Build Log: M57 X5

[MaverichX5E70]

Originally Posted by Prelude93

Hi,

Been following your amazing build. Very envious. I located in Ottawa Canada and have 2011 X5 35d thats still stock. I’ve owned it since 2020 previously was my brothers ride. Just got the “incorrect def no start in 200 mls” warning this weekend. So looking at options for tunes and deletes (if need be). I’m a newbie on this stuff. Scanning your thread I think you original you thought of using JR but later I noticed you mentioned Malone. Which one are you running?

Also is it possible just to do the tune (def and egr only) and keep the dpf running while keeping all parts intact? Just looking for a good reliable daily ride. Any down sides to keeping dpf and scr intact if it’s only a def error I’m getting?

Thanks

I'm also in Ontario (other side of Toronto) and have JR 2.8 on my '13 35d x5 with all deletes done. If you want to send me a private message I can point you to who did my x5 if you'd like help.

[dw280]

Hi ucsbwsr! Been following your build thread and getting lost in all the details. Amazing work BTW.

Are there any updates on the "Phantom Fuel" on the X5d?

Also, I'm trying to figure out some custom spec'd ESR wheels off your ZL1 wheel fitment. With the 295/45R20 tires in the front, do you notice it following road crown or grooved pavement a lot? I know on a lot of vehicles with wide front tires, following the road can be a constant battle.

Lastly, do you have any links to the wireless charging pad you used? I really like how that turned out.

[ucsbwsr]

Originally Posted by MaverichX5E70

Hey I really like how you did this with the wireless charging pad.


Do you happen to have a link to what pad that is? Where did you get it?

I got it from Amazon but it's no longer available.

[ucsbwsr]

Originally Posted by dw280

Hi ucsbwsr! Been following your build thread and getting lost in all the details. Amazing work BTW.

Are there any updates on the "Phantom Fuel" on the X5d?

Also, I'm trying to figure out some custom spec'd ESR wheels off your ZL1 wheel fitment. With the 295/45R20 tires in the front, do you notice it following road crown or grooved pavement a lot? I know on a lot of vehicles with wide front tires, following the road can be a constant battle.

Lastly, do you have any links to the wireless charging pad you used? I really like how that turned out.

No real update on the phantom fuel system aside from it's still installed and in use.
295 section width up front does tram-line on uneven road surfaces, as you know it comes with the territory.

Charging pad was from Amazon but it's no longer available.

[Shaw]

Hi ucsbwsr,

I am about to install a hitch on my 08 X5 and was wondering if you could go a little more in-depth on the coding required.

I am familiar with INPA and basic coding with NCS (folding mirrors and whatnot). Do you happen to have a list of everything that needs to be coded for the OEM hitch to work properly?

-Shawn

[ucsbwsr]

Originally Posted by Shaw

Hi ucsbwsr,

I am about to install a hitch on my 08 X5 and was wondering if you could go a little more in-depth on the coding required.

I am familiar with INPA and basic coding with NCS (folding mirrors and whatnot). Do you happen to have a list of everything that needs to be coded for the OEM hitch to work properly?

-Shawn

Honestly I don't remember exactly but there are guides floating around on the internet so just keep poking around. IIRC it was changing to VO and then I changed a couple things to activate the trailer mode with the rear view camera.

[ucsbwsr]

End of Winter Start of Spring Update.

Truck/trailer rental? No thanks!


Passenger seat removal was key


Fighting the good fight against winter grime


Got caught in a snow squall on a snowboard trip. This was the drive up...


This was the drive back (in squall)


Aftermath, proud to say this is my best "winter coat" to date.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0

X5 + SNOW + MUSHROOMS=


Telluride is very nice, probably the most striking mountains I have seen so far in the Rockies.



Picked up some kayaks from the in-laws. MPG wasn't great driving from Havasu, AZ to Denver.


All 3 vehicles clean at once? Had to snap a pic


New summer wheels inbound. Switching the 5th Gen 1LE ZL1 wheels for 6th Gen. I prefer the more traditional 5 spoke look but the wheels are still chunky, concave, and relatively light. The wheels are currently at the machine shop, then straight to the powder coated for a fresh satin black finish.




I also snagged an exhaust manifold which will be ceramic coated. This is part of my hot-side refresh which will include new ex-manifold studs, hardware, and all new gaskets to hopefully, finally, resolve my annoying exhaust leak.

[ucsbwsr]

Just rolled over 131,000 and since my last update in April I have averaged >26mpg over the past 5,000 miles, very respectable. Over the past 5 months the X5 has been a doing it's job facilitating work and play.

Mountain bike here

Mountain bike there

Mountain bike everywhere

Yakin' too


Finally got a strut for my cargo floor!



Got my manifold back with it's ceramic coating.



Pile-o-goodies. Oil, various filters, tie rods, and some window surrounds for the C/D pillar window. Also exhaust manifold studs, nuts, and gaskets.


New tire deflectors


New wheels mounted





Washy wahsy


Back to Work! Strapping and insulation for my garage ceiling. It will be R59!


Back to Play!

[ucsbwsr]

Driving home from a trailhead I was on a dirt road which had a lot of washboard surfaces. On the drive a small front end clunk became a front end bang-bang. When I got back onto paved roads the clunking continued so I knew something let go. When closer to home and stopped at a red light I did notice the smell of raw diesel which I thought was odd but I didn't think too much about it .....until I got home and noticed a trail of fuel in the driveway. lol

As it turns out the Phantom fuel system (which is like a small fuel filter) which was installed in-line near the OEM fuel filter had it's connection rattled loose and was leaking. For simplicity and reliability I removed the unit. This was originally installed since it is intended to "excite" the fuel and improve combustibility and therefore improve economy and performance. Hard to really extrapolate data to confirm that since there are so many variables in the mix but I figured with it now removed I can see if there are any noticeable differences.

I figured the clunking was from the Phantom fuel sysytem banging around since it was loose and was only secured with a couple zip ties. When removing the Phantom fuel system I also swapped in a fresh OEM fuel filter.

Better to have a fuel leak under the vehicle instead of the engine bay!


Phantom system which was removed


We replaced our utility sink with a dog wash for our good boi Oliver.


Dog-wash also = auto parts and wheel washer!


Going for a drive after addressing the fuel system it became very clear I did NOT resolve the clunking. Time to go back in...


rugh rough


RUGH ROUGH!!!



Found the problem! Sturt mounts had 40k on them but this damage was caused by an installation error ...by me. Turns out I didn't install the metal washer on the underside of the strut mount, therefore on the rubber was keeping the strut shaft from poking through, if the washer was installed it would bottom out on the strut mount and squish the foam rings. Whoops!!



I had some sturt mounts shipped from FCP and while I waited for them to arrive I took advantage of having the X5 in the garage and did some other maintenance.

Cabin (and recirc) filters


New passenger handle




Added some more sound deadening material (felt tape) to various locations on the dash to known creaky locations, back of Nav screen shown here.


The metal grills on my P3 vent gauge were once black but have become copper-ish from, I assume, UV. So it was refreshed with Plasti Dip.




On a side-note this style jack stand does well on the Swisstrax floor and doesn't deform or damage it.



Time for the long overdue leather cleaning. I previously used Leatherique on my wife's Q7 which has awesome Valcona leather and the results were awesome.

Q7 leather BEFORE


Q7 After



Shortly after coating all of the leather in Leatherique I realized I wasn't sure is Dakota was even real leather. As it turns out it's a real leather but has a coating on top which renders Leatherique not as effective. Thankfully my leather is perforated so the cleaner can penetrate there. I followed through with the procedure knowing it's unlikely the results would be as spectacular and in the end I am happy with the results but this really makes me want to track down an X5M interior with Merino leather. No doubt the Dakota is durable but I am not a fan of the way it feels, it reminds me of Crayons and plastic.

Anywho, back to pictures!


Here are BEFORE photos





Leatherique Rejuvinator applied. 2.5 coats and let it sit overnight.




Leatherique Pristine Clean applied and then leather was agitated with a horse-hair brush, wiped, and buffed. It's always a fun transformation to observe, notice how the leather has a nice matte finish.




Steering wheel stitching before


Stitching after


Wheel after. There is still some shiny-ness (dirt and grease) up top so I may reapply later but overall it's a dramatic change.


Bucket before cleaning driver seat and steering wheel


...After


Pokey pokey!




Rear seat During/After


AFTER



New strut mounts arrived. I couldn't find my OEM strut dust shields/washers and FCP/BMW wanted $35 per washer *pfft* get outta here, to the local yard I went for some recycling.


New strut mounts AND WASHERS installed, we're back in business.


Yea, that's some nice rubbing. You gotta pay the the 295/45/20 tax in order to enjoy the benefits of those cushy sidewalls.

[dw280]

On your fender flares, did you go OEM or aftermarket? OEM's are about $500 a set where aftermarkets are 1/2 that cost. I just worry about 1/2 the quality. LOL