Build Log: M57 X5

[ucsbwsr]

Operation "kill all amber" continues with some LED turn signal bulbs


Removed the bumper and the lower splash shields to poke around see what's what. Everything is very clean and no major oil leaks. Very un-BMW



Garage TVs/Monitors FTW


Flashed XHP XDelete. I like run this on one of my E61 wagons and really like the refined steering feel. With no servotronic and 285 tires up front the steering is a bit heavy so I am hoping this will help that a bit, it might also improve fuel efficiency.


With the X5 jacked up an in gear I noticed the front wheels still receiving power, maybe there is enough friction in the TC clutches to transfer this energy, I am curious if this would translate into a parasitic loss while driving around, either way I wasn't about it so I removed the front shaft. Here is a before/after video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfqjirwDjHk


With the bumper off I decided to continue blacking out some items.



The small silver romboid around the front cameras was particularly annoying and after exmaining it's texture I wasn't confident paint would adhere well to it so I removed the reflectors and wrapped the complete assembly in gloss black (had it lying around). It looks SO much better IMO.



My goal was to run the beefiest setup possible. The tires already have enough width so increasing the aspect ratio is next, I am a big fan of running taller tires as it adds more cushion for ride comfort and also help fill the wheel wells. The X5 is in particular need of this but unfortunately the wheel carrier/upper ball joint is in a rather inconvenient location.

Stock Michelin PSSs are 285/35 325/30. I found some 285/45 325/40 Continental 5Ps which are OEM equipment on AMG Mercedes SUVs. I found a front tire on eBay and purchased it to test fit....

Here is the stock 285/45 Michelin


285/45 Continental


Bummer



In addition to the spindle-tire contact the inner edge of the tires would have rubbed at full lock so this tire size NOT working was for the best but in terms of added tire meat and the juggernaut like aesthetics it would have been exactly what I was shooting for.

When the dust settled and the tire was returned I was only out $35 for 2 tire mountings, 1 balancing, and return shipping on the tire so it was a worth while experiment, now I know.

Moving forward I need to decide if I should go with taller but slightly narrower 275/40 315/35 Hankook S1 Nobles (OE Porsche tires) or just stick with the wider but shorter Michelins. For now I might just run the Michelins until they are toast and then revisit options.





To make sure steering feel and lightness was optimized I also flushed the PS fluid with some new CHF11s


A couple updated pics, killed many bugs driving out to Lake Havasu, AZ for Easter

[MillerMav]

Looking good!

[Dieselfan]

Nice! Very nice so far.
A few questions for you though.
1. How much lighter is the steering wheel with Xdrive delete?
2. Any traction control issue with tires being different ratio?

[ucsbwsr]

Originally Posted by Dieselfan

Nice! Very nice so far.
A few questions for you though.
1. How much lighter is the steering wheel with Xdrive delete?
2. Any traction control issue with tires being different ratio?

1. Hard to quantify this but "a little." The difference isn't as drastic as on my 535xi that has servotronic. I also flushed the PS fluid which usually helps a bit so it's hard to decipher which what did what but overall the difference is small but positive.

2. My understanding is the DSC system uses wheel speed variation to detect slip and the threshold for that is ~1% or just above so the rule of thumb is to keep the F/R rolling diameters of the tires <1.0%. My Michelin PSSs have a difference of 0.617% so no worries there.

[Dieselfan]

Originally Posted by ucsbwsr

1. Hard to quantify this but "a little." The difference isn't as drastic as on my 535xi that has servotronic. I also flushed the PS fluid which usually helps a bit so it's hard to decipher which what did what but overall the difference is small but positive.

2. My understanding is the DSC system uses wheel speed variation to detect slip and the threshold for that is ~1% or just above so the rule of thumb is to keep the F/R rolling diameters of the tires <1.0%. My Michelin PSSs have a difference of 0.617% so no worries there.

Thank you! Good to know.

[crystalworks]

Nice truck OP. I like where this is going.

BTW, I'm still pretty happy with my Night Breakers in my E53. Need to order some for the wife's X35d. Putting it off until I replace the headlights lenses on hers as I think they are past the point of refinishing @ 160,000 miles.

[ucsbwsr]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Nice truck OP. I like where this is going.

BTW, I'm still pretty happy with my Night Breakers in my E53. Need to order some for the wife's X35d. Putting it off until I replace the headlights lenses on hers as I think they are past the point of refinishing @ 160,000 miles.

If you are pulling the lenses then that would be a great time to optimize or upgrade the stock projector. The AFS cradel is a bit of a pain and the "adaptive feature needs to be disabled if you want to fit a better projector, no worries since a high end projector "static" will outperform the stock E46 projector swiveling.

Originally Posted by heatmizr

Incredible job, nice attention to detail.
And who knew a single post could hold so many pics!

I like photos.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by ucsbwsr

If you are pulling the lenses then that would be a great time to optimize or upgrade the stock projector. The AFS cradel is a bit of a pain and the "adaptive feature needs to be disabled if you want to fit a better projector, no worries since a high end projector "static" will outperform the stock E46 projector swiveling.

True, but I will only be upgrading the LED rings like I did on my E53. The stock projectors are sufficient for me and the amount of time/money needed to retrofit others doesn't pass the cost/benefit calculation for me. I'll be using the same rings I used on my E53 in the appropriate sizing. Have to wait to open it for the measurements.

Here's the E53.

Originally Posted by ucsbwsr

I like photos.

So do I. Keep em coming.

[ucsbwsr]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

The stock projectors are sufficient for me and the amount of time/money needed to retrofit others doesn't pass the cost/benefit calculation for me.

I understand I am a bit of a black sheep when it comes to automotive lighting since standards are extremely high but it sounds like you haven't experienced a "legit" headlight setup. Most people consider a Morimoto H1 projector a retrofit and technically it is but not all retrofits are equal. It's like saying a Mustang GT is "fast" when there are Koenigseggs, McClaren P1s, and twin turbo Gallardos.

If I build my E70 headlights prior to your lens swap, perhaps I can inspire you and hopefully change your mind.

This is my E61

[Nyc Dito]

Originally Posted by ucsbwsr

This is my E61

You should link you HIDP build. Always loved this build!

FXR's in my E39 made a nice difference but its a bigger task (Budget for install) to do something on my E70 =/