replaced the driver side cv joint on my 01 this morning. took an hour and a half.

lifetime warranty joint assembly for $75 after core. no clue why people trust an old inner boot not to fail and just replace the outer boot on these things??

anyway,

didn't do all the steps in the how-to.

used the following:
9mm/22mm socket
36mm socket
2' breaker bar
jack/stand
hammer
small crow bar
pickle fork
adjustable wrench
screwdriver

jack up the car, wheel off. pulled off the cv nut w/breaker bar. turned the wheel full left and undid the tie rod and the two strut mount bolts. moved stuff out of the way and put the cv bolt back on and used it to beat the joint out of the hub. then used crowbar and foot to pop the inner joint out. pulled it out, put new one in, reassembled (used jack to put pressure on tierod so I could tighten it back in place instead of spinning). used screwdriver and hammer to dent in the new cv bolt.

Ordered some CF emblems, 2 sets. The rear was rubbed raw by the bungee cord that was holding the hatch shut when I was waiting for the new actuator, and the front was pulled off by someone. My wife thinks it was the angry looking fat girl down the street who seemed offended that I pulled out of the driveway before she could waddle another 50 feet to cross in front of me. Sheesh, I was already over the sidewalk part!

Canadians are NOT nice. The ones here seem to be mostly entitled, arrogant a-holes. :P I am so moving out of the city in a year or to. ;)

Blew up front left tire and possibly cracked rim by hitting a curb accidentally. Was able to continue to work after changing tire. Thanks Euros for full spare!

03/2003 E53 X5 4.4i M62 FB 33

only a donut on a 4.6/4.8iS E53s...
:(

Changed the rear differential oil/fluid yesterday. Fluid looked surprisingly clean for 110k miles!!


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Davintosh, sorry to hear of your problem.

I have taken a couple long trips in my X but based on my fuel mileage, fuel cost difference of a rental SUV that doesn't use premium, not having to worry about bad weather, not racking up a bunch of miles, having no concern if something did happen to go wrong, not worrying about where to park it, I go the---I hate this rental---route. So much so that I have even rented a Ford Edge.

Only a donut??? wth? :wow:

today.. i made a promise to fix the white puff o' smoke issue...

Because a lot of those cheap CV axles are made in China with questionable quality control procedures.

Is that right! That sucks.

03/2003 E53 X5 4.4i M62 FB 33

the donut is a 19" spare - nothing in stock 20" rims will fit in the space provided...

besides, the factory setup is staggered and a lot of times those tires are directional, so a spare has to be distinct from the regular setup...

and having replaced the tires in the rain, i have no problems with smaller donuts, it is much lighter than the rear ones... those are too heavy for my tastes...

:nanana:

PS: however, I loved that both my E34 and E39 had full spares in matching rims...

I received my Peake Code Scanner/Reset tool today and reset my Oil Service and Inspection lights!

Ordered new tire.

__________________
03/2003 E53 X5 4.4i SUV M62
03/2006 E90 325i Sedan N52

Nothing :( My beloved iS has been neglected the last couple weeks. Look like it will be for a couple more. I've been busy with this

Noooo!!!! Way!!!! DUDE!!!!

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

Just ordered some new tension struts and ball-joints for the front-end. Hopefully this will make the "thunk" go-away! It's not making the car drive bad - it's just bad for my OCD.

Found the best pricing for Meyle-brand parts on eBay. $121 each for the "HD" arms and a pair of ballpoints for $60.

Free shipping too!


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OMG!

Did you sell the 540Msport?

E39 M5 is a dream car, amazing, I don't give a shit about the iS now Tam i want more of this!

Damn sweet. Give us details. How much, what year, mileage? Once I get my wife a new car. I am also debating getting an e39 M5 and moving the X5 to someone else.

Finished my comfort seat install over the weekend. Loving them!

I see Enthusiast in Cincy [source of my E53] has several sweet E39 M5s for sale. Out of my price range, but mighty nice.

Pre-Owned E39 M5 for sale

I wouldn't mind a low mileage E39 540 [or even the straight six 530] with a stick as an alternate daily driver. I regret letting the CEO talk me into selling our '98 528i manual, silver on grey, a great car ....

a 2002 M5 under 4000 miles???? did this guy buy a car and then got captured by taliban for next 10 years????!!!

how can you have an M5 in your stable and NOT drive it????

I haven't sell the 540i MSport yet. This is a very good deal that I can't pass up.
It's an 01 //M5 with 205k miles on it. The last owner had it for 120k miles. He drove long distant for works, so mostly highway miles. It's stock except for Koni struts and upgrade clutch on it. He kept in maintained. The interior is quite clean and there's no fluid leak that I can see while lying under it to inspect. It took the 14hrs/1k miles trip home with ease. I flew out with my wife to drive it home. If you remember how much I paid for my 540i MSport, add another $1k for this one. When I sell the MSport, I would have some $$ left for maintenance/mods on this and still break even.
E39 //M5 is always my dream car when it came out in 2000. I promise myself one day I'll have it. We was debating about spending more for a lower mileage one. There're a few on M5board that has high 200k miles and closed to 300k miles. I'm confident.

EGA is known for buying low mileage E39 M5s (only 02-03) slap on about $10k profit and still able to find buyer for them. IDK why they don't touch 01 though.

Tam that looks clean as can be, you aren't kidding when you said it was maintained well!

Thanks, J. The only thing that needs attention is the brakes. Already order StopTech kit (stock replacement though) for it.

TMV, looks great! Any pictures of the exterior?

Man I want a high mileage M5 again. It would be the perfect $6k beater, more fun than my 318 for not much more.

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Thanks. Here it is http://www.xoutpost.com/996795-post3814.html

What happen to your 2000?

Miniz bought a 318 :banghead:

Thanks, saw that but didn't connect the dots. Great find!

Haha, it was quite the opposite for me. Had an E39 M5 and switched to a E53 X5 (MT). Big difference obviously, and had fun with the M5 (so much power), but get ready to pony up big $$$ to take care of it and accept the fact that 12 MPG city driving is the norm :D.

FS: E53 4.6is 2002 X5
 

Apologize for hijacking this thread but it will not let me post in the classifieds and I had emailed the admin couple of times. :dunno:
Here is the link of the posting: FS: E53 4.6is 2002 X5 - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

again deeply apologize for doing this. Cheers!

You have to be the premier membership to post in the classifieds that is why the admin didn't let you do it.

Ricky - thanks for the reply! but I was able and have posted before.

It's long gone. If my starting price was as low as some cars I've been seeing (around the $6-8k mark), I would still have a M5. Mine sold for a good price and was in very good condition, so I couldn't bear bring it out with me to college and drive it around like a beater.

If you still want an M5, there's a Blk Saff Met on black leather at CarMax. Been there a while. And it has a 6 speed manual transmission. IMO, a manual is what a true sports car should have. Separates those that know how to really drive and those that pretend to do so.

Sorry. Long day and didn't sleep last night at all. I'm in my ugly suit tonight.

Debadged. Much cleaner.

No worries Bruce I feel the same as you, hence why my E53 is a manual.

A manual? I'm jealous. No. Envious. You remember The Transporter? A 745i with a manual tranny. European model I believe.

E53 Alignment Specs
 

Hit a curb Monday morning at ~40MPH and blew front left tire and damaged rim in the process. New tire came in today and NTB installed it at no charge (it was 8PM someone wanted to go home!).

Bad news is they said my front camber is off the chart (see pic), and a camber kit would not help much. On top of that they have seen serious damage on the strut. I am no expert in suspension/strut but I did not like the sound of the news. They still completed some alignment but the wheel is horribly crooked, it is very much like Im turning left at all time. I have attached the alignment report. The good thing is i am on a 3 year alignment plan, so I can come back and get them to do a better job to specs. Can someone comment on what else I can get them to do alignment wise? See my E53 details in signature. Tires are 255/50ZR-19 Continental CrossContact UHP (Front), and 285/45ZR-19 Continental CrossContact UHP (Rear).

Your curb incident bent some suspension parts, my friend. Alignment won't fix. Get thine to a qualified BMW indy shop or suspension specialist with bimmer expertise and be prepared to pay to have it done right. I'm surprised the tire seller could mount the tire on a bent rim. I expect it won't balance properly at this point, so get the wheel inspected at a proper wheel repair shop, too.

What did you do to / for your E53 today??
 

Lol. Unless you're driving a pre-runner with triple bypass shocks.....you cannot seriously expect to hit a curb at that speed and not do major damage, really?

Yeah I know it was a self inflicted wound.

03/2003 E53 X5 4.4i M62 FB 33

:iagree:

probably need at least a new strut and tie rod end...if not a new inner tie rod end as well.

be hopeful the damage didnt tear into the rack itself...and was all absorbed by the tie rods and strut.

hopefully no control arm damage, considering the caster is ok, probably not.

did you just hit the curb with the front, or with the back as well? looks like from the camber on front/rear left that you probably jumped the curb on that entire side. might have a bent upper or lower control arm in the rear as there's nothing else really back there. hopefully you didnt tweak any of the suspension mounting points. that can get a vehicle totaled quick.

Built a Catalog (My Archive)

* Mechanical - Under Warranty
Mech_zps13353397.jpg Photo by lhordmclain | Photobucket

* Mechanical - Post Warranty (my out of pocket)
Mech_zps7f6c892c.jpg Photo by lhordmclain | Photobucket

* Body Repairs
X5_Invoice_BodyShop_May_2014_zps59342200.jpg Photo by lhordmclain | Photobucket
X5_Invoice_BodyShop_May_2014-1_zps476a654f.jpg Photo by lhordmclain | Photobucket


X5_PDR_zpsfd034dbc.jpg Photo by lhordmclain | Photobucket
X5_PDR_2_zps9426fd5d.jpg Photo by lhordmclain | Photobucket


****************************************

Only the front left tire hit the curb.

03/2003 E53 X5 4.4i M62 FB 33

Yup yup I have a indy I go to. I might invest in new rim. Never like these anyways.

03/2003 E53 X5 4.4i M62 FB 33

Hi to all
Today we finish to install on my x5 e53 4.4i front drilled disk brake rotor 385mm with 6 piston brembo calipers and on the back side brembo 4 piston calipers with original disk.Big big difference on the brakes.
Thanks:bustingup:rofl::thumbup:

Where's the pics!?

The kit for the E53 has always been a 8 pot front
E70 is 6 pot

Is not the kit
The front is comming from range rover supercharger and the back from porche 911
The photo will come.
Thanks

Rear side

The other side

Front side

I canot for the moment sent the front because the image is to large and i need to remake
Thanks

Doing Valve cover gaskets.

A question for those who have DIYed this job...........Is it possible to get the driver side cover off without removing the heater control valve hoses and power steering hose?

Also, I plan on refinishing the covers. Anyone in the D/FW area know of a good place to take them for hot tank/vapor cleaning.

I removed the screw that holds the (for lack of a better word) "tree" of hoses to the side-firewall and just moved it out of the way. Mine is an N62


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Thanks. I will try that first.

Ordered a GG6 kit from Phil @ DD with 6 Uber Foam pads and 2-pack of Meg's cutting pads at a SMOKING price that I could not resist, my original PC 7424 is still going strong but has been relegated to 4" pad duty, definitely not enough power for 5 or 6" pads. The GG6 with 5.5" pads will be my go to machine for the bigger panels and sections on my polishing sessions, the X needs a polishing before Bimmerfest in August and I'll be using my new machine heavily on my wife's freshly swirled Rav4 since she just got it back from the body shop. Rotary holograms everywhere lol

Just bought 02 x5 3L about a month ago and done following.

1. VCG
2. Vanos seal
3. OFHG
4. ATF flush -> Valvoline Dex6
5. Front and Rear Diff flush -> Castrol 75W-90
6. Transfer case flush -> Valvoline Dex6
7. oil change -> Mobil1 0w-40
8. replace trunk hatch handle
9. driver side power seat switch
10. power steering reservoir and hoses and flush -> Valvoline Dex6
11. cabin air filter
12. driver side window regulator
13. other misc items such as replacing broken cup holder clips
14. installed GROM USB (from my previous e46)

Spent $550 so far.

Will be replacing front thrust arms, control arms, and ball joints in next few months.

Interesting mod.... Did they bolt right up? Why is there red overspray all over the place on them?

Covers appear to me to have an uneven rough finish. I was considering pulling them off and have them soda or sand blasted. Sorry, I don't know of anyone that has a hot tank or sand blast equipment.

Let me know if you would like some help.

Thanks Brian.

Found a trans shop on 121 in Lewisville with a hot tank.

Just got done refinshing them in TiAg with 550deg F ceramic hi-temp paint.

Got the DS cover off by removing the heater control valve/bracket and pushing the hoses down by the steering column.

Will post pics when everything is re-installed.

Not an urgent item. Just add this to your things to do / keep this in your radar:

- Brake Fluid
- Engine Air Filter
- BMW Coolant / Anti-Freeze
- Consider replacing the OE expansion tank + cap + upper radiator hose + temperature sensor (lower radiator hose)
- Consider replacing you AT Filter + gasket + various nuts/screws/washers as well. (you just did the AT fluid only)
- Be prepared for OE Door Carrier (driver side), Window Regulator Clip, OE Blower Resistor, Battery, OE Oil Separator+hoses (upgrade to Cold Weather)
- Inspect you CV boots (since will do PM to your suspension)
- Inspect Belts (serpentine and AC)
- Inspect Various Pulleys and tensioners
- Inspect Various Pumps (OE Water Pump, OE Power Steering, OE Fuel and Fuel Filter)
- Inspect Thermostat, OE Fan Clutch for leaks

Washed the X5 and put rubber treatment on the two rubber strips that run along the top of the X.

Replaced VCGs due to misfire cyl #8 w/fuel cutoff CEL. Swapped #8 coilpack to cyl #5, now I have the fault there. Need to order a new coilpack.

Refinished the VCs in TiAg...pic.

100k miles on BMW oil and 80k on M1 0-40...pic. Looks really clean for a +180k motor. Can still see the grind lines on the cam lobes.

Got a new coil from Classic BMW, and the "China Made" saga continues. :rolleyes:

Called the service dept, gave them the VIN, told them it's got Bremi (Germany Made) coils. Was told they have a few, went and picked one up and the part has no Bremi logo, says Pulse (never heard of them!) and "Made in China". Coil on left in pic is OE.

Got a Meyle waterpump from BavAuto a few weeks ago, came in the blue box with HUGE "Meyle Germany" logos all over it, happened to look at a TINY sticker on the side of the box, "Made in China" in 1/8" lettering.

This crap will reach a tipping point, some owners will walk away from the BMW brand. I'm reaching that point quickly when I buy top dollar parts at a BMW dealer and see "China" on them.

No friggin way.

Even OE has gone the Made in China route .

BMW is SERIOUSLY screwing with the brand loyal owner body!!!

I may be looking at a Lexus SUV if this shit continues.

Had plans for a 200k mile "all in" rebuild of the X. Won't be doing that with "Made in China" parts!

Got my Meyle tension struts and ball joints Thursday last week

Tension struts - Made in Taiwan
Ball Joints - Made in Turkey.


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TiAgX5, that is some first class Car Porn right there. Only question is the pix are dated 2005. What does it look like under the valve covers today? :stickpoke

Its slow going, as I'm getting older and its hot as H E hockeysticks in GA right now, but I finished the hitch install by installing the electronic module behind the battery, ordered the OEM hitch shaft from ECS Tuning [proper length and drop], and changed oil [to Pennzoil Ultra 5w30], adding the Fumoto drain valve [with extender]. Fits great. I'll post pix of the Fumoto installed and the Blackstone on this 6k+ oil change when it gets back from Cleveland .... pending: refurbish headlights with the 3M kit and install the aux music input in the ashtray.

The European automakers have been successful building vehicles in China for China in joint venture plants. So much so that BMWs will soon be exported.

The quality of the parts supplier network is strictly controlled and monitored using the latest quality control processes. The plants have the latest mfg. equipment and German trained workers. The lower cost of labor affords BMW the opportunity to maintain the level of quality of parts previously made in Germany.

In many many cases our perception that China makes junk is absolutely true though luxury brands have learned their lessons from years of outsourcing to low labor rate countries like Japan and Korea were at one time.

That said, because German brands have touted German engineering so long, meaning to me all parts are also made in Germany, I don't want parts made in China either. Right or wrong, I am not ready to accept that from BMW.

There were plenty of people in markets other than USA - like Australia - that were VERY dubious about the BMW X5 e53 and the Mercedes ML w164 when they hit the market here, because they were made in USA. American-made vehicles are treated with GREAT suspicion over here. Yet conversely, there are heaps of "great wall" dual cab utes running around, and plenty of happy owners. They are cheap, basic, and at least a couple of generations behind the mainstream models....but also cost a LOT less.

I've owned vehicles made in Australia, USA, Germany, Japan, Korea and Thailand. In my opinion the country of manufacture of the vehicle or even components is nowhere near as important as the care of manufacture, and the quality control in place at the plant.

Those pics were taken yesterday. The battery in the Sony camera died, I didn't bother resetting the camera date after recharging.

I don't like it because of the total lack of EPA type regulation, and non-exisent human rights in China.

And then there's the way animals are treated in China. Ugh. :(

And the total lack of legal recourse when China steals intellectual property or uses tooling/manufacturing processes for their own gain. China LAUGHS at international laws.

I worked at a plastic injection mold design/manufacture Co in the '90s. We did a series of tool molds for DeWalt Tool. The molds cost several MILLION $s to produce and were designed to last over 1 million cycles (some molds were 32 cavity molds and therefore were designed to make 32 million parts during their service life). DeWalt saw issues with the parts at around 1/3rd mold life. We received the molds and found them WORN OUT!!!

After much investigation, DeWalt found the molds were being run with a different color plastic (with cycle counters to monitor mold life DISCONNECTED), parts were assembled with cheap internals and sold in bulk worldwide. Guess what country DeWalt used to run the plastic injection molds in..........CHINA!!!!

Clear violation of contract agreement and NO LEGAL RECOURSE!!! The crappy China outfit got away with it.

In China, "R&D" means "Receive & Duplicate".

.....and copyright means:

Copy, right!!!


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When Steve Jobs was asked by the POTUS if Apple would bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S.A Jobs stated that, that will NEVER happen. China manufacture most of the Eye PHONEs in the world along with Eye Pods.

When Sam Walton was running Walmart everything that was sold in his store was Made in U.S.A., but go to a Walmart store these days and even the Talapia is farmed raised in CHINA.

Depends on the company that is manufacturing products in China. Brought a BOSCH relay for my PORSCHE and it came in a BOSCH box but it was made in CHINA.

Replaced the small tube on the coolant tank, I cracked it doing the VCG job.

Rather then put more China parts on the X , I repaired it with what I had in the shop. :nanana: BMW! Pic below.

Every repair I've done on the X prior to this repair has been OE/OEM/upgrade aftermarket (StealthBulbs/PIAA/Powerflex/Cool Carbon/Brakelabs), this all changes today!

I totally agree from that standpoint of lack of human rights, though, as you know, it is extremely rare to find the good conscience and respect for mankind that you have in a corporation and most individuals do not distinguish purchasing a lower cost product from the actions of the country of origin.

Your 90s experience was not unusual though many brands had already gone through the same problems from having followed the low labor costs from Japan and/or Korea. Having learned the hard way they are adept at developing contracts that are defendable. Often they are only interested in a joint venture so that there is also in-country protection and skin in the game. And, there are now many experts that can guide new companies through the contract negotiations and how to get the product delivered per specifications. China by far has been the most difficult market thus far to get it right and keep it going right.

Joint ventures are certainly not a sure thing. The odds are much better if the joint venture agreement clearly gives the buyer right to have the critical quality control and Sr. management onsite at all times and the joint venture is also selling in the domestic market.

Where it is still very very risky to purchase is from Ebay, where the products are off brands or can be easily be counterfeit. This is especially true of products where the barriers to entry are low and the product is labor intensive. When the original is produced in China the volume produced will become public knowledge. China being so huge, there are thousands upon thousands of copycat cottage shops that produce products that will not measure up to the original. Where only 1% of the total volume may be extremely lucrative to them. With the marketing and advertising costs virtually eliminated by Ebay, imitations can now easily reach a worldwide market. As always, buyer beware.

I agree Brian.

The BMW dealer coil pack had a list price of almost $130. BMW sure isn't passing the lower China production costs down to the consumer!

I saw an eposide of 20/20 investigates news where a group of high end fashion design corp lawyers went to China, hit the stores selling bootleg designer products in China. The news crew/lawyers were accompanied by Chinese copyright law enforcement officers.
Every shop/street vendor had nothing but bootleg items for sale. When the lawyers/news crew pointed this out to the Copyright LEOs all they did was scold the sellers and tell them to stop selling bootleg items. ZERO arrests, ZERO confiscation of copyright violation merchandise. China treats the crooks like a candy shop owner would treat a 5 yr old caught stealing a gumball! HELL, the 5 yr old would have to hand the gumball back!

Performing my Honey do's (Commander in General), else I will be kicked out :)

Somebody went to Home Repo.

If I was in the market for a car and lifted the hood and saw this

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...sc02958-2-.jpg

I would wonder what other type of shoemaker repairs this guy did on the X.

:stickpoke

I think that part is superseded:D

At least it's not a "Made in China part. That's the point of why I did the repair this way.

Up to 100k miles EVERY repair was done by BMW, the next 80k EVERY repair has been done by me using OEM or better parts. The last 2 repairs I did, parts were Meyle waterpump (from Bavauto) and a coilpack (from Classic BMW), both parts were made in China. I've lost ALL faith in the quality of OEM and so-called "German" suppliers, like Meyle.

'merican fixes are the norm from here on! At least it won't get brittle and shatter when touched like the 2 previous OE/OEM tubes did.

As stated prior, I had planned on an "all in" rebuild of the X at 200k miles (about 1.5 yrs away), I REFUSE to do it when the OEM and German suppliers are producing parts in China. I will drive the X until it "shit the bed" then sell it for scrap!

bottom line if you can keep it on the road props to you .Paint it black and nobody will notice

I like it!

I'll take one, how much??

:D

PM me your address and I will send you one for shipping cost! No charge for the part.

TiAg you should have been a true master plumber and sweated those fittings in place LoL

:rofl:

The propane torch was empty.

Changed the front and rear diff fluids, cleaned the steel pan and replaced the torque to yield bolts. Thanks to a fellow X5 owner, we did the job without any challenges or busted knuckles. Easy job have lots of sockets, extensions, flex handle ratchets, and box-end wrenches (16mm).

Takes longer to get the front two bolts and nuts off the plate then it does to clean, drain, refill and rebolt everything back again.

Used the old stand by fluid pump from Lincoln Model 615 to push in the new clean stuff. Makes this job easy.

Good deal!!

:P

Broke another windshield yesterday. Damn Az rocks everywhere.

I love 0 deductible glass!

Hopefully I get the comfort glass I asked for this time. Called Safelite directly this time, we'll see what happens.

ATF was flushed with filter, gasket and hardware change.
There are other stuff need to be looked after but for belts / tensioners / cooling system was replaced a year ago by previous owner.

My next first to do is tension strut, and control arm to get rid of this vibration and clunking from front. :(

If the ball joints are good replace the CABs with Powerflex, these have a greased stainless sleeve that floats in the poly bush. Those OE/OEM rubber bushes with mostly air-viod suck, and tear because they stress the rubber when arm moves up/down.

The job will cost around $100, or free if you buy the full CAB/Swaybar/Subframe set and get the discount, that's what I did.

I would have bent the tubing and eliminate all the compression fittings. Sweating copper fittings only add to the final cost of the repair. Just more places for the piece to fail.

Is that a HF hyraulic puller that is made in CHINA?

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...y-dsc02949.jpg

As well as HF jack stands Made in Cheena LOL

The puller and stands are indeed HF China tools. Stands were free and the puller was around $60. They don't have Meyle Germany or BMW logos and cost around 1/4 the price of the same items produced elsewhere. My primary issue is paying TOP dollar for parts from BMW and Meyle and finding out during unboxing that they are MIC.

The stands where test loaded to double the weight they see under the X. The puller will see the garbage if it fails (was bought for the CAB job).

I'm messing Tiag, I'm with you. I see Home Depot sells MIC stuff all day, costs double what you pay at Harbor Freight, 1/3 the price if you use a coupon LOL. So I have no issues shopping there, why pay the big box store price, I don't need to pay triple for Husky tools when Pittsburgh wrenches work just fine!

For what its worth, my $10 1/2" Harbor Freight Click type torque wrench is the most durable and longest lasting torque wrench I've ever had.

I have the HF 1/2 drive TQ wrench too. For 3/8 and 1/4 (in/lb) it's Snap On for additional accuracy.

All my other tools are Proto, SK, and other quality items. All my measuring tools are Mitutoyo (6.", 8", 12" calipers/0-8" mics), Starrett (.1-6." V-mics/full set of chrome carbide master joe blocks & calibration standards/3'x4' granite surface plate/surface gages/12" height master), Interapid (.001,.0001,.00005 indicators/3 point bore mics)....no China stuff. My inspection tools are worth WAY more then my X.

Safelite blew me off on my replacement. They said they were waiting for the glass and I had no appointment. (if they ordered the glass what was it for if I had no appointment)? I asked what glass they were waiting for they said rain sensor green tint at top. I said I gave the PN for comfort glass & want it. Finally when I called back after 4pm they said BMW Scottsdale says there never was anything called comfort glass, the PN I gave was superceeded and all there now is (from BMW) is green tinted windscreen with green band.

Which carrier ?

It's possible the comfort glass is not available for this 3 generation car...

FWIW. I got comfort glass in my 3rd or 4th year of ownership. Covered fully under glass coverage.

AFAIK, all glass coverage has changed with all the major carriers. They will cover OEM if it's 1 year or less. Anything past 1 year of the car from *new*, it's generic

I am with Allstate. They agreed to get the glass from BMW. Safelite says BMW of Scottsdale says green tinted windshield & green tint bar is all there is.

They are liars.

We know that, I ran out of energy between arguing with ATT & Safelite all day.

lol

Curious. How did you get Allstate to agree to cover on OEM ?

found my rear carpets wet again... turns out I had standing water in my rear vents! I've got the center console out of the car (should be a fun drive to work tomorrow), but it sounds like its just the evap drains, and I didnt even need to pull the console...oh well, it was fun, AND i found my missing HVAC button!!.

I snaked the drain from below with a length of rubber hose, water came out and after I ran the hvac I got some drips so hopefully thats over with....now I'm just debating if I should replace the rear FSR which was sticking into water.

Actually, the real debate is if I should bite the bullet and get the di-noc while the center console is out.... hmm....

Between the fact I have alot of business with my agent (Life, multiple cars, houses & umbrella etc) and the f00k up by Safelite the agent got them to agree to get the comfort glass from BMW. As it turns out the inept dealer said 51-31-7-064-863 refers to green tint/band & rain sensor which is available aftermarket.

I'll see what they bring tomorrow.

The older it get's the more expensive it is.
List is $960. You could snag it for around $750 with the usual discounts

I believe when I had my swapped, after *msrp*, it was around $300 even...

What color is your trim and interior?

Did a brake fluid flush & bleed with Ate Type 200 fluid.

Still waiting on my angel eye ring to come in.

Woke up, called PGW directly, got the part number (2382 GGY) gave it to Safelite, Solarshield windshield has been ordered!

Oil change and xDrive transfer case fluid change....by dealer.

E30 -

Not sure what your post meant. Did you end up getting OEM stamped Comfort Glass
Here's hoping you did and or a Pilkington...or Sekurit. I've never like PPG glass

My post meant that was what I found the PN for and asked Safelite to get it.

The dealer says there are none in the country. That is the only part number I could find. Anyone have any other part numbers?

Black

The PGW part is an oem for as much as I know. X5SND had his put on recently its a PGW and he is happy with it

At this point I'll take the equivalent comfort glass I can get.

I looked for the other brands, found nothing. Anyone know the Pilkington or Sekurit names for comfort or sungate?

PPG glass IMO is cheap glass.....wavey, etc.
I have not had a good experience with it, but YMMV.

E30Cabrio - ? What is the purpose/need for you re: comfort glass.
If OEM comfort glass is not available stateside *assuming* your glass guy is not feeding you BS, I would still rather get a Pelkington, or the latter and have a high quality tint put on the car.

Not exactly ideal, like the CG with the laminate in the sandwich , but you can always get something like V Kool installed

I live in Az, it is 102 at 8:37 & will never be under 90 until October.

I'm a little late to the party but a shot of the all the PGW numbers from my screen are posted in this thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...indshield.html

+1 on avoiding PPG glass. I've seen a few with nasty waves/distortions.

Di-Noc looks great with black interior. Ties it all together rather than eyes being drawn to the trim. Interior will have a richer and more sporty look. I think it is a great update.

put on new valve cover gasket set today.

142k miles on the original set. damn things were almost solid, no wonder it leaked oil all over the place :stickpoke

Did my VCGs last week (over 180k miles), they were hard plastic!

New front rotors and pads. New rear airbags from arnott. oil change and car wash.

Washed and cleaned her up for the weekend. Makes me want to just sit and look at her, and not drive her for awhile!! :)http://www.xoutpost.com/members/mam4...1-img-9411.jpghttp://www.xoutpost.com/members/mam4...2-img-9414.jpg

Yes!!! Now I know I'm not the only one who feels that way after a thorough clean on the X!

That color is gorgeous btw!

Matt, OMG. Your Estoril looks phenomenal! Roof rack delete I see, how has she been running? The paint looks great as well did you get a respray?

Thanks for the compliments, I still get goosebumps when I look at the X, same as I did the first day I got her!! :) Yep, deleted the rack, plugges the holes, now all I need is some lowering springs yet.
Jason, it's been running great, no complaints. I still have a bit of a vibration in Drive at standstill, but I'm hoping my engine work, and replacing my vacuum lines will take care of that. Time will tell... I did get the roof resprayed, I had a terrible peeling problem there. The jams are sitting still right now, not advancing to much, but I did buy some touchup paint that I used in the most obvious places. I got a quote to get a total respray, $8K, to remove doors, hood and rear hatches, and respray everything. So, that's where all my extra money is going right now, the respray fund... :)

Map software upgrade!

Mam4.6--looks great! Share your feeling.

X5SND--gotta do that, there is a new bridge nearby that it thinks I am crossing the lake without it being there. Lots of new construction--make a u turn, make u turn, make a u turn.

I hear ya! I was rocking 2012 maps, but there was a thoroughfare built in 2011 which I now take. Understandably something like that usually takes a year or 2 to trickle down into maps of those of us who live in the smaller cities. But I'm rocking 2013 maps and all is well once again!

Over the weekend, towed a light load of hay and finally got around to refurbishing the headlights with the 3m kit, then added the weathertech vinyl film custom fit covers to protect them. The weathertechs are a bit spendy [$50?], not worth that much, I expect, but the 3m refurhish kit [applied with a hand drill] does a nice job. Pending: install the aux music input in the ashtray and get the computer reflash to recognize the trailer electronics [showing rear and brake light faults].

Did a late spring clean over the weekend, the last 3 months were FCAB, waterpump and VCG DIYs.

Headlights were off, guess the flash reflected in the Xenons.

^^ Looking sharp! :thumbup:

Lookin sharp TiAg! I don't know if we ever went over this but you do know that our pre-facelifts are not ATC500 Xdrive models right?

We did, the PO put those on.

Looks great as always!

I notice shopping cart racks in the background. I assume you were uphill and not as close as it appears?

Yeah, was uphill and over 50' away from the nearest rack. Had 2 couples walk over and ask if I was taking pic because it was for sale (both were interested if it was), told them they were spring clean shots, both couples were floored when I told them it's 11 yrs old and over 180k miles. One guy gave me his card and asked that I call him if I decide to sell.

I love when that happens....especially Watching peoples reaction when you tell them these things are 10+ years old and they sit there with that bewildered look trying to discern if you're kidding to or not!

The guy who gave me his card responded "when was it resprayed?", I said only the rear bumper was refinished in '08 due to minor parking lot bump while with PO. He asked "when was it wetsanded?", responded never.

Some people can't understand OE paint can last for over a decade when cared for.

80 bucks shipped. Thanks eBay!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psfe6efb09.jpg

Waiting for magnetic drain plugs to do all the fluids.

Ordered the drain plugs from here:
MAGNETIC DRAIN PLUGS

Fluids are here. Hard to believe a full lubricant change is over 300 bucks.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps2afc0962.jpg

Love dimple plugs, I have one on my 2011 Triumph, next oil change the X5 is getting one as well as my wifes Rav4 as well, they are great!

Today I came home and my car alarm was going off in the driveway next door (we parked at our neighbors since our driveway was curing from being re-sealed on Tues). Unplugged the hood sensor, I think those shenanigans should be done with.

Looking through old pics from ages ago found this.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...abrio/car1.jpg
To the left is an X5.

Yup, I always install them in my cars.

Sorry about your alarm.

Ran over a bolt in the garage at work today
 

Does Big O have nitrogen to refill after the fix?

Lol, nitrogen in a street car is like a sticker adding horsepower. BULLSHIT. Just putting it out there.

And maybe some facts for those that fail at using google by themselves.
Should You Fill Your Car's Tires With Nitrogen?

Monster drainplug magnets came.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps7a7d230f.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psef4de2a7.jpg

Geez, I would be a sucker if I was hit for that much like the Charger owner. I had an alignment done and the dealer put the nitrogen in no charge (just doubled checked the invoice). I didn't even think about the supposed benefits.
Big O did refill with nitrogen, I watched him pull a different hose when he remounted the tire, no extra charge. Frankly shocked that some one would pay that much it

Seems a little harsh. I google most questions I have but don't always believe what I find.

Nitrogen is beneficial depending on what you are doing even for a street vehicle.

As an example, since the pressure change of nitrogen filled tires is more predictable it is commonly used in racing where a half a pound change can dramatically impact handling. If you are tracking your street vehicle or push handling capability a fair amount of time it is worth considering. Recommended tire pressures consider the change in tire pressure from a cold tire to a 'hot' tire. With nitrogen you can inflate the tires a few pounds more which is better for a cold tire and the ride is not compromised as much as tires that are filled with air when the tires are 'hot'.

I tried nitrogen since it was free. I don't push handling past where the tires begin to sing and not that often so I have no personal experience if it makes a difference. Since Dallas summer road temperatures will cook roadkill I did notice that the ride didn't change much at all. (I inflate aired tires 3-5lbs pounds over the recommended inflation depending on the time of the year).

As one of the points previously mentioned, I got away from using nitrogen because it is not readily available and not always free at places where it is. If the price was reasonable and there was a place close to me that had nitrogen I would go back to it based on my personal experience. One could claim it was a placebo though I had the Nitrogen in the tires for almost a year.

replaced intake boot and deleted ccv and installed oil catch can with simple pcv valve. no more whistling noise (which was caused by small elbow hose on intake boot being cracked.):D

Pics of install needed of CCV delete!

What I found in my tire today....

Bit early for studded tires, No? :p.

I`ll try and get some tomorow uploaded I`ll show catch can and the 2 hoses going to plus pcv attached to intake side hose, also take a pic of capping of the dipstick tube hose.
I just don`t want to go through another winter with a hydro locked engine again. I have no faith in the bmw ccv (maybe it was old but I`ve heard of guys replacing it and a year or 2 down the road it fails again. freezes up here in northern ont canada.)
pics are here if anyone wants to check em out.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...project-6.html

Got the summer tires on, degunked some engine grease left over from previous leaks, washed it, cleaned and conditioned leather, redid a CV boot clamp, reset the ride height (yesterday - seems to be holding ok, but keeping an eye on it for a slow leak), checked oil.

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/u...0622-00636.jpg

Finally received the insurance payoff and am no longer an owner of a X5. It was fun while it lasted. Shitty way to end though. I will be posting a few random items I have here in the FS section soon. (tail lights, angel eyes, h/u, brakes, etc)

PM sent for the angel eyes if they are complete housings.

Hopefully you at least were satisfied with the payoff. Good luck!

Well it covered what I owed with about $700 into my pocket. Still sucks that I lost my ride. But what can ya do.

Doing all the fluids in a few hours (Oil, differentials, transfer case, transmission)

Saw this on an ad for a silly chick flick just now.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...pscf9c1858.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/26/y6a6y7ev.jpg

Oem stainless steel pedal set installed.

Nice!

Damn footwell LED got the picture all blurry, I'll try to put a better one up.

At first I was afraid it would drive me crazy that there is no dead pedal but I don't mind it, and these did not require drilling and such like the others do. Brake and clutch slipped on easily, and the gas pedal was easily swappable with stock.

Fluids done, there appeared to be atf in the front dif. GAAAAA
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps8bca0fde.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psbe4f3b44.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps05b25c84.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps124d8bb8.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps70a61178.jpg

Before I went I went to the Dr. & when I left I saw this:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps4673b017.jpg

On another note my Appradio3 is at Pioneer being replaced.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psc246cf40.jpg

Removed the K&N filter on the airbox and cleaned and re-oiled it. I probably didn't put as much oil on it as I should but I would rather do that than ruin the MAF.

Check (mate)! haha. Added a check valve post air-dryer (2 psi loss over 12 hours is still considered a leak in my OCD eyes!)...and and diagnosed the spongy brake pedal. New Master cylinder is on order as of 10 mins ago....but just for fun....here ya go:
http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...c.jpg~original

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/t...e.jpg~original

Motor oil & trans fluid ready to go to Blackstone.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psbd9f5970.jpg

This is happening right now:(
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps7ccd64dd.jpg

Saw low 120s a few times in stop and go traffic last summer (twice towing a 5500lb trailer and A/C on max.).

I kept an eye on the coolant temp gauge those days.

Smoked Side Markers

Need some Stealth bulbs now.

That "egg yoke" look is NG.

I dunno, i had them in... they just weren't as bright.. I ran 1 side with the amber and 1 side with the stealth for about a week.. amber isn't too bad under the smoked lens

The bulbs from StealthAuto are actually brighter then OE. The cheap ones are dull.

AHH.. cool... thanks! Going to have to order a pair then. The silver bulbs came with the side markers. Guess they are crap.

Stealth Auto uses the same process used for NASA vehicles, lifetime replacement if the coating peels or bulb fails. Set of 6 (fronts/rears/sides) costs under $90.

http://www.stealthauto.com/accessori...for-X5-BMW.htm

I have Bimmian solaris invisibulbs with no complaints, $15-20 per pair as opposed to $30 and no complaints about brightness. I have the darker smoked sidemarkers too than JaySpec7.

No lifetime free replacement with those.

I would rather pay more and have free bulbs for life of vehicle.

Stealth Bulbs are made in USA too. :thumbup:

It wasn't a comparison post just letting him know what worked for me as well :thumbup:

And according to Bimmian yes lifetime replacement on their Solaris bulbs.

I like the Stealth bulbs a lot, only thing that left a sour taste in my mouth back in the day was when i went to order a set it was $9 shipping for a pair. Pushing it if you ask me

Didn't know they are lifetime replacement too.

Yeah, shipping is more resonable when you order all 6 bulbs (still $9.).

Avoided Bimmian because they use a 1 way mirror coating process, Stealth uses a NASA developed proprietary metallic coating process that bonds to glass MUCH better.

I think we've all seen mirrors with the reflective surface delaminating, that's the same process Bimmian Solaris bulbs have.

what happened to the factory silver bulbs? they don't make them anymore?

After getting a "Pulse" made in China coilpack from Classic BMW Plano (to replace the bad Bremi German coilpack), I would bet BMW OE/OEM bulbs are China. Would bet my left nad they're more $s the Stealth too.

Total BS that BMW is sourcing China yet maintaining German source parts....

well, 100% of iphones made in china, 80% of worldwide TVs sold are made in Turkey, E53 was made in the US, SAAB is being made in China, some E70s were put together in Russia, my wife's 335 was made in S. Africa...

I totally understand your point - when i am paying "german" price for something, I expect it to be MADE in germany, not just designed there... and if you are sticking me with a chinese made sh!t, then charge me "chinese" price... i hate chinese made things - but must admit, if the iphone is genuine apple product, that is made in china, it will have a slightly better quality (one would hope so!!) than an "iphone" that is a knock-off... There is a huge secondary market of industrial equipment, that the chinese are buying up - they buy whole factories, old lathes, a lot of old molds... then they bring it to china, build the factory with those old tools and start making the same things that were originally made with those tools... the problem is, the old molds, tools are out of specs, nobody maintains them as the original factory techs used, and the chinese cut corners on the quality of materials used... hence, we end up with cheap sh!t that is sold to us at premium prices...

I just hope that the coil pack that was made in china still has the same 2 year unlimited mileage warranty as the rest of BMW parts...

as far as the light bulb - I bought mine about 15 years ago in France, it cost about $10 a pop, and still running on my tails in the E53 - first i ran them on the front corners of the euro spec'd xenons on the E39, then took them off... I think they were made in Hungary...

I worked at a plastic injection mold design/manufacturer in FL for 5 yrs.

DeWalt and Bose had the molds sent to China for running products. Molds were several million $s to design/develop/produce, were designed to run over 1 million cycles. At around 1/3rd life DeWalt and Bose saw quality issues in plastic products, the molds were sent back to FL to identify issues, found them TOTALLY unmaintained and WORN OUT!!!!

DeWalt and Bose investigated and found the China craphole that was running the molds was disconnecting mold cycle counters, shooting a different color plastic, fill with CRAPPY internal electronics, labeling different and selling them all over the Asian, European and Middle Eastern markets!

Ahhhhhh, we breaky breaky tools, makey makey money, and it your probrem!!! No care international copyright/patent law tooooooooooooooo!!!

I have some lifetime replacement stuff. I feel good about it. On the other hand, I have never met a CFO that would allow that unless it was going to sell a 'ton' more (sales guy pitch and commitment to forecast) will be a no cost purchase incentive (brand manager dynamic full color tables and graphs of 3 year in depth scientific study of variables, mostly BS). The master plan is that I won't remember I can get it replaced for free, I won't remember where I bought it, or my receipt has been recycled 21 times and is now a part of a 4th of July themed paper plate somewhere. Besides that they are obsoletely that technology in 6 months anyway.

hahaha

how do you think they have factory quality pirated movie DVDs on russian street vendor shelves before the movie hits international or US release? somebody in hollywood sends them a mastercopy, they have a legit DVD factory that runs legit operation in daytime, and has a night crew manning the machines overnight, churning uncounted product!!! Brilliant!!! lol... this scheme has worked for years, and knowing how the soviets operated, i bet this is the same system that the chinese are using - got the authorized mold from US, made xxx units of properly accounted units, and at night churned xxxxxx units that were loaded from the back door and onto India, philippines, malaysia...

What amazes me, that the corporate geniuses here in the states are so stupid not to realize this!!!

And guess who ends up footing the bill for all this patent/copyright violation.........Americans!!!

We either need to defend the US/international laws or give this country back to the Indians!

hahaha... do you think the indians will want this country back? they lost a clean, pristine environment, and now we would give them back poisoned rivers and genetically enhanced fields of corn??? we are DOOOOOOMED!!!!!

:nanana:

Tru Dat!

We even make a bigger carbon footprint turning corn to ethanol vs running 100% gasoline, because congress said it's a good idea. Corn shortage made corn based feed prices skyrocket. Expect to see $10 for a Lb of bacon soon.

I'm sure it's covered for 2 yrs. Won't swap back to BMW if it fails, will be searching online suppliers for "new old stock" (NOS) Genuine German Bremi units. This is how I will start ALL future OEM part searches. Thanks, but no thanks BMW! ;)

Whol E F00k!

I still don't have a new windshield. The manager at my local Safelite shop dropped the ball over & over, the latest was telling me last week he ordered from PGW their version & would let me know this week when it was delivered & if it was undamaged.

Having not heard I called yesterday & he was on vacation, had not ordered it and left no word of wtf was going on.

I called Safelite corp (again) yesterday and told them of the 23 day trek not getting a windshield had been & they put me in touch with a regional manager who looked into it between 3pm yesterday & 10 minutes ago when she said they ordered the last one in the country from BMW and it will be in Az Tuesday. If it is undamaged it will go in Wednesday, if damaged they will get one from the Fatherland & it will be 2 weeks.

WOOT!!!!

Just spoke to the guy from Pioneer dealing with my warranty return on my Appradio3. They are out of stock so I am paying 59x.00 and getting an AVIC 8000NEX!!!

Gotta be better then the PPG glass.

The BMW glass is oe how is it not the best????

It's not Chinese is it?

lol

I thought Sekurit was OE/OEM glass for E53.

I would bet it's the best glass available. Made the PPG comment because it's the cheapest, and many insurance companies insist on it.

No idea, I'll post it when I have it. Safelite is using Pilkington here. It has been good glass for me, there was no comfort equivalent.