Might be worth looking into new foam bottoms for them. They were still in the BMW parts system when I swapped my pre for post LCI comfort seats. Huge difference.

Replaced both serpentine belts yesterday in preparation for a drive to Iowa in early January. The motor only has 22k on it but I’ve been hearing an occasional rhythmic friction-type noise for a few seconds on startup. I’m getting Blackstone oil analyses done every other change and the motor shows normal wear, so I’m thinking a pulley or accessory may be making the occasional noise when it starts.

After pulling the belts I spun everything and it all seemed smooth, except for possibly the AC clutch and/or compressor which felt perhaps a bit less smooth than it should be and had a faint metallic sound to it when spun. Not enough info to make a decision on, so the belts went on and I’ll keep thinking about it.

Any time the bottom splash guard and fan are off is a good time for me to look for leaks, which fortunately I didn’t find beyond a right vanos seal that has been bleeding a bit so I cleaned up the area and will replace both of them sometime soon.

A 2006 just hit my pull-a-part today so I’m hoping it has decent seats, and I might have them pull the wheels because it’s got matte black rims that look to be about 19”. I’ll go check it out this weekend. Attachment 85197


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Ooh a gray one. If you do go take a look at this, can you please see if the driver's door has any rust in the crease at the bottom? I may have to go get that door. The two I have found so far were in the same condition as mine, rust at the bottom. I haven't really been able to find one.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get there in time today and it’s gonna be –8C tomorrow and I am not leaving the house [emoji3063]

It’ll be there next week. And it’ll be warmer!


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Oil Service plus air filter plus fuel filter.

Had this thing for over 10 years now and I still marvel at the stupid engineering in relation the changing the air filter and the fuel filter. These items should be accessable with minimal dismanlting but getting to either involves the removal of so many fasteners and plastic panels, it borders on comical....

https://i.ibb.co/pB7mVcTr/20210313-193921.jpg

At least the result is worth it - she now purrs like a ktten (sorry, omodos! :rofl:)

Nice. I would take the mirrors or the folding microswitches! Those will be valuable to you later! I'm still looking for replacement microswitches.

The X5 has been parked for over two weeks. I had to leave on a family emergency. I put it on a 750mA charger over night. It's been tested to have an 11mA draw locked and alarm on. I didn't want to use the 4 amp charger overnight. It had juice to start up. However, I didn't want to strain the electrical system. I know the battery is low when door locks unlock really slow. It will crank up nice and strong this morning. :thumbup:

Unsure if those would even work on my pre-LCI. Or do you mean for resale?

The folding mirror microswitch is the same for all E53's. Unless I'm mistaken. Does it have a hitch?

It does, but it was installed by the prior owner. Westfalia according to his records.

The right-side mirror dips in reverse.


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Westfalia is the good factory hitch...It is worth grabbing if you have time.
I have pulled a few Westfalia hitches off E53's in junkyards. I then get them sandblasted and painted.

It takes about 45 mins to remove one...Keep all the hardware. Be sure to grab (disconnect) the wiring harness, rubber grommet and the separate trailer module near the battery. Also Grab the long, bumper insert that goes with the Westfalia hitch as well as the heavy inserts (2) that go where the stock bumper inserts go. See pic below...for everything.

http://www.xoutpost.com/images/articles/91/Parts.jpg