My First BMW
 

Well, after my 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid was totaled in an accident (have to say it was a safe car, i walked away from a destroyed vehicle) I was lucky enough to have a buddy who was ready to upgrade to something newer leaving me his 2003 3.0 X5. It just hit 100k and was not exactly babied along the way so I found a great mechanic who only works on BMW/Mercedes in NJ and comes highly recommended to bring her back to new (wishful thinking right? :rofl:)

Anyway, the car seems to be pretty basic with only a cold weather package from what i can tell based off reading the forums. I already ordered the Hualingan headunit (the MID has the standard pixel issue and will be relocated to the glove box) and it should be arriving soon. I also plan to tint the back windows asap (NJ laws suck for tint). Considering the DEPO light upgrade but since the maintenance wasn't cheap I'll wait till the next holiday or special occasion to pull the trigger.

Pictures below... I'm trying to educate myself as quickly as possible and have done lots of reading on the forums already (you guys are great, much nicer than other forums I participate in) and I would love to hear anything you have to say. I know it most likely will not be as super reliable as the toyota but how could I pass on driving "the ultimate driving machine"? :D

Thanks in advance for the input, can't wait to get it all fixed up, detailed, and pretty for the new year...

All Pictures Here

http://i.imgur.com/dK14K.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CpmDK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dxyuj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AkpvG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aZehy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KWtTr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KuR8p.jpg

well :xoutpost:
you're going to love your X. Wish you all the best

That thing is pretty stripped, doesn't even have auto climate or painted door handles! What'd you pick it up for? You can find a replacement rear badge on eBay for next to nothing BTW. These CAN be good cars, the biggest thing is staying on top of the maintenance...one thing breaks and it'll snowball quicker than any car you've probably ever owned. You got one of the most reliable and widely used BMW engines around, so at least between here on Xoutpost and countless 3 series forums, there will be answers for your repair needs.

I relocated the MID to the glovebox as well when I did my AVIC install, so let me know if you want any advice with that. It's pretty easy...I think it was only like 5 wires and removing the glovebox to drill the hole and "mount" the MID using a long screw so it locked in place using the stock MID's clips on the side.

You'll have a TON of reading to do, so get familiar w/ the search button as just about anything you could ever wonder about has been done already. I personally like reviving old threads of similar topics, just to keep the information in one place.

Enjoy your new toy, and welcome :thumbup:

Thanks for the advice. I got the headunit from fmugur and he included a cable to relocate the MID but screwing it into the glovebox is something that I had not considered, great idea.

I feel great about the mechanic and plan to have him check it on a regular basis to stay on top of things. He said he keeps all the badges in stock and would throw them in for no cost. The lack of climate control is a bummer since it was great in the hybrid but I will live and it will give me a reason to work hard towards buying the next car (hopefully a CPO X5 if i love this one as much as I hope)...

Thanks!

Here is how mine looks mounted in the glovebox. I'm not sure if you're a subwoofer guy, but if you are, make sure to get a hold of AllStar and he'll whip one up for ya.

Thanks again, I had actually already printed out your pics during the week so i'm ready to install when the head unit arrives...

Now just need to compile some backup camera documents...

-Scott

Hey,that's what I was wondering for since I got an X,what is gonna happen if I remove the MID completely? am I gonna lose features,people are saying that all the info is coming from the instrument cluster,is that correct?
What did you get with it unplugged?

You'll still get the readings via your OBC, but you cant reset things like consumption averages, set the time/date, etc. Running the wires was super easy, maybe like 2ft and fish it over to the glovebox w/ the USB and iPod connectors.

Your are so right,I didn't think about it.

Forum member Fmugur sold me my head unit and he has a cable premade to do the extension. Not saying running your own 5 connection wire is a bad idea but if he will sell you one for cheap you should look into it, it will certainly save you a bunch of time... (he is also super helpful and sent me pics and a video of how to do the extension)

Good Luck!

Welcome to Ultimate Driving!
 

She is a beauty! Looks just like my 2000 X5.
I see there is snow on the ground in NJ. You are going to love the way this car (where I live "trucks" are just,...well, TRUCKS!) -SAV - yeah, that it - handles in the slick weather. Of all the cars, suv's, trucks, I have driven I have been not less than amazed at how much confidence the driver has with a BMW X5.
My first BMW was a 92 750iL. That was a rocket ship & exhilerating to drive. It also hooked me on BMW's, forever I think. After you drive one every day for, say, 6 weeks - include a couple trips to see the folks or an old friend - you discover the most amazing thing. Tell me if I am Right/Wrong in any future thread - I'll be looking. This BMW will anticipate your driving habits, patterns, and be there for you. It's like an extension of your mind and you feel much more connected to the road. If you love to drive & you prefer to be IN CONTROL of your driving experience, well, you have arrived.
Please excuse me while I go get in mine & drive 70mi. over snow-covered roads to work, laughing-all-the-way-La-La-La....:xoutpost2:

Have a great Day!
SkidmarkX5

Thanks Man, great to hear... I'll post some pics once it is all shined up and ready to go...

My grandparents used younger on Naches, tons of memories of logging roads and going snowmobiling. Anyways, I'll have to write you next time I drive though there on my trips between Seattle and Boise.