First DIY on X5 - Almost a second...

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Very nice work. I need to do mine.

Thanks ... My suggestion is to take your time with it. Well worth the effort.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by tmv

The steering wheel fits right in.

Thanks Man! The wheel came from my wrecked M5... but what a PITA! It usually goes easily enough - just not this time.

First I had to disconnect the battery on the X5 - MOMMA! . Then I had to reassemble the wheel as I need to transfer some needed parts over.

Then... I over tightened the little screw for the ground wire and had to go fish around for a suitable replacement. After all that, I reconnected everything and the Horn would stop blaring. Turns out I had over tightened the three Torx head bolts that hold the horn plate down - so... I had to disconnect battery again and re-do the whole thing! BAH!

At least now it works! Thank Goodness!

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Some colors don't look so good but black, silver and gray look the best, comments have been that it looks more aggressive but not radical.

Love Black grills on Silver - definitely more aggressive.

[AquilaBMW]

More fun today. I went by the Dealership to pick up a new key. The one I got with the car was not working (Remote). Tech comes out to synch the new key. He's done in 5 minutes, he hands me back both keys and says my "spare" key is all good to go.

I'm puzzled. I told him the original was not working. He got both keys to work! Go figure! So... $150 later, I now have a brand new master spare key! Oy!

[tmv]

Originally Posted by AquilaBMW

More fun today. I went by the Dealership to pick up a new key. The one I got with the car was not working (Remote). Tech comes out to synch the new key. He's done in 5 minutes, he hands me back both keys and says my "spare" key is all good to go.

I'm puzzled. I told him the original was not working. He got both keys to work! Go figure! So... $150 later, I now have a brand new master spare key! Oy!

You just need to re-initialized the key, duh
I don't know why you have to mess up with the wiring in the steering wheel. In my 3.0i, it plugs right in, same as my E39. At least it's all working now.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by tmv

You just need to re-initialized the key, duh
I don't know why you have to mess up with the wiring in the steering wheel. In my 3.0i, it plugs right in, same as my E39. At least it's all working now.

Yep! Silly me - all I had to do was re-initialize. I did not think of it. Too late now as I can't return the key.

As far as the wheel, the original connectors for the airbags were damaged so I had to replace them.

[tmv]

Your X5 is in good hand now.

[Ricky Bobby]

Seeing your M5 wheel makes me want to so badly get my wheel reupholstered, thickened, and thumbrests added.

[e30cabrio]

Originally Posted by AquilaBMW

More fun today. I went by the Dealership to pick up a new key. The one I got with the car was not working (Remote). Tech comes out to synch the new key. He's done in 5 minutes, he hands me back both keys and says my "spare" key is all good to go.

I'm puzzled. I told him the original was not working. He got both keys to work! Go figure! So... $150 later, I now have a brand new master spare key! Oy!

I got mine with one key which makes me very nervous. I ordered two from eBay thinking it would be like every other car I have owned but when I called locksmiths was told dealer only all the dealers here (Phoenix) want 250 per key.

I spent all day yesterday calling Craigs List ads that said they do all cars and finally found one that said he could but warned many eBay keys are junk and that he could try only to fail. We agreed I'd pay 50.00 for his coming to my house & not be mad if he ruined a key (or both)

I now have three functional keys and he also did a flip key for our Mazda 6 we have had for 2 years but my Daughter never had cut/programmed. Total cost 280 for all three keys.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by tmv

Your X5 is in good hand now.

Thank you sir! Btw, where in ATL are you? I used to work in Sandy Springs and lived in Lawrenceville years ago.