My first E70 X5 50i M Sport

[Cattivo]

I finally put on my big boy pants and bought a 2011 X5 50i M Sport. Black Sapphire with black heated, cooled, and massaged multi contour 20 way Nevada leather adjustable sport seats. I thought I would miss the power of my modded 335XI M Sport but this truck still manages to keep that ear to ear smile on my face every time I get on it. Mods I've done so far are Carbon Fiber grills, painted front reflectors, tow hook license plate holder since I refuse to drill holes in the bumper BUT I have to buy a different bracket since plate now blocks one of the parking sensors, 20% tint, LUX H8 V4 LED headlights, WeissLicht LED fog lights with error cancellers, upgraded 19 out of 20 interior lights from OEM to LED, don't really see a need for an LED glove box light. I still need to detail and buff the truck as you can see from my crappy I-Phone shots the previous owner didn't really take care of the truck.

[sjp3003]

Congrats nice wheels with great options. Good to see you're enjoying the driving experience. I am also taking delivery of a 2011 X5 50i on Tuesday with only 15,600 miles...can't wait.

[Poppyboy]

Congrats. Don't try to upgrade the glove box with an LED bulb-you'll likely blow the fuse.

[JupiterBMW]

Good looking purchase. For some reason, that first pic almost looks like Carbon Black. Great looking truck either way.

How do you like the cooled/massaging seats? I've thought about searching for an upgrade...

[jiggz]

Good looking X5! I love BSM…had my wife not insisted on white that would have been my first color choice. And there are a lot more black X5's on the market than white.

Enjoy!!

[P1]

Mean looking truck mate! Looks nice in black metallic. That off-centered front plate really bothers me though... And check that headlight: looks like the LED might not be mounted right since the outer halo doesn't seem to light up.

I have the Multi Contour seats also and they're very comfortable, you'll enjoy it. The massaging function is a bit of a gimmick, but the A/C is a nice touch when it's hot outside and you're wearing a suit.

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

Congrats. Don't try to upgrade the glove box with an LED bulb-you'll likely blow the fuse.

Thank you, I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to these sav's. I've owned a variety of 3 series cars and have been doing my homework on E70's for the past month now, thanks to all forum members threads I've read I didn't replace glove box oem bulb for that specific reason

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Good looking purchase. For some reason, that first pic almost looks like Carbon Black. Great looking truck either way.

How do you like the cooled/massaging seats? I've thought about searching for an upgrade...

I think that these are by far some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. I'm 6'3 250 lbs and the seat especially with the lumbar support absolutely makes my driving experience that much better. The cooled part I'm enjoying but the massaging part feels kind of strange, not worth it imho

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Good looking X5! I love BSM…had my wife not insisted on white that would have been my first color choice. And there are a lot more black X5's on the market than white.

Enjoy!!

My wife also wanted Alpine White but we couldn't find one with all the options we wanted...after I detail the paint will look flawless

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by P1et

Mean looking truck mate! Looks nice in black metallic. That off-centered front plate really bothers me though... And check that headlight: looks like the LED might not be mounted right since the outer halo doesn't seem to light up.

I have the Multi Contour seats also and they're very comfortable, you'll enjoy it. The massaging function is a bit of a gimmick, but the A/C is a nice touch when it's hot outside and you're wearing a suit.

I wanted to avoid drilling holes in the bumper and I already had a tow hook plate holder from my previous E92 so I installed it to come and realize its blocking 1 of my parking sensors...I'll have to rethink drilling out the bumper. As for the headlight, I bought the LUX H8 V4 LED upgrade but for some reason they don't really light up the outer rings unless I'm looking at them dead on but as soon as I look from an angle both outer rings seem to barely light up

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by sjp3003

Congrats nice wheels with great options. Good to see you're enjoying the driving experience. I am also taking delivery of a 2011 X5 50i on Tuesday with only 15,600 miles...can't wait.

Thank you, and congrats to you as well...15k miles! wow low miles...I have just over 35k...good luck

[P1]

Originally Posted by THESONofSAM

My wife also wanted Alpine White but we couldn't find one with all the options we wanted...after I detail the paint will look flawless

You should take pics and make a post about the detail. Always interesting to see how others detail their cars.

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by P1et

You should take pics and make a post about the detail. Always interesting to see how others detail their cars.

I will definitely do that as I am very meticulous and a little o.c.d. when it comes to cleaning my cars lol...I have been detailing my own cars using ZAINO clay bars and different types of polish for years now...If you search youtube under E39 M5 ZAINO you will see a great video how ZAINO truly works step by step. The final outcome is a wet looking and flawless paint job that will guarantee you compliments every time you drive your vehicle. I am in no way affiliated with ZAINO...I just love their product

[Cattivo]

My next dilemma is, since winter is right around the corner, can I buy winter tires that will fit on my 333 style wheels and actually give me any grip in the snow seeing how wide the OEM tires that came on the wheels are, or should I get a smaller winter setup all together?

[P1]

Originally Posted by THESONofSAM

I will definitely do that as I am very meticulous and a little o.c.d. when it comes to cleaning my cars lol...I have been detailing my own cars using ZAINO clay bars and different types of polish for years now...If you search youtube under E39 M5 ZAINO you will see a great video how ZAINO truly works step by step. The final outcome is a wet looking and flawless paint job that will guarantee you compliments every time you drive your vehicle. I am in no way affiliated with ZAINO...I just love their product

I remember Zaino from back in the days! It's how I got into detailing back ten years ago...

[Poppyboy]

Originally Posted by THESONofSAM

My next dilemma is, since winter is right around the corner, can I buy winter tires that will fit on my 333 style wheels and actually give me any grip in the snow seeing how wide the OEM tires that came on the wheels are, or should I get a smaller winter setup all together?

For winter grip, a second set with narrower wheels is better. However, as important as size is the tire compound. Stock tires on your car are probably performance tires, which are for summer, have shallow tread and a hard compound. Changing to winter tires gives you a softer compound with deeper tread, which will adhere to snow and ice better. The decision depends on your driving conditions. If you stay in the city, you may be OK, but the first trip out to Westchester on wider performance tires when it's 30 degrees out may make you take notice in a hurry.

[SteveMD]

Get a Stage 1 Burger tune. Takes 5 mins to install and gives you 25-30 whp. There's also a Stage 2 in beta that gives you the same again.

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by THESONofSAM

As for the headlight, I bought the LUX H8 V4 LED upgrade but for some reason they don't really light up the outer rings unless I'm looking at them dead on but as soon as I look from an angle both outer rings seem to barely light up

Funny you mention that, ours is the same way. The two inner rings are a lot brighter than the outer ones. I don't think its your bulbs... It could be the way they're installed... Then again, I don't know what's in our X for bulbs, I just know they're aftermarket...

Good luck, and would love to see the detailing project!

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Funny you mention that, ours is the same way. The two inner rings are a lot brighter than the outer ones. I don't think its your bulbs... It could be the way they're installed... Then again, I don't know what's in our X for bulbs, I just know they're aftermarket...

Good luck, and would love to see the detailing project!

When it comes to halogen coronas that's pretty standard - inner rings are always brighter than the outers, especially with aftermarket bulbs…just the nature of the technology/setup. And the only reason I eventually bypassed 2011's and only searched 2012+…to get the LED coronas (on the non M's….for the X5M you need a 2013…and I think on top of that you need the optional LED headlights).

Jon…time to retrofit your M like Stuart did (username - 330i ZHP) - post 69…
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ight=x5&page=4

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

For winter grip, a second set with narrower wheels is better. However, as important as size is the tire compound. Stock tires on your car are probably performance tires, which are for summer, have shallow tread and a hard compound. Changing to winter tires gives you a softer compound with deeper tread, which will adhere to snow and ice better. The decision depends on your driving conditions. If you stay in the city, you may be OK, but the first trip out to Westchester on wider performance tires when it's 30 degrees out may make you take notice in a hurry.

Thank you for the good advice, I actually live in Westchester which is 10 minutes from NYC and the roads around here during the winter especially when it snows are pretty bad, and if we get another winter like last year I will most likely need to buy a set of Blizzacks or Pirellis ( or if you recommend anything which you think are better). I just wasn't sure if I should get a dedicated winter setup or I could get away with mounting winter tires on the 333 style wheels. Like I said I'm still a newbie when it comes to these sav's and I appreciate everybody's help and advise especially since it will be driven 90% of the time by my wife and 7 m.o. daughter

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Get a Stage 1 Burger tune. Takes 5 mins to install and gives you 25-30 whp. There's also a Stage 2 in beta that gives you the same again.

I am waiting for delivery of stage 1...I called Terry to make sure he had it in stock

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Funny you mention that, ours is the same way. The two inner rings are a lot brighter than the outer ones. I don't think its your bulbs... It could be the way they're installed... Then again, I don't know what's in our X for bulbs, I just know they're aftermarket...

Good luck, and would love to see the detailing project!

I will pop the hood and re-install them...As soon as I clean out my garage and move tons of boxes with baby clothes and toys I will begin the long process of bringing my paint back to and even better looking than show room condition