What a great welcome! Certainly stands out from all the others--great insight to how well you must get along in this world. What perception to notice OP was asking for your opinions. I do have a small suggestion for the future welcomes--don't bother.

Hmmm, I wasn't really interested in any of your suggestions before that little hissy fit, let alone after!

In case you hadn't noticed, this is a forum. The Oxford dictionary has it as 'a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged'. I sincerely hope that doesn't need explaining any further.

No, the OP didn't directly ask for an opinion, then again, neither did I. Neither of us had to. Why? Because it is what it is, a FORUM.

The fact that the OP posted photos is (and for you not to know is a great insight into how you get along in this world) a way of seeking affirmation from the viewer. It's the same if you were to show a photo of your car, house, boat, or kids to another person. You expect a response. Why are you showing it if you don't?? The 'norm' is to expect a good response like 'wow, that looks great', even though the person is lying throught their teeth just to be kind. However I am not the kind of person that lies to be kind. Lies are for kids who know no better. I don't like the interior. Build a bridge, get over it.

And what great perception of you to not notice the fact that I gave advice to help him out with his search for the manifold. What did you do to help?

Thanks for your opinion.

Its been fully waxoiled underneath, so its in great condition

I appreciate your thoughts on the interior, personally i think it looks more classy having a contrasting coloured interior, as opposed to the full black setup. I was lucky enough to find the exact colour combination i was after, so am more than happy with it. If they did a dark red leather OEM trim, that would have been a preferred choice

With regards to the silver inserts, i hate them. Judging by the flawless finish on them, i assumed they were a factory item but i would of personally liked the dark wood trim. Im still in 2 minds as to what to do with them, because they are in such great condition, i was thinking of having them dipped in a dark wood finish.

It's funny some people love the wood trims some hate them. I think your graphite trims look perfect but you hate them lol!

Hi and welcome:thumbup:

Congrats on the X5.Nice example you have there.Like the black roundels and the black grills.
BTW,First time I heard anyone here ask a new member(you) about rust condition of an X5!!TTTTT!
I have a pre-facelift (2003) 3.0D and one of the few members with the Diesel here!Unfortunately and I can say this because its true!We get a bit forgotten and recently when a new thread was created "which is the best X5?",the 3.0D wasnt an option!But guess what!I voted for the 3.0D in a post ,anyway:D

Back to your question where to get an exhaust manifold,outside BMW dealer?
Your manifold is stainless steel and cracks ,my manifold is OE cast iron and lasts longer and is cheaper to buy from the dealer.You can buy cast iron manifolds from Ebay NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD BMW E60 E61 E65 X5 3.0d 2.5d M57 M57N 325d 330d 525d 530d | eBay they may not be much cheaper than the dealer and hardly any warranty!At the dealer ,they will want you to give your old one in return.The part number you want is 11622248166.
Here are some illustrations,for you understand better

+1:thumbup:
He hasnt helped the OP at all!All he did was give him a name of one of 1000s of online car parts websites,where you need to put in your car details,name and the part you require and then wait days for an reply!Ironically ,he has a 4.4i ,so he doesnt even know if that parts website has a manifold for a Diesel:stickpoke

I apologize. I shouldn't have made it personal.

My point is--

I think it is our responsibility to welcome new members in a very positive manner. Our responses will be the first impression of the forum, and, at that juncture, reflect on the entire membership.

When someone posts they just bought an X5 and post pictures, I agree, it is because they are proud and pleased and feel a great place to share that is with other X5 enthusiasts. Yes, I think they expect, and should expect, as common curtesy, positive feedback. As you mention that's normal. Seems to me that is the time when--if we can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all should reign supreme, leaving the responses to others.

I applaud OP for taking the high road.

Obviously you (yet again) have absolutely NO IDEA about anything outside your tiny bubble. Partgateway.co.UK is probably the best 'gateway' to everything I have ever wanted secondhand parts-wise over many years IN THE UK.

And of course I don't know if they have a manifold for a diesel you complete and utter cretin, just as much as I don't know what next weeks lottery numbers are!!! The whole point of that site (though I thought you knew everything) is that you tell them what you are looking for and they do the searching for you. Jesus Christ man, what is wrong with you?

And as for putting up all that foreign-language-loaded information, well, that's quite an assumption you've made there about the OP's knowldege isn't it? All he asked for was WHERE TO GET A MANIFOLD FROM. 'Here you go dummy, have something you didn't ask for'.

That's quite a 'welcome' yourself.

Thank-you for the apology, it's very decent of you. Though I have to say it is not the OP that has taken the high road, it is you. And for that I commend your humility.

And what I mean by the OP not taking the high road is that I don't believe he has taken offence-as none was given, nor intended. Firstly, he is from the UK, secondly he is from the South East which is where I am from. That means if he had taken offence he would have said so, and promptly ripped my head off (albeit in cyberspace), and I would have accepted that. Its the way of the world where I am from. I don't wish to get into a 'peoples attitudes due to their geographic locations' discussion, but this is what I believe, particularly in this case. If I am wrong then I am wrong.

Yes there is the saying don't say anything if its not nice etc etc, but I don't operate that way. If I have an opinion, I will share it. If that opinion is not liked... oh well.

WOW!!! :wow:

I remember i had some interactions with you in some of the threads and you seemed to be an adequate person... This last post of yours proves me wrong...

However, and it is strictly my personal opinion about your behaviour in this forum, this type of language is totally uncalled for.

I am about to report your post to the moderators and if you care to insult me in your next post, I will personally lobby the forum creators and moderators that you, and your IP, are blocked from accessing this site.