New (used) X5 Owner, plus questions!

[RamVA]

Hey all -

I just picked up a X5 in Chicago earlier today, and I'm in the midst of driving it home to Northern VA. I haven't taken any pics, but here's an old ebay listing of it with loads:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=002

It's a 2002 3.0i with a manual gearbox, 40k miles, decently equipped. I've got a bunch of random questions formulated over the last 500 miles of driving - sorry if they're stupid:

1. It has 19" BMW wheels which look like the 4.4i Sport wheels, but I was under the impression that these weren't available on the 3.0i. Were they available as a factory option or accessory, or did the owner just switch them?

2. All four manual X5s I drove had absurdly short gearing. Has anyone made any changes to the final drive to make first more usable and to relax the highway RPMs?

3. The clutch pickup in first gear is a real PITA. How hard is it to remove the Clutch Delay Valve. Is this a DIY? A messy one?

4. If the car doesn't have the factory phone is it possible/easy to connect my Razr through the handsfree?

5. The wood on the bottom of the sport wheel has gone all milky. Anyone experience this? How hard/expensive is this to repair or replace?

6. How can I tell if this vehicle has a self-leveling rear axle?

Thanks in advance!

[Michelle]

:xoutpost:

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by RamVA

1. It has 19" BMW wheels which look like the 4.4i Sport wheels, but I was under the impression that these weren't available on the 3.0i. Were they available as a factory option or accessory, or did the owner just switch them?

2. All four manual X5s I drove had absurdly short gearing. Has anyone made any changes to the final drive to make first more usable and to relax the highway RPMs?

3. The clutch pickup in first gear is a real PITA. How hard is it to remove the Clutch Delay Valve. Is this a DIY? A messy one?

4. If the car doesn't have the factory phone is it possible/easy to connect my Razr through the handsfree?

5. The wood on the bottom of the sport wheel has gone all milky. Anyone experience this? How hard/expensive is this to repair or replace?

6. How can I tell if this vehicle has a self-leveling rear axle?

Thanks in advance!

1. More than likely the original owner added them after the fact, although it's possible that they were spec'd that way.

2. I have yet to hear of anyone doing this. The 2004+ had a 6th gear that seemed to have improved this.

3. Skip 1st and start out in 2nd

4. Retrofit the BMW Bluetooth system. Tom G. from EAS can help with this.

5. Not that hard to do, although you have to remove the airbag in order to do it. Personally, I'd replace the entire wheel and install an //M wheel. See examples in the INTERIOR section of the home page.

6. Look under the spare tire. If there is a big tank under there with lines/hosts fanning out, you have the self-leveling suspension.

:congrats: and :xoutpost:

[noncom23]

:xoutpost:

[wheelman]

Are those 2 tone seats???? I wasn't aware of that option. The pic's sure make it look like they are.

[RamVA]

I think the black often looks that way in photos. BMW must use a different grade of leather for the bolsters (probably to reduce wear). In person there's little noticable difference.

[wheelman]

Sure is a nice truck. Congrats!!!!!!!

[willy_manily]

Yeh nice one and i have two tone in my car it looks great!!

Im not sure if i have nappa leather tho how can i tell?

[vinuneuro]

:welcome: Looks very nice!

UCrew covered basically all your questions. As far the clutch delay valve removal goes. It really is quite straight-forward. Here is the basic process.

http://www.bmw325i.net/cdv_removal.shtml


As far as the seats go, all the black-interior X5 seats are like that. While the effect is especially pronounced in these pictures, the sides are only a few shades lighter.

[motordavid]

RamVA,
Nice ride and congrats on another 5 spd Man...we are
few and far between.

What they all said above.

You will get used to the 4,000 RPMs at cruise speed, ...sorta,

2nd gear starts, on any kind of decline, will become 2nd nature.
Short shifting will, too; think poorly geared Sporster.

You will have 6th gear envy when you see or read of a newer
manual X5 or X3, .

Enjoy your car, welcome to TheBoard and,
GL,mD