What color wood is this?
 

what color wood do I have?
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2b9f0fbb.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps30a87e51.jpg

Pulled this from the driver door when I removed my door panel

isn't it light poplar?

Is it? Never did find out. Ok light poplar it is :thumbup:

I agree that it looks like Light Polar
http://www.xoutpost.com/733718-post132.html

EDIT: after looking really close at your pics, I'd say it Dark Polar. That's what "DP" stand for, :doh:

I'm going to descent from the rest of the pack :) ....and call it dark (dunkel) poplar.


Since there's no model/model year/build date info...I can't specifically identify where in the production run this X5 falls...but there were multiple "poplar" woods used:

• natur (natural) poplar
• raunchgrau (smoke gray) poplar
• dunkel (dark) poplar
• hell (light) poplar

And I'd assume that the sticker on the back (BMW E53 DP F LH) is probably interpreted as BMW E53 Dunkel Poplar Finish Left Hand. Granted, it can be difficult with wood coloring sometimes since the finish can naturally be slightly different (since the wood veneer is real)...then there is sun/ultra-violet fade as well.

Below is a pic of hell (light) poplar wood...compare the finish to z168...and there is a noticeable difference:

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...ark-poplar.jpg

Qsilver7, I hate how you (almost) always right. You make me look closer at the pics and sure enough "DP = Dark polar" :doh:
:beerchug:

I think if you show better pics of your complete interior it would be easier to see. Light poplar is VERY distinct when shown against the black dash.


It still looks light to me but usually Qsilver isn't wrong! Haha


I want my Light Poplar trim painted so bad, so sick of the wood (but that's not what my wife says :))

I almost went with light poplar since the image of the trim is almost midway between what most would think is light or dark poplar...but the writing on the sticker is what really swayed me to the "dark" side...and again, we have to account for some sunfade depending on how old the trim is (model year) and for varience in the human element, veneer stain & staining process...again based on the production run from 1999-2006. :)

And I could still be wrong...is there a BMW part nbr sribbled into the backing of the trim?

This is an old photo of the day I got it. Here is what the interior looks like. Its an 00 4.4 Sport package

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/406350ff.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/71931206.png

Okay...a 2000 model year...in sunny SoCal...13 years of ultra violet sun rays...yep...that's DP (dunkel poplar) :D :bmw: :D

WOW

dark poplar turned into light poplar!!! I agree, this picture suggests it is a dark poplar.. but the very first picture sure looked like light poplar...:dunno:

remind me not order poplar in any color - imagine if you are ordering a replacement piece based on the original info, and the thing does not match... I've heard the Rolls Royce actually matches the grain and the shade of replacement pieces, regardless of the age of the car (on the customer's dime outside of warranty!!! lol...):nanana:

Dark Polar

That is the first Sport Package equipped vehicle I've seen that does not have a 3 spoke steering wheel (and you can tell its sport package by the anthracite headliner)

I guess MY2000 vehicles were slightly different. Love that oldschool 4:3 nav too! And like I said once the interior is shown it is obvious that is dark poplar, the light poplar looks like "blonde wood" in comparison. But my after 13 years of CA sun it has surely lightened up!

It is weird that for a sport package it does not have a 3spoke wheel nor sport seats. It does have heated wheel and seats which I like

It may just be the photo but the wood looks lighter even in areas not under the sun so its even all through out. And while I kept the X untinted, it was garaged kept by PO and here at home

Hahaha. I updated the map to 2011 but never use it. The only thing stopping me from switching to the 16:9 is that with the 4:3 the buttons are closer to the driver. If I had the parts Id probably switch it to the business CD and MID combo instead. The nav is pretty useless :confused:

My 2003 does not have sport seats which irks the hell out of me, however I have full sport package. BMW must have had a chuckle with people who ordered the sport package:

"Hey this ones got a sport package, do we have any 3 spoke wheels in the box?"

"Na, they're coming in tomorrow on the truck, just put a regular one in her"


3 years later:

"Hey Don are we all out of sport seats? I need two for this one that's got sport package"

"Nope we only have regulars and comfort seats. Truckload of sport seats aren't due for a week and we have orders to fill, the comfort seats aren't an option since we charge extra for them, just put regular ones in there I'm sure the customer won't notice!"

I would kill for factory 16:9 Nav with MK4 DVD, $2800 retrofit and I know all you guys like to say how the nav is useless etc, but try driving a car for 5 years with factory Navigation then going without, having the active map alone is missed, nothing like being stuck in traffic and being able to zoom out to find side roads to dip out on, and it beats pulling out the shitty iPhone maps lol!

And before you say it, DSP models get screwed because I can't put a Dynavin in there without rewiring the whole audio system and deleting the DSP amp.

I have that 4:3 Nav on the 3.0, but I would rather use my iPhone5 for navigation instead. The screen angle makes it pretty much useless in bright daylight. The mess-up screen from the PO makes it even worse.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psad995267.jpg

You really only have to tap into a handful of wires with DSP. You can leave the DSP amp in place.

Splice between the fakra cable and the output side of the DSP amp. For most people, the Dynavin's built in amp has plenty of power.

If you could link me some instructions or tips so I can see what you talk about I would be interested to research this option, when you say tap into a handful of wires, which wires are we talking about?

The top of the DSP amp has three connectors. One of those goes straight to the speakers. The other has the amp power, a few speaker cables, and the cables to the subs.

There's a wiring diagram floating around, but it may be easier to just tone the twisted pairs. It's best to use a 3 way crossover in the mix so you can split the signal to all of your speakers. The Dynavin fakra cable has standard color wires for the speaker connections. You connect the Dynavin speaker wire to the input on the crossover, then connect the two outputs on the crossover to drive your tweeter/mids. You have to get a bit creative to get the subs and dash mids driven, but it does work.

that said, Id want to switch out the Nav for an Indash CD and MID. Anyone know if that is a plug and play initiative?