Intro/Mod/Service History Thread for Our X5
 

I figured it was about time to post a thread for our X5 that we purchased in June of this year. I had been looking for a couple of months for a new "baby mobile" as we had quickly outgrown our full size sedan (2013 Loaded Kia Optima SX). Our, at the time, 6 month old and her accompanying accessories were making it difficult to make trips to the grocery store or elsewhere without sacrificing bringing something or limiting purchases.

June 22, 2014

So two months into the search I planned a day trip to Houston while the wife stayed home in San Antonio to watch the little one. I had 3 or 4 vehicles picked out of autotrader and craigslist to take a look at. All 4.4i sports... if I was going to sacrifice mileage, I was going to have fun doing it. :D I looked at all of those and was extremely disappointed all but one of them. The descriptions and pictures grossly misrepresented the actual condition. So, it was still earlyish and I decided to just drive around as Houston has TONS of little "dealerships" that are basically curb stoner lots.

After driving around for an hour or two and checking out one of two more X's that I passed on (didn't have sport seats/pkg) I found a small lot that specialized in work type vehicles and duallys. They X they had was an acceptable color combo and appeared to be well cared for aesthetically. It had been hit on the front right but had been repaired with factory BMW parts (still had the parts tags on a few of them). They had it priced at $11995 with 109,200 miles on the clock. I took a video and test drove it. Drove fine with a few suspension type issues, but I expect that of almost every used BMW I test drive. Not being knowledgeable on the platform I did miss the torn CCV diaphragm and valve stem seals (not bad but need replacing). They had cleaned the bay up a lot so I also missed the leaking valve cover gaskets, upper timing cover gaskets, and possibly alternator bracket gasket.

I decided I really liked this one and even if it needed $2000 worth of work, I'd still come out ahead of the ~$13000 suggested retail if I got it for $10000 out the door. Gave the dealer my offer and he took it. Told him I had to go back to San Antonio and show the wife for final approval but I already had my check and could email him the info the next day to finalize the purchase. Had dinner with a buddy in Houston, showed him the vid (he approved... also a BMW fanatic), and drove back home to show the wife. Below is the video I showed her.



July 6, 2014

- The story is getting a bit long... so suffice it to say the wife really liked the truck and okay'd it. I purchased the vehicle the next day taking care of all the paperwork through email. Picked the truck up a couple weeks later and drove it straight to my buddies tire shop where I had wheels/tires waiting to go on it before driving it back to San Antonio. The ones on the X were shot. We sold our Kia Optima SX to Carmax a month later after we were sure we wouldn't need/want it. We never wanted to drive it anymore after getting the X. My wife and I were happy to once again be an all BMW family (4 of them).

-Replica style 336 wheels: $859 & Tires cost me $800

Ebay Staggered 336 Reps

Front:
- 20x9.5
- et 45
- hub 72.56 (need small hub rings for hub centric fit, I run without rings no problem though) Have rings and will install on next rotation.
- Toyo Proxes 275/40/20

Rear
- 20x10.5
- et 40
- hub 72.56 (need small hub rings for hub centric fit, I run without rings no problem though) Have rings and will install on next rotation.
- Toyo Proxes 315/35/20


http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/DSC_0185.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/DSC_0187.jpg

- Installed retractable black cargo cover for power recline seats purchased off a member here on Xoutpost. Thanks!

- Installed new battery in the key we got with the X. It would not work with central locking and that was getting annoying with the wife and kiddo. Easy fix for less than $10.

July 18, 2014

- Replaced the factory nav screen with a unit ordered from ebay @ $124.00. Old had 4 failure dots and did not look good at all.

- Also installed new floor mats that had been ordered from BMW Parts and Accessories at GetBMWparts.com @ $117.95.

- Removed all the faux wood trim dash kit that previous owner had installed. That made everything so much nicer alone. The stuff was everywhere.

July 20, 2014

- Removed all OEM wood trim (including center console) and wrapped with carbon fiber vinyl. I had this lying around from a previous project and it really helped to update the interior look of the vehicle. Looks like I don't have any good pics of this... I'll take some later and upload them.

August 6, 2014

- Had rear wheels aligned to correct excessive camber. Wanted to preserve the $800 20" tires as long as possible.

- Installed new license plate mount for the front and rear on the X5 purchased at local BMW Center. The previous owner had ghetto rigged a mount on there.

August 30, 2014

- Installed new CCV diaphragms on both valve covers. One was still good, but I replaced anyway. $38.10

- Replaced illuminated divers door handle. PO must have worn rings and scratched that one up severely. It was the only scratched one and now they all look great. My OCD can get expensive sometimes. $59.83

- Replaced passenger rear window regulator. Purchased truck with bad regulator. Upon opening the other doors they have been replaced at some point so maybe I won't have to do one for awhile. Depending on what brand they used anyway. $140.33

- Replaced all wiper blades and installed a new front windshield washer pump. Needs a new rear one also, but not too worried about that ATM. $50.33

- Installed complete interior LED bulb kit from ebay. Also installed some LED lights in the puddle lights (I had these from another car) under the folding mirrors. Very happy with these upgrades as ~5k light frequencies are much more pleasing to my wife's and my eyes. We even run that color temp LED's in all our house fixtures when possible. $32.95

- Put in a black OEM cargo liner ordered used off ebay

October 13, 2014

- Picked up new OEM key from local BMW Center. We like to have at least 2 keys for all vehicles and the X only came with 1. $180.86

October 27, 2014

- Picked up the X5 from our local premium detail shop. They do really good work and take good care of your vehicle. Cost $1281.67. They did:

- painted kidney and hood grilles gloss black

- wrapped door pulls in graphite vinyl to match illuminated door handles (original finish was scratched and marred)

- re-tint the whole vehicle w/ 25% Renegade window film

- headlight correction

- paintless dent removal for 2 dents on hood and 1 on roof

- 3 step paint correction, polish, and seal

- apply Opti-Coat (3 year warranty). This stuff is amazing. Always looks like I just waxed the vehicle.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/DSC_0168.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/DSC_0165.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/DSC_0166.jpg

- I installed a new set of wind deflectors over all the windows. We were missing one from purchase... OCD kicked in again. $78.73

December 17 - 21, 2014

- Installed Avin Avant 2 head unit and accessories. Yep, this took me 5 days as an ex-pro installer. I pulled the entire interior and followed factory wiring paths. The rear cam install itself took a whole day, but that is mostly due to fitment issues. I'll detail all of this in a DIY thread and file.

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/CAM00421.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/DSC_0107.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/DSC_0156.jpg

Future plans/needs

- As mentioned above the X needs some suspension work. Only noticed failed front tension arm bushings while under it (exacerbated by oil leaks), but I am going to replace the ball joints on the arms as well.

- X5 also needs new motor mounts as too much engine vibe is transmitted into chassis.

- Vehicle leaks oil at a decent rate of ~1qt/2000 miles. I need to do valve cover gaskets, upper timing cover gaskets, alternator housing gasket (not sure, but it's getting done), and all various seals for sensors/actuators.

- Valve stem seals... the biggie!

Overall, I think the vehicle was a decent purchase @ $10k but I have bought about $1200 worth of parts (I have parts for most of the above future list) so far and have more to buy. And a bunch more worth of wheels/tires and upgrades. Still you don't buy cars to make money... and I plan on keeping forever (I can do motor/trans swaps in my garage if necessary) so we are happy with the purchase. Let me know what you think of the vehicle... did we over pay? No offense will be taken, as I said, I am new to the platform and have learned a bunch here already.:cool:

Thanks for reading.:thumbup:

Thanks for the write up and the correct focus on expectations vs something else. I did like the stripped interior shot while you installed everything. Shows attention to detail that is always too lacking on some projects.
Great job, good purchase (as if you needed someone else to say that) and once again welcome to the family.

Nice work! This blog like thread reminded me of -> Doug's Domain

More power to you ( audio guru) and to your wife ( interior restoration/detail expert)

Great thread. Enjoy your attention to detail. I think we have walked very similar paths in the short months of ownership! Mine is booked for full correction and opti-coat at end of Jan.


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Congratulations on a nice x5. Awesome work.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Avant 2. And I must say, I really like the rest of your fleet.

Thanks for the kind words. My OCD kicks in most of the time and makes me spend an inordinate amount of time (and money sometimes) to get things the way I want them. I must say though that I could not recommend an E53 X5 to anyone who could not work on them. The cost of the stuff I have done/will do at a shop would almost surpass what we paid for vehicle.

Thanks for the compliments. Will keep this thread updated.

Sounds like it! You'll love the Opti-Coat. So much easier to keep the vehicle clean. Don't know if you guys can get Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax over in Oz... but the detail shop turned me onto the stuff. It's amazing. I can wash my cars in the garage now and they come out great. The wife and I would love to make it to the Australian Open one of these years... we both play tennis.:thumbup:

Thanks for posting that... haha now I have yet another BMW bookmark. And, yes my wife and I both have OCD problems... we are aware. ;)

LOL... I am 18 pages into the writeup for the DIY w/ pictures. It's pretty detailed. Non-nav installers will have a much easier time of it... unless installing a reverse cam. That makes the job 10x harder. We haven't had much time to play with it and I plan on doing a review video after I familiarize myself with the unit more. Only used it like 2 or 3 times so far since we only drive the X on weekends normally.

Forget the x5.
Those 3 e30s are SO clean.
What are they? 325 eta, 325i and 318is?

LOL... thanks. Yes alpineweiss II 87 325eta (wife's daily w/ ~400,000 miles), alpineweiss II 92 325i vert in back, and brilliantrot 91 318is turbo. I am a huge e30 junkie and luckily my wife really enjoys them as well. Really we are bmw junkies, had e46, e30, e28, e36, and now e53 chassis with multiples of most.

Helluva good thread, fun to read and envious of your skills...
That stripped interior shot gave me chills, as I couldn't do that with a full '2nd life' in front of me.

Fine azz looking X, post wheels and detailing.
Good Luck, mD

Rinseless washing is amazing, its my preferred method now for winter washing, or for a quick wash when the car isn't terribly dirty in the nicer weather, but I don't want to drag the buckets and hose out. I use Garry Dean's Detail Juice (detailjuice.com) but started with ONRW&W, great product with many uses!

OptiCoat is great as well, you'll love it.

Thanks for the compliments. The interior stuff isn't that bad, just very time consuming. Posted a how to for the Avin install that details all of it.

Sorry didn't post the wheel specs... they are below. Real ones are ~$3000, and I wasn't going to pay that lol. Nice wheels and congrats to anyone who wants to put OEM wheels on over reps, but I'll stick with the lower quality and slightly heavier aftermarket wheels.

Replica style 336 wheels: $859... on sale now though for $816 :( Tires cost me $800
Ebay Staggered 336 Reps

Front:
- 20x9.5
- et 45
- hub 72.56 (need small hub rings for hub centric fit, I run without rings no problem though) Have rings and will install on next rotation.
- Toyo Proxes 275/40/20

Rear
- 20x10.5
- et 40
- hub 72.56 (need small hub rings for hub centric fit, I run without rings no problem though) Have rings and will install on next rotation.
- Toyo Proxes 315/35/20

May 25, 2015

- Installed a new Super Start Extreme 49EXT battery from O'Reilly's. Didn't absolutely need a new one but I wanted a larger reserve capacity and I can use the 2012 Autocraft that came out of the X5 on my test bench. With the $20 Memorial Day coupon I couldn't resist. $151.29

- Also got my replacement Avin Avant II installed. The original had developed a problem that would not allow me to turn the wifi on. That meant I couldn't tether it to my phone which was a huge problem. Tommy took care of me though. New one looks better and runs better. Mine was an old revision and now comes with new hardware/software. It was pretty responsive before, but is even better now.

June 28, 2015

- Not a huge update on anything but did get the AC compressor belt and serpentine belts replaced. Found that replacing the idler and tensioner pulley might be a good idea in the near future so I will be ordering them. They don't make any noise yet... but free spin far too easily for my liking.

Up soon is the front tension arm bushings and ball joints. Will update when that happens.

Nice journal. Reminds me of some of the ones on m3forum.net

I use cQuartz, which is a ceramic coating like your Opticoat, only made for DIY'ers. I'd prefer to have the detail shop do it, but I haven't found one in Vegas that is any good yet (haven't looked that hard either...).

Do some reading on the rear ball joint replacement, especially if you are going to replace the integral link at the same time (I don't know why you wouldn't...). It can be a bit tricky to do. Don't try to kluge together a tool to pull those ball joints. You want one made for the job as they can be really, really tight in there.

Nice looking X! Keep up the great work.

Never heard of cQuartz... will have to check it out. I preferred having the shop do it to a DIY because everyone said it was imperative that it be laid down evenly for a nice look without having to do an arduous correction.

As for the ball joints on the tension arms... can you not just put a nut on the top of the bolt and pound it out with a mini-sledge? Or hit the arm itself near the ball joint? This is how I break most of the ball joints free on my other BMW's. Works a treat and doesn't damage the ball joint rubbers if not replacing them. Do need to replace the nut though... but I find it much easier to do it this way than using a pickle fork or other ball joint removal method.

:iagree: I almost fell out of my chair when I saw it. Keep up the good work...:thumbup:

Update: Sold the 4.4i to my brother in law on Thursday (8/13) in preparation for the "Dinan" 4.8is coming home this next weekend. Holy cr*p has this been a long week waiting for the trip! The excitement is getting hard to take...

Well, it seems cars never like to leave my care. Today (Saturday 8/15) the alternator finally gave up the ghost. It had been complaining for a bit but had never failed to out put 14+v after a few revs of the engine. So I gave my brother in law the skinny on what to do if the battery indicator came on after first start of the day (only time it ever complained)... and sent him on his way Thursday. I felt TERRIBLE that it completely crapped out 2 days after selling it to him. So right away we found an alternator locally... Ultima 180A unit with a lifetime warranty from Oreilly's. I know it's not a stock Valeo... but dat warranty! Not a bad job... thought it would be much worse. Took us about 3 hours to install mostly due to being incompetent and forgetting which orientation the large wire terminal was to be correctly mounted. Then lining up the bolts was fun... but 3 hours and ~$225 was not bad.

I'm sure I'll keep updating this thread just for S's and G's but all the mods/maintenance will now be on someone else's dime.

August 15, 2015

- Installed new (rebuilt) Ultima 180A alternator. ~3 hour install and was on my brother in law's dime (I did give him use of my O Rewards coupon though). The coupon and doing the installation with him felt like reparation enough. He was grateful and understood sh*t happens with cars sometimes. I still felt bad until it was fixed. He loves the truck though.

Congrats!

Post pics when she arrives!

Update: So the Ultima reman alternator has a bad voltage regulator... ugh. :rolleyes: Multimeter kept reading ~11.8v all the way up into the mid 15v range. No bueno.

Had them order 2 alternators from Houston since we got the last one that was in town in case the next one also came with a bad regulator. Will be installing it on Tuesday evening. Hopefully that will be the last time there is an alternator problem with the X5 for awhile... but we'll see.

August 18, 2015

- Installed the replacement alternator in 45 minutes. First time always takes longer. The X5 has been perfect ever since and my brother in law loves driving it. He's addicted to the 4.4's power... I better not let him drive the 4.8 now. ;)

August 31, 2015

- He did have all the oil leaks fixed last week at the indy I used to work at. He had VC's, TC's, and alternator housing bracket gaskets replaced. They also did the tension arm bushings. The work wasn't cheap ($2200), but he was aware of the added cost when he purchased it. He wanted ours because of all the work we had done to it already as far as personalization and upgrades. Now he's extremely happy with the truck.

Great to hear your old X went to an appreciative owner and good home. Will your brother-in-law be joining the forum?

I'll mention it to him. He's not an avid car guy, but does appreciate BMW's. I kind of dragged him (and much of the family) into it because of my love for the marque and always having owned one.

He's owned an e46 for years... and I think he's on e46fanatics so maybe he'll join here as well.