New Owner, Starting a "To Do" List...
 

Hi all,

New owner from the UK here. I've just bought my first X5 - a 2001 4.4i Sport :) I've wanted an X5 for years and now the prices have tumbled I've finally been able to buy one ! PHOTO HERE CLICKY.

Not surprisingly for a ten year old car it has a few things to sort out but I got it for what I think was a pretty good price so I don't mind spending a little to get it all shipshape. I've done some reading up and I think I know where I'm going with it, but figured I'd put all my current queries in one place for now. If any of them turn out to be complicated they can have their own thread.

In no particular order....

1) It has a Dynavin headunit and it's rubbish. Well, to be fair, the nav & bluetooth works OK, but the iPod functionality is rubbish and the radio reception is dire. It also looks nasty. And it means the OBC functions don't work. I believe the car originally had a 4:3 nav unit, am I right to think that a 16:9 will plug straight in ? Will it need a software update or coding ?

2) There's a creaking from the rear when pulling away. Sounds like rubber or plastic moving on metal. I'm assuming this is the subframe bushes but haven't looked under the car yet to check. Will it be obvious if they're falling apart ? I'm happy to DIY the bushes.

3) Vibration in the steering. It comes and goes to an extent but is generally there from 50mph upwards. Usual culprit seems to be the bushes / ball joints. One of the arms was replaced last year (I have the receipt). I've no idea why they didn't do both at the same time. So same as above, when I get under the car will it be obvious if one of the bushes / joints has failed ? I'm inclined to just buy two complete arms & ball joints and be done with it. Again, I'm happy to DIY, and get the alignment checked afterwards of course.

4) Passenger mirror has a bit of play in the main pivot (where it would fold). Any chance this is repairable ? I've no need for the folding function, I'd just like it to stop wobbling. I've seen how much second hand units are :(

5) Really random one - the window switches on the driver's door are from a LHD vehicle, bodged into the RHD bezel ! This results in the driver's side / passenger side controls being flipped. Not a big deal really, but annoying, so I'll be on the lookout for a replacement.

6) The usual pixel problem. Looks like £20 for a ribbon cable to DIY it, or £80 for someone else to do it.

7) Headlights (non-xenon) seem weak, is this normal ? Worth buying aftermarket xenons ?

I think that's all for now.

Thanks,

Steve.

Congradulations, have fun with it. :xoutpost:

The Vibration needs a look at it. I've had vibration in the past because of unbalanced tires.
Creaking can be caused by a trunk Locks(on both sides) need to be greaced. It was very annoying before I found it.
I would also change the Valve Cover Gaskets, just to keep it fresh.
Also clean the sunroof drains, so they don't get clogged later. if yours has one.
and don't forget to clear the system from past possible errors.

Thanks, I'll get the tyres checked out first off. Which part of the locks need to be greased ? I've not looked at them at all.

Valve cover gaskets - already done by previous owner.

Sunroof - don't have one !

Codes - I have INPA on my laptop, not got around to plugging it in yet.

Hello Steve, and welcome to the forum mate, you've come to the right place. Our UK forum is pants (to say the least) in comparison!

In answer to your enquiry:

2. most likely to be your subframe bushes, though in all honesty it could be a myriad of things. I had mine changed and it feels like a new car-I had a banging/thumping sound when the 'box downshifted, which gave me a strong suspicion and a hope that it was, which to my relief was the bushes after all! I dont know if it is obvious to see, as I got a garage (funnily enough R.A.W Spares!) to do it for me. Was going to DIY it myself but I was rained off too many times! http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tempt-2-a.html This is an excellent write-up on the subframe bushes DIY.

3. Are you sure the wheels are balanced correctly? Maybe that simple.. Or failing that, have a look at ALL the front end suspension components. Sway bar links, thrust arm bush and ball-joint, wishbone, etc etc. There are loads of threads on the issue, just do a search. Personally, I've changed all the above!

4. If I remember rightly there is a simple nut/bolt affair inside the mirror at the bottom that just needs tightening up. Just pop off the cover, bit of an arse, but comes off, just dont be frightened of breaking it.

5. Ebay, partsgateway.co.uk...

6. Is that on the speedo cluster or the MID? Again, lots of DIY threads if you search. Will be attempting my MID repair at some point...

I dont know if you know this already but here is an invaluable site to look at and add to your 'favourites'!! IMO it goes hand in hand when owning any beemer!
RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog

Ian

Good thing that gaskets are done.
on the lower tailgate. there is one on each side. by the taillights. and one on the trunk itself. actually I would spray greace all the doors. As they do make annoying noises.

EDIT: Great DIY Isambard

Looks like the washers either side of the subframe bush will hold it in place even if it's totally shot, so not at all obvious if there's a problem. I'll assume they need replacing. I'll give all the hinges and latches a blast of grease tonight anyway.

I've been researching prices and for the thrust arms I'm really torn - you can buy complete arms with bushes already fitted, making it a really easy job, but that seems wasteful when there will be nothing wrong with the actual arms. Close to £100 each for Lemforder arms is a lot when a pair of Powerflex bushes are £60. How hard are they to press in ? Will a bench vice do it ? Even paying a garage to press them in it sounds like it would be a much cheaper option.

Kinda the same with the rears - with pattern parts (£120/set) I need to rent or buy the special tool, but Powerflex (£260/set) I can cut the old ones out and press the new ones in myself to save some money on the tool.

Hmmm. I'll have to sleep on it :)

Really torn? Dont be! If you're changing the front thrust arm bushes you may as well change the balljoints too as they have been there the same length of time as the bushes remember? Which is another cost. Plus the bushes are an arse to get out (well mine were anyway), I used a hydraulic press at a small engineering firms' place, so no, a bench vice wont even come close. My time and sweat = never again and me buying them whole in the future!

Also, if you choose to change the balljoints on the thrust arm (which you really should as good practice would dictate) be mindful of the inverse torx screws on the balljoint-the heads broke on mine (even after a day of being soaked in WD-40) and the rest had to be drilled out of the hub carrier.

I was planning on cutting the old ones out (cut through rubber, carefully hacksaw the metal sleeve to release pressure, knock it out with a chisel), and fitting Powerflex bushes. They should be easier to push in than the OEM ones as they don't have an outer metal sleeve.

Interesting about the bolts on the ball joint, the last service on my car included fitting a s/h hub "due to broken bolt". Must be a common thing. I'll soak mine in WD40 for two days ;)

Going back to the rear subframe, which bushes did you fit ? OEM ? G'n'S sell Febi Bilstein bushes for £30 each which seems pretty reasonable, compared to OEM or Powerflex at roughly double that.

Oh, and I tried partsgateway for a window switch panel, apparently nobody has one !

What you plan on doing sounds great in theory, but in practice it might not be so good. My problem was that those bushes were in there like they'd grown there! Probably original 100k miles ago. Plus there's the time and effort factor. Obviously your choice and I wish you luck either way.

If you're going to use the powerflex bushes just put a load of coppaslip around them, that will help ease them in. Please tell me if I'm telling you how to suck eggs!

For the the rear subframe bushes I used this place.. BMW X5 E53 SET OF 4 REAR SUBFRAME BUSHES 530501541 on eBay (end time 23-Feb-11 12:15:09 GMT)

I think they were FEBI, they came in red boxes. EXACTLY the same as the ones that came out.

Maybe a little, but I don't like to blow my own trumpet ! I've had E36s for years and done a lot of work on those. I know how to handle a spanner :)

I'm really glad you linked to those bushes on ebay and confirmed the quality, I'd seen them but wasn't sure whether to trust them. I've just ordered a set. Saved me £26, that'll buy tomorrow night's takeaway. Thanks !