Not going to start a new thread or anytihng but here is a good video of an X5 showing handling prowess whilst switching from RWD to LWD (Right Wheel Drive and Left Wheel Drive).

http://youtu.be/oTRGPaiHM18

What's your model year & mileage? Just curious as a possible example of time measurement of suspension life span. :)

I just had the front lower control arms w/ball joints replaced on my 06 4.4 with 123575 miles.

I bought my 02 3L quite recently (about 9 months ago with 187500km or 116500 miles).
At the time of purchase, noticed the front suspension components were done due to clunking and vibration. I wasn't sure control arm or tension struts caused the symptoms, but decided to just replace all while I'm in there, because if one failed, the other is most likely done as well.

Bought all Meyle or Meyle HD stuff and everything went smoothly except removing lower ball joint which I ended up realizing I need to remove CV to bang it from the top.

I got my car back from the mechanic, and it drives great now minus squeaking from rear. Need to do the same for rear as well. Darn....

Thanks for additional info. :thumbup:

Today was nav projects. I pulled the unit out of the dash and replaced the screen due to dead pixels and while I had it out I added the factory Aux input, too. I added mine in the ash tray instead of the glove box. I just think it makes a lot more sense there.

Of course, once I got everything put back in and tested it I found that my screen is one that needs horizontal shifting to correct the offset. Which, of course, requires complete removal of the screen from the unit again. Another project for another day.

Then I washed it up nice now that we're mostly thawed here.

So I had myself a crack at the top of the radiator. No water pump problems, but decided to do clutch (wrong part arrived), waterpump, belts and hoses while I was at it. Put everything back together, only snapped one harmonic balancer bolt. Developed leak at base of waterpump, or so I thought. Removed waterpump replaced gasket, leak still there, but slower. Turns out it was the small pipe behind waterpump... argh

Finally got around to having my friend Sam install my rear spoiler and do my exhaust. If anyone in the New England area ever needs exhaust work done this is the guy. He did a completely custom xpipe because I wasn't a fan of the fitment and quality of my magnaflow on my previous 4.8.

It took him about 5 hours to get everything perfect but the end result is exactly what I wanted. I attached one half decent pass by and will get some more clips later on for anyone interested.

Don't mind the crappy pic quality.
http://youtu.be/FDHKoESRaeo


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...o/IMG_5725.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/IMG_5721.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/IMG_5723.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/IMG_5728.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O...o/IMG_5729.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...o/IMG_5730.JPG

What brand of rear spoiler did you go with? Any links?

Gloss black? I like the contrast

Stephen that is the ACS rep spoiler, you can get it primed for about $50 or pre-painted and shipped from Taiwan (color matched) for about $90 delivered.

I got mine last year for $90, came in 2 weeks, perfect color match, and had double stick tape and prep solv pads for install, was hands down one of the best bang for the buck modifications I did. Search ebay for "e53 lip spoiler"

Second one I bought from
Carbon Fiber BMW 2000 2006 x5 E53 Sport Rear Wing Roof Spoiler | eBay

Both had good fit and nice quality. Takes 6 weeks to get it but I wasn't in a rush.

Pic of my Lemans for reference:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/8...7a985aa0_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8...f542c2b8_b.jpg
Carbon Fiber. My first one took 2 weeks this one took way longer.