So, what happens when 47 year old kid falls in love with X5 2600 miles away?

[haigha]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

Thank you!
Well, guess what, I bought a set of yours...

Great! I hope you like them as much as I do. A little softer ride compared to the General Grabbers, but that's okay with me, especially with my 20's. One of my old tires had a gash too. Plus they were about 14 years old with about 21K miles on them which probably contributed to the noise and stiffness. Still plenty of tread, but it was time.

I'd use a specialist if I knew a good one locally. On the other hand, Discount Tire was great with my install. And they matched the online Discount Tire Direct $100 off promotion at the time.

Too bad no $70 rebate. That process went smoothly and I got my online Mastercard in about two weeks.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

Thank you!
I'll use my response to give quick update:
Currently, X5 is at my good friend house getting proper buffing. It was taken care of and clearly been garaged some of its life but never properly buffed.
I did VC gaskets and top of engine is extremely clean . I also did thermostat (it was stuck open), new NGK BKR6EQUP plugs, new Bosck O2 sensors and few other cosmetic things.
It runs like a dream.
I cleaned the BMW stupid coating of the steering wheel and cleaned all 4 wheels inside and out and change wheel caps.

How did manage to cleanup the silly coating so neatly? I'm always afraid to end up with a scratch or something? Really need to do this.

[Overboost]

Cheap enough to just replace with new. I don't have the time or patience to restore my 18 year old trim. $69 and enjoy new.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...k/32306778412/

[andrewwynn]

I lucked out with my car as the driver seat was replaced before I bought it and the car was apparently used for single person commuting as no other seat had any significant wear.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by X5only

Yeah, I know - I'm now on my third one and fed up replacing them with new after 3-4 years.

Ok, I know what I'll do now - buy from fcpeuro and get lifetime warranty and always get new when replacing - bingo!
Slightly more expensive but one time expenditure https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/X5...ds=32306778412

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

^I usually take loose wheels as well. For the reasons you mentioned. But marring still occurs during the balance procedure if they aren't careful mounting the wheels on the balancer, as in the Firestone experience. My wheels' finish have all started crazing and spidering after 5 years so I am less concerned, but after they get refinished I'll be anal once again about it.

Yes, there is never full guarantee.
It's unspoken agreement between me and shop that they still charge me full price but take their time.
Considering they don't have to deal with driving the car on lift, removing wheels, installing wheels and driving of fhe lift, they know it's more than fair from my side.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by X5only

How did manage to cleanup the silly coating so neatly? I'm always afraid to end up with a scratch or something? Really need to do this.

It's actually quite simple. About 1 hour of careful elbow grease with my long trusted friend "Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner".
They recently changed name to Nextzett but same formula.
You spray it on rag and slowly rub. It dissolves the coating while not scratching plastic underneath.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by haigha

Great! I hope you like them as much as I do. A little softer ride compared to the General Grabbers, but that's okay with me, especially with my 20's. One of my old tires had a gash too. Plus they were about 14 years old with about 21K miles on them which probably contributed to the noise and stiffness. Still plenty of tread, but it was time.

I'd use a specialist if I knew a good one locally. On the other hand, Discount Tire was great with my install. And they matched the online Discount Tire Direct $100 off promotion at the time.

Too bad no $70 rebate. That process went smoothly and I got my online Mastercard in about two weeks.

Yes, I'm all about getting the best price but sometime the timing is not there.
I did buy a set of Nittos from DTD few months ago when they had $100 flash sale + $80 rebate which I received very fast.
The gash is making me nervous, especially since it will be wife / daughter main transport.

[bmw540san]

Well, other than new tires coming tomorrow and few other maintenance to catch up, she's done.
My friend finished 20 hours of buffing plus his signature caliper paint.
He takes his time and properly buffs the car. Since this one was unknown to him and never properly buffed, he had to go slow and careful.
Before I met him years ago I thought buffing meant getting wax and towels from local auto parts store and some elbow grease.
There is 1000 times more to it if you want maximum effect yet not burning through clear coat and ruining the paint.
Man, what a difference. When it was park few days earlier next to my Alpine White 532M it clearly looked dull and it has 9 year younger painting and 55k miles less on it.
Now, 528 is not Alpine White Queen anymore. Just because it's white it's that much harder to achieve the deep gloss / shine when compared to black for example but he did it.

[crystalworks]

So pretty. Gorgeous really.

I need to do this to my truck badly.