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

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

This one gives good tips - pretty much how I did it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNxg0D2d7g

tyvm! :thumb:

I'll do this later on this year. X5 is heading to Green Valley, AZ this weekend to surprise (gently) my mom for her 89th birthday!

[admranger]

Well, this afternoon I saved my X5 from being wadded up by some jackass in a white, E92 (I think) 328? That passed me on the narrow shoulder, doing about 95mph southbound on the I-19 just south of the I-10 split. Not afraid to admit it scared the crap out of me as I saw something out of the corner of my eye in my passenger side mirror, turned to get a look and YOWZA! Had no place to go as I had someone on my right so I inched over towards the dividing line and hoped for the best. Not sure what that was all about but I'd like to smack the idiot around a while. No wonder BMW drivers have a bad reputation.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by admranger

How'd you install it or did you have a new windshield to go in at the same time?

Mine is crumbling pretty well right now and I'd like to fix it too.

Thanks!

Plenty of videos on Youtube on installing it, but the trick is to either use a little silicone spray or dish washing liquid on the rubber trim before installing it so that when you go to insert the trim back onto the windshield it will just slide on.

About 10 minutes to remove and clean the old trim off the windshield and body and another 10 minutes to put it back on.

[Miltr118]

I restored the headlights on the X5, did this Saturday afternoon in the searing heat & humidity. Sorry for the cruddy cell pics

[David D]

^Looks awesome!

[bcredliner]

What did you use to restore the headlights?

[X53Jay4.8is]

Headlight restoration is the best Asthetic bang for the buck on any e53 X5. It just takes your time and patience wet sanding the lens. I did 600,800,1000,2000 wet sand and then buffed off using 3M compound and received fabulous results. Then sealed with a protector . It's all in the preparation getting the great results.

[tmv]

Originally Posted by Miltr118

I restored the headlights on the X5, did this Saturday afternoon in the searing heat & humidity.

Need to seal it or put a clear film on. Or else you would be doing it again soon.
This is my iS with 3M clear film. It's been a couple years since.

[Miltr118]

Thanks guys, I used a 3m kit with 500, 800, 1000 and wet sanded with 2000. Never done it before and I took my time so as to not mess it up. I was running late so I just put a good amount of wax for now, I was thinking of spraying them with acrylic? What have you guys found to be the best sealant?

[Miltr118]

Originally Posted by tmv

Need to seal it or put a clear film on. Or else you would be doing it again soon.
This is my iS with 3M clear film. It's been a couple years since.

Wow! that looks so good!!