Just saying Hi & showing off the 6 weeks progress on the X5 **PIC HEAVY**

[TwinTurboGTR]

Actually looking over the pics again, I'm curious how you polished out the inner tail lights??? That problem is a common theme in the e53 lineup, mine suffers the same problem. Looking closer, the damage seems to be within the lens itself and not on the outside cover. Curious on how you fixed that.

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Welcome! Looks great!!

I really like your silver and black theme.

Which method did you use to release the headlight seals? Anything else on your list?

You are not going to please everyone but I don't understand the motivation to be a Debbie Downer, especially to a new member that we don't even know.

If my X was silver or gray I would be done the same path. Nice work.

Thanks,

My headlights being early ones (pre mid 2002) split really easy just with a hot air gun, re fitting the lens was done with the hot air gun too, took about 40 mins to fit the rings in each light

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

am I the only one who doesnt know what an LPG gas conversion is?


Nice work, I'm envious of you working at a paint shop, so much better to paint your own parts for free haha! The smoked headlights arent my bag but it looks good, and I actually would like to see you fit the Style 63 19" wheels with some spacers, and paint the wheels satin black, get rid of the 22s, too big IMO.

Thanks,

As said it stands for liquid petroleum gas it makes running the 4.4 v8 so much cheaper here in the uk a gallon of petrol costs £6.17 and a gallon of LPG costs £3.02 so running on gas cost around half and the mpg is very much the same as is the performance so win win

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

welcome to the forum... nice mods... and theme is consistent... the tinted headlights fall in the same category as the tinted front windshield - always starts conversation... along with some folks not wearing seatbelts... lol... all three are illegal in many jurisdictions... but still, looks good...

on the very first picture, before all the mods, the right rear wheel looks a bit out of place - is it the angle of the camera or something was going on with the wheel? or, maybe my eyesight is playing tricks on me...

Thanks,

The rear wheel is fine, it's just the angle I was standing:

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by SammyD

Nice work

What bulbs did you use here in your DRL?

these are just standard led sidelight bulbs, I think the camera makes them look loads brighter than they are.

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by pnoyako85

everything is good but Smoke tails and headlights i dont see the point the headlight tint feels like it just reduces the brightness of the headlight ...

The headlight tint really is not noticeable at night believe me if it made a difference it would not still be on there.

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by JCL

Good job with the dash fix, headlight polish, and general cleaning/polishing.

Not a fan of oversize wheels, but to each their own.

The one I don't get is the headlight and taillight tint. Are the two headlight photos the before and after? If so, there appears to be a significant difference in brightness, at least on my monitor. The roads are dangerous enough without blacked out lights, IMO.

The 2 pics are both with tinted lights one going up a hill on a bend and the other on a long straight, as I said it was hard trying to get the camera phone to take a good pic as it kept auto changing the contrast before capturing.

Here's a pic showing one tinted one not side lights and dip beam:

[dpbayly]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

Actually looking over the pics again, I'm curious how you polished out the inner tail lights??? That problem is a common theme in the e53 lineup, mine suffers the same problem. Looking closer, the damage seems to be within the lens itself and not on the outside cover. Curious on how you fixed that.

To clear the crazing effect of the plastic you need to wet flat the plastic I start with 600 grit and work my way to the fine stuff finishing with 1500 grit, once Ive done that I then use a machine polisher and compound to bring them back to the high shine, it can be polished by hand just takes longer.

[AquilaBMW]

Great work there mate! I'm not uber crazy about the wheels, but you have done a fine job on the car. I wonder if 2003 headlights will come apart as easily.... I might try than when I pick up mine.

[onatepp]

Great work there! Can you explain how you fixed the instruments cluster?