facelift/pre-facelift & 1/2 model years??

[haumana]

Iʻm a totally new e53 owner. I noticed that my X falls into the ʻfaceliftʻ category, based on the year, but I wanted to know (and if anyone has pics) what the differences were?

I also thought about replacing my fog lights, but noticed that mine have the blurred looking lens, and not the crystal clear lenses, but OEMs for my year look like theyʻre supposed to be the clear lens type. Iʻd also like to turn my halos into the DRL, but noticed that there is some kind of size difference between the pre/post facelift.

Does my X fall into a slight limbo land because itʻs an early facelift? mfg. 9/2003. I already know that I got the shaft when it came to having bluetooth, but some say itʻs wired for it, and others say it isnʻt. If I have HIDs or if I donʻt, etc.

I just want to get the low down on what my X actually has, should have, or missed out because of the facelift year, but pre-facelift mfg date.

Were there that many changes? and is there anything I should be aware of?

[bcredliner]

There is a website, it might be this one that you enter last 7 digits of your vin number and it tells you what features your X has. BMW VIN Decoder - By Mitsuhiko Kanekatsu

There are several aftermarket options for better fog lights. Some get the whole unit some convert what they have to HID it they aren't already. It sounds like the years may have hazed the lens.

There are also several aftermarket options to add bluetooth, aux, sat radio, usb etc. so you can get to current technology using your existing controls.

Your X has the headlights that are close to impossible to split open. Once again there are aftermarket options. Some go back to the earlier units that can be opened and upgraded to appear close to current headlights.

I don't have a list of facelift changes but you are not stuck in the middle of nowhere.

First step is to see what accessories and packages came with your X.

[Zulu95]

If you have a small painted trim panel under your headlights that is removable then you are pre-facelift.

[PropellerHead]

I drove a 10/2004 model for nearly 7 years. I loved that thing. Early 2004 X5's (including yours) have XDrive. A change to the standard all wheel drive of the pre-facelift. X Drive can put 100% of the engine power to the one wheel it senses with traction. The older ones were static 48/52 (I think that's the right ratio)

The best thing ab early '04's? The good ole, reliable small sunroof. Less top side weight, too. Between the lowered weight so high on the body and the intelligent XDrive, I still find myself looking for early face lift builds. After they cleared through the body's from the older models with smaller roofs, they rolled out the 4.8is and the giant, heavy glass up top. Such a silly idea for a performance geek. Great for a rich mom, though.

Also, no screwy adaptive headlights. The ones on my 4.8is have yet to break, but when they do, I will strongly consider just getting the early ones. That said- it *is* cool that they sweep from left to right based on steering input. And it *is* cool to watch happen. But it does absolutely nothing practical (for me) and is thus just a gimmick as far as I am concerned.

You got screwed on Bluetooth, but so did every 2004 and it is an easy fix. I replaced the SOS module with a BT module and BOOM: Bluetooth.

Those are the two big things that I noticed when I went from my '04 3.0 to an '04 4.8is (07/04 build). Well, besides the obvious.

[Qsilver7]

Also, no screwy adaptive headlights. The ones on my 4.8is have yet to break, but when they do, I will strongly consider just getting the early ones. That said- it *is* cool that they sweep from left to right based on steering input. And it *is* cool to watch happen. But it does absolutely nothing practical (for me) and is thus just a gimmick as far as I am concerned.

I'm glad you personalized this because I'm grateful for this feature. I was reminded last Sunday morning when I opened my bedroom blinds and saw 3 deer in my back yard that had walked out of the woods. It's the season to watch out for them on the dark winding 2 lane roads around here. The adaptive headlights help me to look out for them as they are on the move this time of year.

my X falls into the ʻfaceliftʻ category, based on the year, but I wanted to know (and if anyone has pics) what the differences were?

This info is very easy to find...any auto site like New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing - Edmunds.com ... www.kkb.com ... New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews | Cars.com ... New Cars, Car Reviews & Prices, Used Cars for Sale, & Auto Shows at Motor Trend Magazine ... will not only have pics, but will have information on model year changes etc.

And as others have already eluded to...there really isn't a "half year"... the auto industry (at least in the USA) has traditionally debuted the new models in September. It's not always that way...sometimes there's an early roll-out or a late roll-out...but normally September is usually the roll out for new models.

Knowing & identifying your build date can also be important because sometimes there are changes that occur mid-production that can create differences within a model year.

[haumana]

Thanks guys!

Iʻve searched various websites, but am not attuned to immediately picking up the differences. Since this is my first X5 (and BMW for that matter), I have not idea what is actually stock, and what is an upgrade. From what Iʻve learned, It seems that I have a base 4.4 with a sport package, and then an additional upgrade to 20" Msport wheels.

The fogs donʻt look hazed, they have the same blurred look as the headlights do. I know at some point the lenses will be need to be changed, and would really like to maximize the effort when the time comes - with DRL haloʻs, and the brightest white 6k-8k that is legal, but would like to upgrade the fogs to be the same.

Some of the websites Iʻve checked out donʻt have a lot info on the differences. I feel a little better knowing that BMW didnʻt really do any 1/2 releases like a handful of other vehicles that Iʻve owned in the past.

No doubt, as I lurk the forum more and more, I will be inspired to mod it

Mahalo again!

[tmv]

Originally Posted by haumana

Thanks guys!
Iʻve searched various websites, but am not attuned to immediately picking up the differences. Since this is my first X5 (and BMW for that matter), I have not idea what is actually stock, and what is an upgrade. From what Iʻve learned, It seems that I have a base 4.4 with a sport package, and then an additional upgrade to 20" Msport wheels.
The fogs donʻt look hazed, they have the same blurred look as the headlights do. I know at some point the lenses will be need to be changed, <-nobody sells the lenses for facelift E53 since you can't easily swap it out. I suggest sanding and cleaning them up. 3M Headlight Restore kit seems to be the esiest way. and would really like to maximize the effort when the time comes - with DRL haloʻs, and the brightest white 6k-8k that is legal <-correction:6000K-8000K. You probably have Xenon lights on 4.4 Sport pkg, so leave it as-is. It's 4300K and it's the brightest of them all. 8000K is RICE!, but would like to upgrade the fogs to be the same.

Some of the websites Iʻve checked out donʻt have a lot info on the differences. I feel a little better knowing that BMW didnʻt really do any 1/2 releases like a handful of other vehicles that Iʻve owned in the past.

No doubt, as I lurk the forum more and more, I will be inspired to mod it

Mahalo again!

[haumana]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

If you have a small painted trim panel under your headlights that is removable then you are pre-facelift.

Would this be the trim panel you speak of?

Originally Posted by tmv

Sorry ... here are a pic of the fog and of the headlamps. Upon closer inspection, it seems that the fog lens is actually covered with some paint over spray. Iʻm guessing that this X5 had some body work outside of any insurance reports.




Thanks again for everything guys. Yʻall are the bomb!!

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by haumana

Would this be the trim panel you speak of?

No. You have an upgraded/non stock bumper, so yours is different than most people here.

That being said, the trim panel spoken of here is not as obvious to most as the radically different headlights that accompany the face lift vs non. It's pretty obvious on first glance to most enthusiasts.

[Lowblock]

nvm...beat me too it