Wish I hadn't sold my 540i6 or my '94 325is. The 540 was my first endeavor into BMW and I was in over my head when it needed a cooling system overhaul. I laugh about that now. And I had the most money in the 325 but I got the most money out! I had an EVO3 SSK+DSSR+ERK+RK5 knob set. like 700 bones to UUC. They really do make some nice stuff.

UPDATE!: New lock cylinder in and working. I am now just waiting for a little tax money to come in to get my set of E46 sport seats. And I have a set of BBS RC090, aka Style 5s I am going to sell to fund my new stereo. I would be willing to cut a nice deal to anyone here who wanted them shipped. PM me.

X5 was unable to start this morning when I went to leave for work. I didn't drive it on sunday. Not sure what the issue is with it yet. I will likely test it for parasitic draw.

My BMW Scanner 1.4.0 came in the mail today! 2 weeks faster than the earliest anticipated date too. That's even fast for the Chinese! I am really impressed with the build quality for 25 bucks. The cord, port, and cd are all of some nice construction. I will test it tomorrow and see what I really got.

Unlock your OBC and see how your alternator is running, test 9 I believe for voltage.

Has your battery been replaced? E53 very sensitive to a healthy battery

battery and alternator were both replaced by the PO's indie just a couple months before I got it. I have yet to do the unlock test.

Most likely a parasitic draw that is killing the battery.

I tried the unlock test. I was unable to get it to give me a reading, it just kept restarting.

I disassembled the rear hatch switch today. The connector was burnt and melted together. I cut out the destroyed wiring and rewired it. I got the plate lights to work but not the microswitch. The switch was detached from the unit, appeared to be broken. I will likely play with it again or look for a parts car in the spring.

I installed and successfully used PA Soft BMW Scanner 1.4.0.7 today using Windows 7 Professional x64 bit. IT WAS NOT EASY! DAMN! I can not stress how something as simple as this reminds me just how out of touch I am with computers and technology.
At first install I got the software together, but it was unable to recognize the hardware. The solution was to understand the product! The OBDII adaptor has a chip in it that converts serial to USB. the chip is made an FDTI. I needed to get a driver for this chip. I then spent about 40 mins trying to figure out why I was getting a "Faulty Harware" message. I continued to read and found out this is normal if the OBD connector is not connected to the car. Here are some links to help the next person.
BMW Scanner 1.4.0 Advanced Setup Guide
Feedback on BMW Scanner 1.4.0 - BMWClubMalaysia.com Forums

I can't even tell you what I went through for this! I tried 3 different drivers for the scanner, I tried installing windows virtual machine and then virtual XP. I couldn't get any of these options to work. Subsequently, the features I noticed missing were the top two modules, the DME being one of them. I have read there is a fix for this, I will look it up and report back.

I had numerous errors at first scan, I reviewed them but didn't find anything overtly scary. I then ran 2 more scans and clears and these were the only errors that remained.
Not an error, but this says the EWS thinks this is an automatic. is this normal?
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps7399c636.png
Here is the error for the DTC. anyone have any input for this?
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps6544c97f.png
And this is the Climate Control Module. What is an AUC sensor?
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...psc7b57184.png

Doesnt look like you have any errors to worry about, the brake force distribution shows up on everyones scans, its prob a defective false error of sorts

Bianca98: I believe the AUC sensor is an air quality sensor that monitors the air quality being fed into the car's cabin.

X-friends, please correct me if I am wrong.

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Climate Control - 64116917001 - Air Quality Sensor - ES#176686

Well that's a little spendy all things considered, but perhaps the reason I get no heat up top...hmm.

I have been researching adding aux-in to my CD43. looks like the GROM kit is the cheapest add on. I did find this though:
BMW CD Radio [BM008] : Factory Radio Service, Car Factory Radio Services

For about 80 bucks, that is definitely the cheapest option. I would like to talk to them though to actually find out what it is they are doing. If they are just adding the BMW aux kit, well I can do that. But as far as I know you need a CD53 to have it be direct plug and play. Still researching.

Updates: Picking up my heated/sport/E46 seats this Sunday. Guy is giving me a decent deal. As long as they are in the condition he says they are, it should be a very clean install. If they aren't, the E46 ///M seats I had in my E36 are available and at a better price even! they came out of a wreck and are manual adjustment though. I would rather go leather and power for the X.

Just put in another order on Ebay! ABS Grills, hood props, E70 wiper (last guy cancelled my order because the last unit in stock was damaged), and the aFe intake filter cleaner. I also have my maintenance and upkeep order started. Fuel filter, plugs, cabin filter, oil kit. I also intend to do a full coolant flush, trans, and diffs.

Parts of the transmission/suspension feel a little sloppy. I need to have it diagnosed. Feels like the flex disc/guibo is shot. There is some pulsation when braking and at highway speeds. nothing major, but these things tend to implode quickly if left unattended.

The shift assembly is GARBAGE! neutral position is under 5th gear, it has nearly 2in of play while in gear. and it has lateral, horizontal, and vertical play. It has me considering a full shift bushing refresh with a SSK install but I am also considering cheaping out. I might look into a shorter throw OEM shift arm but often times these are spendy anyways.

MID display is nearly inop, heavily unreadable. Ribbon cables can be had for under 20 bucks so I am considering tackling this DIY. Anyone here tried fixing theirs?

In regards to my EML/throttle situation I think it is a fault in either the intake, IACV, or DISA. I'm not sure when I will have time to diagnose, but for the time being I am just driving very leisurely.

Anyone with input on any of the above feel free to chime in!