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

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by blakamin

Yeah, not going aftermarket... Have 2 of these things! And can't be bothered going through all the BS you have so far.

With nav its not what I would call plug and play for sure since you have to run that harness to the back which was NOT fun to do.

Without nav its plug and play.

I was just mentioning it along the lines of that's what happened to my factory one.

The screen is replaceable but I didn't want to put more money in the factory stuff when the factory Bluetooth was bad when I bought my x5 and the replacement Bluetooth module I bought off ebay started acting up shortly after getting it. Since I couldn't buy "new" parts I felt putting more money in used parts wasn't a good move in the long run.

But if your going to keep the factory stuff Id replace it. The spots would drive me nuts

[blakamin]

Mrs has Nav, I don't, but I have digital TV and my radio is still in the back, so don't really want to replace either. Also Torque Pro wont talk to either of our DMEs so live stats are not possible (via 2 different ELM327s and a wired k-d can, that can talk to all modules. NCS-Expert works fine, Navcoder is a pain but mostly works, BMW scanner 1.4.0 works....).

BT IS an issue, but nothing a grom or bt aux couldn't fix, if we got desperate.


At the end of the day, these vehicles aren't worth putting another $600+ into just to get BT running. It's not going to increase their resale value. Just ask my E38. :/
I was hoping there might an inexpensive way to fix this, but if not, oh well

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by blakamin

Mrs has Nav, I don't, but I have digital TV and my radio is still in the back, so don't really want to replace either. Also Torque Pro wont talk to either of our DMEs so live stats are not possible (via 2 different ELM327s and a wired k-d can, that can talk to all modules. NCS-Expert works fine, Navcoder is a pain but mostly works, BMW scanner 1.4.0 works....).

BT IS an issue, but nothing a grom or bt aux couldn't fix, if we got desperate.


At the end of the day, these vehicles aren't worth putting another $600+ into just to get BT running. It's not going to increase their resale value. Just ask my E38. :/
I was hoping there might an inexpensive way to fix this, but if not, oh well

Weird I figured torque pro would work with it. I own it but haven't got around to trying it. I think I'll go install it on the stereo to see if it works on mine or not.

[Crowz]

Hmm seems the stereo came with torque on it so didn't have to install anything. I plugged in my obd Bluetooth adapter and it just worked.

I reduced the pic size to make it fast to upload but it got kind grainy looking. The gauges actually look real on the screen and that way too on the pics before I shrunk them.

[Crowz]

Now that's not saying it wont work with yours but it worked with mine. I know there was an issue with some Bluetooth adapters and torque. My stepdad ran into that when he bought a Bluetooth to try with his and it wouldn't connect with the ecm. Mine works on his car but the one he bought wouldn't. I also seem to remember that being an issue on bimmerfest when people were buying them.

[bcredliner]

I think it depends on what condition an X5 is in and what other updating or mods have been do as to whether on not an aftermarket system will increase the value closer to the max sellers are getting. In addition, it can be done for under $500. Years ago I installed a Mediabridge that requires running wires from front to back. While I haven't done the install as yet (going to make the buy this weekend). Based on that install I don't think I will need to gut the interior to do so. I use the navigation. The Dallas area is growing and changing rapidly, lots of detours and road closures. There is no source for an updated navigation DVD with OE system. With Mediabridge some of the other apps that can only be used on a phone or tablet will work but only audio. In this area any use of a phone etc must be hands free. Because of the performance upgrades I have done I am really looking forward to having the torque app on the screen much of the time. I purchased my X5 new. I like to stay state of the art and in most cases have been able to do so. If that weren't possible I would have purchased an X5M several years ago. I can see where some of owners would not want to make the investment but this is some of the rational that some of us think the upgrade is a good value. It would be nice if there was a source for a heads up display and launch control.

[blakamin]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I think it depends on what condition an X5 is in and what other updating or mods have been do as to whether on not an aftermarket system will increase the value closer to the max sellers are getting. In addition, it can be done for under $500..

Under $500 in the US maybe, not here... Not if you want some semblance of quality, anyway.
And as for what the cars are worth, Last year the Mrs bought her 06/03 3.0d for $12k (sport everything)
A month ago I bought my 11/04 4.4 for $8k (sport everything).
I could've bought an 03 for closer to $6k.

To spend $700+ each on them, and still lose some functionality makes no sense at this stage.

We also can't use phones here, unless they're in a cradle.... So $20 fixes that problem, and Google is pretty much as up-to-date as you can get with maps.

Don't get me wrong, we love our X5s and BMWs in general (look at my sig for the money-pits I've owned), but there's better things to spend our money on. BMWs are just one of my hobbies. Home Automation isn't cheap

BTW, Australia had totally different rules for ODB2... I might find a working BT adapter one day, but that's still not going to reset my fuel economy or clock

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by blakamin

Under $500 in the US maybe, not here... Not if you want some semblance of quality, anyway.
And as for what the cars are worth, Last year the Mrs bought her 06/03 3.0d for $12k (sport everything)
A month ago I bought my 11/04 4.4 for $8k (sport everything).
I could've bought an 03 for closer to $6k.

To spend $700+ each on them, and still lose some functionality makes no sense at this stage.

We also can't use phones here, unless they're in a cradle.... So $20 fixes that problem, and Google is pretty much as up-to-date as you can get with maps.

Don't get me wrong, we love our X5s and BMWs in general (look at my sig for the money-pits I've owned), but there's better things to spend our money on. BMWs are just one of my hobbies. Home Automation isn't cheap

BTW, Australia had totally different rules for ODB2... I might find a working BT adapter one day, but that's still not going to reset my fuel economy or clock

The aftermarket radio can "hopefully" with the module I ordered. Time will tell on that. Im TOOOOTALLY not one of those that tries to talk someone into doing what I do or whatever so if you love the factory radio, like it or just like using stuff with it Im ALL for it.

I just wanted to add this bit on cost wise if you decide later or for others in countries with high tax on stuff. The unit is under $300 if you catch it on sale and that company will make the value of the box to whatever you want to keep from paying customs according to what I read on their site. I think mine was valued at $40 or something on the label. I didn't ask them to its just what it had on it.

But again I love factory normally and wouldn't of swapped out but the cost of the factory stuff and it being so old and having to buy used was wearing on me is why I switched. I really wanted to stay with the factory but I added up the cost of another Bluetooth module at around $100 or so and $125 for a new screen and the worry about it draining my battery if the next used Bluetooth module bellied up again and it just wasn't worth staying factory for me. But that's just me and why I changed it out. I just wanted to drive it when I bought it. But now Ive gone mod happy since I gave in on the radio swap.

[crystalworks]

As with anything there is a cost/benefit ratio to adding an aftermarket system to our X5's. I don't think it will affect value much to most buyers, negatively or positively. Done right though and it will be a definitely selling point to some buyers. Of course done wrong and it will be a detractor.

My cost/benefit is always based on the enjoyment factor. Up front though, I'm an audiophile so I value tunability and sound quality. For this reason I've always thought doing an aftermarket system (head unit, amps, etc) was a worth while investment in my vehicles. I can't wait to do a full setup on my 4.8is like I did on the 4.4i. I will be gutting the entire vehicle... maybe even pull the dash out so I can have it leather wrapped. To each their own right.

[andrewwynn]

Were it mine I would take it apart and see if the front can come off. Usually it's just taped on or has a metal frame with a few screws. Worst case you wreck the LCD panel and need to replace the whole thing. If you are mentally prepared for that then likely you will be successful in taking off the protective layer and clean it


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