Thanks everyone, I'm just going to do the LED upgrade, should be able to find some reasonably priced E53 LED tail light set, plug n play

I've not seen any LED "upgrades" for e53 LCI cars that are truly plug and play. The LCI cars are wired differently than the pre-LCI cars and work differently too.

Which is not to say that some folk have used them and are happy but just be warned that when a vendor states their LED taillights fit all e53 (2000-2006) that may not be the case... :rolleyes:

I was going to do the same thing until I realized 20 minutes a side I could fix it


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Hand washed the X5 for repairs. Beers to anyone who knows the struggle! :thumbup:
The OEM regulator was installed. I removed it shortly after I bought it. I didn't know it had broken clips. The regulator was unplugged at purchase. A replacement regulator lasted almost three years. It rolled up and down too slow. The OEM with modified clips works so much faster. The wifey can now go through a drive-thru for lunch. A lot of door panel clips broke. I have a bag full of clips but forgot to take them to a friends house. The air bag was not disconnected. I used a bungee cord to hold it in place out of the way.

To do list: fix the RR speaker, install a hitch, valve cover gasket, and fuel pump.

Some new footwear. Bought to use for camping trips instead of city wheels and summer slicks... But may wear them a little longer than just camping trips.
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Wow, nice fit. What is the tire size?

Looks great! I like the running boards too. I've gone back and forth on the look over the years, but think I may try to find a used pair and powder coat them to match the plastic rockers.

Oh hey, I was just in Austin, Tx exploring. I like that city!!! This was the second time we've been to Austin and man its always been a great time at Confederation Bridge for the bats and checking out the fun between Confederation Bridge and Red River St, mainly on 6th St.
Even bought a Brane Audio Brane X speakwe from the store in South Commons. WICKED AMAZING speaker.

Anyhow, to answer your question, 265/60R18 on 18x8.5 wheels with 38mm offset (with a 25mm H&R bolted on Spacer in rear) and wheel fitmest is FLUSH on both fronts and rears this way.

I figured out that if I pump the clutch pedal a few times before starting, that squeaking noise on cold startup doesn't occur. Not sure what to make of it. It's maybe something with the slave cylinder or the throwout bearing. I did have to use the febi Bilstein slave cylinder as the OE ATE one was on a delay. So maybe it's something with that or I just need to bleed the line again.

But I'm quite relieved as that was a bad noise that could have the transmission coming down again. So I think it's good, just keep driving it. It's been really good otherwise, perfect on the highway. Just awesome to drive this thing.

Up next is the intake manifold off service, the CCV, fix some b***** fuel trim codes, and probably throw a new starter in while it's off.

Then it's on to the rear subframe build and swap for the winter. I need to order all those arms we saw a couple pages ago. I'd like to just get a second differential and everything and completely drop and swap the entire rear subframe. That might get expensive though.

Nice, hit us up next time you come to Austin. A few of us are around the area.

The door panel was removed to replace the broken clips. The two upper inner plastic holders had fallen off. Both were glued back on using Gorilla glue. After a quick dry, the door panel went on easily. All the clips are in place. Luckily, I had several clips. I have a few more extras for the next door panel removal. It's nice and solidly on. I couldn't figure out how to install the door handle light. The light is just hanging inside. The X5 was not asleep when the panel was removed. The street bulb burned my finger good! I need to find the style and replace them with LED bulbs. The stock ones get super hot!