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

[Jungerishere]

Replaced shift knob with all leather one and replaced X-Drive transfer case fluid.

[Jungerishere]

X5nHI, Which polish did you use for the lenses?

[X5SND]

Figured I'd finally do me hood latches & cables seeing as The parts have been sitting in a box since last august. Good thing too; as judging from the look of these things it wasn't going to be much longer before I consulted the "Help! Hood won't open" threads! Lol

[X5nHI]

Originally Posted by Jungerishere

X5nHI, Which polish did you use for the lenses?

Mothers polish in headlight restoration kit, the one with the foam pad drill bit attachment. First was sanding and buffing with wet-dry 800 - 1000 - 1500 low speed then high speed with 3000 and the polish. Like using a buffer to polish your car the angle is extremely important or can leave marks which then you have to start all over again (you can barely see some hash marks/indian strips on the left turn signal side had to redo it after the pic). Don't press hard in the early stages just enough to lightly remove damaged layer of plastic which will ball up so need plenty water to wash away. Only on the later buffing and polishing steps apply pressure to clear off the fog. It will shine up to crystal clear! Then wax or other protector/sealant.

[X5nHI]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Figured I'd finally do me hood latches & cables seeing as The parts have been sitting in a box since last august. Good thing too; as judging from the look of these things it wasn't going to be much longer before I consulted the "Help! Hood won't open" threads! Lol

Dude! Wow thanks for posting that pic. I'm in a salty air environment and this is one thing I didn't think about before.

[LVP]

Ordered my ADS to OBD cable adapter and a new steering wheel cover piece.

First thing I'm going to un-program is the bloody "auto-lock, never unlock" feature.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

If you could highlight your problems that you faced/caused yourself I can address, what happened?

Sounds great, the AE's look perfectly mounted, I will be doing the same. My rings are on my basement bench I am just waiting for my EvoXR projectors and new shrouds, my finished product will look slightly different than yours but you definitely have set a benchmark.

Did you polish/sand the lenses or are they just in awesome shape all the time like that?

See post 10 of the following thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...n-project.html

Problems
My X was manufactured 2/02. I removed one headlight and did the upgrade. When I removed the other headlight I learned that it must have been replaced under warranty and I didn't remember as it was made later and was permanently sealed. I already had the first one done so I decided to open it. I did but it took me a full day to get it open and get the glue removed without ruining the lens or housing.

I got a fingerprint on one of the chrome housings. It is so soft that when I tried to clean it off I damaged the finish. I waited for paints 2 different times that were supposed to be chrome but just as I expected it was a waste of time and money. Fortunately when I painted it black I liked it better anyway.

Not thinking, I cut one of the wires before I pulled it to the AE and it ended up being too short so I pulled another wire and didn't cut it from the spool until I had the AE end wired and routed as I should have done.

Instead of securing the AE at the top with twisted wire as I should have I started at the bottom. When I got to the top I realized my error and had to start all over. I used too fine a wire to secure the AEs and after I had started gluing in the lens I saw that one had broken. I removed the lens and re-did all four AEs with stronger wire.

The website I ordered the Spektrum LEDs from had the part numbers listed incorrectly so they sent me the wrong part. They sent me the correct error free bulbs but they caused errors. I am waiting on in line resisters that are supposed to fix the problem. Each time I had a problem I either didn't drive my X or I had to remove the headlights again when the new part came.

I broke the slot the holds one end of the plastic trim below the headlight in place by removing it from the wrong end so I had to make one and superglue it in place.

I dropped 3 headlight specific screws and had to remove the plastic below the bumper to find them.

The is a cap over the high voltage connection on the low beam. When I removed it one ear broke. Local dealer ordered what we thought was the right part but it wasn't. We found that particular part came with the headlight assembly so I had to locate a used one.

I had trouble getting a good seal on the first headlight. I searched several autoparts stores until I found a sealant that would melt under heat as did the original seal and would flow to fill all gaps when installed.

Had one headlight done and partially installed when I found a gasket that had been out of sight so I had to remove the headlight to install the gasket.

Other than having to open a headlight that can't be opened and the turn signal issue the second headlight went well.

[pezho405]

Drove it around. Mananged to confuse my gearbox at one point did something and accelerating it wouldnt downshift, hit the kickdown still wouldnt. but thats normal

[Kristophe]

Rebuilt my DISA with the kit from G.A.S. My existing flap was loose from wear and tear. The new design retaining screw is considerably more fail-proof than the orginal pressed-in pin.

The result is more responsiveness from the engine AND no more worrying about the retaining pin falling out into the intake manifold and getting sucked into a cylinder.

[X5SND]

Got another set of EvoX projectors tuned up with E-55 lens', and a massive air management revamp underway. Ill put this way....amongst other items, prepare for some pure stainless hardline & Swagelok eye candy!! (I'll keep my threads updated as it all progresses).