The pump is only loud enough to hear (for me on both air suspension E53's) if you're on top of it. Folks report hearing it run when it is on the way out, but normal operation should be silent.

There exists a refurb process and parts for the air suspension pump. $24 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/BMW-2000-2006.../dp/B00U53VBSC

Anxious to see the progress Crowz!

I book marked the rebuild kit for future consideration if I get that far :)

Hoping I can make some progress soon :)

So far its rain, rain and more rain. I could pull it under the carport if I have to but the rainy cold weather makes me just want to go back in the house and sleep.

On high mileage suspension compressor pumps (like mine at 113K) I had a great result by buying the complete head unit from a source on Ali.

My compressor cylinder bore was shot and the new cylinder head and piston ring restored excellent performance and no more codes.

$22

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Air-...866104110.html

Yes I first tried Bag Pipin Andy’s piston ring solution but no joy.

Mike

I think I am going to do mine before doing my stereo setup... because afterwards access will be, let's call it less than ideal. ;)

If you remove the lower trunk floor Crowz... you'll be able to hear it running. Even a healthy pump makes enough noise to be heard without that.

Weather permitting I will check that tomorrow. This weekend for sure.

Since it will HAVE to have a backup camera and it just has the mid/cd player now what's the vote on which one to go with on this install?

I'm thinking about maybe this one :

https://www.seicane.com/android-auto...trol-cpu-s6942

https://static.seicane.com/media/cat...adio-7_101.jpg

Since its so radically different from the ones I have done in the other cars. All of the other ones are factory looking ones. This would be the tablet 9" screen type.

Oh and don't even go down that cutting a hole in the top of the dash version.

To put it simple on that particular type....

AIN'T HAPPENIN !

I like that one 'cause it's the same unit as the one I have. :thumbup: Different brand, same bits.

I like the large screen. Plenty of real estate for Waze, Amazon Music, etc. I rarely watch Plex movies or use a browser like Chrome on the thing, but it is nice to have a big ole screen if needed.

I'd be interested if your use reveals my experience. I find that I need to aim juuuust a touch high on the intended target. ie when searching using the keyboard, I need to aim for the top portion of a given letter. App buttons like a press on the top most edge, etc.

I dunno what part of Android addresses this, but I would like to figure out a screen calibration to make it perfect. It's one of a dozen things on these radios that could be better than it is, but isn't a deal breaker for me.

I do still wish it had a knob for volume. 30 years piloting Bimmers can't be undone by one with a touch control- even if the wheel buttons work fine.

That only works with the OEM Nav setup - it's not compatible with the CD-Player/MID setup we have. :D

BUT, for your reference... (in case someone finds this thread and wonders what you are talking about...): -

https://www.seicane.com/android-1998...ontrol-s028205

And yeah, given how fast my heart was racing just coding some stuff, I ain't going near the dash with a knife.... :rofl:

And to answer your question - if this is going to be your "beater" do you want to spend a significant proportion of the cars value on a stereo..?

With all the outstanding (and bound-to-happen-sooner-rather-than-later things that have yet to bite me) maint. needs on my (admittedly bloody good) e53 I can't justify spending $1,000 on a stereo upgrade.

But that's me. That and I adore the OEM look of this e53 platform - I'd rather keep it look "period correct". :thumbup: