Finally drove my X5 for the first time this morning!

In the last few weeks I've been cleaning up all the little things that were not functioning since I picked it up.

Rear air suspension lifting on it's own to max height. Replaced the rear height sensors, seemed to do the trick.

Codes for catalyst efficiency. Changed both rear O2 sensors. No more engine light.

Did an oil change just because.

iDrive knob was all broken, ordered a used one from Ebay and replaced it. Finally have access to iDrive menu now.

Because I have iDrive access I could now look at the TPMS warning I was getting. Set all tire pressures and reset through iDrive, problem solved.

Had no stereo sound in the vehicle. Went through all fuses, everything checked out fine. Started worrying I might be replacing the amp. Pulled rear cover to at least look at the amp and see what I'm dealing with. Amp was missing it's own fuse for some reason. Put a 20A fuse in and voila I have sound!! Love the simple fixes.

But when checking the sound, found that my CCC volume knob is broken. It still functions to turn it off and on with a push, but it doesn't control volume at all. SWC work just fine, so I'm leaning towards just letting it be. Maybe if I'm feeling rambunctious I'll pull the CCC unit out one day and see if I can't jimmy rig some sort of repair for the volume knob.

Still needing a really good detail job on this thing. But it was nice to finally park the old work beater Accord and start driving the cheap X5 for work commuting.

Where did you get the wheel? I have a base model, and man, I'm wanting to swap the steering wheel and I'm even considering the seats. I need a sport wheel that's heated though.

Found it on the BMW X5 (E70) Facebook page in Poland for about $400. It's a good source for things found round the world. Sold the old one for $250. Wheel works just like OEM with all functioning controls including the heating element. Only thing I needed to buy was the sport airbag that I sourced for another $120. Could've just bought the cover and swapped but didn't. Wheel also stitched in the M colors that's a cool touch. Coming from Audis, I've always liked the feel of the air leather and it makes a nice difference when driving.

Does the person sell them, or was this a one off? I'd 100% purchase one if I could get it without the alacantra parts, just completely perforated leather.

I am in that group, but I've never seen this wheel on there!

PM sent

F85 Rotors (Front and Rear) with CarboTech pads...

Swapped a coil pack in for cylinder 4 as it was misfiring and threw a check engine code. Also checked the spark plug and found Autolite Platinums so I know what I’m doing this weekend.

It was wet outside so I drove it around and accelerated hard enough to get the rear break traction with xdrive disabled to confirm delete works. No stand still burnouts because the 3.0 is not powerful enough with 315mm wide tires.

Don't see THAT very often!!

I cleaned out my X5 after a trip to the beach last weekend. Had the floor mats out and in the passenger rear seat footwell I saw the courtesy light falling out of the carpet again... the carpet hole is too large for the light to fit snugly and stay. I had fixed it previously by inserting a piece of plastic card cut to fit behind it but my kid must have kicked it out. That little job had me cursing as its in an awkward position and there wasn't enough light... But I got it back in place.

Then I pulled it into the garage with the tailgate up!!! F@#$*^&$
The rear wiper pivot took the entire hit, broke off the little plastic cover. Its maybe not as tightly fit in the rubber grommets in the window now but seems to be ok.
Dealer had a cover in stock, ~$7, need to run down and grab it this wknd and pop it on.

265,000km, picked it up for 5400$CAD, so like 45$USD. If I wasn't a mechanic it'd be expensive in maintenance I imagine. lol Fingers crossed though. After 4 BMW's I promised myself I'd never buy another. But here I am in my 5th.

Wheel alignment today. Front was towing out after lowering springs and upper arms at max negative.

http://i67.tinypic.com/epjfhz.jpg