New E53 owner here.
 

Got a great deal from a buddy on his 2002 X5 3.0 w/ 115k miles https://www.flickr.com/photos/99228274@N00/13925931595/
I'm still searching for the right 4.8is in Lemans Blue to come along, but this was a no-brainer interim X5. It will take over DD activity from my E36M3 as it becomes more of a track/autox only machine.

to-do list:

• radio/obc pixels ... or lack of pixels. Can't read anything on the display. Apparently a very common issue. This ribbon cable supposedly fixes this? AKSpeedo
• need an aux input for the stereo ... I can't stand listening to the radio
• Pass side window slow or doesn't go down at all. Apparently another common issue.
• Pass side rear window randomly goes all the way down upon engine startup. I'm guessing the door switch is bad?
• Front wiper washer pump doesn't come on. Fuses look fine so maybe the pump is just dead?
• Tow hitch to occasionally pull the M3 to the track. Been told OEM is the only way to go on hitches if you pull a car.
• Front lights are heavily hazed/cloudy.

I look forward to learning about the little quirks of the X5 from everyone :-)

:xoutpost: It reminds me of our old 3.0 when we first bought it.

FYI: ConcreteDonkey has a "Pixel Fixed Giveaway"

Welcome! Toothpaste/lemon juice work pretty good on renewing lights. That window is a pita, i had to get 2 regulators and a motor in the span of 4 days lol.

Toothpaste and lemon juice eh? I also saw a thread somewhere about 1000grit wet sanding.

Thanks! I dig your 4.8is! I've been hunting LeMans Blue ones for about 6mos now. Hopefully the right one comes along eventually :-)

Yep, thats what we did on my uncles lexus.

:wavey: Welcome aboard!

Welcome. The 3M headlight polish kit [the one that uses a power drill], works well on the headlights. I poster here recently did a great job using, I believe, the comparable drill-driven sylvania? kit, which may be a rebrand of the 3M. To tow 'heavy,' as in hauling an E36 on a trailer to the track, you will need an OEM tow kit. Very hard to come by. I posted a list in early December, from a search done by the helpful guys at Morristown, NJ BMW, and I doubt stocks have been refurbished since then. The OEM aux stereo input, giving you a 3.5mm input, is commonly available, on Amazon and via ECSTuning, I believe, among other sources. Search and you will find on the window fixes, etc. Congrats on joining us at a very civil and helpful enthusiasts website!

Welcome!

Be sure your are well informed before you DIY the pixel fix, many farm that out.

There are several way to update your radio beyond an auxiliary plug. If the AUX is your only goal TerminatorX5 is a great source for DIY.

There are a many threads that you can search to address window issues. To test if the window switch is the problem I would try the switch on the other side to see if the window still goes down or swap them side to side to see if the problem moves.

Before replacing the washer pump I would check to see if current is getting to the pump when you try the washers.

I don't recall an endorsement for anything other than OEM hitch.

I used the 3M kit for a power drill for the headlights. Mine looked good but the coating was spiderwebbed. Based on how long it took me, I would not recommend doing it by hand. The 3M kit takes the guesswork out of what to use when, directions are good. Consider removing the headlights to eliminate any chance of sanding something you don't want sanded. You can also tape around the headlights. I had mine on the bench because I was also upgrading them and noticed that the pad walked off the lens several times that I was't quick enough to stop. I found the key is to spend as little time as possible on the coarser grits so sanding marks don't run too deep. I had the best results by working on about a 4 inch section at a time so anything I did wrong was limited to a small area that was easier to correct. I didn't do the above on the first headlight. I am passing all this on so you can avoid the PITA the first headlight was. The primary reason I used the 3M kit is it seemed to me a lot of forum members recommended it and I had tried other branded options that if they ever did squat I wouldn't be able to by then.

Welcome man .. looks like mind with different rims lol Keep it maintained and it will love you back :)