My 4.8is from Scotland!

[Scottiboy]

Hi all, I am from Sunny Glasgow in Scotland. I have browsed this forum a good few times for various information etc so I thought I would bite the bullet and sign up!

First and foremost I would like to say well done on a superbly ran forum. I have already had a browse round the site and it looks a great BMW community.

Thought I would introduce my e53 BMW X5 4.8is finished in Black Sapphire Metallic. This is the second e53 4.8is I have owned, previously had one in Sterling Grey:





I am addicted to the driving position, feel, handling of these big machines - the v8 rumble from them puts a smile on my face every morning.

My previous BMW M3 in Alpine White:





Anyway enough of my chat here are some pics for your viewing pleasure, my current X5 4.8is:











Where the magic happens......excuse the dirty engine bay I had just picked it up!





Upgraded BMW Cream Nappa Leather Executive Comfort Seats with electric function:









Airmatic Adjustable Suspension:



Original Main Dealer Keyring......I know I know I am sad :ymdaydream:



Rear and Rear Quarter Blind Upgrade:









OEM Retractable Load Floor Upgrade:



Rear View Mirror in build Digital Compass Upgrade:



2 Stage Rear Heated Seat Upgrade:



Climate Comfort Front Windscreen:



Light Poplar Wood Trim, not 100% sold on this to be honest so that may change:







Electric Power Folding Folding and Auto Dimming Mirrors:



A few pictures of it on its travels to the country:











Who said a 4.8 v8 can't be economical-ish...... :d



Germany is never scared of America :twisted:



Little drive with some friends:











Result of 'little drive' with friends..... :roll:



First things first I completed a fairly simple modification that I do to all my cars, lighting upgrades:

Xenon Number Plate Lights:







Full Interior and Puddle Light Xenon Upgrade:







In my opinion a modification that transforms your car. I sell these bulbs if anyone is interested at all!

My next modification was one I had wanted to do since I got the car. Steering wheel trim. Having owned an X5 before I know how horrific the rubbery/plastic steering wheel trim is and it is pron to scuffing and scratching. Mine sadly had a few little scuffs on it that really bugged me, the steering wheel is the first thing that greets you after all.

Before: Slight scuffing at the corners





So.....purchased a brand new OEM one and had a friend spend some time with it to Hydrograph the mould! I could not have been happier with the results:









So I was rather eager to get it fitted....

















Tricky little job, however hugely worthwhile. I was over the moon with it.

Next upgrade......my obsession with lighting upgrades continues!

My 'Check Park Light' popped up on my X5 the other day - quick look round, the drivers side angel eye was out :roll:

In the true spirit of 'modifying' I thought - upgrade rather than replace. After scouring many different forums I soon realised that this process would be a little more complicated than first thought.

Many X5 owners with the OEM angel eyes have tried and failed with various cheap bulbs upgrades with suppliers promising the world and in reality delivering poor light output and extremely short longevity - two things I disgust in lighting upgrades.

Having ruled out the most successful route of gaining super white bright Xenon angel eyes - split the headlights and upgrade the angel eyes - I got to work doing a bit of recon on various bulbs and suppliers and plumped for a 7000k Xenon White Bulb kit. The kit was certainly not on the cheap side however after lengthy chats with the supplier and various photographs of these fitted I felt confident these would work a treat.

Please excuse the horrific pictures, it was a rain filled day in Sunny Glasgow surprise surprise!

Before, yellow OEM angel eyes:



A little comparison pic:



After, 7000k Xenon White Angel Eyes:



The pictures do not do them justice at all, I shall get some better pictures when the rain clears and with my camera instead of iPhone.

-. Super easy plug and play fitment with excellent fitting instructions. However Passenger Side bulbs was a little trickier to fit due to the e53's power steering reservoir conveniently more or less blocking access to the bulb holder for anyone with hands bigger than a infant - BMW designers I tell ya!!

-. No bulbs error dash lights as promised

-. Super bright white which I desperately wanted!

-. Excellent bulb clarity - no blurring of the OEM ring, very clear

-. Blend in with the OEM Xenons perfectly

Overall really happy with them - I shall get some better pictures up when/if the rain ever stops!!! :crazy:

That is all so far, I have added my private plate to the car and just been generally maintaining it. Future plans - I was toying with the idea of colour coding the plastics around the body, wheels arches etc, still not sure though.

Also considering fitting an X-Pipe which seems a very popular modification with all you guys on here

Sorry for the picture overload - thank you for stopping by.

..Scotty..

[TerminatorX5]

Welcome to the forum!!!

excellent specimen!!!

i was in Scotland once, very beautiful country!!! loved the distilleries - had a tour of one, Glenkinchie...

enjoy the ride, and again - welcome!!!

[Riggodeaux]

Welcome! Handsome vehicle, shame it doesn't have three pedals and a diesel under the hood, as you can get on that side of the pond . I've driven right-side in the UK, in a rental diesel Golf stick, and found the transition from left-side surprisingly easy. Can't say the same for driving the one-way streets in Edinborough [sp] ....

[Ricky Bobby]

Scotty, what a beautiful 4.8. You have convinced me that the aluminum running boards really help to tie in the silver 20's on the E53, I'm still looking for an affordable set for my E53.

Agreed on the LED interior/license plates/angel eyes/puddle lights, changing all the interior bulbs and exterior license plates/mirror light bulbs is a total upgrade and transformation, and cheap/easy to boot! I've been doing on all my cars for the past 10 years, before SMD LED's came out, so I remember the old days when "LED's arent bright" lol!

I LOVE your steering wheel trim, absolutely fantastic, what process did he use, you said hydrographed? I'm guessing its not an affordable process, but perhaps he could do similar on your Light Poplar wood trims to match the steering wheel trim now?

I have Light Poplar as well and its ok, but I'm starting to feel that I need to get the trims refinished in Black Sapphire or Piano Black, to update the interior and give a sportier look. Was going to have a body shop professionally paint them, but this process is interesting as well.

Everything looks marvelous and I am in love with your Alpine E46!

[Scottiboy]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

TerminatorX5: Ahh good old Glenkinchie, exquisite choice you made to go there, we do know our alcohol in these parts

Riggodeaux: Ohh my our streets are not always the best - I struggle when I head through to Edinburgh at times so I feel your pain! The diesel X5's are very very popular over here due to the high price of fuel however I am not a diesel fan at all - I love the pace and power of the 4.8is. They are very rare here, do not see many of them.

Ricky Bobby: Your kind words are much appreciated. Yes I have had the aluminum running boards on both on my X5's, defiantly a worthwhile upgrade if you do not have them, however they are pricey on the second hand market.

Yes indeed it was my first experience of Hydrographic printing and I must admit I was over impressed by it. The finish is absolutely superb, almost everyone who gets into the car comments on it. I had previously had Carbon Fibre Wrap professionally fitted at a reputable company on my BMW M3 and the finish was poor and the longevity was also really short before it started to show signs of peeling - since that experience I would not use wrap on my car to be honest.

Here is a picture of Carbon Fibre Wrap on my M3:



Yes I am considering having the trim changed to the Hydrograpic print to match. Believe it or not it is a film that is put on using a highly impressive process, here is a little video to show you better than I could ever explain.....

The Carbon Fiber Effect - Wheeler Dealers Series 10 Episode 3 - YouTube

With regards to expense I think I was around £60.00 which included me sending and receiving the item - not overly expensive in my opinion. The X5's are known for wear on the tatty rubber steering trim, experienced this in both of mine.

..Scotty..

[Ricky Bobby]

That is fairly awesome process, I just watched the Wheeler Dealers vid (I'm a huge fan of the show but missed that episode)

For me personally it's probably better for me to go with a professional paint shop, as I'm not looking for Carbon fiber but actual BMW color change with a 2K urethane clearcoat.

[tmv]

nice iS. Your X5s have just convinced me to get the running board. I'm on the fence about it, but now I'm sold.

[e30cabrio]

Very nice!

Welcome!

[bcredliner]

Welcome! Nice X!.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by tmv

nice iS. Your X5s have just convinced me to get the running board. I'm on the fence about it, but now I'm sold.

Me too, seeing the 4.8's with the boards really draw me in visually!

Tam I've been trying for months to find someone who is trading in or selling an X that wants to swap but to no avail. Don't really want to spend the $700 the dealer wants either.

Let me know if you're buying new boards from dealer or where you are sourcing from, I found "oem aftermarket" ones for $500 on ebay which look literally the same in pics, but not sure how accurate they are compared to OE.