Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-21-2021, 12:31 PM
BigLion's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 163
BigLion is on a distinguished road
Angry The Good, the Bad, and the Burly - Intro, Gallery and Updates

I’m thinking it’s about time to make a thread here for Burly, the Imola red troublemaker, breaker of budgets and hearts, since I just looked back on the first Group drive I did here in Abu Dhabi in November 2010, 11 years back… Not only then can I keep track of the many questions and answers I need to address on this car, but I’m also not gonna stink up the other threads with my noob gaffes and blindingly obvious revelations.

Origin Story

I bought Burly back in August 2010 when my daughter reached school age so I needed a first ride in this country. The school run is about 20 mins through suburban traffic, so obviously a long-distance V8 cruiser with fragile air suspension was the perfect choice. Her justification was that if you don’t drive a big car to school, you’ll get mowed down and killed by someone else in a huge car. Lexus LX, Nissan Patrols and Toyota Land Cruiser VXRs make up the majority of the morning traffic here.

I bought the car as third owner from a shady Scottish fellow whose passport said ‘Gerry Black Brown’. Special Forces? I wondered…. Apparently before that it belonged to the wife of a CEO and was driven around by a chauffeur, such as things are here.

When I got it I’d had a row with “Gerry” about the price and he browbeat me into not getting a AED 5,000 discount, but paying AED 85,000 ($23,150.00) which was still pretty reasonable for a 4 year-old car with 77,000 Km (a shade off 48,000 miles) on the clock, also given our next choice was to buy similar spec from Sharjah which is like 3 hours drive and 2 Emirates away. (different registrations apply). So finally after the deal as I was about to pull away he said “don’t open that window all the way down otherwise you’ll need this to lever it back up” [hands me a potato peeler]… also the air suspension was malfunctioning. No worries, I thought – I can live with that deal. Can probably just fix it cheaply once and for all.

I certainly won’t go on about how many b****** air struts, window lifters and door handle carriers I’ve gone through, but prefer to focus on the amazing journeys we’ve been on throughout the UAE and Oman; beaches, mountains and deserts have made some amazing backdrops. And the kids love the car – my daughter is almost old enough to get her own license and we brought my new-born son home from hospital in the back seat, so it’s part of the family. You still can’t beat powering up a shallow curve onto the highway, or blasting up a multi-story car park ramp with the windows open. Music to my ears. Eventually the name came from a pair of carpenters jeans I owned for years, from the Burly Threads company, but there was also a ‘Lord Burleigh’, hero of the movie ‘Elizabeth’ (if you enjoy mediaeval dramas you should be familiar with that one!) so there was that, kind of.

For maintenance I’ve mostly been going to a workshop/ breakers in that part of town, owned by Jordanian guys with good connections. They seem to have everything you need when you need it, but kinda leave muddy footprints (occasionally torn door rubbers and broken plastic with their big boots) and aren’t so good at the electronics. They do seem to have a sixth sense about X5s. Anyway, getting this car right is not just one battle, it’s a war!!

I'm gonna start with the photos here, and post 'Things that I'm happy with' and 'Things I'm not happy with' after, cos yous guys are probably already going cross-eyed...

1) My fave photo of Burly, at the top of Jebel Hafeet mountain, 1,200m above the desert

2) Went there with a bunch of friends and their Bimmers

3) ... and the daughter - wife decided it was time to go

4) Coming home for the first time

5) We did many weekend trips to Fuajirah

6) Yas Island kite beach is also a great place to hang out!

7) What a road... up to the top of the mountain

8) How my seats used to look
Attached Images
        
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
2006 X5 4.8iS (facelift) in Imolarot + Ivory leather & alcantara headliner
1999 E46 323i in Imolarot II + Grey nappa
1990 E30 320iSE Sterlingsilber
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 11-21-2021, 12:39 PM
crystalworks's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SA, TX
Posts: 6,414
crystalworks is on a distinguished road
Where's the "like" button?
__________________
2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-21-2021, 12:46 PM
BigLion's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 163
BigLion is on a distinguished road
Back to now; Things I’m happy with:

• I recently picked up a new 16:9 Boardmonitor head unit from a dusty pile of electronic parts wrapped in cling-film. Wiped it down and installed it and it turned out to be pixel-perfect! I never had a screen without any blown pixels before! [:tears of joy:] – also the volume and selector pots and button illumination works perfectly. Worth every Dirham.
• The CD changer works perfectly. Not much to crow about but I managed to kill one Alpine changer on the way home from the workshop, possibly due to voltage spikes that had killed the previous identical one. That one jammed and refused to respond to the eject button, so obviously I took it apart and completely bricked the mechanism. A week later I changed it for the slightly different/ older CD changer style with BMW written on it. So far so good.
• Frankly all the stereo components work like new, which considering the disaster I had with trying to force an Eonon HU to work (which turned out not to be compatible with the DSP amp), is quite a result.
• I changed the air system for coils when I reached the end of my tether – a single new BMW front air strut went from $460 to $650, and there is no warranty on that part, so that was it. Coils have been good to me so far, but the front is mounted a little high for my liking, so see also “things I’m not happy with”
• I managed to code out the Air Suspension error; my first foray into coding. DSC module next!
• Putting a light-coloured sunroof liner makes the cabin feel much lighter than the dark grey one; it’s lasted for years, unlike the foam-backed original fabric.
• I love my phat Michelin Lattitude Sports which never leak air anymore.
• The rear window washer finally cleared itself out, so I have a good spray and not an ugly trickle down the back window

Generally I’m in a good place with the car right now – all systems are go including remote key, starting, fuel supply, no battery drain, no power steering or oil leaks, trans is good besides the decelleration ‘thump’, suspension links and CV boots good, all locks and windows are peachy 😊 – the bodywork has quite a few ‘micro-dents’ and pits in the paint from those d***s at the mall who smack their doors into your bodywork. One day I’ll get the whole car done at the same time.

Here's the new radio screen - the old one got burnt in the AD sunshine (Police impound) until it was like peering into a bowl of minestrone...
Attached Images
 
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
2006 X5 4.8iS (facelift) in Imolarot + Ivory leather & alcantara headliner
1999 E46 323i in Imolarot II + Grey nappa
1990 E30 320iSE Sterlingsilber

Last edited by BigLion; 11-21-2021 at 02:01 PM. Reason: Added photo of my awesome new radio HU
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-21-2021, 12:47 PM
BigLion's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 163
BigLion is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalworks View Post
Where's the "like" button?
That'll do mate
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
2006 X5 4.8iS (facelift) in Imolarot + Ivory leather & alcantara headliner
1999 E46 323i in Imolarot II + Grey nappa
1990 E30 320iSE Sterlingsilber
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-21-2021, 12:48 PM
Purplecty's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Chicago NW
Posts: 849
Purplecty is on a distinguished road
Looking good!
__________________
02 Imola on Black Dinan S2 4.6iS
00 RoyalRot on Sand/Black 740i Short Sport
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-21-2021, 12:56 PM
BigLion's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 163
BigLion is on a distinguished road
Things I’m not happy with:

• No satellites found for the GPS – that’s gotta be an easy next job, right?
• The front suspension is a little bit higher than the back. I wouldn’t mind if it was the other way, and in fact the fronts are 710mm from lowest rim, which should be stock, but I can get my hand in there sideways and see the strut above the tire, so I’d prefer it to be 690 like the backs, or maybe 680.
• There’s a coolant leak r n. I dunked food coloring dye in the expansion tank last night while it was warm and left a white towel underneath until morning. Nada. Also no drain today when I checked after work. But the whole system has been blowing up components under high pressure, and I’m expecting to find a head gasket leak. It smells damp at startup, runs cold first 10 minutes according to the gauge, and has been losing approx. 2 L of coolant per day, if run for more than a half hour. INPA says the thermostat is stuck, so I gotta check that out soon.
• 4x4 DSC yellow light on the dash. Annoying. Need to find a way to code that out and revive my ABS braking, which is currently mourning the loss of the air suspension.
• I’d love to replace my original mats, but BMW want to charge me $400 for a new set
• Trans is making a thump under the propshaft tunnel when you slow down hard or tickle the throttle in 3rd gear (manual) – at moderate speed it clunks when you accelerate and decelerate – it’s better in Sport mode, worst is changing 2nd to 1st . What causes that, normally?
• Smell of petrol until the next morning on refuelling – I bought a new gas tank cap but it may be related to the float which is throwing an error in INPA and the gauge is not reaching maximum fullness, no matter how much I spend to fill it up


I’m sure more will occur to me, but those are my main concerns right now. As I say, I’m in a pretty good place with ol’ Burly at the moment.
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
2006 X5 4.8iS (facelift) in Imolarot + Ivory leather & alcantara headliner
1999 E46 323i in Imolarot II + Grey nappa
1990 E30 320iSE Sterlingsilber
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-21-2021, 01:14 PM
crystalworks's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SA, TX
Posts: 6,414
crystalworks is on a distinguished road
* The DSC needs to be coded to make it happy without the EHC2. Needs to be told it's in a 4.4i without air suspension. See my thread on that... https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...removed-7.html

* The mats should only be about $150, but that's here in the States. ECS has them on sale currently: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/82110008635/

* Your trans clunk is likely your trans in need of service. I'd try replacing the 4 tube seals, bridge seal, and filling with Valvoline Maxlife Multivehicle. Then reset trans adaptations. If that doesn't cure things then you'd progress to rebuilding the valve body. And if that doesn't work... you're on the hook for a trans.
__________________
2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-21-2021, 03:58 PM
BigLion's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 163
BigLion is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by crystalworks View Post
* The DSC needs to be coded to make it happy without the EHC2. Needs to be told it's in a 4.4i without air suspension. See my thread on that... https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...removed-7.html

There's definitely something sus with my modules rn... the FSW_PSW.trc file is showing DSC5.7 is coded with 'wert_11' - I don't think there is a Value_11

.. and CODIERWERT_DXC_8: wert_11;

Thinking to just change the .trc file to wert_01, save it as a .MAN file and code the KMBI with this; at least it will relate to the "correct" engine!

[didn't cancel the warning light, but I did have to reset the clock from 2003...]
Attached Images
 
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
2006 X5 4.8iS (facelift) in Imolarot + Ivory leather & alcantara headliner
1999 E46 323i in Imolarot II + Grey nappa
1990 E30 320iSE Sterlingsilber
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-21-2021, 09:01 PM
crystalworks's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SA, TX
Posts: 6,414
crystalworks is on a distinguished road
Yes, wert 1 seems to be the one the DSC should be coded to.

https://xoutpost.com/1193080-post63.html

I missed it, you coded your ZCS to eliminate the EHCII from the vehicle? Must have or it would give the suspension inactive error at each startup.
__________________
2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-26-2021, 07:51 AM
BigLion's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 163
BigLion is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigLion View Post
Things I’m not happy with:

• No satellites found for the GPS – that’s gotta be an easy next job, right?
Yes - panic over, lads - spent the first three hours of my weekend tracing all the info about antennas, modules and their wiring, then decided that I'll have a go pinching the black coax lead from the front of the DSP amp - in case it shouldn't have been there anyway - and try it in the Nav rear socket... et Voila!

Apparently older Nav systems have something called a 'trimble' behind the amp to boost the signal, but the MK IV doesn't need this, so you should plug the coax cable directly into the back of the DVD player. The other end of the cable goes with the loom under the trunk floor, and I believe connects to the radio unit under the spare. (didn't have time to confirm today). The workshop guys must have plugged it in and I was too leery to disconnect a wire which I didn't know the purpose of...

Now back to 7 satellites on a full set of pixels!

There's mayo in the expansion tank today however - no end to the fun!!
Attached Images
    
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
2006 X5 4.8iS (facelift) in Imolarot + Ivory leather & alcantara headliner
1999 E46 323i in Imolarot II + Grey nappa
1990 E30 320iSE Sterlingsilber
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:07 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.