:iagree: You should know country of origin especially if that part is also made in Germany.

Major mfgs have learned hard lessons from chasing low cost labor rates around the world. They now have a viable formula to make the move successfully, most of the time, though the timeframe to get up and running with acceptable product is still very unpredictable.

Many own and/or operate the plant. Some decide a better option is to source from a 3rd. party. Whatever the route the product specs, performance and durability will be stringently monitored. Generally the goal is to transfer 100% of worldwide demand but not always in the beginning so they can hedge their bet.

I did a quick check. Meyle owns, operates or sources from 39 plants in China. They also have two sources in Africa which indicates where, they, like the more aggressive companies, see as the next lower cost location on the globe. I didn't look to see if Meyle still makes water pumps in Germany. With the number of parts they are making in China I wouldn't be surprised if they don't.

The responsible retailers should be looking out for their costomers and clearly stating country of origin. BavAuto company motto is "for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts", hardly the case here. I avoided the $50 cheaper URO pump when purchasing from them, solely because I don't put China parts on my vehicles.

I coded my DRL Off, Cold Monitoring Off on Fog Lights, Cold Monitoring Off on Low Beams, and Fog Lights stay on with High Beams. Very happy to be getting the hang of it :)

Dropped it off at the dealership to have the front windows checked out. The passenger side got 'stuck' in the down position, and seemed to be askew in the track and was making its way back up (ugh). Took it to a friend, after removing the door panel, we managed to get the window up, so I could at least secure it. The driver's side is making this mysterious loud 'thwack' like sound ... so to the dealership it goes to be properly inspected and repaired.

i'm trying not to view it as buying someone else's problem when I bought it used, although I fully know that those are the very reasons why I sell my vehicles when the time comes. Hahaha.

finally got around to putting H3C HID bulbs in my projector fogs (going to aim them now in a few minutes). edit: decided against HID's and put 55w halogen bulbs back in just so I get both HID and halogen spectrums. I also must have a piss poor quality HID igniter/ballast because I've always had slight flickering in the bulbs and that drives me nuts.


fixed my folding mirrors problem by cutting off the drivers limit switch (had 2 frayed wires going into limit switch) and splicing on another used one bought from a board member.

fixed my PDC sensor error by putting a zap strap/zip tie tightly around the connector and sensor as for some reason there is not enough pressure/clamping force holding it in and therefore the PDC system thought I had a dead sensor.
edit: turns out the sensor is dead again :( guess I'll need a new sensor

Picked up my ECS order. Has a lot of projects.
- Misc trims, clips, hose clamps, etc.
- Oil pan gasket (so i can drop pan at next oil change and look for any metal/plastic)
- Oil filters
- Coolant tank cap (mine was breaking down)
- Oil fill cap (leaking)
- Bumper side mount (snapped drivers side when removing)
- Rear wiper (it came bent :( )
- Headlight washer distribution piece (small piece, need to pull bumper to get to)
- Tons of brake fluid for the X5 and my track car
- Drilled/Slotted ECS rotors - they look sweet
- Pads
- Rear upper suspension arm/joint (This was the only part I ordered non-OE. The TRW was a quarter of the BMW part. I figure the BMW one won't likely last four times longer and I'll need something to do down the road anyways :) ).
- Rear sway links

Also have previous parts order to deal with:
- Install the OE hitch
- Fuel filter
- Transmission filter/fluid gasket
- Thrust bushings

By the looks of it I'll have the front and rear bumpers off, lots of stuff dropped from the bottom, and the four corners pulled apart. I'll take it off the road, rip it apart, get it all done and borrow my brother-in-law's winter beater. I should probably not show the completely dissected vehicle to my wife, seeing as it technically is supposed to be her car and we only had it 2 months. :)

Wish me luck….

Cheers.

Put the air tank back in and took the ol' girl for a boot round town. Felt good to drive it more than 30ft after 5 or so weeks of it sitting in the garage! New cars are nice, but the X just feels like home.

I probably should take some pics....

Refinished the steering wheel trim, as the original finish had worn through in places. Scuffed down with a scotch-brite pad and applied a few coats of plasti-dip. Looks basically original, cost basically nothing.

Same with the inside door handles - they had scratched and chipped the original surface coating which was strangely similar to plasti-dip. So off with the door trims, remove the handles, scuff and coat. Lovely!!!

Then a new set of tyres because the others were looking a little shabby. new set of 275/45R20's all-round (I have non-staggered copies of 168 rims which are black powdercoated).

This came today, my blade won't fit & none of the Autozonelike stores nearby have one that does.

What fits?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps4ccc8f98.jpg

Finally got around to replacing the upper windshield gasket, after having picked it up at the stealer a few months back. Sure hope I never have to do that again. I think I'd much rather replace my OFHG with one hand tied behind my back... :bustingup