New E53 owner

[couldihavebeen]

Hey everyone just picked up an 05 4.4i at the end of November. I've been enjoying it so far but can't wait to start modding. This car brought a long era to an end for me its the first time I haven't had a sports car....ever . Anyway she is stock for now, but I'm hoping to be adding a few small things soon. Here's a short mod list plan for now any suggestions are certainly welcome. Led red/smoked tails, upgrade AE's, Lowering springs, black emblems hood/trunk/wheels/steering wheel, smoked side markers, black kidney grills, and then hopefully a full audio upgrade. My current project is redoing the interior trim as mine had cracks on several pieces will probably start a new thread on that soon. Here are a few pics of my current car and my two previous cars, enjoy. Hope to meet some fellow car enthusiasts around the area.

-Neal

E53 X5 4.4i


C5 Z06


E46 M3 (cell shot)

[SlickGT1]

Welcome. All the cars look great. Not sure about LED tails, I think there are massive issues as the facelift e53 has adaptive tail lights, so something doesn't work right with LEDs out there.

[z168]

Looks clean. Miles? And how much did you get it?

[couldihavebeen]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Welcome. All the cars look great. Not sure about LED tails, I think there are massive issues as the facelift e53 has adaptive tail lights, so something doesn't work right with LEDs out there.

Thanks! Good to know about the facelift issues I'll have to read up on that.

Originally Posted by z168

Looks clean. Miles? And how much did you get it?

Thanks, it currently has 79323, and I bought it for just over 22k. It's pretty much loaded minus rear heated seats, heated steering wheel, and a few other small things. It will look much cleaner after a nice detail tomorrow haha.

[motordavid]

My fave color & titz 132 style wheels! That Z06 is hot, too...
GL, mD

[couldihavebeen]

Thanks md! I love the 132s probably the first time I haven't been itching to change wheels on something haha. I really miss my Z06, I died a little bit inside when I traded her in.

[Aceman1120]

Congrats on the new wheels...I wish you many years of enjoyment with it

[couldihavebeen]

Originally Posted by Aceman1120

Congrats on the new wheels...I wish you many years of enjoyment with it

Thanks! The modding has officially started

[hoaesq]

New to this forum as well. I have a Black 05 4.4 (with 79K miles) and am looking to do similar mods. Let me know if the LEDs pan out. I've researched for days now and it seems like opinions are all over the map. I'm hoping to make a decision soon since my stock lights are acting up . . . (possibly connection issue).

I'm leaning towards lowering my X5 (with the self leveling suspension) via H&R or Eibachs. Seems like a lot of people like H&R springs. I also read if the front is lowered, the rear will automatically adjust. Others seem to use (1) the link that comes with the lowering kit or (2) reprogram the height of the air bags . . . not sure how this is possible.

Lastly . . . this question is for the group: I'm looking to purchase a Bavarian Tech scanner tool. Want to know experiences. Can I program/reprogram with this unit? Is it a robust unit . . say over the Peake scanner.

Thanks!

[couldihavebeen]

Originally Posted by hoaesq

New to this forum as well. I have a Black 05 4.4 (with 79K miles) and am looking to do similar mods. Let me know if the LEDs pan out. I've researched for days now and it seems like opinions are all over the map. I'm hoping to make a decision soon since my stock lights are acting up . . . (possibly connection issue).

I'm leaning towards lowering my X5 (with the self leveling suspension) via H&R or Eibachs. Seems like a lot of people like H&R springs. I also read if the front is lowered, the rear will automatically adjust. Others seem to use (1) the link that comes with the lowering kit or (2) reprogram the height of the air bags . . . not sure how this is possible.

Lastly . . . this question is for the group: I'm looking to purchase a Bavarian Tech scanner tool. Want to know experiences. Can I program/reprogram with this unit? Is it a robust unit . . say over the Peake scanner.

Thanks!

I'm leaning towards just sticking with non-led tail lights. Most things that I read were that the leds don't function properly due to active tail light function. I will probably lower mine with H&R springs although I do not have air suspension. I do not know much about the air suspension but I do know that the dealer can reprogram the height, or you can install the links which tricks the car into thinking its to high so it lowers accordingly. As far as the scanner search this forum I know I saw a few threads on programming as I am interested in changing a few things on my car as well. Its all good info here. Welcome btw and enjoy your X.