Pulley/tensioner kits
 

Being a bimmer noob, I'm wondering if you guys know of any sites where I might get a package deal on the pulleys/tensioners, belts and water pump and radiator hoses. I'm planning to do this just for peace of mind for future road trips. Might be taking the X on a 2500 mile ride into the Canadian outback. I'd use my cousin to do the job, but I don't want to buy parts through him, as he likes to give himself a good markup.


Thanks in advance, and may your X inspire your friends and keep your enemies green with envy :thumbup:

I haven't seen anyone selling a package, but the parts list isn't too large where you couldn't go on any site and put together a package.

ECS

fcp euro in groton, ct sells tensioner kits (and the other bits you are looking for). I've had excellent luck buying from them.

ecs

Scramble ecs = sec

Go Auburn Tigers

http://www.trussvilletribune.com/wp-...TigersLogo.jpg

I just go through the "engine" and "cooling" sections of ECS website and fill my cart up with the appropriate parts (and making sure on RealOEM the parts are correct):

When I bought my tensioners, belts, etc from ECS it wasn't many parts, I purchased a hydraulic tensioner unit for the main belt, an ac belt tensioner, new idler pulley and hardware, and the 2 belts.

If you go on ECS "cooling" section they sell a "level 1" cooling replacement kit for 400 bucks, which includes a new T-stat, aux fan switch, upper and lower rad hoses, water pump, and a gallon of coolant. Make sure you get the kit that is "OEM Genuine parts" only, our cars are very sensitive with cooling system as is, and as X5SND will chime in, he originally had a GEBA water pump replacement which he is now switching out because of sub-par performance compared to stock. Get the OEM water pump and the OEM cooling kit.

Thanks, guys, will check ECS... wonder if I'd get ganked with customs duties. BTW, Contitech, the ECS-assembled kit (mixed aftermarket and BMW parts) or all genuine BMW?

For the pump I'd highly recommend sticking with the OEM unit....but it's not necessary.

It may not be an issue in Toronto as you guys don't get quite as cold as us here in Winterpeg, but after switching to the Geba pump, when the revs dropped down to idle the heat would cool off a few degrees. The Tstat is new, along with the other 99% of my cooling system, so What I believe to be the issue is the sloppy cast impeller. If you put a Geba side by side with the OEM composite impeller you'll see what I mean. Again, for 95% percent of people the Geba will be ok....it's because I live in an ice chest that I am able to notice any difference.

Personally I'm not a fan of rebuilt units (the only option for an OEM pump) and as such have opted for the Stewart unit from ECS.

Hmm... I'll go with oem. Last thing I need is for the heat not to stay hot on a road trip to BC in the winter. :P

It's not an issue when you have the revs up, but rather only below 12-1500 rpm. Keep in mind I'm talking about an issue that only becomes prevalent at temps around -25*C and colder.

Last time I crossed Canada by car, it was -46, and the heat in my pickup died.... don't want to take any chances ;)

FWIW, I used these parts on my install:

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Drive Belts ES#517967 Hydraulic Alternator Belt Tensioner Conversion Kit - 11287838797

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Drive Belts ES#259467 Idler Pulley - 11287841228

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Drive Belts ES#14608 Idler Pulley Securing Bolt - 07119904677

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Drive Belts ES#21662 Protection Cap - 11281730349

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Drive Belts ES#205356 Mechanical A/C Belt Tensioner Assembly - 11287512758

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E53-X5-...Belts/ES10333/

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E53-X5-...Belts/ES10334/

The Genuine BMW belts are made by continental so I didn't have a problem using the Contitech belts in place of it, to save a few bucks. The whole tensioners/belts/pulleys replacement was done over a year ago on my X and not a single issue. For what its worth, I already had a hydraulic tensioner kit installed on my X but I bought the "conversion kit" from ECS because I like how they package new hardware with it.

Pay close attention to the part numbers on the A/C tensioners. Despite ecs listing 5 different units across 2 different styles (part numbers), only one will work on your X. Verify which one you have before ordering! :thumbup:

Hmm... how do I tell without taking it off? Sorry, bit of a newb here, most I ever did to a car before was change a thermostat:P

Have any of you in Canada ever used www.autopartsway.ca?
ECS has a good reputation, but I'll have to pay big customs duties.

I'm not sure why they show 2 different styles. I just looked at what mine had before I ordered. Check realoem with your vin...

I use ECS for all my parts. The border is about an hour away for me, so I just ship them up to a parcel service and hop across to grab them. Even after duties and exchange it's still a significant savings compared to what I would get them for locally.

I can't cross the border. :(

Let the shipper know you're going to broker the parts yourself. Ups will bring them across the border, but hold them in a bonded warehouse until you take the paper work to customs and clear the items. The carriers don't like it because they can't charge you their outrageous brokerage fees...and they try to be difficult about it sometimes, but it's perfectly legal. Should still save you a ton of cash for getting parts from south of the border without having to cross it.

I'll just buy the parts from inside Canada. My last experience with Canadian customs was such that I won't go near the border ever again, unless I'm leaving for good.