I lowered it (along with all fresh suspension components with polyurethane bushings all around).

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...psvi1uo4da.jpg

Looks good!

As for the previous posts about euro headlights, since the one Im picking up in two weeks (2006 3.0) does not have xenons, this gives me a chance to upgrade at the same time.

The only issue is finding ones for left hand drive vehicles. They exist but I have to look long and hard for them, as many are for right-hand drive and the beams angle up the wrong way :(:(

Push comes to shove I guess I can just modify a set of US xenons, as some are around for 250-300 a side....

Have you checked ebay.de? You can find them on there. The only tricky part is finding ones that ship to the US.

e53 x5 bi-xenon | eBay

Yea I need to dig through that some more. The ones I have been finding are nice enough to specify for RHD in the description (sadly those are the cheapest...$6-700 loaded vs $800-1600 for LHD)


For now its on the back burner, as I have a 528 Touring that needs attention as well as an E46 325xi creampuff of a car that we picked up for the girlfriend. Maintenance is first on the X5, which is going to be plugs and a possible coil, power steering lines and a valve cover gasket.

I was a tech for the better part of 5 years and have been turning wrenches on BMWs for about 14 (and still do occasionally) so its nice to know my way around them for the most part...hope I can contribute some to the forum.

Removed the roof rack and did a quick wash. Starting to come together nicely.

https://ngkfxa-sn3302.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none

https://b2f7qw-sn3302.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none

And one of all my cars together.
https://1pjtcq-sn3302.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none

Finally got the 2002 4.6is back on the road after replacing the timing guides and other things, glad to be back in the drivers' seat!

That's quiet the fleet! Looks like the e38 could use some black kidneys

Finally managed to get rear passenger door opened( mechanisms was all jammed due to humidity and dust)

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...368a7a805d.jpg yahooo, now I can get the original paint color in this baby...


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Yes the Weiss leicht leds are nice a run set on my x5 rear turn signal and rear/front turn signal and rear backup lights on my E39 M5. I wish the front turn signal housing coul accommodate the led front turn signal on the X5 but it's too long in the housing and interferes with clear lense. Brian I see that your x5 does not have th interefering interior turn signal lens hence the led turn signal bulb from bimmimanfits with no interference.

Thanks! The 750 is supposed to be my project car, but I keep throwing my time and energy at the X5. Poor M3 just sits and looks pretty.

Installed replacement 750il clutch fan on X5is

Is there something different about a 750ll clutch fan?

My X5 had a bmw 750lL fan and clutch installed in the vehicle prior to my ownership. I only found this out when I attempted to replace the clutch fan because it was making some noise. When I went to install the new clutch fan I realized that it was different and then ran the part number of the old cutch fan and found out it is from a 750IL. In addition the fan is completely different than the one that would come in the 4.6is. Instead of of a nine blade fan the 750IL is an eleven blade. So I returned the new clutch fan that I had for replacement and installed the 750IL.

Got the used $40 cv axle I ordered off of ebay, to test my theory. I'm gonna swap this out for the one in my X now, to see if it resolves the acceleration vibration. The one in my X has got some play in the cv joint, the used one I bought doesn't. If it does resolve it, I'll drive it for awhile to see if it reappears, because a separate issue (transfer case)? Once I get it all figured out, I'll get some new oem axles, once I know they won't get ruined by an under-lying issue...

[IMG]http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/...psbpzjq1fo.jpg[/IMG]

Replaced driver side door handle carrier.

Very easy and not worth the $350 quotes I was given.

All in for $70

Installed a new battery as the old one was toasted.

Ordered a new thermostat and coolant; thermostat is throwing a code that's it's stuck open and temp needle never gets past the 1/3 mark. Just checked my records and I replaced it less than a year ago (Wahler). Went with a Behr/Hella this time around.

Scott,

I have had good luck with your new order ones in multiple cars. Hopefully you will be "out of the woods" on the way too cool mode for winter driving hell.

Have you looked into the front or rear driveshafts as being the culprit?

Thanks, good to know. Wife is moaning that her "snow beater" lacks heat, lol. Real feel temp on Friday is supposed to be -5F. The radiator, expansion tank, and trans thermo are due for replacement (148k on original rad, ~60k since tank/transthermo replacement). Putting those off until Spring. Of course the tank will probably split tomorrow. :rofl:

I put 100 watt pad heaters on the back of the engine oil pan and the tranny pan

http://www.xoutpost.com/1096101-post38.html

and I also put blazing paddle LEDs in the rear luggage light housings so that I have daylight in there at any time.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/R8kAAO...9t/s-l1600.jpg

Mike

I installed a set of cheapo LT sport crossbars along with a big Yakima skybox. The whole thing is surprisingly silent if you shut the sunroof shade.

Oh those must be bright!!!

Flame throwing bright to be exact :wow::wow::wow:

When I have been rooting around in there with the little conventional single SMD paddle light or other T10 LEDs things were pretty dim.

My opinion on light is like gasoline: The only time I have too much gasoline is when I'm on fire!" ;)

Mike

Where did you get those LED's?

Ebay sourced.

Had to pay a fortune for them but it was a US seller so I didn't have to wait a month to receive them.

I usually won't spend this on an LED bulb but I was so sick of being in the dark back there with other LED options

2014 New Canbus Build In T10 W5W 192 Super Bright 180 One Side Panel LED Light | eBay

You can probably source them from a China shipping source for less on AliExpress.com - Online Shopping for Electronics, Fashion, Home & Garden, Toys & Sports, Automobiles from China. or some such site.

That particular SMD is rated at 0.5 watts each, so 3 watts total blazing through the rear luggage lens!

I looked at modding the luggage light fixture to accept a festoon type LED but I would have had to source two lower door puddle light housings for more $ and time than simply paying the $10 for the blazing paddle LEDs. I even looked at putting the lower door light housings in the luggage positions.....no joy......the connectors are different on the two positions.

I'm thrilled, every time I open the back hatch :thumb up:

Mike

Thanks!

Let there be light in the luggage bay!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z3...=w1165-h874-no

Picture taken in completely dark garage with no windows.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

PS: The springs on the hatch struts give the hatch just enough of a push to pop up from the latch mechanism so as to not fall back down and halfway re-latch.

Mike

awesome! Gonna get me some!

If you can wait, here is something comparable for $2

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10x-...d-ac13521cc4ff

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1CLOoJ...38881eb60bcdab

Mike

Okay I am ordering those for my x5 are they are straight forward swap out or do I need to mod the bulbs in order to fit the fittings?

They slide right into the existing bulb receptacles.

Mike

New fog lamps. Old ones had eroded lens surfaces and just didn't allow enough light to go through any more.

2002 X5 3.0 314,200 miles
2014 428i 24,100 miles

2005 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

197 Firebird - under restoration

Finally resolved my warm start issue!!! I've been living with it for years and finally decided to check the injectors and sure enough... Replaced the leaky injector and starts right every time the first time. So glad I waited four years!

Ah, that feeling you get when you have just drained 8 quarts of oil out of your X5 and pulled the oil filter only to realize that the filter you thought you had ordered months ago was just a figment of your imagination... Priceless. LOL So, I just placed this order for the X: :(

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...0/FCPOrder.jpg

I suggest ordering 2 filters, that way it never has to happen to you again.

Then when you go grab the last one off your shelf, you place another order for a pair. :dunno: :dunno:

While not Mann brand, I have seen E53 filter fitment available on the WalMart shelf if anyone is in a pinch (may have been Frahm brand, can't remember). :dunno:

Mike

Yeah, they have local replacements... but in true Dirk Wright fashion... I figured, "while I'm down there and the X is up on jack stands..."

You know how it goes. :D;)

I dropped it back off with my indy today. Repair order includes:

• Balljoints and control arms
• PCV seals
• Waterpump
• Coolant expansion tank
• All coolant hoses
• All rubber belts

Today's installment of Bad Ideas in Motoring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r27SzW4q9s

Thankfully not me. :)

Waaaay too painful to watch.

I cannot un-see that!

Mike

That's about how I felt. My thinking when I saw the slope to impact - "Bad idea bad idea bad idea... dumb."

This morning's E53 off-road YouTube browsing led me to a few conclusions:
1) Eastern Europe is full of people doing dumb stuff
2) The E53 is not a Land Rover competitor
3) It's surprisingly capable for what it is

So no real surprises. :D

The best thing to ever happen to the internet was to give russians cameras.

:iagree:

Especially dash cams. :thumbup:

Oh, just paid off the X5 today. It may be a money-pit... but now it's MY money pit. ;)

Congrats! As of today I've put more into repairs than it's purchase price - in four months no less. :wow:

I drove it

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...pskntl03d3.jpg

Wow. This is very appropriate. My son turned 17 on Tuesday his nickname is Rooster and I gave him the silver 4.4 X5. That being said on Wednesday with the door frozen and I hadn't treated the rubber yet with the gummi pflege he yanked on the passenger door and the handle carrier broke.

Being cold with no garage and lazy, I had my mechanic replace the mechanism.

so clean :) nice shot too

Happy birthday to your son! Nothing like a warm welcome to E53 ownership like a broken door handle.

Paired old version of webasto remote T60 to the car's telestart! ;)

Three options for cold winter:

1) install engine autostart with the remote for the car
2) retrofit handle bar to be heated
3) or use webasto with the remote

I just installed these today - they are definitely brighter. Holy crap. Though now I feel a need to do a full interior LED replacement. Never been a fan of that yellow light. Anyone know the bulb sizes for the front overhead lights?

I did a full interior LED makeover and for me it is a fantastic look. Brighter and whiter.

Festoons go in the bottom door panels and rear seat base and front footwells and glove box and also in the visor mirrors.

The overheads are conventional T10s and do OK with conventional single LED facing downward as well as the side view mirror puddle lights.

Something like this is what I have in my T10 overheads and mirror puddle lights

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/03sAAO...-9/s-l1600.jpg

10x T10 194 168 W5W COB LED White Car Side Wedge Lamp License Light Bulb DC 12V | eBay

Mike

Sweet, thank you. Ordering today. My biggest concern is being too bright. My ideal is about a 20% increase in brightness with a shift to white (~6000k) light. I saw a few kits online promising surface-of-the-sun brightness.

I'm running 6smd festoons in the footwell and lower door panels and I believe they are 36mm.

Check your housing to be sure they will work for you I may have stretched the contacts in my housing to fit the 36mm but no harm was done to the connector

20X White 36MM 5050 6SMD Festoon LED Dome Map Interior Lights DE3423 6418 12V | eBay

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xR0AAO...vu/s-l1600.jpg

Here is an SMD spec guide to see what wattage and lumen ratings the various SMDs have

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMD_LED_Module

Mike

Twenty bulbs for $7? Say what you will about globalization, consumerism, trade politics and the American manufacturing economy - I love cheap electronics.

But it is a US Seller! :thumb up: and right in your neighborhood :thumb up:

You'll be putting them in on Monday!

Mike

With enough left over to update my 750il too! This might be the first time I picked up eBay parts that weren't China or Latvia.

Those 6smd are not bright actually! I am.using in footwell 18leds at the front! Same can be used in the trunk! With 18leds in one bulb trunk is very bright! I am using something strange at the back footwell:) and I love blue interior!

It was time for new Bosch Evolution wiper blades today. Sad that nothing seems to last more than three months in the Texas sun.

2002 X5 3.0 314,500 miles
2014 428i 24,300 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

I hear that. :rolleyes: Though I do typically get at least a year out of wipers.

Installed oem rear bumper step protector.

Time for 3D wiper blades!

What did your X5 get for Christmas?
Mine stayed warm under its cover as the rain fell then tuned to ice as the temps fell. Meanwhile the minivan ran holiday errands and went on tacky light tours all weekend. See Holly's tacky lights for viewing tips in the Wash D.C. Area Hollys Tacky Christmas Lights in Fairfax County, Virginia

Why can't power steering lines be easy like the E39 :(

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r...psqp27rpes.jpg

Mine is sitting quietly in the drive, enjoying it's new water pump and various fiddly bits. Tuesday it goes back in for suspension and interior tweaks.

Holiday Maint.
 

Started the holiday maint sessions by removing the cabin air intake system, all the engine acoustic covers and the engine air intake system, to get at the engine breather (CCV) assembly.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps7uvnjson.jpg

Before removing the breather, I vacuumed up all the dead bugs etc. in and around the intake. You can see where the breather sits, towards the back of the engine.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psapdd6fgv.jpg

The old breather was the filter type - despite the listing at realoem indicating that the 2005 cars have the newer vortex type breather. It's well documented that this part was changed in the assembly line about August 2005 and my February 2005 build car backs that up, by having the old type part. It was shot...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pshtojceef.jpg

The old one is at the top, the new one below (as if you couldn't tell... ;) )

Buttoning it all back up, I added a new air filter, since I had to remove the old one and getting at it is "tricky". The air filter in these 3.0d engines is HUGE! :confused:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pswgsqkt8g.jpg

Not a difficult job - took about 90 minutes and that was taking my time.

I can breather easier now - as can the engine - and not be quite so worried about cooking a turbo.

Next up; oil change.

Put in the new Eonon GA6166X

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...psp2iiffv7.jpg

What are those eonon units like? I wouldn't mind one.

I'm subjecting myself to so much more torture I know, but maybe my E53 will be happier with a friend?

My wife is part of Scandalgate with her TDI so VW is buying it back on January 12 and we secured her replacement vehicle today - a 1 owner, Florida owned, 5/2013 built E70 35D - This is either going to be the best of times or the worst of times :) - The wife is happy so far, shes getting the space and utility of the SAV but her loan is done at the same time as her wagon, shes going through BMW FS this time and getting 1.9% as opposed to 2.9% and a private bank on her wagon, and shes paying $90 more a month -

Certified 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d For Sale in Pembroke Pines, FL | Serving Miami |

http://content.homenetiol.com/640x48...60bc1da43d.jpg

Looks good RB.

My sister has a Passat wagon that VW is buying back also.

Thanks TiAg -

I thought of you with your '03 when you said you searched for a southern vehicle not subject to harsh Northeast winter! This is a Ft. Lauderdale Vehicle its whole life and the condition shows it - we looked at a few vehicles in DE, and besides being overpriced, 29k miles on a Delaware vehicle is much different than 40k on a Florida car!

The same thing crossed my mind when I read your post.

Mine came out of Sanford FL, one owner, garage kept. The PO has several BMWs, this was his wife's vehicle.

Knew him from the BMW club track days.

Looks great Joshdub!

What were the determining factors for choosing the Eonon over the Dyavin N6? Does either support Sirius?

I'm replacing my reservoir and long hose soon. I hope it goes smoothly. Not looking forward to snipping those factory clamps off, they are in a tight spot, especially at the pump side. :dunno:

New SS clamps will be used on reassembly. :thumb up:

Mike

Looking good in AW. Nice choice with the diesel.
Congrats brother.
Good luck catching up to her on the race home :bustingup

RB that E70 looks really nice. I am jealous!

The Eonon is nice. It could use a little more ram, but is it still pretty snappy. Overall I am happy and it is a great replacement for the factory nav unit (which we never used due to it being so archaic).

I went with the Eonon over Dyavin because I much prefer Android. Being able to run whatever apps I want for media and better nav software were a huge plus.

I need to get a dongle for it so it can just stay connected to the internet without me having to tether my phone. I also still need to find a backup camera I like.

You might not need to replace the hose.

I fixed the leak issue by removing the factory clamps, cutting the clamp deformed hose ends and installing aircraft spec worm groove clamps.

Thanks Tam - I'll be sure to get some pics on FB group once we get her home :) - Once the wife started driving her TDI now she is all of a sudden a diesel vehicle fanatic LOL - but she doesn't like all black interiors, I had to make sure it was a late E70 build, and that it had Sport Activity Package so the search really only allowed about 20 CPO cars in the country - At least I got an unmolested front bumper, even though it doesn't have cold weather pack, so she will miss the heated steering wheel and rear seats (but who really cares)

I dare not tune it yet, Stage 1 +60 hp and +85 ft lbs!


Josh you don't have DSP right? I do and have been leaning toward the Avant-2 because of the DSP workaround - Avant-3 is supposedly coming as well, but I've heard great news of this Eonon unit too

That said, I went from NAV w/ DSP to an Eonon and it's still pretty damn simple. Your biggest challenge is running the extension cable from the dash to the DSP amp in the back. It's plug-and-play for the OEM DSP system.

I don't have a lot of personal experience with the Avant or Dynavin units but from what I've read the mixed Android/WinCE systems (e.g., most Dyanavin) have software performance problems. The shop that did some of my audio upgrades initially didn't want to work on my car at all because they thought it was an Avant unit and said the failure and dissatisfaction rate was too high on those. To quote, "We never installed one we didn't end up replacing a few months later." Again though, that's hearsay - no direct experience.

Good feedback - the Dynavin has some bugs I don't want to live with (booting up when door is open as opposed to ignition for example) that outweigh the plug and play with DSP -

I don't mind running an extension to the back, I'd also like to retain my OBC - I guess I should look at the Eonon as well

I like mine - it's not perfect but it's good. FWIW I did a small Eonon review after my install, including some software annoyances Part of the http://www.xoutpost.com/1094440-post65.html thread.

Losing the OBC was a tough call for me. In my opinion it's a little worse because it's not fully removed - you can still cycle through all the settings in the cluster, but they're either wrong (time/date) or can't be updated (MPG). Using the steering wheel controls to cycle Bluetooth music on the Eonon still shows the original FM radio station cycling on the cluster display. I'm fairly binary and would be happier with no signs of the OBC lingering around.

There's workarounds to keep it, but time/effort are a factor.

Correct, I do not have DSP.

I didn't want to lose the OBC either. But in the end, I'd rather be able to hook my phone up via bluetooth and run Waze than use the OBC (not to mention a backup camera). Using the factory aux cable and having it hang around all of the time got annoying. I like being able to control my media with the steering wheel.

The Avant 3 will be sick, but the price is too much for me.

As I've told RB, I'm tempted to try the Eonon. I loved our Avant 2, though I did have to return one under warranty after a few months. Worked great since then.

Losing the OBC is one thing that continues to be a thorn in my craw. Having factory NAV and DSP... relocating everything would be a huge PITA, and no one has really documented the process on anything but a MID equipped X5 as of yet.

I have been waiting for the Avant 3 to be released since hearing about it first about 6 months ago. They even offered preorders on the site for a long time. From what I've heard/read they are trying to work on some things like OBC integration but they aren't promising that either. Can't say I blame them.

Because gutting the interior on these takes quite a bit of time and effort to do, I don't want to go from one to another if I don't like the Eonon and that's been holding me back from pulling any triggers... UGGGGGGHHHHHH.

To open the trunk!

Some light maintenance for the X5 this weekend. Box O Parts arrived:

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...30_1505082.jpg

Yeah, I bought a pair at my local "real" hardware store from their bin of springs and they do a great job to give you just enough oomph to list the hatch off the mechanism. :thumb up:

Mike

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...69b50e8493.jpg

Washed and parked with the house V8's 😁😁😁


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

:thumbup:

Washed! Happy New Year!!

Replaced water pump, thermostat and new belt. Switched back to the stock 18" rims with winter tires

Mine arrived yesterday :)

Can't load a pic yet due to it being huge, perhaps tonight when I get home.

Replaced PS fluid reservoir/filter and hose to PS pump.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8IYAAO...w~/s-l1600.jpg

Meyle Brand Power Steering Reservoir Mini BMW E36 E38 E39 E46 E60 E63 X3 X5 Z3 | eBay

The OE hose had been leaking at the base of the fluid reservoir for years and I finally dealt with it.

Hose PN: 32416758958

Kind of a PITA getting the OE clamps off and then the residual fluid in the reservoir spilling all into the engine bay :pull hair:

While I had the lower pan cover off, I also changed the radiator drain plug, whose o-ring had begun to develop a slow leak.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/a/(KGrHq...w~~/s-l400.jpg

Fresh AMSOIL Synthetic ATF fill for the PS. :thumbup:

All dry now :thumbup:

Mike

Replaced the "other" rear taillight housing. Too much heat warpage to resurface the socket contact strips. So that's new taillights and fog lights all around this past year.

2002 X5 3.0 314,800 miles
2014 428i 24,300 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - under restoration

Didn't actually 'do' anything as such other than drive it and swear at it when the hazards randomly came out outside my work today but I did receive a delivery of a load of new goodies for it...

All brand new Bilstein front shocks. Sachs top mounts front and rear, bump stops and dust boots, 2 new Xenon Ballasts, New Bumper mounting, INPA Lead and PASoft 1.4 also.

Should keep me busy for a bit!

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

Re-engineered the jet sucking fuel pump on wife's x5. An o-ring was completely out of track causing fuel to spray out the side of the sender unit into the left tank and not provide the required volume of gas to move fuel from left tank into the "reserve tank" portion of the right tank. Car would run out of gas with 70-80 miles to go. VERY frustrating.

Took like six hours to fix including all the troubleshooting and literally building the tool to properly loosen and tighten the monster nut (6") that holds the sender units into the tank.

I had to "re-engineer" the thing because there was no o-ring where the left side sending unit attaches to the jet sucking pump. About a liter per minute of fuel sprayed out the seam weakening the pressure to the point the car ran out of gas when it had 70 or more miles of range.

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New Conti DWS06 tires 275/315s.

Today I spent some quality time doing small things:

• Replaced all interior lights with cool white (6000k) LEDs
• Fixed the mirror folding issue per these directions: https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ixed-pics.html
• Removed the logos from my Eonon head unit - acetone and a magic eraser

Filled up the 4.6 for the second time since I got it running. I got about 300 miles out of a tank, 13.2mpg calculated at the pump. Sounds about right since half of my commutes are in stop and go traffic, while the nicer commutes have me going at 80-85mph. I was doing 85mph all day today— it's rock solid at that speed, much better than the 04 Range Rover I had. I also attribute the somewhat poor gas mileage to me having a lead foot and "exploring" the X5's capabilities, aka redlining it at every opportunity.

Did a fault scan because it (n62 - 4.8is - 08/2006) rattled and rumbled like hell occasionally (sometimes shortly after cold start, sometimes after several days without issues).
First thought was: man I'm loosing a tire or something like that - felt like an unbalanced wheel but happens at 30km/h until > 200km/h

Scan result was: 2A83 (vanos inlet), 2E68 (knock sensor 1), 2E69 (knock sensor 2)
Sounds like vanos solenoid(s), right?

Parked the X and went for another rotation at the office....

Just arrived[emoji1476][emoji1476][emoji1476]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...168fb0ab36.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How do you like those tires?

^^I'll post up soon as well - Just ordered them for the wifes E70 because the Bridgestone Dueler Sport RFT's are horrendously heavy and stiff and we don't need the summer tread in Jersey - Getting installed on Monday

The RFT's will be for sale soon they have at least 60% tread or more I just couldn't wait till they wore out -

Nothing, just drove it. Watched it turn over 100k.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...767f45fb2f.jpg

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

So far so good. Did very well with the 1-2 inches of snow we had on Saturday but that's not saying much. Only issue I can see is hydroplanning in wet conditions because they are so wide. Rated at 560AA if I remember, so theoretically should last awhile. I had Conti DWS on my previous E46 and E83 X3. Never had issues. I'd like to see it's performance in some thicker snow. I wish Michelin made the Pilot A/S3 in 315s because I'd be all over that set

FINALLY broke down and pulled out the OE wheels (4 yrs under the garage workbench).

Fitted a set of 255 55 18 ContiCrossContact LX Sports (all-season tires). Seeing Porsche is fitting these as OE tires on the Cayenne HEAVILY effected the choice.

The handling is WAY more forgiving on cold wet roads vs the staggered Ultrac Vortis.

2 close calls while driving last week forced the "winter tire" setup. Full blown sideways at over 40mph is no fun!

Yesterday's small innocent task of just changing the lower radiator hose and sensor (leaking), went to drain radiator and drain plug crumbled off. So if turned into both hoses and a radiator. Well while I'm in there might as well do a new t-stat and waterpump since the truck as 115k on it, found out the pump was an original plastic impeller one (oyy). While removing the bottle the transmission cooler t-stat exploded like they always do when submerged in crappy green coolant, so I pretty much reassembled everything short of the fan and shroud as I wait for the t-stat to come tomorrow. While poking around found my intake boot ripped....

Did a new AC belt tensioner too, and all my rear upper control arms/powerflex subframe bushings/lower control arm bushings arrived at the shop. Looks like I'll have a busy few months ahead of me.

It's a good idea to add year and engine of your X5 in your signature so readers know what you have.

Km or mi?


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I finally got to drive my X5 4.6 again after two days of gnarly food poisoning keeping me home. I never thought I'd be so happy to commute to work again.

Oh, and I got to test drive an Estoril Blue 4.6 today, and that's all I'll say ;)

Today I had to lock it with the lock cylinder because my key died.

Does anyone know where I can send my key to have the battery replaced? I tried to DIY it with my spare key fob when I first got the X, it did not go well.

This guy, has done work for me. https://www.bmwgm5.com/

if you know anyone with a BMW with the same key you can check yours on their car/their key on your car to make sure its the battery/key and not the module

Thanks.

If I hook it up to INPA will it give me an error for the module if it's bad?

Thanks.

If I hook it up to INPA will it give me an error for the module if it's bad?

It was 15* last Saturday and 70* yesterday. So X got a bath, back into the 30's this weekend.

A another clean one!
Mine went out for a drive for a State safety and emission inspection. Back home for a exterior detail and a quick duck back under the cover as snow/sleet/rain is on it way tonight. 1,200 miles last year! No summer vacations trips as we took the minivan as the watch dog came with us to see Charleston, SC :(

Probably not, or at least not with my experience with the GM5 module on my Z4. Did use the 2 sets of keys to figure out it was for sure a bad key as they were both the diamond style

The co-pilot is adorable Stephen!

Yep we saw 65 last night, hopefully I can get my "mid winter" detail accomplished, and although its only been 5k miles its been about a year so time to do my Rotella T6 and OE filter treatment on my engine - the X just runs better with fresh lubrication!

Thanks He has been my best buddy for the last 8 years.We are at 50 degrees now and dropping. 30 predicted tonight. Welcome to the MidAtlantic State's winter.

Looking for tread depth advice.

Last night I enjoyed the warm, caring embrace of a blowout on my 4.8is. There's nothing quite as charming as changing the tire on the side of a busy freeway at night, kids in the car, 24 degrees out, without the benefit of a proper jack or even gloves. It was magical. :rolleyes:

I've spent a good part of the morning chasing a replacement tire and need some guidance. I'm running 275/40/20 Michilen Lattitudes. They're the only tires I've had on it so I don't have a lot of basis for comparison. They seem fine. Bit noisy, not ideal in snow but such is a summer tire.

Only one shop in the area can get a replacement for me, and only new. My other tires are at a ~6/10th tread depth, so about ~50% worn. If I replace just the one am I going to run into any risk of harming the AWD system, or is this a tolerable variance?

Always great to see the four-legged kids going along for the trip. And I know ours always do a good job of protecting their ride!

2002 X5 3.0 315,500 miles
2014 428i 24,400 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration

I think that difference is out of spec. If I were in your shoes I would not run a brand new one. I would search for a used one on Ebay that is much closer in tread depth.

275 40 20 michelin latitude | eBay

Also tirerack can shave tires. You could have a new one shaved down to match your other 3.

Just recovering from this myself. Food poisoning sucks the big one.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've done some hunting and don't really like my options. :) I can shave a new one from Tire Rack and be about $400-$450 out the door on one tire, 50% worn. Alternately I can buy a set of new Conti Extremecontact DSWs for $1200. It's a 300% price jump, but it puts me on new all-season tires in a day or two rather than used summer tires in a week. EDIT/UPDATE: Ordered the Contis.

Cars suck.

Great photo StephenVA, great depth of field and also a very cute little guy!

DWS' are a much better choice. Good call

Lost our Driver side rear upper trim molding piece over the wheel on our 4.6is... Such a bummer! now the search begins...She looks very bad without it.

Also, this week the random ghost rear tailgate opening started. Looking for links now.

I drove mine today. I loved it.

Ha.

I've decided not to drive anything today, or, frankly, to even go near my cars. Gotta break a streak.

• Wednesday the 11th: Dead battery on the 750il - Replace and switch to X5
• Thursday the 12th: Blowout on the X5 - Waiting on tires, switch to M3
• Friday the 13th: CEL & Emissions errors on the M3 - Drink beer, stay home.

Solidarity bro, my x5 a month ago gave me the "three middle finger" salute with abs brake dsc. Brake yellow followed a day later by upgrading to red brake.

Doing research that the red vs yellow indicates likely low brake fluid. Holy crap it was low bought some and topped it off.

It took less than a minute for the computer to reset all the lights and timing couldn't have been better: I had to drive 90 minutes in fresh falling snow on unplowed roads.

Fast forward 85 minutes: at 2 miles from home coming to a red light and the trifecta lit back up.

Launched dash command to look for codes (none) then start looking through gauges etc and discover voltage not stable at idle indicating bad voltage regulator.

Start disassembly to get alrenator out of the car and suddenly temps drop below zero F so I pause and use wife's nearly identical '01 x5.

A few days later on a 90 minute drive to Chicago the car stalls at 80 mph on the tollway. No code reader with had almost 1/4 tank of gas but had tollway assistance add 2gal in case gauge wrong but won't start.

Tow away get a ride home and the next day steal the likely candidate (cam position sensor) from my car and go back to install. (About 50 min. Drive)

Check codes. Similar to codes when my CPS died so I swapped the part.

About an hour later in Walmart parking lot at 15° F part in. It was a rough start but it started on 2nd or 3rd try.

Drive home fill with gas and no problems until almost exactly a week later and car dies on the freeway! About 80mi DTE.

Suspecting fuel pump I replaced but didn't love not seeing improvement in right side fuel quantity and eventually found a bad o-ring in the jet pump connector. Got that fixed and now her car is golden. Now I can finally get back to mine and get alternator going and put the new replacement CPS in.

I harvested mine because I wanted to use OEM part not off the shelf crap. Can't buy original CPS locally and none available Amazon prime


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Today is following Orange's lead and do anything but work on a car. We are going on a fun family day trip for frozen custard. I will order my alternator repair kit though.


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Good call on the custard. I've done a few freezing mid-west roadside repairs myself. I used to live in Beloit and Madison. Gets chilly. :)

I lived in Madison for about a decade. Live in Racine. My most memorable car breakdown / repairs in the cold are:

➀ replace crossover pipe on 71 impala in the rain at 34f.

➁ Stall from straight up cold at a red light. -23F (-31C). Of course wouldn't restart so I had to push 2 tons of American steel out of the intersection solo with -60F windchill than walk a few blocks to a nearby friend's house. That was an interesting trip in many ways including that the shocks were effectively rigid: the oil was too cold to flow they were locked. Felt like a ride in a hay trailer.


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Ouch. That's miserable. I think even with the WI breakdowns my most memorable was in Los Angeles. I was on a date in my '69 Nova SS and it broke down. The girlfriend ended up helping me push it through an intersection until it started rolling downhill. Cut to a beatup muscle car rolling down the hill dragging a woman in a velvet dress and heels. It was a memorable night. :)

finished assembling my X today, new intake boot in and finished the rest of the cooling system. Used PAsoft to turn the DRLs and delete the turn signals as parking lights.

Friday was interesting. Girlfriends E46 kicked the fuel pump at work, about 30 miles from my house. Took some tools with me to diagnose what I was hoping to be a dead fuse or a relay, but the outcome was grim.

Short tow later to the shop and I changed the pump out this morning. Sock was black with dirt and the bucket inside had sediment as well. Wiped out as much as I could, and hope it will present no further problems.

Now THAT's a Trifecta! :wow: :wow: :wow:

Good Luck!

Mike

Friday though was a giveaway. Should have stopped trying past midnight




Garage:
E53 X5 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04
E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06

Funny enough, I made that joke Thursday - even said I was going to avoid the M3 just in case.

Replaced the driver side mirror motor ring gear. No more wobbly mirror that has seizures when unfolding :D

Took forever to find that dang thing in the junk yards. Ebay people just wanted too much. But that being said, I'll be hunting for those and selling them at reasonable prices now :)

There a guide / DIY on that?

first post ever for me, but i did some custom modification on my hood.

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...psfxxgs7tz.jpg
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...pstqkze3a1.jpg
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...psd3ruli5b.jpg
http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2pz2zpdp.jpg

Welcome - and nicely done! What was your motivation behind the mod?

Unfortunately no. It wasn't that bad. i'd say removing the plastic mirror cap is the hardest part (There are write ups for that).

All I had to do was remove bundles of screws holding the motor to the body, itself and top mount. And from there swap the ring gear case.

Welcome, Magnusbassvotn. Looks good.

Sweet. I just replaced the puddle lights with LEDs and while I was in there did the switch so I can get power folding to work. You're spot on that getting the damn thing open is the hardest part. My passenger side essentially exploded as soon as I put pressure on it. Driver's side required half-a-dozen plastic wedge tools to even budge.

FSU/FSR came in the mail today!
So I Replaced the FSU; somewhat daunting and a bit of a tough task; but too difficult.
A week without heater and living off only the heated seats was a bit rough..especially living up in this rough winter.

Ordered from Bav autosport

OrangeFurious did you have to use a set of resistors on the puddle lamp retrofit to LED to get them to illuminate correctly? If not what brand of LED bulb did you go with and model?

I didn't use any resistors and just used about the cheapest T(forget bulb size) LED's around. Just happened to have some laying around when fixing my mirror switch so I threw them in. Works great... but YMMV.

Bulbs are T10. I used Ziza Performance branded LEDs, but as Crystalworks mentioned just about anything should do. No errors, flicker or other nonsense.

Yeah I think something changed going from the pre-facelift to post facelift X53. I have tired the wedge leds and as soon as I put the other led in on the opposite side the puddle lights no longer work. If I leave one led in and the other non led then it illuminates on both sides. Somwhere in previous older posts it was suggested that a resistor may need to be installed to get it to work thus tricking the light module that powers the puddle lamps.

On my 2003 X, I can get the passenger side to accept a high intensity T10 LED but when I put the same known good LED bulb in the driver side puddle position, when activated the driver side gives just one quick little flash and then nothing.

A conventional incandescent on the driver side illuminates just fine as does the pass side LED. So, for now, I'm resigned to a very nice white LED on the passenger side and a yellowish incandescent on the driver side (big sigh). :dunno: :dunno:

A minor aberration in the grand scheme of things ;)

Mike

^^Are you using Canbus LED's in those positions?

I believed I was using Canbus LEDs but I will double check. A little off topic but just this week sorted out an ABS dash light in my 2000 4Runner. As it turns out the incandescent burnt out bulb initiated it in the brain circuit and I changed it to an LED which did not draw any amperage enough to tell the brain that the light was operable. Went back to an incandescent bulb and the ABS dash light is gone!

On topic for our X, it appears that the lighting brain adjusts the voltage being fed to the lights to be a steady 12V so as to prolong bulb life! Truly getting very smart! ;)

Mike

Oh boy:

Fixed the broken driver's side turn signal by removing the bumper, while I was in there, I took the head lights out, polished them, again, and put in new DS2 Phillips 85122 Xenon bulbs.

Re-installed the rear seat protector.

Ordered a bunch of engine parts (VCG, seals, chain guides, etc.)

I fixed my inoperable key by simply doing the initialization process. Score.

Installed an Intravee + KC420i... This thing is awesome!

Now I just need to find a used BSW Stage 1 kit. Shame they no longer offer it :(, anyone have sources at Rainbow? :rofl:

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

Charging the battery tonight since I haven't driven it for a couple weeks. It wouldn't turn over. Maybe I can drive it tomorrow if I ask nicely?

It's only had $200 dollars worth of parts installed so far in 2017. A bit low I know. A new a battery next? It's only money!

Of course the Honda is always ready to go. Not as fun of course but a reliable car it sure is!


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Good day,
New to this forum.
I have been reading all the fun had by memebers of this forum
I bought an X5 e53 M62tu build year 2003/09/11

Bought it at a second hand car lot.
So have been reading all about the x5

I will start a seperate repair thread on the car.
It does go, gearbox feels good, no errors in the cpu
Engine had a miss, replaced the coil pack

Now to start the adventure of brining it back to life.

I have worked on cars all my life, so fixing this myself isnt difficult, and with all the info on these pages, nothing is to big to tackle.

Here is to some fun and games

I've worked on dozens of cars, the e53 is by far my favorite to work on. A couple "preemptive" things to consider:

➀ DISA valve: has a very soft plastic bearing part that will wear until it snaps
➁ brake/tail lights have a design flaw where high resistance causes heat and self-destructs. You can repair vs replace
➂ see if FSR still original fat post or replaced thin post.
➃ use live read from OBD port to check coolant temp. My x5 never got to full operating temp for months and I wasn't aware until winter came along and I couldn't get cabin heat. (Because the temp gauge lies: basically useless)
➄ if in cold climate learn to never yank a "seemingly frozen" door you'll break the handle that is stuck locked use a different door of a handle sticks.

Enjoy the x5 best car ever.


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Jump in on the thread about speakers -

Midrange speakers found for $35 (Memphis Audio) and a component set from JL Audio ($150) and a second set of JL midbasses (another component set for $150 and just have spare tweeters, or get them separate for about $130), and the remaining speakers are the rear door midranges -

X5Jay and PropellerHead basically have this all figured out and much less cost than BSW who doesn't even offer speakers for E53's any more.

Is the Disa valve only in the straight six, not found in the V8
Havent seen it in the V8 manifold

Have recently cleaned the Disa valve on the e46 325 I have.

Am also enjoying working on the x5

New tires are finally in and mounted. The Extremecontacts are a significant improvement over the Latitudes. Quieter, better grip, all around better feeling tire.

They are probably the best all season tire that you can get

Yeah, thinking about a second set for the 750il now.

I found that they are doing a clear out sale on the old DWS model. Maybe they have some in your size and you can score a deal.

This is 275/30/20 so you'll have to change the size, but this is the older tire.
ContinentalÂ*ExtremeContact DWS

I got rear ended last night. Hit and run. Hopefully my insurance will be friendly

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psxkqxisyb.jpg

On a positive note, scored another unicorn

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...psi82h2ews.jpg

Looks like a side swipe like somebody drove past while you were parked. Too bad you didn't already have the unicorn (nice) installed. My backpack rack has saved my BMWЯ several times when parked in Chicago.


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It was actually on the freeway. Vehicle came up at a high rate of speed and tried to pass me on the right (I was in the middle lane) I thought they spun out, but they ended up taking off instead.

I'm completely jealous - of the hitch, not the hit and run. Out of curiosity, what is the car the hitch is photographed next to? E9x M3? Looks super familiar.

No DISA valve on V8. I would address 2-4 if they become a problem.

Yes sir, e92 ;)

Hitch will be for sale locally

Suggest you add year and model of your X5 to your signature, is very useful to others.

See OP post following yours on DISA valve. E92 does halve a DISA valve but is not a V8. OP engine is a V8.

Damn man, that sucks about getting hit. I don't think the damage is too bad.

If they replace the whole bumper including spoiler get the old one back and I'll buy the bottom spoiler off you.

Also, I have a spare set of stock taillights with the clear turn signals that you can have if you end up needing them.

Body shop quoted 5800 to repair. Insurance adjuster coming out next to assess. Some damage to th QP. Really hoping adjuster will be friendly and will take care of me. Seems like they only like taking my money and are hesitant giving it back.

I'll keep you posted about the spoiler

Nice. Our fleets are way too similar. Wanna PM me on the hitch? In Issaquah and interested.

What is the fsr?

I agree about the gauge. Im running a 90c thermostat and my operating temperature stays at 87c yet the needle stays past the halfway mark


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FSR Final stage resistor - part of the HVAC systems (temp and fan) High failure part (like 99% at 10+ years)

Roger that!

I keep a working spare on hand so I'm not stranded. I buy aftermarket versions so I don't expect a full 10 year life. :dunno:

Mike

The goofy "idiot gauge" for the coolant temp can be reprogrammed but you need the coding software and a hack with hex editor to modify the code I guess it's not a user-level option but some brainiac figured out which hex bytes set the low and high limits that snap the idiot gauge to noon. It cost me $100s in gas running rich until finally cold weather made cabin cold to indicate thermostat wouldn't close fully

How do you know 99% have failed in 10+ years?

When I am concerned the radiator temp might be too high or low I check it manually when engine is at operating temp or via the OBC. The gauge is relative. If it moves from a cold start position to somewhere near normal that is what I look for it to be each time I read the gauge. Needle location is specific to my X5. If the needle is not in the normal position I know there could be a problem. I check mileage frequently since decreases, variables considered, often indicate something is not working properly. I don't transfer idiot lights to idiot gauges. They are not on or off. The needle moves to some point and stays. If it doesn't get there or keeps going that is as smart as a temp gauge can be.

The problem is the needle will not indicate a low temp problem. My car was running at 160 vs 190 degrees for 1000s of miles causing all sorts of problems (actual damage even). The needle reads "perfectly ok" over about a 40-50° F range and that is way too big of a range hence it really is a "shit is really broken" function; no clue that things may be slightly off. It's not a helpful gauge. It operates exactly like an idiot light. The dial shows some movement when engine is warming up, not a useful function. The fact the heat won't run until coolant is about 100°F is just as useful. The M54 engine at least will run rich until the coolant temp reaches something like 180F. 20+ higher than the gauge indicates good to go. If they were aligned than it would be great. They aren't so it sucks.

Engine should not run rich once it goes into closed loop which happens when cats reach required temp unrelated to the coolant temp. If your gauge is not functioning properly I suggest replacing the sending unit so that it does. A properly working gauge doesn't function as you describe.

No hard stats on vehicles still titled vs parts sold. Would make an interesting grad student marketing project.....
It only seems that way as most everyone has had a failure sometimes in the E39/E53 life. The funny ones are the ones that fail on in garage queens that are just sitting there on battery tenders. I haven't been bit yet but my personal thoughts are I am on borrowed time as three of my cars just sit on tenders.
Indication of super high replace cycles.
The part is now available as a Chinese knockoff, the dealers near me stock 5 at a time due to high demand on 10+ year old cars, and every shop that tinkers on BMWs locally are experts as they are seeing a few each month around here.
All antidotal elements though. No hard stats just frequency of hits on the DIY articles.

The FSU isn't just an E53 failure point, the E38 and E39 have the same exact problem. When I bought my 540i Touring with 176k miles it needed an FSU really badly because the fan would literally run at max speed and it would turn the car into a refrigerator. Funnily enough the old FSU was from 2004, so it had already been replaced once before (the 540i is a 1999 build). According to the Carfax, my X5 4.6 also had the FSU replaced at the dealership at 80k miles in 2009.

You can add E46s to that list :pullhair:

Don't ask me how I know :rant:

Mike

Apparently more related than you think. My mpg jumped 15% immediately upon replacing thermostat. With the defective t-stat, my fake gauge stood at perfect noon any time the ambient temp was over about 40-50°. When it was zero outside the coolant temp never made it to 140 and that was the only time the "gauge" gave me any useful information.

The cabin temp of 10° was more direct feedback

A working "gauge" works exactly as I described: see the thread here: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=854029

This is for the e46, I'm not sure exactly the buffer values for x5 but it's similar.

The coolant temperature "indicator" (most definitely not a gauge) snaps to noon at 75°C and stays stuck at noon until the temp hits 115°C.

167F is not remotely "normal operating temp" and I was told the engine won't kick into closed loop at that temp, the immediate jump of 15% in mpg seems to follow that logic though it could be some other factor of course.

I just know that I drove my e53 many 1000s of miles with coolant temps below 80°C and got terrible mileage. My wife's clone x5 got 23 highway and I got 20-21. Until I replaced the tstat and instantly mine nearly matched hers and I would get 22-23 avg at 75mph.

Not arguing exactly what cause and effect make my mpg horrible but it was 100% the fault of the idiotic temp "indicator" that stays the same for 40°C. (72°F).

It cost me $100s in wasted gas ⛽️ and frozen body during 5-6 trips to/from Chicago when ambient was zero F and I could not warm the cabin above freezing. I had to stop every 20 miles to let the engine warm up enough to get any heat in the cabin and keep the engine running. (At one point the needle pegged high and the elec. fan kicked on: opened the hood and hand on the radiator hose confirmed engine was cool).

Anyhow done with my rant: as soon as possible I will reprogram my temp indicator to have non moronic buffer values like 90-100C.

Cheers.

+1

I think we've done 3 on our 2002 E46.

I've done 2 on my E46 and one on my E53 :pullhair:

Mike

Lubro Moly Pro line engine flush (since I don't know what built up in the engine prior to my ownership 33k miles ago) and another nice OE filter and Rotella T6 oil change, then did my "mid winter cleanup" detail which should almost hold me over till spring.

Hey RB,

thoughts on Rotella T6? I've been using mobil 1 for my oil.
and any steps for mid winter cleanup?

Not RB, but I'll say that I just converted to Shell Rotella T6 after being an AMSOIL (AMO - 100% synthetic 10W-40) user for over 25 years. I run it in all my BMWs and will soon put it in the 4Runner.

I converted to T6 after nearly a full day of researching the specs of the two products. The TBN of the T6 appears to be a little lower than the AMSOIL's 12 in virgin oil analysis reports I have seen, however, I am not driving my vehicles near the 25K miles that the AMSOIL is rated to give (when used with their filters). I am about 8K miles/year on each vehicle. I can change the Mann filters on the BMWs every 6K miles and believe that I can get 12K total miles out of the T6. :dunno: :dunno:

I do like the more modern 5W viscosity of the T6 for my cold weather ops.

The economics in my mind also favor the T6 with a gallon of T6 available at WalMart for ~$22 and 4 quarts of AMSOIL being ~$32, so a delta of about $20 on a typical 8 quart BMW oil change.

Your evaluations for your situation may vary :dunno: :dunno:

Edit: See my E46 posting with oil analysis reports here

E46Fanatics - View Single Post - Shell Rotella T6 - my experience

http://home.earthlink.net/~alan.m.ro...lla5W-40T6.jpg

http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc61f4548.png

Here are the some of the M1 numbers:

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...guide-2016.pdf

and here are some additional virgin oil analyses that I found. Castrol's 5W-50 looks pretty robust in TBN and zinc

http://rennlist.com/forums/attachmen...e_5w-50_sn.jpg

http://rennlist.com/forums/attachmen...5w50_voa_2.jpg

http://rennlist.com/forums/attachmen...il-t6-5w40.jpg

Mike

Love the feedback on the oil. Lumba2 (wife's x5) just lit up oil service a week ago.

Logic makes sense though the forum sampling is extremely small part of the universe of X5s and we hear about those having problems not those that are not.

Took it on a nice snow day. Except 1-2ft in 1 day and bad plowers did not make it easy. (1st pic is mid storm. Last 2 after after)
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...psl1sjn0mz.jpg

Then took a trip to the next town to check on other properties. It was worse XD
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3s7xlfks.jpg
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7gzofzdp.jpg

And there is supposed to be another 1-2 ft this week. We just cleaned what we could and got outa there!

Is that Lake Tahoe?