and now, back to our regularly scheduled program...
 

After wrecking my back fixing the passenger airbag light problem, which required me to wedge myself in the backseat, almost upside-down, I followed that with checking and topping up all the tires on our 5 vehicles and my 2 trailers (32 tires total...the HHR Panel has 2 spares); I figured I couldn't hurt much worse, so I decided to finally disassemble the center console, to get to the I-bus wire I've bee seeking.

The side-panel access to connector X4545 would've require that I remove the driver's seat, which I didn't want to do (possibly creating more problems). So I tried removing the center console storage box that sits just over the connector. After removing eight screws that had been cross-threaded and glued in place, I still couldn't budge the console box shell (the CD holder & storage cubby were already removed).

I had previously seen where the pre-wiring for the mobile phone comes into the top of the armrest, but once I pried out the (glued-in) phone cradle, I still couldn't get to the extension cable from X4545 (I had previously found the BMW P/N tag on it, but I can't find it now). So I took off the bottom plastic plate, under the top of the armrest, where I finally could touch the 18-pin phone cradle connector/extension? (from X4545), which was tie-wrapped to the antenna cable.
Attachment 81820

I found a pin-out for that connector on the E-46 website, but that one shows 17 wires in an 18-pin connector. I'm sure there are only 16 wires in mine, but I'll look again tomorrow, and recount. And, there might be a different number of wires considering the different models.
Attachment 81821

pin 9 has the white wire with yellow rings (can't see any grey stripe)
 

I returned to my disassembled center console today, to put it back together, and to verify that the I-bus wire is indeed there.
Attachment 81833

I counted the sixteen wires three more times, so my X5 wiring is one wire short of the E-46 wiring diagram. I've traced the wire to pin 9, but upon very close inspection (as close as my vision allows), I can't see the grey stripe that the I-bus wire should always have. It is the only white wire that has the yellow rings on it (2 out of 3= a winner?).
Attachment 81834

So far, I've been unable to find a good wiring diagram on my free (downloaded from the web) X5 shop manual (it's certainly not a Bentley, and there's no indexing available to help me search), or on WDS, or on NewTis; I've no idea what the other wires are for.

Since I've got my spare cellphone finally configured to automatically pair with my Torque Pro app (using an app called Macroid), and it's giving me most of the info I need at all times, I'm in less of a hurry to get the "Resler interface/I-bus app/my 8" tablet" combo going immediately. I'll find the wiring diagram I need somewhere, I'm sure.

Another thing...my center console armrest lid had the top with a crumbling-rubber phonetray inside; it is always sticking shut, or causing a mess whenever I put something in it, so I removed it. I'm gonna modify it to hold loose items better, maybe with a velcro'd flap inside. Just a thought.

Do you need a Bentley? Send PM with address. I'm away until like April, but I'll send you the beat up one I have. Owners like you oughta have one.

NOT still searching for a display as good as the Android/Resler Ibus
 

Sure, that looks ideal, but I'm pretty much satisfied with what workarounds I've found, until I add the Resler adapter and the associated app to my equipment. I have located where I'm going to tie-in to the Ibus circuit (inside my console storage box), and just need to buy the adapter and app license to hook it up to my Android tablet (the Android radio can wait). But, in the meantime, I've got access to all the info I sought, using my current Android devices, dongles, cables, and apps.
Attachment 82186

Time to pause my quest for "readable gauges". It's been two months since my last post in this thread, due to dealing with various problems, both automotive and health-wise, that cropped up. But, I can live using my current methods of info gathering, until the time I buy the Resler adapter.

Though I started this thread prior to having recurring lean codes + SES light problem, before the failed exhaust cam sensor or the replacement of the suspected "under-reporting" MAF sensor, and months before my personal health problems started, I've never stopped planning my workaround solution to insufficient dashboard data.

The electric fan replacement (and the power-preserving timer circuit) have proven themselves reliable, so the root cause of my quest for better engine data has been less of a concern (the actual engine coolant temperature), and the cheap Android phone I hang on the dashboard, displaying Torque Pro data, has been all I really need.

As I had stated in other posts, I also tried other Android apps on my two phones and tablet, with varying degrees of info gained, ease of use, connectability issues, and cost of access.

I already owned two OBD2 bluetooth dongles, for years, the BAFX bought in 2013 for $15, and an OBDLink LX dongle, bought in 2016 for $50. I also bought a $30 USB cable with an FTDI chip inside, to connect to the K-line circuit in the OBD port, so I could get a good connection to the BimmerTool Pro app (which cost $15). OBDLink app was free, Torque Pro cost me $5, and Deep OBD (for BMW) was free.

I have to report that Deep OBD is way above my head, and I might screw something up using it, but for those savvy enough, it looks to be the best app of all. OBDLink used to be just as good as Torque Pro, but after their last update, I can't get good connectivity, so I defer to Torque Pro as my go-to. BimmerTool Pro gives me oil temperature, which Torque doesn't, but is capable of most of Torque's capabilities, but the drawback is that I have to use my better phone, a USB cable, and an OTG dongle to hook it up...not as simple as using Torque Pro, on my spare phone (another app, Macroid, automated the connection process to Torque Pro much faster).

The final stages of the "search for readable gauges" is just an online click away, but I've grown comfortable with using my workarounds, and cross-checking data I've seen using my Foxwell scan tool, so I can wait for the actual installation of the all-in-one radio & onboard computer display that I've wished for. For a little bit longer.