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Zeus | E70 X5D Build Thread
Been lurking over the past few months posting here and there and after having my X5 for about a month and a half now I finally decided it was time to start my build thread. I know some of you guys are probably thinking, build thread, what does that mean? Honestly the best way to describe is that it will be the journal for my 2011 X5 35d, which I call "Zeus".
Zeus' Bio: 2011 X5 35d (03/2010 build) Platinum Gray Metallic Black Leather Interior Options: HUD, Lane Departure Assist, Comfort Access, Comfort Seats, Ventilated / Heated Front Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Tow Package, Sport Package, Premium Sound, Rear Side Shades, Lighting Package, Rear Climate Control, Etc.......... Basically the only thing it doesn't have is Rear Entertainment, Extended Leather, Rear Heated Seats, 3rd Row and Adaptive Drive. It took approx. 6 months before finally finding this vehicle and what really sold it over my other color options was the remaining 12 month CPO warranty and maintenance plan that would be transferred with the car. Clean history and only two owners. Car was located in TX all its life and after making the deal I had her shipped over to CA. Some Initial Plans for Zeus: - Full Detail/Restoration including undercarriage and suspension - Painted Reflectors - Slight Drop (maybe Eibach) - Upgrade Wheels (not determined yet) - Roof Rack Delete - Possibly Retrofit M-Sport Front/Rear Bumpers & Side Skirts (maybe consider X5M rear bumper) Lastly, before I kick off the thread, I just wanted to say that I hope this thread helps build some inspiration, provides some educational purpose and most of all is entertaining. If you haven't seen my previous build thread from M5board or E46fanatics, those should give you a pretty good indication of what to expect from this thread. You can seen the threads here: Galatea | E46 325i Build Thread Jarvis | E60 M5 Build Thread Of course sponsor support is always welcome :thumsup: Anyways, enough talk and onto the intro photos I took this afternoon (Car is actually pretty dirty): http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pshia5qzv1.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psh7sjhmjr.jpg |
Nice ride.
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I'm jealous you found a diesel with ventilated seats. There was no option I wanted more than that but I wasn't going to wait for forever for one to show up, either. So here I am "stuck" with normal seats. Good find
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Yes, but he missed adaptive drive :)
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I did miss the Adaptive drive but holy crap....finding a 35d with the options I wanted AND adaptive drive seemed like an impossible mission. Would have liked to have it but honestly it handles just fine for what it is. I'll never get real spirited with it so I compromised. No regrets at all!
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The guy i bought mine from built his new from the dealership and picked his options..
no sport package, no HUD, no rear AC, no smart access, no vented seats and the no list goes on and on Pshh, should have bought one off the lot would have been better lol Oh well :p |
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Having to replace both front adaptive shocks on my wife's 2009 Z4 makes me a bit more happy about not having the adaptive drive. But what i really miss on mine is the HUD and especially the SLS, for my towing needs. |
IND - Color Matched BMW Performance Grills
Big thanks to the folks over at IND for not only offering high quality products but taking pride in what they do. The packaging of their products along speak to their commitment to perfection. Anyways, here's a few product shots along with a before and after pic of them installed on Zeus. Once I get the black grills I think the front will look even better. BTW install was a breeze, 10min tops even after cleaning up the paint in the surrounding area. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7zvqdcgg.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps9w8btjgp.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmmgnyhqo.jpg Before: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psyo8bqwse.jpg After: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7vuagu9i.jpg |
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Nope. There will be a large mix of things that will be done. I have a few mods I'll be starting off with but already have a list of things to do on the detail/restoration side of things. Stay tuned.
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I personally prefer the facelifted OEM grills that you have. In combination with the LED angel eyes looks menacing in the mirrors of the guy in front of you.
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I just put eBay set of halogen bulbs in bright white and coded the intensity to very high. The grill is dipped. |
Very nice!
Can i sell you mine for a month and then buy it back? (at discounted price) ;) |
Looking good, it takes time for sure.
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Man that looks really good! Excellent job!! Makes me want to crawl under mine.
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Ha!, now I know what my next project will be...
Really nice job!!! |
holy cow.....great cleaning job......wish you live down the street so you can clean mine X5.....ha..ha...ha...
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Haha, thanks guys. Trust me this job is not one I enjoy except when I'm done and see the results. I was a dirty mess afterwards. Still have the passenger side to tackle but that will have to wait a couple weeks. In the meantime I'll have some small updates to share.
I'm also going to hit up my friend who has a shop to see if I can use it after I've done a majority of the cleaning to finish things off and reach the places I couldn't easily get to. |
Lux H8 160 Angel Eyes Installed
Seeing as I don't have the all so desirable LED headlights my options were to spend the money for a retrofit or purchase some LED bulbs and save some cash. Obviously looking at the title here I opted for bulbs, at least for now. So far I'm pretty impressed and while they aren't comparable to OEM LEDs, they are definitely a step above the OEM setup. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psiymzakug.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psu4mrghek.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psy6h8a3cb.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psshphnffs.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjo93jqpr.jpg |
Man that looks great! I am afraid I am going to have to bite the bullet and make a purchase now that I have seen all of yours.
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Are you going to get things coded? Carly app is pretty good to code out the corner lights and many more things.
Amber corner delete will make the rings look nicer. |
Definitely want to do some coding. I have NCS expert but coding on that software can be a little tedious. As for the corner light delete you make a good point. I'll have to add that to the list. The one thing that drives me crazy is the fog light illumination when making tight turns. I'd really like to disable that feature all together.
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You have that option in Carly app. I just noticed mine was active yesterday so i'll be tuning that off soon.
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I was looking on the Carly site and didn't see any option for M Display in HUD. Do you know if that's available in their app?
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When you connect your car it reads all the available systems and presents the coding if it exists for your car. I remember seeing people do some changes with their HUD so it def has something for that. You can also change the intensity of certain bulbs and the angel eyes from very low to very high with steps between. Do all kinds of lock unlock functions with key and after pressing stop, do the lift-gate option, windows/mirrors up/down with key and many many more. I was hesitant on spending $60 but compared to getting it coded at a shop, its def worth it. It also reads and deletes codes and shows diagnostics which is why i got it in the first place. |
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Frankly I think it really comes down to scrubbing. Most of the dirt had to be scrubbed clean otherwise simply using a degreaser or pressure washer alone wouldn't work. I used diluted simple green and sonax.
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Right Front Suspension Detailed
Been somewhat busy the past couple weekends so I finally had a chance to tackle the right front suspension. Unfortunately I ran out of time and couldn't finish the rear but that will be for another day. For whatever reason this side required more work and apparently at some point during previous ownership someone ran over some paint because there was spray everywhere. At first I was about to just say screw it and buy new liners and wheel flare but after an hour of scrubbing I finally got it all off. Let's just say I'll be happy once I'm finished with the suspension detail.....its been quite laborious. But of course its all worth it once I see these before and after pics.... http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psocshl9rg.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4kn6x1y8.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psqrgn67dn.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps0dtclgjl.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps1kzuoqev.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pso0jg3yjk.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps1uvdjc5g.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psp0sglsog.jpg And a few more of the finished work... http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmucgruyk.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pskd74fwro.jpg |
LED Rear License Plate Bulb Upgrade
Had a bulb going back....at least that's what I thought so I bought a pair of LED bulbs to freshen up the look. Was extremely concerned about the LEDs being to bright but frankly the ones I bought I think are perfect. When I ended up replacing the bulbs it ended up that the original just had a bad connection....oh well I'm liking these better! Since I just installed them I can comment on overall reliability but quality seems good and so far no errors. Can't beat it for $8 shipped from Amazon Prime: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00 Product http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnei72m1p.jpg Side by Side with OEM http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psrfofzqqq.jpg LEDs Installed http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pseahbfety.jpg |
Undercarriage Panel Remove & Detail
Well, today was another day of cleaning, this time focusing on the panels covering the undercarriage of the vehicle. I had enough time to take care of most of the panels from the rear axle to the front but I have the trans and engine cover to do next, maybe next week. Burned up another 5hrs removing cleaning and detailing each part then reinstalling. Additionally I cleaned up the side step panels where they connect under the car. Again, lots of work but well worth the effort IMO. I only wish I had a better angle of the undercarriage photos.....huge difference! Just after removal: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psdhitkz64.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbws4hg6j.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psod2rmiwm.jpg Some before and after shots: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvfxanj1s.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psijnic7zj.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pscjgxbvrh.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pssrhedpqt.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psp3zadaue.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbvk5h55y.jpg Even the hardware got some attention: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4ulwtz6b.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps1zumzqly.jpg Reinstalled and looking good. Sorry didn't have right lens with me so photos aren't very good. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pswcgwoew0.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps28xkibzs.jpg |
Looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor!!
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Well, I planned to do some modding over the weekend but decided to have Crevier BMW take it in to inspect a few things I noticed before I was about to detail the engine bay. Right now I'm rolling around in a 16' 535i M-Sport and I must say I don't mind if they take their time with my X. Once I confirm a few things with the details I'll fill you guys in with the details.
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Well, the X5 is back home. Was about to detail the engine compartment but saw what appeared to be a small oil leak by the turbos. BMW found the issue and replaced turbo oil pressure lines under warranty. While they were in there they suggested replacing the vacuum lines but instead I ordered up the parts so I can do a DIY soon. Anyways, here are a few pics of things I'll be working on soon...
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psuxo3xjqb.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psyrcdaiiy.jpg |
Ouch, you had to accept BMW offer. There is a lot of pain involved in the vacuum hoses replacement.
I replaced my turbo feed line (the top one) which started to seep at under 40k miles. The others 2 are real PITA to replace, but when the time comes i will order custom made SS braided lines to fix this once and for all. |
I'm not too concerned about the vacuum line replacement. I've pulled and rebuilt BMW engines before so I'm not easily intimidated. I sure as hell wasn't going to give the dealer $800 in parts and labor so I decided I'll tackle this myself.
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Ok, that makes sense. I thought their offer was free.
Rebuilding engines on the stand is one thing and working on it when installed is another story, especially for the modern era engines. You'll be amazed to what places these vacuum hoses reach. If I were you, I'd do a vacuum test before I replace anything. In California weather you should expect some problems after 50-60k miles. |
My thought is that any vacuum lines in a very hot climate (just above turbos) after 5 years and 75k miles are going to be pretty dried up. That being said I purchased all the rubber vacuum hoses to do a full replacement so I wouldn't have to go on a witch hunt for a leak later down the road. I hate diagnosing certain issues as those so I'd much rather just replace everything and be done with it. My though is if one line is starting to fail, the rest are likely to as well.
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Correct!
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Black Bumper Grills & IND Painted Front Reflectors
Yesterday was a long day of hiking (approx 3,900 ft to elevation for 10,064) and so today I had to keep the legs working to avoid them cramping up. Decided it was the perfect time to tackle what I've been wanting to get done for a while. Installation of the IND reflectors requires bumper removal and so does the front lower grill so it was a 2-for-1 deal. Overall a pretty straight forward job and no surprises. I put together a couple of videos for those who like to DIY so I'll probably get those uploaded in the next day or two. Anyways, who cares about all my yapping.......I know you guys really only care about the pics :) Getting ready for bumper removal http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbaarn7cj.jpg About 15 minutes later... http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmj2of7uw.jpg Decided it was a good time for a detail as well as vacuuming up all the junk around the radiator and intercooler. I couldn't believe the size of some of the grass hoppers I got out of there. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6wuck7ia.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pszewdmuir.jpg Removing old silver grill and replacing with new black unit as well as cracking open the new painted front reflectors http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psg4z3mwhq.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pscfbdf5oh.jpg Reinstalling after reflectors and grills were done. Some final shots http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psuhwkhiyc.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psgm3msw0h.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvhpj5vle.jpg |
Vacuum Hose Replacement & Carbon Buildup Cleaning
Finally took the plunge and started tackling the replacement of my vacuum hoses after the dealer kindly offered to replace three for only $800! At that point I graciously declined and upon picking up the X5, I strolled over to the parts dept and ordered up all the parts I needed for less than $150. Fast forward to this weekend and I'm about half way through. Since I wanted to replace all the lines I pulled off the manifold to get access and at this point I've got all the lines replaced except for four. Now I'm just waiting for some extra "black" and "blue" vacuum lines to come in on Tuesday to finish the job. Of course as I started removing the manifold, throttle body and a few other parts, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to do some carbon cleanup. Let me just say this is not fun at all. Eventually I decided to try using Acetone and that did the trick. Easily cut through the carbon and softened up the thicker areas with ease. After a couple hours of toothbrush cleaning, I had like new swirl flaps, EGR valve and throttle body ready to install. As for the manifold, I had some Acetone soaking on the inside for a little while and now I currently have it submerged in degreaser to help loosen everything up. Depending on the outcome tomorrow, I may or may not opt to have it sonic cleaned. Anyways, here's some photos to show some of the progress I've made: The original reason for tackling this job. BMW warranty apparently doesn't cover vacuum lines as they are "wear and tear" items. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pslikbji6u.jpg Manifold removed http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnpu8jqqe.jpg Ready to remove swirl flaps http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psdq7pcqtf.jpg Swirl flaps before/after http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pszchpfdvg.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6qrwxhn1.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psdjuzc5rh.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb8uakmo5.jpg EGR & throttle body before/after http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pslntfjnmf.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnnnxwwaq.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmckj4zyf.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psdkzrohvl.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psd7zsmvpj.jpg |
how many miles on it?
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Current mileage is a tad over 73k. I'm a huge proponent of preventative maintenance so this was a necessity in my eyes. Just got done cleaning the manifold.....what a pain! I'll post pics of it shortly.
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Intake Manifold Decarbonization
After 2 days of soaking and 3 hours of scrubbing and pressure washing, I've finally got the intake manifold near completely free of carbon deposits. All I have to say is thank god I'm done!!!!!!! This process was very laborious and needless to say I could really go for some hot tub time right now with an ice cold Peroni. Anyways, after all the mess, numerous rags and a contact high from an assortment of degreasers even through my painters mask, I couldn't be happier with the results. I just finished drying out the manifold and reinstalling the swirl flap assembly back into place. My new, repurposed acronym when working on the BMWs: TGIF - Thank God I'm Finished Onto what you guys really care about.... http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfaq6vozr.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psijnmksoy.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pss5jjws7d.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstobuqrxe.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7xd3wpig.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pskndwpy4i.jpg |
Also believing in preventative maintenance, myself, I was curious your milage to have an idea of how bad mine might be. I understand each car is different and fuel types differ and environmental conditions also varying, but its good to have an idea of the buildup involved.
I see this is taking some time to do, are these "day" projects? If i put myself to it, can I get it out cleaned and back in in a day or even maybe a standard weekend? What service manual are you using? Or are you just methodically disassembling and reassembling? Good info, thanks for the pictures. |
So the mileage in the X is just about 73k and from my understanding a lot of the mileage came from the previous owners doing travel on the highways. Most of the mileage I have added since ownership has been highway as well and will continue to be. Another thing is that we take ours up the mountains often which surely adds additional loads.
As for this project, I would consider it a two days project primarily because you'll need to soak the manifold overnight at a minimum. This helps soften the carbon deposits and makes removal far easier. It took me a total of around 2-3 hours just to clean the manifold. Add another 2 hours cleaning the EGR/throttle body and swirl flaps, this alone accounts for a good deal of time. I have not been using a service manual as things are relatively straight forward and removal of the manifold doesn't take much time. All that being said, this could definitely be a weekend project and in my eyes well worth it in the long run. I've been thinking of picking up another manifold and offering an exchange program so people wouldn't have to deal with the cleaning process but I'm just not sure if the interest is there at the moment. |
In my experience the best chemical to use to remove soot deposits is acetone. I've tried multiple chemicals to clean the MAP in my diesel engines and throttle body cleaner is the only one that does the job effortlessly. TB cleaners is primarily acetone.
In your quest, did you find something else working better than others? |
Acetone was by far the best. Melted the carbon deposits away. I tried several degreasers and Acetone was by far the winner. For the swirl flaps you could literally submerge them in Acetone and then just using a brush agitate the deposits away.
As for the manifold I just poured Acetone in it and let it set for a while upside down on my bench and then worked it with an assortment of brushes I got from Harbor Freight. This was after I submerged the manifold for 2 days in simple green commercial grade degreaser. This combination seemed to work pretty good. |
ughh, at 110,500 miles i cant imagine how mine look in the diesel.
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The gaskets faired well on the swirl flaps. No sign of deterioration at all. In fact I started cleaning the old intake gaskets with Acetone and it's working incredibly well. I'm only reusing the gaskets because I'll be taking the X in to get walnut blasted in 2-3 weeks and they will replace the gaskets as part of the service.
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I was submerging the flaps half in Acetone while I was scrubbing with a brush which worked well. Prior to that I scraped off deposits with a plastic door panel tool to help speed up the process. Each unit took me maybe 10-15min each and as you can see by the photos they came out pretty clean. All that being said and not seeing any deterioration on the seals I'd still be hesitant to soak the parts in Acetone for a long period time.
Oh and be sure to have a mask as Acetone has a very strong odor. |
Ever use/hear of Varsol? Although its being replaced with more eco-friendly stuff it works well. We just had the Safety Kleen Co guy come and change out the fluid in our parts washer at work, I'll see what the latest stuff is a report back. I do know its safe to use on silicone and rubber seals, so I'll let you know, and find out if it is available over the shelf anywhere, might remove some of the time involved.
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G550Mech - Never heard of it. If you get your hands on it compare it with Acetone and let us know what you find.
Another option, and the best IMHO, is to find a company that does ultrasonic cleaning. I've called around here in SoCal and there's a shortage of options. Still waiting to hear back from a couple companies but no dice yet due to size of the manifold. |
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So since we use the Safety Kleen Company they've got their own proprietary solvents, not sure if its available off the shelf; however I talked to the small maintenance shop on the other side of the airport and he uses this... He recalls buying it at Harbor Freight, you can probably find it online or Grainger or something.
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The manifold removal is actually pretty straight forward. I would rate it a 5 out of 10. Once you have all the bolts loosened it comes right out.
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The good news is that everything is back together and working. I haven't had a chance to drive it around yet but I'm not expecting any difference. I'll be sure to share more once I get a chance to get some time behind the wheel.
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Amazing work man! I would love to do this to mine within a few K. The amount of carbon buildup is crazy. It's one of the main reasons I am considering going with h20/meth injection kit to get the steam cleaning affect. Doing this cleanup before kit install would be perfect, thanks for the push!
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Hey guys, just wanted to let you all know I replaced all the vacuum lines and the total cost using OEM BMW hoses wasn't too bad ~ $150. Its a little high for hoses but I wanted to stick with OEM and the colors designate location. Overall the vacuum job wasn't bad at all and I won't have to worry about possibly getting a vacuum leak for another 50-70k. I'd highly recommend tackling this job if you are handy as preventative maintenance.
Here are a couple pics showing the all new lines installed: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psu6ozrjq0.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmp5gujtj.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstmmei9jb.jpg |
Can you tell us what parts you had to remove in order to access these hoses? Just looking at mine i can see its little involved, they go behind the engine and such.
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If I remember correctly you had mentioned another round of hose to order to complete the job. Would you mind posting how many ft of each color you used in all? How was it removing the old hoses, any tricks to get crusted on hoses to come off? Thanks.
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I'll go through my invoices and post part#s and qtys I used today or tomorrow. I actually still have the old hoses so I'll put something together that is more comprehensive for the community. As for the removal of old hoses, I used a hobby razor blade to cut a slit in the hose to remove. Trying to pry off won't work and you'll likely damage a sensor if you are too aggressive.
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Coming up on 58K and want to do these before I have any issue with them. Appreciate it.
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A sneak peek into an unexpected purchase I made last week. Need to get a few things lined up before getting them installed and frankly from there we'll see how they look. More details to come soon :)
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psltvpcqhu.jpg |
Very nice.Thought they were DPE CSR10's at first but the bevel on the edges looks a bit different. What are they? I am looking into a set of CS16's myself. Will be a good day when those and springs are installed :thumbup:
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Rear Reflector Replacement with IND Painted Reflectors
Decided to tackle the rear reflectors today and I have to say both were a bit of a pain. Getting behind the bumper with my hands was a task and they just didn't want to come out. Even putting in the new reflectors required some effort with regards to force as they were a tight fit. These finished off the painted reflectors I now have all around and looks a bit cleaner not having the flow disrupted with red. Here's some pics as I got working on them. Unfortunately I forgot to take a before with both reflectors. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psilnsos3i.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4llqwww3.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6bghqzvb.jpg |
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Looks good, bud; I put the film on mine.
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Of all aftermarket wheels on E70 these are some of the very few I really like. Perhaps the color matters too. You will definitely need more powaah with these ;)
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Thanks bud. The tears are pretty concave so I'm excited to see them mounted. Believe it or not I think these 22" are about the same weight as they factory 20". For sure going to need more power, I'll hit you up.
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Love the color combo, everything compliments each other so well. Its going to look great.
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A few more pics. Just dropped off the wheels to get the rears bored, one lip cleaned up and have everything buttoned up with new tpms sensors. Should have wheels back in about a week at which point I'll fit them all and get some photos.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psdscghzwm.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psrlggcyda.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psugvzgkuz.jpg |
I see a drop in your near future ;)
The wheels are probably close in weight as 214s, but the RFT tires weight is ridiculous. I am a very happy camper since I got rid of the RFTs. |
Yeah my 214s have the DWS tires. RFT are just garbage for ride quality. I have a set of Eibach springs in the garage ready to be installed so I may drop it in the next release or two.
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I may have missed it, but what are the specifics and dimensions of the wheels and tires? I'm planning to buy summer wheels and tires this summer and want to get as many ideas as possible. Right now I'm considering 20x10" Style 299 or BBS SV wheels with 275/45R20 tires.
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Honestly I don't have the specs of the wheels and neither did the previous owner. I believe the fronts are 20x10 and the rears are 20x12. As for the offsets I'm not sure. I'll do some digging around and see what I can find.
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Pre-Lowering Measurements
So here's just some stats on my setup prior to lowering. As mentioned I'm going to give it a week or two to settle before I align and take new measurements to share. Stock (tank near empty, no passengers, no load in back): Front Right: 32" Rear Right: 31.75" Front Left: 32" Rear Left: 32.25" Preliminary Lowering Measurements (2-3 miles after springs installed. Same scenario as above): Front Right: 31.125" Rear Right: 31.50" Front Left: 31.9375" Rear Left: 31.75" Photo of Zeus prior to lowering springs installed: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps907qy17f.jpg Pic of the springs being installed: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjzjhzgc1.jpg |
Did a quick test fit of the Modulare Wheels on one side to see how things are looking. Lighting and time didn't allow me to get very good photos but I plan to do a proper shoot very soon. Let me know what you guys think...
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pseqomgazw.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psl9bw9bpt.jpg |
I approve :thumbup:
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dem wheels be bitchin'
no, seriously tho - melike |
Thinking of going lower.....looks even better with the wheels. Here's a photoshop version:
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psxemxtbqg.jpg |
I love following your attention to detail!
It just pains me to see that hitch install and bumper cut. Execuhitch is a clean way to go if you ever end up rectifying that problem |
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Looks great Socale! What are you thinking with suspension, KW's? Any other options to get you that low? I like it at the current height because it still keeps it looking like an suv
Dont like the fact that the m sport kit has been the same since 07 and was never lci'd. Would have to get new rear flares since they are shorter and then have all the plastic painted to match to blend right though and that adds up to a lot of pieces unless you planned on going full msport anyway. Would definitely look super clean though and give you more exhaust tip options. Recently went through this decision and ended up sticking with the lci D rear and did the round 120mm supersprint tips and love the look. Also picked up the aero kit and is getting sprayed right now. Were you ever able to track down those vacuum hose lengths? Thanks. Look forward to seeing whats next.. |
I'm weighing the options for suspension at the moment. The problem is there aren't a lot to choose from. Definitely looking at doing full m sport kit but also playing with the idea of mixing it up with an X5m rear bumper. We'll see.
I'm glad you asked about the hose length. I actually went through the hoses this weekend and have everything down on paper, just need to type it all out and get it posted. Plan for getting it done this week. Very interested to see your X when you get the aero kit installed, should look good. |
I have the rear flares for M rear bumper. LMK if you need them.
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I recall reading a thread a while back about a guy with KW's who hated them at first because of the bounce but was able to screw around with dampening until he got them to a point he loved them. It was pretty drastic settings difference between the front and rear if I remember correctly, will have to dig it up. But performance/ride quality definitely seems to be hinged on getting them dialed in right and most of that work seems to be already done for us.
Its unfortunate that there arent any oem/aftermarket lips for the msport, because I dislike how the lci and msport have no chin up front but at least the aero kit addresses that. First choice for rear bumper was also the X5m since I like it the most aesthetically and you also have a cf diffuser option going that route but ultimately decided against it because I did not want it to be confused for an m. It would look awesome though! Thanks for getting those lengths, much appreciated! |
I'm pulling the trigger on some KW V3 for my e70 as well. The only difference is mine has airbag suspension on the rear, but with a little modification I'll make them fit.
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Been a while since my last update as I have been swamped with projects. Building a custom cafe motorcycle, 71 Chevelle, upgrading the house and of course work, all contribute to little time left. Decided to tackle getting my brake all done up this weekend. Frankly I have been waiting to put new wheels on until I got the brakes figured out as I wanted to swap out the pads with lower dust pads. Of course I figured while I was there I should cleanup the calipers and put new zinc coated rotors on.
Before I get to the photos, let me just say that the zinc coated Brembo rotors are definitely the same as what BMW uses. Just before my maintenance program ended BMW replaced the front pads and rotors. Comparing them side by side, same stampings, same vein construction, same etc! So if you are looking for OEM rotors, Brembo is the brand. Anyways, on to what you guys really care about....pics! http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps3tzbrexk.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psmwytcnbi.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pspvnhuefo.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pszqpvxhy7.jpg Let me stop here and mention that I forgot to take a few photos of my process but I ended up bead blasting the calipers after stripping them completely down. After blasting I reassembled with new seals and then started the paint process with G2 Calipe rPaint in silver. Here are some of the results as the paint was drying... http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps52atfpuf.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psxgbdomao.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pslst2jb80.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjig9c5sa.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfdvobntu.jpg And now time for the rotors to be swapped and everything buttoned up http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psawijzdcy.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psrtxusmxv.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psd51bbeql.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psn07pfefg.jpg Lastly, I've seen a lot of guys try different aftermarket brand pads however I personally like the bite of the OEM pads, just hate the dust. After doing some research I found out that Textar has a new pad technology, which they are using on the newer models, called ePad. They claim same performance but with far less dust. I ended up finding out that my pad size is the same as a newer model X5 so they actually had the ePad application available. We'll see how these perform and I'll provide some feedback. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjjifvrh8.jpg |
Pretty excited today as I've been working with Vogtland in getting a set of their springs to test and they finally came in from Germany! I've read great reviews about these springs for other applications so I'm anxious to see how these do. What makes these so attractive is that they are the perfect drop IMHO. The 2.0" drop of the H&Rs seems too much and the 1.2" doesn't seem like enough for what I'm looking for. My Eibach setup is conservative much like the H&Rs however I have found that they don't drop to their advertised specs which left more to be desired when it comes to filling the wheel well gap. With these springs dropping the X5 1.4" front and rear, this could be great alternative.
I'll be sure to create a separate thread to share my review of these once I get everything sorted. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psz8mvpjbs.jpg |
I will be interested what these springs will do. I would be happy to drop mine a few millimeters, but I cannot have a harsher ride. A few performance oriented friends have voluntarily agreed with my opinion that mine X5 has the best balance between performance and comfort. It was harsh with run flats, but it is great with summer performance tires, and it did great on the track too.
Nice job on the brakes, but you need more powaaaa ;) |
I considered the X5M brake setup but I've never once felt the stock brake system let me down and I've tow some heavy stuff. I decided a while ago that I would just do a few cosemetic mods but since our X5 is primarily for long travel duty and occasional weekend outings, just going to keep it simple.
I'm building a motorcycle now which will take care of my adrenaline needs. Oh btw my warranty officially expired so it's tune time! I'll hit you up about making a trip out there and getting it done. I'll likely have the springs installed by then so you can personally experience the ride quality. |
^^^ Great, looking forward to meet you.
My 100% stock brakes lasted for around 7-8 laps on the track without fading even a tiny bit. One of the brake zones is from 110 to 40 mph treshold braking and I didnt spare any of the abuse. It is even more amazing considering the fact that the brake bias is close to 50:50 and the rears dont have any devices for delivering cool air to the rotors. |
Been following the thread, just picked up a 12 35d myself in black sapphire, and am wanting to do a combo m sport/x5m aero package. Have you pulled the trigger on this yet and do you happen to have part numbers? I've been lurking trying to search out if this is an option and saw an f15 locally yesterday with it all done and really liked the look. I was also wondering if i went x5m in just the rear how would the exhaust end up working out? Custom?
Great looking SAV and interested to see where you're at currently with it, thanks! |
Will be installing the spring here shortly and then adding new wheels that I have sitting in storage.
As for the aero kit I'm still on the fence. I may just end up painting the flares and side skirts but if I do that there are plastic pieces on the bumpers that would need to be paint as well to look right. Right now it's on the back burner. |
Awesome SAV!
Looking forward for more!:thumbup: |
How's the X doing socal? Get those springs installed yet? Been a while since we've seen an update! :thumbup:
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Funny thing, I was just thinking its been a while since I did an update. In all honesty the X5 had to take a back seat as I've had to deal with a few things at work that are now requiring me to relocate to Texas. Is all good stuff and will mean more funds for projects but I'm trying to finish off a few things on the X5 before the move including rear brake refresh and spring install. I've got until mid January so now that my weekends are free I'll be working on the X5 again. In fact I just ordered some Akebono Euro pads for the rear.
So in short, hope to have some updates very soon. |
Congrats on the promotion. Best of luck with everything!
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Did you ever sell your Modular wheels?
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I did. Sold them to a forum member who is breaking them down and doing a new finish on them. Hoping he gets them done soon as I'd love to see them mounted.
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So what wheels are you wearing now?
FYI - I have decided to sell my X5d |
Been on stock 214s and will probably stay that way since the X5 will be going on a transport to TX soon. I've got a set of 599s brand new ready to go but they'll likely need to wait until our move is complete.
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Very nice - Put a set of 599 reps on last week, really happy how they turned out. Did you go with the black/brushed or ferrite/brushed combo?
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I went with the gray color to more closely match the exterior color.
On another note, going to try to get some work done on the X this weekend. Will probably try to swap the springs. |
Well today I was able to get the Vogtland springs installed. Of course I'll need to give them some time to settle but the preliminary measurements show the rear dropped some. I've only driven about 10 miles and so far the ride quality seems good. I'll be doing a 10K elevation hike tomorrow so I'll get a chance to go through some twisties and get a better feel. I'll be sure to provide a full in depth review very soon.
Here's a breakdown of the numbers: Stock Right Front: 32" Right Rear: 31.75" Left Front: 32" Left Rear: 32.25" Eibach Right Front: 30.5" Right Rear: 31.25" Left Front: 30.75" Left Rear: 31.25" Vogtland (Preliminary) Right Front: 30.75" Right Rear: 30.50" Left Front: 30.75" Left Rear: 30.50" I'll be sure to get some pictures up as soon as I can to hopefully show the difference between the three. |
This looks promising. Was never happy with the rear ride height of the Eibach's, wanted just a little more and this seems perfect. Look forward to seeing some pics.
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Rear Brake Refresh
Still letting the lowering springs settle so I decided to tackle the rear brakes. In similar fashion as the fronts, the rear calipers were disassembled, stripped, blasted, primed then painted. Its a long process but the results speak for themselves. The difference this time is that I decided to use VHT paint instead as the G2 caliper paint I had leftover from doing the fronts went bad. As for the pads, I went with Akebono Euros and so far I'm liking them. Very little dust and the braking performance feels good with only slightly less initial bite. Overall very pleased and now that my front and rear brakes are done, I'm very tempted to install the 599M rep wheels. Some photos of the process: After sandblasting http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvy61yl53.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps1blahotu.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4fxl4vx4.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...pscg11xiuy.jpg High Temp Primer http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfy7g6g5c.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvbnq90vx.jpg After Applying Color Coat http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psgzxa69lg.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psknrttr7f.jpg New Brembo Zinc Rotors http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psf3t3ycsn.jpg Installed http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb40tqqjr.jpg http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbeq6ivaf.jpg |
Following
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I love this! How did you remove the front bumper? Any step by step instructions? |
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I love this! How did you remove the front bumper? Any step by step instructions? |
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I love this! How did you remove the front bumper? Any step by step instructions? |
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