Got my x5 today...

[Franklin Joseph]

Hi
picked up my 2003 Imola Red 4.6is. First impression was wow...wife was very happy. Interior is clean and very comfy. Loved the Nav (never used it before). Will take pictures this weekend when its bright. Wife drove it just now and she LOVES it.

Now a few questions:

1) There is a very slight whine from the engine compartment...not sure what. Any ideas? I have CPO, can i just bring it in to the dealer for a check up?

2) Not sure what NAV i have....but is there any way to update the CD? I cant see my house on the MAP (new development - 1.5 years old)

3) Speakers suck....guess i'll have to plan on upgrading.

4) Exhaust - too quiet. I might do the resonator delete soon

5) Intake - will be my xmas pressie...hehe

6) Handling - not to my liking...steering is kinda loose (as in turning ratio). I guess i might look into getting the lowering endlinks and lowering front springs. Any other tips to tighten up the steering response? Will the Dinan Camber plates help?

7) Oil Filter Housing - is it upfront on the driver side with the 36mm on it?

8) Exhaust tips - any tips on polishing this? its abit black

9) NAV - might be a stupid question....but if i put a movie in, will it play the movie?

thanks a bunch. Cant wait to drive it more tomorrow...car already got some looks when the wife was driving.

thanks
franklin

[bjo]

Congrats man, take some pics!
1. Make sure it's not the alternator. The ones for the V8 crap out quicker than the 6.
2. dunno
3. The speakers do suck.
4. Isn't the 4.8is exhaust louder?
5. Nice
6. You sure you want to lower the X5?

[Franklin Joseph]

damn i better get it checked out by the dealer...read online, it could be the alternator or the aux water pump...

Now the NAV is being a pain...sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt.
This morning...driving to work...listening to radio and while sitting in traffic, tried to turn on the NAV...but it says please wait a moment...never comes on. Did i do something wrong? i turned the car off....started it again, same thing...ideas?

[xx3]

1. No idea, other members should know.

2. Press MENU and then go into Settings. Tell me what version number of the nav software you have in the upper right corner of the screen.

There are two things at work here. One is the navigation software, which you can update with disk images you can download here. If you have the older versions, the resolution is crappy and the newer one gives you a much clearer pictures plus nice views like perspective.

For your house not being on the map, and the fact that you are living in a recent development - tells me that you have an outdated navigation disk. Eject the one from your navigation drive (in the trunk open the left compartment and press the eject button on a little black box) and tell me what date is listed on the DVD. The latest navigation DVD is 2007-2 and can be purchased from your BMW dealer (or if your crafty can be downloaded from the internet and burned yourself).

3. 4.8is should have DSP, which was previously BMW's highest quality sound system (newer cars have logic-7 systems which I hear are phenomenal versus OK for the DSP systems). You should find many articles here on members upgrading the DSP system. However I will warn you that its simply not a swap the old speakers out/swap new speakers in kind of do-it-yourself. You'll have to deal with the DSP amp, and BMW's strange speaker sizes. Other members have done it and can help you out here.

4 & 5. Go for it.

6, 7 & 8. Others can help you with.

9. It is illegal in the U.S. to have a system that plays DVD's in-front of the rear seats. Therefore BMW disables the TV/Video function on U.S. bound cars with navigation systems. Therefore, the functionality is there, however it is locked at present. There are tools out and people out there (nav-tv I think is the name of one) that can help you unlock the functionality.

Hope these answers help. I can't help so much with the engine things, but if you have more nav questions i'd be happy to help...

[noncom23]

http://www.xoutpost.com/navigation-sy...ht=nav+problem

Recent post on NAV forum.

[yeowzer]

Congrats, I love my 03 4.6is. Take it to the dealer and let them fix the problems. The NAV may be the MKIV unit, mine did that and eventually ate the dvd. Check the Navigation sections for updates.

[China Man]

I believe your gripe with your steering being too light is because of the servotronic system that came standard on the 4.6is in 2003 ... unfortunately I don't think there's anything you can do about it, although it's great for low speed driving

[Franklin Joseph]

here's some info/Update:

DVD is 2002-1. Checked the settings on the NAV = SW4 1 1/2

Wife took it to the dealer earlier and he rebooted it...seems to be working fine but he said i needed to get some newer DVD - 2007-2 ($199)
Is this what i need?

I did more driving...starting to like it more and more. I put it in S mode and also manual, and i think maybe the steering tighten up a bit.

Have an appointment with the dealer on monday...will leave it with them to look over it:

1) NAV
2) Engine whine
3) Passenger side B pillar panel is loose (something is broken behind it), belt adjuster wont go up.

I've got the intake and carpets on the way...and then hopefully all will be well!!!

Thanks
Franklin

[xx3]

2002-1 means that your navigation disk was made using the earliest maps available at the time (2002). BMW comes out with 2 DVD's each year xxxx-1 & xxxx-2. Your house development was built after that, so thats why your streets were not annexed. As I said earlier, you can buy the newer DVD from the dealer (2007-2) or torrent it and burn it yourself (something I just finished doing this morning actually...).

If you were to go the purchase route, I might suggest waiting until the 2008-1 disk comes out, as it can't be too far out...

Seems you have version 24. You can update to 28 with the software outlined on this website. You'll get a much higher resolution map preview (even using the 2002 disk!) and perspective view. The process is pretty simple and takes about 1-2 minutes for the navigation software in the car to upgrade...

[asawadude]

Is your 4.6is under warranty? How many miles are on it?

Have the dealer look at the fan clutch, power steering pump, and engine pulleys as possible sources of the engine whine.

Also have the dealer do a thorough inspection of your suspension and steering. If worn parts need replacement, you can have it done elsewhere at a lower price than BMW's normal labor rates.

See the Nav system FAQ (article #1) for complete information on updating your system and also the Nav Forum for the DIY's.

The resonator delete will add some sound, but if you want maximum percussion, get an aftermarket exhaust system (Eisenhaus, BB, Remus, Supersprint). Sound clips and DIY are on the front page and also do a message search.

Yes, that's the oil filter in the cylindrical container behind the left front headlight. Easiest oil change ever.

Chrome polish will remove the residue from your exhaust tips. Make sure it's non-abrasive. Wax will probably do it if its not heavily baked on.

Have fun with your 4.6is!