Don't forget to buy new reinforcement plate bolts when you do the front diff. The bolts are one time use since you torque+ them.

I'm interested too.

I have DSP/no Nav, looking to get rid of the Garmin unit suction cupped to the windshield.

In 11 yrs the X has yet to have any wiring cut/spliced/added (except for tow module/harness, OE), want to keep it that way.

Torque+ them?

These are the same bolts which go through the anti-roll bar mounts I think, do they also have a nut on top? I was planning to change those this weekend and brought two spare bolts/nuts incase I snapped one as I took a look at them last weekend and they are very tight.

Yes, those bolts. There is like 8 or 10 or so of them. Essentially when you tighten, you tighten to the torque spec (80ft lb for example) then you tighten a full 90degrees beyond. This deforms the head of the bolt. That's why you need to replace the bolt when you remove them.

The thread area stretches/deforms on "torque to yield" fasteners. As the "yield" in the name implies, the tensile strength of the bolt materal is exceeded with the "+90 deg" 2nd stage of tightening.

Stiffener plate bolts MUST BE REPLACED after each removal. A set runs around $25.

:iagree:

This has been discussed multiple times. The bolts are a "one time use". Buy the set and replacement them if you are pulling off the reinforcement plate. A few of the bolts are a PITA. Not real complicated process. BMW is the only source.

Some of you have plates which you can clean up to a nice and shiny state. Us 4.8is owners got the black steel one, that always looks ....well flat black.:rolleyes:
What the hell? I want under car bling! I do the oil changes and the least BMW could have done was give us some high gloss at least!

Ha ha

Just spent July & Aug traveling from ID to NJ, NC, SC, TH and back. Entering NJ I noticed 4"w x 7"h area in the center of the windshield with 7-8 vertical white lines. (????) So, new windshield. Then a week later the wire to the GPS receiver broke due to pinching by the new windshield. non-stock Alpine item..., 3 days to find one in CA + $75 overnight shipping. In SC the bumper got repainted thanks to an 18yr old running into it while I was stopped at a red light.

So my X5 came home looking better than it had when I left home over 6000 miles ago.

I just installed new monroe oespectrum shocks (very nice!). Installed guage rings, coded the X5 sidemarkers off, replaced fuel filter, replaced tie rods, activated euro flashers, tinted tail lights, also installed running boards from taiwan, saved alot of money, installed easy and they look OEM. Pictures of the build coming soon!

Yeah, the gauge rings are a cheap/easy mod that's always visible to the driver.....

yeah, i think it adds a little flair. Oh also forgot to add, I think i solved the transmission shifting issues common with the X5 Zf trans. I did front and rear diffs with Amsoils 75W90 severe gear and shifting improved quite a bit, also seems to turn and overall drive smoother. Im going to do the transmission fluid soon (9500 miles till i hit 100k).