Nice!

Like Andrew, when my alternator failed, it took 2 rebuilt Valeos before finally getting an off brand new one (from Ebay of all places) that worked. Fun times.

Past years I have always bought good used pump from ebay and never had problem. This time I bought new aftermarket and it was no good. I loaned pump from a friend, which was 90% good. Bought used pump from ebay and no problems.:thumbup:

I think I was finally able to purchase an OEM seat cushion for my passenger comfort seat. I got the foam for the drivers, OEM Schwartz Nappa seat covers for both front seats, and a new drivers seat switch a while ago. I was getting ready to have the seat upholstery changed and realized I would like to get new foam for the passenger too. Boy was that a challenge. All the BMW sites showed stock but they are drop shipping from BMW and the part is now NLA. Found a new old-stock and if it's real, I'll get the upholstery refreshed and it will look almost showroom inside again. Next is the dumb vent clip fix on the sunroof so it will vent again and lock down properly when closed. Can't wait to get rid of that damn rattle. Still weighing whether I want to pull the engine and trans and have a full rebuild or just do all the usual upcoming maintenance. I'm just thinking that if I have to tear the engine down as far as the timing case for the guides...I might just as well do the block and top end rebuild too.

Flip phone, are you kidding!. 3 year old BlackBerry actually! I confess I need to figure out how to post higher quality pics here. The board keeps telling me my file size is too large.

Spent the morning running the Sirius antenna wire and camera video wire from the rear cubbies to the gaping hole in the dash that used to be my stock, non-DSP and no nav stereo. Ran the video line across the trunk at the tailgate (along the existing bundle, to the Sirius wire in the left cubby. Wrapped them up with the black fabric electrical tape and ran both up the left sils to under the dead pedal and across the drivers footwell into the receiver/cd player void in the dash. Hardest part here was getting the dead pedal loose enough to work the wires under it.

Then tapped into the speed sensor wire in one of the plugs into the instrument cluster and ran it to the receiver hole. Finished the morning by running the Kenwood gps antenna through the dash and into the door gasket at the top of the dead pedal, then up to the base of the pillar and around to the front of the instrument cluster on the dash. I was able to hide the wire almost all the way by forcing it into the gaps with just a short run to where it mounts.

Next I need to figure out where and how to mount the Kenwood microphone and find steady reverse power to finish the wiring. The aftermarket frame/bezel has lots of surface area around the double DIN Kenwood so maybe I can drill a hole and make a decent friction for the mic. Hopefully too my 2002 E53 won’t have the PWS issues with the power from the lighting module. If so I’ll go the relay route at the rear fuse box. Pics when I get smarter on posting better ones.

@crystalworks

I looked into the Infinity 20mx mids a while ago. Mounting holes are smaller than oem in the dash, but since they are smaller an adapter might be possible. Anyway, here is a diagram comparing the sizes of each.

Gray is the BMW dash mid. Light green is the infinity.

As a previous wrestler of the Memphis mids, I would be more concerned about the factory mounting cavity versus the mounting holes not lining up. Is your plan to run without the factory mesh grills or have you already fit them in the cavities? I NEED TO CHANGE because those Memphis are the only gap causing volume limitations. I’m not setup for DSP currently and those Memphis mids are popping with even medium volume. I’d love another option!

Here is a list of midranges (and 3-way systems) that MIGHT fit. I haven't tested any of these, I just grabbed specs off manufacturer's websites.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

Thanks, Jeff. The cavity is VERY shallow and some may cut into it possibly to gain depth. There was ZERO tolerance for depth on my Memphis PRX27’s and install was such a PITA! I’d love to know how install goes of these Infinity MX20’s.

As any E53 owner who has to do a regulator or DHC will have to deal with. Had to repair some door panel clips/plastics. Even for ones that have not broken I like to outline them with Permatex black gasket maker. Makes for a permanent prevention of failure (so far). The clamped part had already come loose so got the "pookie" under it and then secured it. Checked it today it's nice and solid again.

Attachment 80954

Thanks for that. As ajacks8 noted below, the depth is the problem. I came up with this solution which works pretty well. Covered it in faux suede. Would rather have them below the factory grilles, but honestly, this doesn't look too bad.

https://www.caraudiojunkies.com/atta...6&d=1632763229

https://www.caraudiojunkies.com/atta...8&d=1632763229

https://www.caraudiojunkies.com/atta...9&d=1632763243

There would be volume no limitations with these mids. Gained a bunch after putting these in. Working on the door woofers and tweeters currently to complete the front stage.

New Wiper Blades
 

I installed new wiper blades. Deep in the back of Walmart, where they sell the customer returns, were 2 Michelin wiper blades that fit the X5. They cost about $5 a piece.

Not bad considering I paid $45 for basic Bosch blades yesterday for another car.

-Stuart