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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