Well I found an extremely gently used OE Hella ballast with 5k miles on it for $190 - yes its more than aftermarket but I like my low beam ballasts to fit like OE

This should cure my random intermittent low beam going on and off (about 3 times in the past 4 months) as I've found its isolated to just one side, but sometimes will freak the LCM out and it shuts down both sides temporarily -

estorilx53, please add year and engine to signature, helpful to others.

I finally got past the 14mpg mark with my X5 4.6! I calculated 14.2mpg at my last fill up (calculated at the pump, not the OBC number). This is with driving it pretty gently and not racing anybody. My commute is still mostly traffic though, so I can't see it getting much better than this. I get about 300 miles out of a gas tank before the gas light comes on.

I recently rebuilt the chain guides + vanos + OSV, as well as installed new spark plugs and a new engine air filter. I'm wondering if getting a new MAF and new O2 sensors would increase my gas mileage— I have 214k miles as of now, no idea whether the MAF or O2's have ever been replaced.

I'm impressed. I don't ever think I've hit 300 miles on a tank even when running it down to the bone. My gas light is on at 250, and that's with everything I can think of in solid shape.

Wow. In the city I'll hit 300+ on our 4.8is. Best tank to date was all highway on a road trim bringing the truck home after purchase from California. 490+ miles. Could have hit 500 according to OBC, but I didn't want to risk running out of gas. :D

I think I could hit 400 on a long road trip, but since my commute is mostly streets and congested highways I'll never get great gas mileage regularly. That's fine with me though, the X5 4.6 only gets 2mpg less than my 540i Touring so it's not that much of a difference in gas per week— maybe like $10 more per tank for the X5.

The 4.8 should theoretically have better mileage than the 4.6 since the N62 is a newer and more advanced engine with Valvetronic and full Vanos. The 6-speed transmissions helps with efficiency quite a bit as well. That being said, I'd rather have my much simpler M62 and 5-speed because I know them very well.

Huh. Guess I need to investigate my mileage. :/

In other news, itscoo2pyopants and I (mostly him if we're being totally honest) put on the OEM tow hitch last night. It took a few hours to get it on but couldn't be more satisfied with the results. I have a sudden urge to tow everything.

Here's a shot with her pants down.
https://dgfg4w-sn3302.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none

On the heals of OrangeFurios' hitch post. I too have some OE hitch goodness to share. Just picked up a used one, had some minor surface rust. Just had them powder coated. They look brandy new!

By the way, the correct screw to use to connect the Pollak trailer electrical connector is M5.80 20mm. The screws pictured are 10mm they are too short.

Nice! Do the install yet? I'm really impressed by how thorough the mounting is.

Unicorns are everywhere!! :rofl:

Nice working with you orange, hope to see you around. I'd love to check out that 750 ;)

I get pretty good gas mileage. Usually around 350 before the light turns on. I do mostly highway cruising for my daily commute. City / traffic driving brings that figure down substantially.