I will use INPA to activate the ABS pump when bleeding the brakes.

Time Attack was fun and I finished 2nd place in my class. Cool, I like bikes too but no license to drive one yet. I''ll keep driving the Moped instead
We will drive at TT Circuit Assen next time on the 27th of August and Zandvoort in November.



Racepark Meppen (DE) old powerplant industrial area which is a small technical race track now.






X5 was great at towing, but on the way back I got a check engine light and self leveling inactive(relay went bad). Code 33(camshaft sensor) and 140(thermostat) were present. The engine was running good like always. I deleted them but they came back after accelerating with about 75% throttle. Then a day later I started the car and the codes were gone and did not come back!!

The next day I could finaly get the X5 on the lift. My brother was using the lift for his Ford Escort XR3i restoration for a long time but I finally got all parts ready to refresh the suspension and driveline.

on the ramps!


New rear balljoints, finally got the right tool for this job.


New rear subframe bushings, the old ones were all gone and the inner part was loose when I took the bolt out!! I added PU sealant to make them firmer and last longer.


Project Silver Camber and Toe arms to fix alignment (too much camber)


Cleaned front subframe and suspension parts. Looks very good for a 20 year old car IMHO


I will replace the transmission mount, center axle bearing and guibo tonight.

Currently waiting on new front inner and outer CV joints. I ordered a set of complete driveshafts for the front but they did not fit as I have a pre 04/2000 X5. Mine is a 03/2000 and they use 27mm axles with 58.8mm outer cv joint size. I did not know there was a difference.

I hope they will come in soon so I can put the car back together and do an alignment. Must drive way better with the new subframe bushings, ready for another 20 years.

[guntherrex]

wow that track looks great! I wish I had a place to tinker on cars like that... my shed won't even fit a motorcycle hahaha

[SpookX5]

Sad news, my X5 was stolen on 17th august 2020 00:30 from Naaldwijk, The Netherlands. Three people entered my workshop area and drove off in the X5.

We have some security footage of it but it doesn't show much. Someone must have sneaked in my workshop and waited untill I was gone and look for the key that was stored away from the car, but in the same workshop. We can see them open the garage door and drive off.

I'm so mad. There is nothing I can do now. I searched all day and tried to reach as many people as possible. My facebook post reached 1100 shares, but the location is still unknown. Hopefully Police will find it but I think they have changed the plates. I'm still hoping it will be found in good condition. Unfortunately the Android radio is offline and will not show it's location.

I'm extra mad because I just finished a full 2 stage paint correction and ceramic coating along with replacing many suspension parts. The coating was curing and I would return the next day to finish it and get it ready for alignment. Along with the car they stole my laptop and dealer software and all my car cleaning supplies, good bye 1 day old polishing machine, you did well.

I added some parts that stand out, if you see them for sale, contact me here asap, it might help to locate the car. We might catch these thieves.
CHASSIS CODE WBAFB31020LG90336 - 316500 KM

Custom Gauge cluster with silver rings, red needles and M badge
M Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters
Stock front light with halo's
E70 X5M brakes in Topaz Blue with M logo
BC Racing Coilovers front
AC Schnitzer rear spoiler lip in Topaz Blue
New front driveshafts
Project Silver adjustable rear arms
Style 168 wheels in Silver
Widescreen Android radio
10 Inch subwoofer + amp and Playstation 3 in trunk

Passenger side mirror has corrosion under the paint
Rear windows has Xoutpost.com stickers on it in blue

This is the location that it was stolen from and how the car looks like exactly.







Please look out for the car if possible and if you see any of these parts please contact me!

Hopefully soon I can continue this thread, don't lose faith!
Why steal a 20 year old car?

[Purplecty]

Originally Posted by SpookX5

Sad news, my X5 was stolen on 17th august 2020 00:30 from Naaldwijk, The Netherlands. Three people entered my workshop area and drove off in the X5.



We have some security footage of it but it doesn't show much. Someone must have sneaked in my workshop and waited untill I was gone and look for the key that was stored away from the car, but in the same workshop. We can see them open the garage door and drive off.



I'm so mad. There is nothing I can do now. I searched all day and tried to reach as many people as possible. My facebook post reached 1100 shares, but the location is still unknown. Hopefully Police will find it but I think they have changed the plates. I'm still hoping it will be found in good condition. Unfortunately the Android radio is offline and will not show it's location.



I'm extra mad because I just finished a full 2 stage paint correction and ceramic coating along with replacing many suspension parts. The coating was curing and I would return the next day to finish it and get it ready for alignment. Along with the car they stole my laptop and dealer software and all my car cleaning supplies, good bye 1 day old polishing machine, you did well.



I added some parts that stand out, if you see them for sale, contact me here asap, it might help to locate the car. We might catch these thieves.

CHASSIS CODE WBAFB31020LG90336 - 316500 KM



Custom Gauge cluster with silver rings, red needles and M badge

M Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters

Stock front light with halo's

E70 X5M brakes in Topaz Blue with M logo

BC Racing Coilovers front

AC Schnitzer rear spoiler lip in Topaz Blue

New front driveshafts

Project Silver adjustable rear arms

Style 168 wheels in Silver

Widescreen Android radio

10 Inch subwoofer + amp and Playstation 3 in trunk



Passenger side mirror has corrosion under the paint

Rear windows has Xoutpost.com stickers on it in blue



This is the location that it was stolen from and how the car looks like exactly.















Please look out for the car if possible and if you see any of these parts please contact me!



Hopefully soon I can continue this thread, don't lose faith!

Why steal a 20 year old car?

Wow! This is one of my favorite builds! I am sad to hear this happened to you. It may be a 20 year old car but it is a 1 of 1!

[crystalworks]

I echo purplecty. So sorry to hear. The world is full of @$$holes and the rest of us are forced to try and out think them. Was it insured? The shop?

Hoping for a good outcome. *Fingers crossed*