First pics of the new addition-UPDATED with Style 87's
 

I thought it might be a good idea to start a new thread now that I have officially purchased it, so here it is. It's an '02 X5 4.4i, 73k miles, sport package, premium package, navigation, rear climate package, retractable load floor, PDC and xenon's. Very, very clean overall-although white is not my favorite color by far, and I actually don't care for gray interior either, the cleanliness of this X5 really won me over. The previous owners obviously took very nice care of it, which is a lot more than I can say for some other X5's I looked at.

As mentioned in my first thread, both outer CV joint boots were torn. As soon as I got back from the dealership with the parts Friday evening after doing the paperwork, I put it on jackstands and replaced them. I had a few hangups on the driver's side that caused it to take about 4 hours to complete, but after that I did the right side in less than 2 hours start to finish. Not a bad job, but terribly messy! I followed the DIY on the home page here and it was very helpful. I will say that if you have access to an air compressor, it makes this job much easier. Instead of using a 3 jaw puller to push out the stub axle from the spindle, I did what the techs at my dealership do-use an air hammer. As long as the axle is not stubborn, it will come out in about 5 seconds using this method.

Now about the wheels-personally, I hate them. I just don't like chrome wheels at all. I knew that would be the first thing to go, and last night I ordered a wheel/tire package with staggered 20" Style 87's. They cannot get here soon enough! The current chromed Style 168's with tires will be going up forsale, so if anyone is interested let me know.

So without further adieu, here are a few pictures.
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4693/img0609bw2.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4232/img0612uy0.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7618/img0610yp2.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1096/img0613cw0.jpg

When the new wheels and tires come in, I will update the post with new pics.

Very clean! Congrats. You won't have any problem unloading your wheels.

ooo...white looks very nice :thumbup:

not feeling the wheels either

your interior looks in great shape.
Congrats

Wow, it really is in good condition...

The headlights prove that (not yellowish or cloudy like the sun would have done to an 02' by now).

I totally agree about the chrome wheels. Every-time I see a BMW with factory chrome wheels I cringe inside... :( & Good choice with the 87's. They will fit nicely with a pre-refresh car. Better than the 168's which go with the 4.8is...

70k miles is a little high, but you seem like an accomplished DIY kind of guy. So you probably have nothing to worry about...

Congrats & Good luck!

nice x5 man, that is a nice clean white leather interior, and I love the 3 spoke wheel.

congrats

Nice ride, congrats! Clean X5s are out there, but you are right, they are hard to find. Took me a month to find mine.

I had to change CV boots last month on my '01 with 80k miles - good idea on using the air hammer to push the axles out. Don't know why I didn't think of that! I used a big brass drift and a 3 pound carburetor adjustment tool (aka: hammer) and beat them out with the help of some choice four letter words.

nice job on the CV joint boots. When you used the air hammer what tip did you use?

Although the DIY write-up here is excellent, I did not want to damage the dust shield by using the 3 jaw puller-that could possibly lead to later damage to the bearings in the hub. Luckily I asked the tech at the dealership what he uses and he mentioned the air hammer-he says he does these all the time, and can do them in about 30 minutes!

My driver's side axle was stuck hard and it took a lot of hammering with a 3lb. hammer before it would ever budge. After I got it to finally move, the air hammer drove it right out. I have a few other things to take care of next-the valley pan gasket being the big one, but I am going to monitor how long it takes before I have to add coolant to determine the severity of the leak. The other things are very minor-one broken rear sunshade clip, one AC button to replace, PDC is out (hopefully just a disconnected sensor)-nothing big at all. The stealer replaced the alternator right before I bought it, and all the brakes and rotors were replaced very recently-like within the past two months. So there are a few big ticket items I won't have to worry about!

The punch bit that has a slightly pointed end. Judicious use of PB Blaster in the splines can greatly help in the axle removal! Now I will admit I did not clean out all of the grease in the joints-I just wiped away some of the top layer and refilled with new. It is very, very hard to keep everything clean when you are doing this job so I just did the best I could, and will hope for the best that it is good enough!

Welcome and nice ride! I have almost the same options as you. The X5's are great cars and I'm sure you will enjoy it immensely. By the way, you might want to check the water pump, if it's not been replaced, your due.

Nice Ride, Wheels are ok, not a big fan of chrome but they would look sick powdercoated black!!!

Sweet X, BTW how many miles on the E30 M3?

Just a tad over 153k miles on the never rebuilt S14 engine-although as a preventive maintenance measure I replaced the rod bearings about 9k miles ago. Now with the X5 in the garage, the M3 will get a much deserved and needed rest!

My 20" Style 87 replica's with Toyo S/T tires arrived today-quite a difference from the chromed Style 168's don't you think? And yes, I need to stop messing with the X5 and mow the yard!
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/807/img0626xs7.jpg

Looks good. Are the tires loud?

Eric,

Your X looks much nicer with the 87's - not a big fan of chrome myself

Absolutely not-they are very quiet!

I am a sucker for 87's. Good job and I love the white!

Now go mow.

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

87's are the sh*t!

E: I am glad you shit-canned those other wheels, ya lookin' sharp now.......

why no love for the chrome 20's
 

I dont know why you guys hate the chrome wheels. I am NOT a bling guy
I dont have anything but stock wheels on my GT3 and the 18's on my wifes
335i. BUt on THIS truck and my black sapphire 4.8is I LOVE the look.
I have never had chrome wheels on any car in my 230 years on this planet.
But on this it works. I would agree with you on the white but I still think it looks OK but on black its classic.

87's are classic, what did you do with the chrome ones??

Putting them up forsale-wheels with Hankook 275/40's all around.

Eric - youe E30 M3 looks awesome.. I had an sliver 88 back a few years ago, and it is one of the most fun cars to drive..

EG,
Late to the viewing, but congrats on your new ride...
I really like white!
You should have lil' prob. offing the wheels.
GL,mD

87s look much btter on your X5. :thumbup:

I don't like 3 spoke wheel, but I do wish I had the newer seats the extend :)

Those are badass cars, my buddy had a white '88. I was suprised with the horsepower they generate with the I4.