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  #1  
Old 09-17-2026, 05:19 PM
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ChiefRider is on a distinguished road
Positive Random Comments

My X5 is invisible to most people- simply another car on the road, or even to some friends a curiosity that I persist in driving a 20+ year old car.

I stopped by a paint and body shop today on an unrelated mission, driving my Kalahari Beige X5. The owner walked out and wanted to know how I managed to have an old X5 in such excellent condition, quite taken with its appearance. He agreed with my observation that newer cars are largely crap.

That's it, nothing else. Just nice to occasionally get some validation. And not post a query for the latest repair!
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  #2  
Old 09-17-2026, 06:27 PM
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Location: Austin, TX
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X5chemist will become famous soon enough
Definitely a rare color around here.
Mine caught the attention of someone at a stealership. We were shopping for a new truck. They offered $3k as a trade in. I replied, $5k and I'll walk home. They wouldn't give up trying to get it. Someone there wanted it. Little did they know I was chasing a parasitic draw at the time. A replaced body control module fixed the issue. I've been asked how new is it. I've replied old, 2006. Comments on driving and old BMW are not rare. Even at my work parking lot it stands out. I can't wait to install refreshed headlight assemblies. It will look even newer!
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  #3  
Old 09-17-2026, 08:14 PM
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Nice!

Kalahari beige is a great color on these trucks, I still stare when I see one.
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  #4  
Old 09-17-2026, 11:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by g300d View Post
Nice!

Kalahari beige is a great color on these trucks, I still stare when I see one.
I've only seen one, a post-LCI 6-speed I test-drove and did not buy for reasons. Yes, "beige" does not do it justice.
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  #5  
Old 09-18-2026, 12:14 PM
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In 2019 I took my 2002 X5 in to BMW of San Antonio (largest BMW dealer in North America, formerly called Principle BMW) for an airbag recall. At that time it had just 23,000 miles on the clock and still smelled like a new car. Still does for that matter.

The technicians and service rep there literally just about lost it ... we spent a long time chatting about it.

It was very gratifying to see it get some appreciation, but for the most part nobody among my friends and family get why I keep a 20+ year old car at all. Let alone two of them. :-)

Their loss. Philistines!

Chris
Lockhart, Texas
2005 X5 3.0 Schwarz Black
2002 X5 3.0 Titansilber
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  #6  
Old 09-19-2026, 08:47 AM
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X5chemist will become famous soon enough
Speaking of positive comments, when are meeting up BBQ in Lockhart? We can meet in Austin. Hit the toll road for a cruise at 85 MPH! The drive to Lockhart is short at 85 MPH!
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  #7  
Old 09-20-2026, 01:36 PM
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I was stuck for a BMW only bolt a couple years ago and my local BMW dealer had one. I drove the X5 over there to pick it up and the service manager came out to take a look, along with a couple sales and service guys. They hadn’t seen an E53 in a while, much less a lifted and swapped E53. Guy even took it in the back and tweaked the rear ride height for free for me with whatever software they are using these days.
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  #8  
Old 09-20-2026, 09:36 PM
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I didn't search out for this color, in 2012, when I was looking for an e53, but man did I fall in love with it as it rarely looks dirty, because the Kalahari Beige hides dust and mud splatters well.

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I swear, my cars are like a girlfriend.
Sometimes its a rough ride, sometimes its smooth motorin'.
Sometimes she doesnt like how i treat her and sometimes i dont like how she behaves.
BUT at the end of the day, she loves it when I am inside her.

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  #9  
Old 09-20-2026, 09:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clockwork View Post
I didn't search out for this color, in 2012, when I was looking for an e53, but man did I fall in love with it as it rarely looks dirty, because the Kalahari Beige hides dust and mud splatters well.
It's a great color.

What tires and wheels are you running? The paws on mine are getting close to the wear bars and the OE wheels are cruuuusssssty.
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  #10  
Old Yesterday, 08:37 PM
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Photo is a bit overexposed, but here's my Kalahari Beige X5.
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