YO DAWG, I heard you like BMWs (purchased a beater X5)

it’s leaking no oil, and the trans shifts smooth as butter. I do have some sort of a driveline clunk when I tip into the throttle hard but I’m sure it’s nothing too crazy,

solid pick up man, nice!

more progress.

Driver’s door is now working from inside and outside after replacing the whole front door latch at a cost $172 from ESC tuning. Was an expensive fix IMHO, but having driver’s door that works does tend to make for a nicer car. I was also amazed how many dismantlers were selling this part used from 100k+ X5s on ebay for MORE money than a got a new OEM part for.

next up the X5 is getting dropped off for:

  • state inspection
  • re-calibration / diagnosis of air suspension.
  • install bushing for thrust arm into steering hub (I tried, I failed)

also just ordered a set of front rotors since mine are below min spec and look all chewed up.

I need to find a cheap source for a drivers front window switch module, mine is functional but some of the plastic is broken so one of the switches keeps falling out.

I would guess that after this trip to the euro specialist I’ll be something like $2700-$3000 all in on this X5 project including purchasing, taxes, etc…

need any floor mats? I have tan carpet/rubber mats and black rubber trunk mat. All oem.

I have the same motor, although in a vehicle that weighs more. I’m always impressed with the slight growl it makes. Mine’s getting up there in mileage too but still seems very smooth. :tup:

try changing the tranny oil and see if it still clunks

There is a couple different trains of thought on that process. Seems to be 50/50 of people who have done it with success and those who have done it and ended up in tranny failure.

clunk is front end, not tranny.

---------- Post added at 11:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------

I just purchased exactly what you are offering minus the trunk mat. Might be interested in the trunk mat if the price is right.

Don’t change the tranny oil if it hasn’t been done every 60k or less.

You tell me, i live in buffalo. I make it out to Batavia once in a while to go shooting. You can always use another set of mats, they aren’t happy sitting in my garage taking up room. They were all out of my old 05 X5 so let me know

Btw a few places sell just the buttons for the climate control, i know i got the kit for my old e39 same HVAC unit

Today I worked on the X some more. I Fixed the one of the rear doors so now all doors work from the inside and outside. I also recently detailed the whole thing (no good pics, but it came out well).

more parts ordered… This thing really was well overdue on all the suspension stuff, but with me doing the labor it’s still working out to be a great buy and a great value overall. I would estimate that I’ll be at about $3500 into this thing after all the mechanicals, but before any body work. (maybe another $1000 on a bad day)

Subframe Bushings ORDRED
blunttech x4 $117 shipped
http://www.blunttech.com/item.wws?clientid=blunttech.com&Sku=W0133-1665412&mfr=FEBI&sup=AAA&

Ball Joints - HAVE

Integral Link - $20 x2 $40 shipped
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-integral-link-33321090030-1

Guiding suspension link x2
$37 x2 shipped = $74
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E53-Control-Arm-X5-3-0-4-4-4-8-REAR-00-06-NEW-L-R-/140863103671?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20cc1862b7&vxp=mtr

Wishbone Left
$47 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E53-Control-Arm-X5-3-0i-4-4i-00-06-REAR-UPPER-LEFT-/400320990585?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d34fd8d79&vxp=mtr

Wishbone Right
$47 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E53-Control-Arm-X5-3-0i-4-4i-00-06-REAR-UPPER-RIGHT-/140857120279?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20cbbd1617&vxp=mtr

$503 BLAUFERGNUGEN package ORDERED
http://www.blauparts.com/bmw_shocks_struts/bmw_x5_shocks_absorbers_kits.html

Rear Pads + Rotors blunttech $78 ORDERED

Lol. Blunt is the man, if its the same guy I’m thinking of from r3v

Why not? It doesn’t seem to make sense…are you saying if you don’t change the fluid regularly, then don’t at all?

X…

Yes, if its not changed every 60k, don’t touch it past 100k in most cases. The fluid in tranny gets particles suspended from the burnt clutches in it and it holds shit together.

yup… a mixture of amazing and horrible prices from my research.

That makes sense, I changed the fluid on my old truck at 100k and it started working worse.

X…

yeah, a transmission going would be my worst nightmare and ruin the value of this, luckily it feels great.

welp, just another data point

I changed the original tranny fluid on my 142k mile e46. It shifts much smoother now, whereas before I felt the tranny shift much more abruptly. The fluid that came out was pure black (tranny fluid is red), and I replaced it with castrol import multi-vehical fluid. Not expensive OEM fluid.

As for the front end clunk, it’s probably your susp. bushings/ball joints.