X5 e53 upgrades
Discussion
Looks like I will be getting a X5 2006 e53 3.0d pretty soon,
My mum has been driving it after my father past away but wants to get a smaller car.
It quite average really, and could do with a couple of qwid spent in it and I don’t mind as it’s free.
I wouldn’t mind upgrading the headlights as they are very tired and yellow. Maybe also the side plate step thing, not sure the official name of them.
Anything else I can do, it’s got 115k on the clock but drives lovely.
My mum has been driving it after my father past away but wants to get a smaller car.
It quite average really, and could do with a couple of qwid spent in it and I don’t mind as it’s free.
I wouldn’t mind upgrading the headlights as they are very tired and yellow. Maybe also the side plate step thing, not sure the official name of them.
Anything else I can do, it’s got 115k on the clock but drives lovely.
I had one many years ago and it didn't have the side-steps. They are a pain in the ass to maintain/clean apparently and are only useful if you are a short-ass!
I had mine remapped a bit but only to sort out the dead-spot I had when accelerating from stationary (usually when joining a roundabout so a PITA!).
If I had kept it the only thing I would have changed would be to replace the head unit for a more modern Android type thing.
Great cars though.
I had mine remapped a bit but only to sort out the dead-spot I had when accelerating from stationary (usually when joining a roundabout so a PITA!).
If I had kept it the only thing I would have changed would be to replace the head unit for a more modern Android type thing.
Great cars though.
Yeah I have been reading about that and catching on your calves when you get out, I might get some aftermarket ones that just rivet onto the side boards that are already there, you can’t step on them though so just for show.
A new dash system would be nice, they are so dated now, I might look into it. Have you seen anything out there, ill try and find something that works with iPhones preferably as me and misses both have one.
A new dash system would be nice, they are so dated now, I might look into it. Have you seen anything out there, ill try and find something that works with iPhones preferably as me and misses both have one.
Edited by Gooose on Monday 6th September 15:56
It's been quite a few years since I looked into it so I expect things have changed a bit since then.
there is quite a good X series sepcific forum here with an E53 section which may have some more up to date info:
https://xseries-forum.com/forum/
there is quite a good X series sepcific forum here with an E53 section which may have some more up to date info:
https://xseries-forum.com/forum/
Plenty of worthwhile upgrades available for these cars.
First stop at that mileage would be Powerflex subframe and front brake reaction arm bushes and a remap. When the rear air suspension collapses, then a full set of coil-overs is cheaper than 1 front strut, so again, with that mileage, they are probably due anyway.
Make sure you change the oft neglected transfer box oil. Lifetime oil that really needs replacing every 50k in the real world. When BMW state "lifetime" they really mean "warranty period" because they will enjoy selling you a new transfer box once out of warranty.
Apart from an unhealthy appetite for tyres, window regulators and door handle mounts, they are great cars.
First stop at that mileage would be Powerflex subframe and front brake reaction arm bushes and a remap. When the rear air suspension collapses, then a full set of coil-overs is cheaper than 1 front strut, so again, with that mileage, they are probably due anyway.
Make sure you change the oft neglected transfer box oil. Lifetime oil that really needs replacing every 50k in the real world. When BMW state "lifetime" they really mean "warranty period" because they will enjoy selling you a new transfer box once out of warranty.
Apart from an unhealthy appetite for tyres, window regulators and door handle mounts, they are great cars.
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