What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[Ricky Bobby]

These were the brand I bought from Cheena - I got the 145mm semi circle for the high beam and the 125mm full circle for the low beam (I believe, it may have been 120mm)

Hot selling 4*131mm e36 angel eyes lighting led SMD 3014 led angel eyes ring E46 E38 E39 with projector-in Angel Eyes from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Doubtful the solder joints broke, they were encased pretty good and actually really well made, Lightwerkz was happy with the looks/quality when installing - been my experience with LED's in headlights that they will eventually all fail to some degree and especially with the newer styles that they are spaced so close together (too much heat) that the heat will kill them - oh well, I'll unplug them for now, and revisit doing them over the winter. The angel eyes really made the truck stand out, even when used only as parking lights.

[Serb404]

going to install BSW stealth sub next week and side markers

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by admranger

Radiator is preventative since I just ticked over 100k miles and had to do a coolant change anyway.

Was your radiator showing signs of corrosion or leakage? I'm on my original with no evidence of problems, but I stick with OEM coolant.

2002 X5 3.0 291,600 miles
2014 428i 13,000 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

[terminx]

You're on your original rad with close to 300k on the clock? That's amazing.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

Was your radiator showing signs of corrosion or leakage?

Impressed yours has lasted so long!

Nope, but 'while I'm in there' going to replace it. I don't screw around with the cooling system longevity living in Vegas and regularly driving to Socal through the Mojave in summer. It was ~$220 iirc, so not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. It's had BMW coolant it's entire life as the PO had the maintenance done at the dealer and all I use is BMW coolant. Plus, I'm keeping this for the foreseeable future.

[upallnight]

With the colder weather that has descended upon Chi-Raq I noticed that it was taking the X a lot longer to reach the middle of the temp gauge. Remembered that last winter I had a DTC that said that the thermostat was stuck open, and because of the Polar Vortex I decided to wait until Spring or Summer to change it out. Unfortunately, Spring and Summer came and went and I completely forgot about the thermostat until now. Well with the temps in the upper 40's lower 50's I decided that the weather is not going to get any warmer so I changed the thermostat. Took about an hour to change. Had to remove the splash shield so that I could collect most of the antifreeze that came out of the engine. Even removing the fan clutch was fairly easy. Started the engine and looked for leaks but there were none. Took the X for a drive so that I could get it hot and not just let it idle on the driveway. The temp got up to 95C according to my app Torque on my tablet. So I would call this an FIX.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Serb404

going to install BSW stealth sub next week and side markers

Check the bulb contacts and consider installing new bulbs in that tail light. It is inaccessible with the BSW sub enclosure installed in there. Ask me how I know...

[squidzilla]

I charged my 01 and 03 x5 with my very expensive, but very wet weather friendly extension cord. Used a Stanley 8amp charger through the cig lighter. It is very nice that the 03 and older e53s have always hot/on cig lighters.

I do this every 7-10 days to keep the batteries topped up since they hardly get used sitting outside. Gets cold and snowy out here to.

[Serb404]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Check the bulb contacts and consider installing new bulbs in that tail light. It is inaccessible with the BSW sub enclosure installed in there. Ask me how I know...

thanks for the suggestion lol

how did you like your BSW btw?

[525iT_Feen]

- Changed my heater valve
- Started prepping for my drive to Tampa end of the month. Going to replace the vacuum pump, oil pressure switch, left front axle (GKN warranty which has baffled my mind), go get it aligned, and go through it one last time at some point this week.