My 2003 X3 4.4 - Suggestions Welcomed
 

Hey Everyone,

I've been creeping on the forum for a few days now but thought it was as good of a time as any to throw up my first post. (Some great write-ups and rides on here BTW!)

I purchased this 2003 X5 4.4 approximately two weeks ago, and since then its been been pretty solid. It has 149,000 miles, but it was purchased at a reasonable price.

I have a strong desire to do some upgrades and modifications. Anything to make the car look or perform better. My budget is around $1000-$1500.

Completed thus far:
-Clear side markers (not pictured)
-Black grill (not pictured)
-Auxiliary Input Retrofit Kit (ordered)
-Clear tail lights to replace the amber (ordered)
-All-Weather Floor Mats (ordered)
-Tires (now wishing I hadn't and instead bought new rims:dunno:)

Possibly in the works:
-DEPO angel headlamps
-M3 Tri-Colored steering wheel
-OEM Aluminum running boards
-YOUR SUGGESTIONS


So that was the fun stuff. I welcome your suggestions.

Now...

Issues with the X5 thus far:

(1) Putting the car in reverse causes the passenger side mirror to aim downwards, and then I'd say 20% of the time it doesn't return to it original position after putting the car in drive. (Found writeup by member "bulk", will attempt to degrease it this weekend. Thanks!)

(2) The 6-Disk CD changer in the back had a jammed cassette. I read a lot of posts here about it, couldn't unjam it and ended up buying a used one on ebay. It arrives later this week... hope it works.

(3) 10% of the time accelerating the car from a complete stop causes the car to slightly kick/jerk for 1/10th of a second and then engages. I feel like this happens more often after I've driven for a few minutes. I thought I was going crazy but my wife noticed it too. Any idea what expensive fix I am looking at with this one?

Thanks!

1- there is a switch on your mirrors on the driver side to "turn off" the mirrors going down everytime you back up.....its a button that goes Left-Right...its either left of right to turn it off..


-paint the chrome to match your side pillars black..


Here is UncleBucks suggestion Upgrades and so as mine is here too..

hope this helps you with your Mods...

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-upgrades.html

Thanks. I guess I should have read through the manual. I'll give it a try.

Getting rid of the chrome around the windows is definitely something Id consider.

no problem....the button for the mirror is above the windows button..

here is the switch.....

Okay, I can handle that. Nice carbon fiber trim! The wood trim in my car is so scratched, I'm thinking about swapping it all out as well.

I also read through the thread you suggested and also watched the video of the midnight run. Nice!

thanks man...from Unclebucks post..you'll see the whole trims were carbon carbon wrap...since one passenger was crack..i decided to wrap them out of boredom...lol...

here is from the snow we had 2weeks ago...


i wonder if you can see my unlisted on youtube.....

don't mind the titles as i only want certain people i tag with to see my vids...

BMW Project X5's multiply by 4x Playing in the Snow - YouTube

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...aving-fun.html

Welcome to the forum! Looks like you're off to a good start already!

For your mirror: If it doesn't return to the position it was before selecting reverse, it's likely the position contacts need to be cleaned. It involves taking the mirror apart.....theres a good diy for the whole procedure kicking around! The switch on the drivers door just turns the dip feature on/off. :)

:xoutpost:

X5SND gives you good advice on cleaning and lubing the contact in the passenger side mirror. If you DON'T want it to dip when reversing, move the switch to the passenger side and it will stay put. If you want it to dip, move it to the driver side.
What maintenance history does your SAV have? Did you have a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) done? I'm all about mechaniccally sound, then cosmetic when funds allowed.

You might need a tranny fluid replaced. Do NOT flush the tranny!

Save your money for any major repairs that will eventually come up, especially with a car with close to 150,000 miles.

Thats the problem, someone put a cassette in the CD changer. :bustingup