Post Wash Photoshoot!

[Elvis 3.0]

This is off topic but it was only a few months ago (hard to believe) that Boston had a big storm. My guess is this X needed a good detailing afterward. FYI I took this shot on the corner of Pinckney St. & Charles St. on Beacon Hill.

Duuuuude, where's my car? | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Thanks guys!! I did discover last night however, that after my headlight modding escapade...since I jammed a ton more junk inside the housings, I appear to have hampered the ventilation of both units, as you can see some moisture in the pics. I'll have to pull the housings out and add another vent (probably out the bottom) to remedy the issue. Both housings had cleared by the time I returned home though. No biggie!

@Ricky Bobby: Just lower the "access mode" ride setting (aka, photo op mode)...You wouldn't believe how much easier it is to get in and out of the X when it's low like that!

Note to self when I start my ridiculous escapade that is going to be my headlight retrofit project, make sure all vents are clean and free of dust, debris, etc and hope I don't have to add an additional vent!

Oh and yes I know all about access mode setting for photo shoots, sometimes it's tempting to just program it with GT1 to stay at that height for normal driving though

[electricalserv x5]

sweet X5, looks like X5M wheels

[ukrcan]

OP, you just proved to me once again, how great your car looks... i think its' got the perfect stance... how rough is the ride? also are you running a stock exhaust with 4.8is tips or you installed a new exhaust all together?

I agree on the roof rail delete - makes a huge difference... just did it on my car last weekend - looks like a totally different car.... now if i could only lower it without sacrificing the ride...

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

My old link....
Please click on....
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...last-june.html

I really like what you've done... i noticed you had leds under the door handles? am i right? how did you do that?

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Your Nikon D3100 is a crop sensor frame cam, which gives ~ 1.5 'mag' of any lens, vs a full frame cam.

That 55-200 mm lens is actually 'acting like' an ~82mm to 300mm lens. Racked out at full tele, that effective 300mm is real tele territory.

If you haven't tried it, get it off 'auto' and onto AV or Aperture priority, and try some shots with a larger f stop, eg f8 or f10 vs higher numbers/smaller f-stop. The 'larger' f stop/lower number will give less depth of field and should throw the background into less focus, if that is what you are after.

I liked you shots, and my only suggestion would be to get in closer, then zoom and fill the frame with your X on some shots, vs the large/long foreground you had in a few. But, not criticizing, just suggesting. Everyone has their own bag of how they like to shot, but digi is practically free, so try some different ways of shooting.
GL, mD

...and that's why they say to always respect your elders! (let the record show Im calling you wise...not old!) Thanks mD! It's suppose to be a nice day tomorrow as well....may just head out and give it a go! In regards to my previous shots; I was trying to get them wide enough so you could see a bit of the cutoff of my lights and something that wasn't all white in that particular location....The only way I could figure out to achieve that was with the massive foreground. Like you said though, digi practice is free.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Note to self when I start my ridiculous escapade that is going to be my headlight retrofit project, make sure all vents are clean and free of dust, debris, etc and hope I don't have to add an additional vent!

Oh and yes I know all about access mode setting for photo shoots, sometimes it's tempting to just program it with GT1 to stay at that height for normal driving though

You shouldn't have a problem. I made sure to clean all the vents as well....but I'm guessing since I not only stuffed the Can-bus pigtails inside the housing...but the ballast and all its wiring as well, the flow of air has been rather..errr..compromised. lol.

You could always try the ride height, if you don't like it just put it back! Ohhhhh, The beauties of air suspension!!!

Originally Posted by ukrcan

OP, you just proved to me once again, how great your car looks... i think its' got the perfect stance... how rough is the ride? also are you running a stock exhaust with 4.8is tips or you installed a new exhaust all together?

I agree on the roof rail delete - makes a huge difference... just did it on my car last weekend - looks like a totally different car.... now if i could only lower it without sacrificing the ride...

The pics are a bit deceiving. The first pic is in my "low" setting while the remainder of them are pretty much laid right out. The "low" setting could be used if you maintain slow speeds and watch for the bumps....but I definitely would NOT recommend driving around town on a daily basis that low--- it's just asking for problems. As for the ride; since I set my system up a bit differently than the factory system 4.8 system (details of which are probably to complex to get into for the purpose of this thread) IMO it's miles better than the factory non-sport setup my truck came with originally. Its a bit firmer, sure, but definitely remains comfortable and well mannered for daily use!

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by ukrcan

I really like what you've done... i noticed you had leds under the door handles? am i right? how did you do that?

Here you go ... Link to my DIY....http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...e-led-mod.html

[4.8isX5]

Hmm this makes me want to remove my rear flares, still keep the aero kit on my 4.8is and then i wont need spacers for the rear, i think it would look super clean and slammed that way.

Anyone know if theres holes or anything behind it if you remove rear 4.8 flares? And run it like the stock 3.0/4.4 body?

[X5SND]

Sorry ukrcan, left out my exhaust bit from your previous post...

I retained the factory 3.0 system as I like how discrete it is. To install the 4.8 tips I had a set of Y-pipes whipped up to which we welded a flat 1/4" steel flange with the appropriate circles cut to slip the outlets of the Y through. It was all welded from the back side before being welded into the tip itself. I did it that way so you can't see through the tip....a more 'factory-ish' look one could say.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by 4.8isX5

Hmm this makes me want to remove my rear flares, still keep the aero kit on my 4.8is and then i wont need spacers for the rear, i think it would look super clean and slammed that way.

Anyone know if theres holes or anything behind it if you remove rear 4.8 flares? And run it like the stock 3.0/4.4 body?

There will be holes around the arches and on the bumper as well.

[4.8isX5]

Bummer... Oh well spacers it is.