A new project is born... but what's possible?
 

Hi Guys, just to introduce myself, I've jumped over from BMWland to your forum in readiness for my next project. Over there I was known as KEV535 and this was my last project ...

Before
http://www.bmwacs5.com/before.jpg
After
http://www.bmwacs5.com/a.jpg

Yep - same car. Different colour now and a few quid spent :!: Loved that car, and will be sad to see it go but...

Now it's time to move on to a new project and the X5 seems the natural progression... I had a quick search but couldnt seem to find all the answers so just a couple of questions if you don't mind...

I have a budget of around £14k for the car. I've decided against the V8 for insurance reasons (wife only passed her test 2 years ago). I've seen a few 2004 3.0d examples around this mark but have been a bit wary that they seem too cheap.

I know the 2004 was far more than just a cosmetic facelift (X-drive etc), but if I end up with a 2002, how hard would it be to facelift it?

a) Is the bonnet the same ? Can I fit the later style grilles in a 2002 bonnet? If not will the new bonnet fit an earlier X5.

b) Same for the lights and bumpers ? And the eyebrows under the lights?

Anyone that could help me identify the external cosmetic differences would be greatly appreciated - and if there is any easy place to source them or is it a case of ebay and breakers? I noticed that BMW Mstyle have some 4.6is body kits but thats just the bumpers I think...

Shame the E53 can't be updated to an E70 look - yet
Thanks in advance guys...

Kev

Hi and welcome. I too am a BMWLAND member.

To give you some info on the facelift. The bonnet, wings, headlights, bumper, grills are all different to the pre-facelift. In order to achive the facelift look you will need all parts and YES ebay or breakers will be the least expensive places although hard to come by.

Ah well, worth a try.

Funny how Bangle has gone back to the '90s with the grilles. On the E39, the "must have" first have mod to a pre-2001 was the wide grilles. Then in 2004, back to the old style. Suppose it's a matter of time before the wide ones come back in fashion again !

Maybe it will be worth spending the xtra and getting a 2004 model after all. I'm just a little disappointed that it was only around for 2 years so it's already dated. TBH, it's just as well. The modding bug was eating holes in my pocket and an E60 would have been even worse...

Thanks again...

Yeah I thought the same about the grills noticed the wide lip disappeared on the facelift cars, but they did make the facelift grills wider and more present. However the old style wide lip is back o the e70 X5!

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...s/bmw-x5-2.jpg

Hey Kev! :welcome: and I hope to see you in an X5 here real soon!

From what I hear, the facelift did quite a few things and it would be less headaches and costs to wait to get one of those rather than buying a pre-facelift and dumping the pounds into it.

I'm not familiar with all the changes the 2004 facelift brought but there are others here who are... Just wait a few more hours and they'll chime in...

Working on it !

Won't be long - just want to get one with the 16:9 - and memory seats and 3.0d engine. And in Black (with privacy glass) - not too fussy I hope...

Were the aluminium running boards extras ???? Do they all have split tail gate?

Thanx again...

Yip the running boards were an option tail gates are split.

Welcome to X5World.

You also have to remember about getting the wider flares, exhaust and/or tips and the 20" rims.