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

[SpookX5]

Originally Posted by Hoopie

Congrats Spook, I am glad your X was found. I even looked for you on autoscout24.it to see if it was offered for sale. Good all is safe.

Thanks!

Update time:
Before the car got stolen I replaced the main giubo and center axle bearing. New inner and outer CV joints in the front (Actually E46 330xd outer CV joints as O ring size is smaller on first build date X5's). And I cut out the resonator and replaced it with 2.5 inch pipe.

Resonator delete: The sound it not what I expected, I thought it would be a little louder, I should have done a muffler delete instead. I might visit an exhaust shop to redo the welding as my welds are bad.


And last but not least, I installed the E70 X5M front brakes!
Big! I added the correct M badge later.




After this I torqued all suspension parts and gave the rear an eyeball alignment.

I decided it was time for a 2 stage paint correction, while taking my time, unlike the first time I polished the car.
After 2 weeks in the workshop it was time for a wash, ironx and claybar:


Completely clean and ready for polishing:


I wanted to test out Ceramic coating by Gyeon for the first time. Which takes 24 hours to dry after applying.

That is when the car got stolen from the workshop just 3 hours after finishing the ceramic coating. Fortunately the car was found by Police 10 days later!

Meaning the coating did not dry like it was supposed to, that sucks because it's pretty expensive. I will have to buy a new coating and re apply it. No big deal, so happy to have the car back!

That doesn't mean it's not clean :


The polishing made a big difference in depth:



The X5 still has some issues with the rear air suspension, it went inaktiv in Germany when towing. I checked the fuses, relays and checked the module for water damage. All was good. The compressor would not run on it's own, I manually pumped up the bags with a method described on this forum. It would raise the axle when giving the command through INPA but would come back down again during a few days. There is a small leak somewhere in the lines.
I checked the sensor wiring and took the sensors off but did not find damage. I've read many things online and I decided to replace the sensors first as there are different brand sensors on the car. That explains why one side would lower more then the other side. Hopefully this will fix the problem, otherwise I will buy a second hand module. Will update when I replace the sensors

Sometimes a Error code 140 for the Thermostat would come up so I bought a new thermostat and a new water temp sensor.
Same for the Bank 1 o2 sensor (pre cat), replacement on it's way.

Then it has a intermittent Code 33 (Camshaft Bank 1 (P0011)), it comes and goes. I cleaned the camshaft sensors and they are OEM and probably 20 years old. I checked out the VANOS solenoids and the gaskets are leaking, but I do not have the correc tool to take them off and test them. Engine runs normal and feels strong. No weird noises. Chains and guides have been done 60.000 miles ago and should be fine. If it comes back I will start with camshaft sensors first.

To complete it all I was thinking about wheel refinishing or different wheels and looked around for 21 inch wheels. Ideally I would like something that looks like a BBS CH-R but then I found a set of Style 87 kind of local to me. I have not decided yet.

[Purplecty]

Glad this thread is alive again!

[X5only]

Originally Posted by Purplecty

Glad this thread is alive again!

Indeed! It almost feels like we just woke up from a collective nightmare, only that it wasn't a dream.

[RocketyMan]

I've been reading this thread...I'm so happy you got your X back! Man!...

[Happy]

Originally Posted by RocketyMan

I've been reading this thread...I'm so happy you got your X back! Man!...

I definitely agree!

[SpookX5]

Thanks everyone! I'm still so thankful that my X5 is back!

Last week I replaced the rear leveling sensors but the error still comes and goes. Sometimes it will not show at all but it could be back a minute later. It did not do that with the old sensors so I think I'm in the right direction. This week I will get hold of a new laptop and INPA software to reset the module and try again. If it doesn't work after a reset I will replace the module with a used one.

About the camsensor fault codes, the engine warning light did not come on in the last two weeks. Should be fine then

The Error code 140 for the Thermostat turns out to be a broken thermostat. It's leaking internally and coolant is reaching the wire connector on top of thermostat, causing the error to pop up. I will replace the thermostat soon to fix this.

As for the pre cat 02 sensor, I replaced the one that was faulty.

Now for the subwoofer that was stolen, I've got a new one and built a new box for it. This subwoofer has more RMS watts then the stolen one. 450W RMS and 1300W peak. My amp can only output 375W RMS so the woofer is not maxed, unlike the old one. JBL Statium 1024.

This new subwoofer has a larger mounting depth so unfortunately it would not fit behind the cover. It sticks out about 1 inch. I could not mount it in the correct orientation because of the SSI Ohm regulator that was in the way. It looks a little rough now but I still need to add a grill to make it look better and to add some protection.



I absolutely love the sound that this woofer makes, it's very powerfull and makes all of my music sound awesome. I was thinking to replace the factory speakers too but for right now the factory speakers are fine in combination with the subwoofer.


In the last post I talked about a change of wheels. I have decided and I think I made the right choice. Picked up these wheels for 500 euro's with usable winter tires, I will probably sell the tires as winter tires are not really needed here. I will probably sell the Style 168 when the Style 87 are refurbished.

OEM Style 87








I can't stop looking at it.

I think this anthracite color looks good on the X5 but Silver might look even better and classic? What do you think about it? Silver or keep them anthracite?
They need to be repainted or powdercoated anyways as 2 wheels are chiping pretty bad.

[Overboost]

$500 Euros for the Style 87's is a great price. They are harder and harder to find over here. I personally like silver on the blue but that is all personal preference. Style 87's are my favorite wheel for the X5.

[absolutezero273c]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Style 87's are my favorite wheel for the X5.

^^Agreed.



I do like the silver but I think the anthracite looks great with that blue.


I was given a front style 87 in perfect condition. Now I just need one more front and 2 rear. Maybe I can be lucky enough to find someone selling a set of 3 after they ruined a front one hitting a pot hole...

[jopecasa]

Looks good!

What spacers please?

[Overboost]

Just noticed the xoutpost stickers on the rear quarters.