Rock Crawler Build - E53 3.0L

[mike_dmt]

It was a compromise. I wanted a 545i, the wife wanted an X. So I got the X with a 4.4.


It does snow here for a few months, and I do take it up to the ski hill, so I wouldn't say I only drive it on paved roads.

What I took your original post to mean, was you wanted to build a rock crawler. The name itself is a description of what its purpose is. Maybe I misunderstood. Don't get me wrong, I take my Dodge off road quite a bit. It's a lifted 1/2 ton on 35's.

But I wouldn't consider doing any of that in the X. It's just not what it's intended for. But, to each his own.

[Green Dragon]

Put me in the "Go build a rock crawler e53, enjoy the hell out of it, and never look back" group.

[g300d]

It's yours, have fun with it!

Interested to see how this goes!

[Doru]

Do eeeet!!!!!
Subscribed.

[bpowa]

Originally Posted by brptrailrider

The intent is not a SCORE Prerunner or Dakar racer. More like Jack of all trades but master of none. Mine is a daily driver, canyon carver, road trip, ski trip, towing, and dirtbike recovery vehicle. I bought it to replace a pickup truck (F150), car (325 wagon) and sports car (RX-8) and so far it is doing a great job except for a lot of tire slip in the loose stuff and snow.

19" wheels made for a crappy ride on the street and the stock 17's look like cheesy but are way better. They were $300 on Craigslist with brand new Continental all season tires. Now it is time for new tires before ski season starts and I'm leaning toward the WildPeak. The front, rear, and center lsd/lockers are not necessary unless spending lots of time slipping tires because the brakes get really hot and the brakes kicking in is annoying. Protecting the radiator is the only other thing necessary in my plan.

So mike_DMT, I have to ask, if you are just driving your X5 on paved roads then why didn't you save some money and just get a 528i wagon? On paved roads it does everything better than the X5, (economy, handling, performance, reliability).

I see what you mean.. I took the x on a roadtrip. It rides great, smooth and ooogs of power up the mountains. I like the idea of it being a all can do vehicle, but it is not (just my opinion). I took it out bit of offroad, and kept thinking this is a 50k vehicle. Eventhough it does not cost that in the current market. If I damage any components, it will be a headache $$ to repair.

At the moment, I am really thinking of keeping a 4runner I have instead of selling it and building it for the same purpose you are planning to build. However I know that one of my vehicles will just sit, and not be used if I decide to keep and go with the build.

On a second note, you can always get some 17'' wheels and slap on some all terrain bfg's and it can probably do most of what you are looking to do, without spending excessive money..

In the end, its your vehicle, and im sure the end result will be great..

BTW im not a purest..lol

[shawndoh]

Another subscriber.

[brptrailrider]

Originally Posted by mike_dmt

What I took your original post to mean, was you wanted to build a rock crawler. The name itself is a description of what its purpose is. Maybe I misunderstood.

Hi Mike, I don't think you misunderstood, just mixed me up with the OP. I may have slightly hijacked the thread by accident.

Anyway, In the past my street legal e36 318is gutted autocross car got boring and so I raised it to stock height, added some protection to the fuel lines and took it to the California Rally Series school and rallycross. They had too many rules to be fun so we just ran it with trucks and bikes out in the open desert for fun like a buggy. It was amazing how much abuse it could take. Bent a few things, blew out bushings and had to dig it out of deep sand a few times but never really broke anything that left us stranded. The X5 is probably more robust than the e36... then again my 318 was only 2,600 lb.

[downeaster1]

Well as I've said, I'm a tech at a local BMW dealer so really labor and parts arn't too much of a worry. It isn't my daily driver (currently the 1 series has been delegated for that). I'm not much of an off-roader type of person and I wouldn't exactly call it a hobby or passion, but I like the idea of doing stuff with cars that were not intended in doing.

[bcredliner]

Welcome!

I think what you are doing is great! I also believe the your X will do very well offroad. Very interested to hear about your progress.

BTW-I will never understand why anyone takes the time tell an OP he shouldn't do what OP has already done or decided to do. OP didn't ask if he was making a mistake or invite condescending BS. It gives the impression to a new member that we are a bunch of a**holes and most of us aren't. Brptrailrider is enthusiastic and excited about his project (as I would be) and came here to share that with us. We should appreciate his willingness--- so---If you can't make a positive contribution go back to beating your dog.

[Gregory891]

Curious on the oil pump dual feed. Your car has the M54 engine, what is the donor engine / platform for this? This isn't the set-up from the Euro E36 M3 (S54)? Somewhere in a German forum I recall something from a Z3 as well.