New owner thoughts - 2013 X5M

[Supreme Machine]

Hey hey! I picked up a 2013 X5M about 3 weeks ago and here are my initial thoughts.

Background: I've got a good friend whom owns a local dealership here in Minnesota. We went through a few machines having bidding wars on Manheim and landed on an X5M in Las Vegas. Shipped it over here into the bitter cold.

First week with above freezing temps, things went well. Once the sub zero temps set in, a few things occurred:

1. Radiator fluid spewed out of the res one evening
2. Blower motor stopped working for the cabin vent/controls
3. "Increase battery discharge" warning came on intermittently
4. Steering has become extremely heavy

I since took the truck into the local BMW dealership here for service and inspection. They checked over the car, and ended up flushing the hot weather coolant out, adjusting a headlight, topped off power steering and a general inspection. Everything has been fine since except the steering still is very heavy. It's intermittent where I'll be driving along just fine and not notice it one trip, next time I get in it's very heavy. Mind you I'm 200lbs and an avid gym goof that can definitely turn a stiff wheel but others who've driven it notice it immediately. I'm going to do the turkey baster suck out, refill, turn wheel, repeat method to see if things change... Crossing fingers.

Some upgrades I have planned:

1. Megan supremo exhaust (black tips)
2. Blacked out rear badge
3. 22" Beyern Munich wheels
4. Catless downpipes
5. Tune

One bonus I found in the car after it arrived was a Valentine One control box in the center console and laser jammer/detectors installed in the grille and on the trunk hatch. Noticed the prior owner also painted the grille and side marker lights.

Here's some photos from the auction (it's filthy right now).

[jiggz]

That poor X, moving from the extreme heat to extreme cold - sounds like the move shocked her system

Kidding...and welcome to the forum, great looking X5M! Big bonus having the optional LED headlights and no bumper holes drilled (at least IMO).

Not sure about the steering, but nothing needed to be done regarding the battery warning?

[Toneaero]

No issues with the cold and my X5M here in Minnesota.

BTW, I have catless downpipes and muffler delete on mine. The sound is amazing but the fumes can be a bit annoying.

[Supreme Machine]

Originally Posted by jiggz

That poor X, moving from the extreme heat to extreme cold - sounds like the move shocked her system

Kidding...and welcome to the forum, great looking X5M! Big bonus having the optional LED headlights and no bumper holes drilled (at least IMO).

Not sure about the steering, but nothing needed to be done regarding the battery warning?

Nope, I mentioned the battery warning. BMW shrugged it off and said my battery was is good shape.

I was picky when I was shopping, no holes drilled and LED headlights please.

I was a touch heartbroken when an Alpine white with obnoxious red interior slipped from my grasp during the auction. Lucked out when this bad boy came through the next day.

[X5MRuns]

Hey there folks!! I'm new to the forum and hope to add as much value as I hope to receive. These X5m's are wonderful machines, but they do require care. Soooo totally worth it!!!!

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by X5MRuns

Hey there folks!! I'm new to the forum and hope to add as much value as I hope to receive. These X5m's are wonderful machines, but they do require care. Soooo totally worth it!!!!

Is this X5M you just posted yours? If yes, you should start your own new thread - nothing worse than thread jacking (posting pics of your own vehicle in someone else's thread).

[marblesyrup]

So when did they change the headlights from 2011 to the ones on this car? And is it an easy retrofit?

[Supreme Machine]

2013 offered LED I believe. This is my first full LED headlight car. Totally worth it and I believe if you search around on the forum you could find a retrofit DIY.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by marblesyrup

So when did they change the headlights from 2011 to the ones on this car? And is it an easy retrofit?

Xenon headlights with halogen coronas were standard on all E70 X5M's (2010-2013). 2013 was the only year where LED headlights + coronas were available, and they were optional, not standard.

Quite a few people here have recently done the LED retrofit. It's not cheap or easy based on what I've read, but everyone says it's well worth it in the end.

[X5MRuns]

Sorry about that....learning forum etiquette as that was my 1st time ever posting. My apologizes for the hijack. And yes, those pics are of my vehicle (the ones that actually posted anyway)

[boneca]

Originally Posted by marblesyrup

So when did they change the headlights from 2011 to the ones on this car? And is it an easy retrofit?

starting 2012 all X5s were coming out standard with LEDs except X5M, on X5M it was optional, go figure the logic of this! I'm one of the unfortunate owners who still have 2013 without them, its definitely on my to do list. The price of this DIY is pretty high at the moment, also I'm not too crazy going thru firewall etc., will do it eventually!

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by X5MRuns

Sorry about that....learning forum etiquette as that was my 1st time ever posting. My apologizes for the hijack. And yes, those pics are of my vehicle (the ones that actually posted anyway)

No worries. Start a new thread and tell us about your new purchase

Originally Posted by boneca

starting 2012 all X5s were coming out standard with LEDs except X5M, on X5M it was optional, go figure the logic of this! I'm one of the unfortunate owners who still have 2013 without them, its definitely on my to do list. The price of this DIY is pretty high at the moment, also I'm not too crazy going thru firewall etc., will do it eventually!

Right, my post above was referring to X5M's only, and nothing was LED on the front until '13 (and still optional) but it was coronas & headlights if that option was selected. The 2012 change you reference on the non-M was LED corona only - LED headlights were never available.

[smyles]

"Hot weather coolant"? Was it really spelled like this in the work order?

[black1]

Congrats on the purchase I see your looking at a Megan exhaust. Mine came with one when I bought it and I'm very satisfied with the sound also to me the tips look really good.

[marblesyrup]

The lights look awesome, I was parked next to another X5M at the airport yesterday and noticed them but I'm sure they're prohibitively expensive to retrofit. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Lucky John]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

BTW, I have catless downpipes and muffler delete on mine. The sound is amazing but the fumes can be a bit annoying.

Supreme Machine, that is a beautiful ride. Congrats.


Toneaero, you shouldn't be able to smell fumes in the cabin. If that is what you're talking about, you need to get that fixed. A lack of oxygen will cause you to pass out while you're driving. Cheers, John

[Supreme Machine]

Thanks Lucky John!

I'm hoping to slap some big black 22" wheels on it once the warm weather rolls in. Today on my way into the office I saw a 2010 Alpine white X5M turning in behind me. He pulled up next to me, realized it was a new purchase (lack of plates). He asked me how long I've had the truck and mentioned how his machine has 700 horse... That's just ridiculous. The 555 is enough, but I wouldn't mind some extra growl. Hoping the down pipes don't leak stench into the cabin.

[xpl0sive]

a tune definitely wakes the car up. I would suggest getting yours tuned, even if you're not after 700hp.