I agree that the E83 X3 (with conventional coil springs on all four corners) presents a handling feel more like a car.

Our E53 X5 (4.4i) handles great for an SUV, but you still know you're driving a substantially heavier machine. Ours has rear air-springs and conventional front coils. I've noticed that when the air suspension is working perfectly, I can kick the rear out a bit when transitioning into sweeping corners. That is, the rear outside air-spring appears to maintain more stiffness than otherwise expected, and I'd guesstimate (as a former racer) more transitional stiffness than a comparable coil spring with the same effective steady-state spring rate. Perhaps the controller adds some anti-roll effect? We don't have the air-springs on all four corners like the 4.8 did (not sure if a separately available option), so I'm not sure how that plays out on yours. My guess is that the front air-springs (not to mention the adjustable ride height) could change the front-to-rear balance a lot, particularly in transitions (versus steady-state cornering).

Our E83 threw a DSC code, but our local indy said we can replace the piggy-backed controller without opening the hydraulic side. If so, it looks like a tight fit so I wish I'd tried when the intake was already off for the starter replacement. Anyway, I believe the appropriate software tool is needed either way (that is, for recoding and/or bleeding).

I'm currently doing a quick overhaul on mine. Fixing reluctor rings, swapping in a new to me transfer case and hoping it works. You know, regular x3 stuff. Also working on a preventative rust abatement stuff since I live in the rustbelt of upstate ny.

I thought I should add that the car runs great at 150k. It is the pinnacle of bmw's development of the m54. It's nice to know that under better than normal care 250k on the engine shouldn't be hard to reach.

Yeah, they are out there on the roads...last week I was on the hwy going about 65mph in the 04 and out of nowhere a young lady fires up out of nowhere next to me in a white 04 2.5. She waved,,,I waved...the car was clean and we got overtaken in the wave of traffic. [emoji6]

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I still see a number of them. Mine is technically still on the road but has been in a shop (front diff died after 203k miles). Ready for it to be back to give it some additional loving and get her back going. 2004 X3 2.5i with the 6MT.

Several years ago it was like the E53 was the official vehicle of choice for Tulsa suburbia as they seemed to be everywhere. With sprinklings of E83s thrown in for added enjoyment. I'm not seeing very many E83s but when you think about it the newest E83 on the road is now 10 years old.

These cars (e83) will be extinct soon seeing that:

●It's not...
popular
attractive
valued

●It can be...
costly to repair
time consuming
easily trashed

One has to be determined, dedicated and defiant to keep the e83 on the road...and in today's American "throw away" society that's a count against the e83 continued existence.
Most other cars have much longer repair intervals. Meaning that there is longer time between repairs.
I'm always replacing,repairing or refurbishing something but, then again its mostly by choice.
But don't get me wrong the e83 can be a tank with that m54 engine...(some sware by the n52) but nevertheless one has to look past the expansion tank, the leaky rear door vapor barriers or even the finicky ecu. A truly good car but sometimes with the many bells and whistles can bite you in the but tho. Well got to go! got to address a stuck glove box.
Cheers![emoji41]




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To answer your question
 

To answer your question, I have an '05 E53 4.4i and it is fully loaded including four wheel air springs, xenon cornering headlights, nav etc., equipped exactly the same as a 4.8is but just with the smaller V8.

AceEngineer :cool:

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A LINK TO THIS SCREEN WOULD YOU? :D

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001802961041.html

Mine is superceded, (four years old now) the specs on something like this are better than mine. I actually messaged this seller yesterday co-incidentally. They have an upgraded version soon to be released with on-board android auto. In about a months time, which is probably worth waiting for.
There are several manufacturers out there if you search.

Cheers,
Neil