XRatedM's Alpine White E70 X5M

[XRatedM]

Quick video of a non-M mode run

E70M Quick Sprint Video

[argento]

I second! That looks fantastic! Great work

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by argento

I second! That looks fantastic! Great work

Thanks!

[cannan]

Love those wheels. I've wanted to pull the trigger on 612M wheels but just not sure I love the 21" on the E70. What wheel spacers on you running for that setup?

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by cannan

Love those wheels. I've wanted to pull the trigger on 612M wheels but just not sure I love the 21" on the E70. What wheel spacers on you running for that setup?

Thank you! Honestly, I was after 612M as well but didn't come across anything without tires. So I decided to stick out with 20" for now. 612M are the best looking wheels for E70 IMHO.

I'm running 17.5mm fronts and 25mm rears.

[amrazM]

Wow, an unbelievable amount of work documented here. Im thinking about parting ways with my 2013 35i and getting into an X5M. Nice to see the quality of work you put into this truck.

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by amrazM

Wow, an unbelievable amount of work documented here. Im thinking about parting ways with my 2013 35i and getting into an X5M. Nice to see the quality of work you put into this truck.

Thank you!!

As they're getting past the 10 year mark, I see a lot of them for sale and some are very nice! Good luck!

[XRatedM]

Rear emblems and roundel were faded and not aligned correctly and I had been wanting to replace them with black ones from IND but $150 is a bit steep - so ended up spending about an hour and $10 for new M badge sticker decal and painted them black.







Removing the old sticker was a struggle Lol it will be repainted

[XRatedM]

Getting ready to replace front and rear stabilizer bar bushings.
Transfer case, front and rear differential fluids.



For anyone that is looking for E70 X5M Rear Differential fluid type and capacity.

[XRatedM]

The plan was to do the service this weekend but upon inspection from underneath, I found a few leaks around lower oil pan, transfer case and rear differential.

So to better diagnose, I plan to wash/clean all leaking components and drive for about 50-100 miles for them to reappear.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before but rear coolant cover had been slow leaking coolant for about 6 months now and I had planned to drop the transmission to replace it but it seemed too big of a job so never really got around doing it and now I think I might have to. So I will be removing the transmission and transfer case to tackle the rear main seal, rear coolant cover, transfer case leaks, differential leaks, fluid change and any other leaks/bushings along the way.

[XRatedM]

Photos of the leaks. I could see an active leak from transfer case actuator and grime on the rear diff.

Transfer case



Transfer case actuator



Rear Diff

[XRatedM]

Replaced ignition coils with Bav Auto coils (old ones were Bosch).



Cleaned underneath the motor, transfer case and rear diff. Emblems and roundel back on and gave her a wash.

[repaidboy]

Love your X5M. I just purchased a used 2013 X5M. It has the dark blue metallic paint and the front of the rear wheel flairs are severely pitted. Have you experienced the same on yours?

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by repaidboy

Love your X5M. I just purchased a used 2013 X5M. It has the dark blue metallic paint and the front of the rear wheel flairs are severely pitted. Have you experienced the same on yours?

Thank you!

Yes, they all suffer from that. Front wheels throw all kinds of crap at them. I'm focused on mechanical aspect for now, but will eventually repaint front & rear bumpers, all flares and side skirts and probably PPF them to avoid future beating.

[TTV8M]

came out really good. thanks for the DIY. i hope to do this after or inbetween by engine rebuild in the coming weeks/months.

since my x6m is black on black, was thinking either red or blue. thoughts on a color?

Originally Posted by XRatedM

While I had the truck on jack stands - I also re-adjusted the rear height links, will see how it affects the rear height when it's off of jack stands.

Will replace spacers as well - so 13.5mm and 15mm spacers for sale

Repainted the calipers to Phoenix Yellow Metallic - it was a rough project, didn't have time to go into details because brakes aren't due for service anytime soon.

Process followed;

Step 1: Cleaned with brake cleaner and wire brush
Step 2: Scuffed with 3M red pad
Step 3: Sanded it down with 400 grit sandpaper
Step 4: Wiped it down with isopropyl
Step 5: 3 coats of white VHT primer (15 mins between each coat)
Step 6: Light sanding with 600 grit sandpaper
Step 7: Wash with water/isopropyl mix
Step 8: Wipe down with isopropyl
Step 9: 4 coats of paint (15-20 between each coat)
Step 10: Waited 2 hours for the paint to dry (it was 50 degrees here)
Step 10: Applied the M decal
Step 11: 3 coats of VHT clear (15 mins between each coat)

And phew!! done!

Attachment 2815017

Attachment 2815018

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by TTV8M

came out really good. thanks for the DIY. i hope to do this after or inbetween by engine rebuild in the coming weeks/months.

since my x6m is black on black, was thinking either red or blue. thoughts on a color?

I think Estoril Blue would look real nice.

[XRatedM]

Hello all, I haven't done much to the truck in a while, other than replacing wheels to a more aggressive setup - Forgestar F14 running 17.5mm Front and 25mm rear spacers, which I will remove because the offset is aggressive enough without spacers. Sharing a few photos for your viewing pleasure.

Anyone looking for spacers? I have 17.5mm Front and 15mm & 25mm (DRA - bolt on) for Rear.

[0-60Motorsports]

Originally Posted by XRatedM

Hello all, I haven't done much to the truck in a while, other than replacing wheels to a more aggressive setup - Forgestar F14 running 17.5mm Front and 25mm rear spacers, which I will remove because the offset is aggressive enough without spacers. Sharing a few photos for your viewing pleasure.

Anyone looking for spacers? I have 17.5mm Front and 15mm & 25mm (DRA - bolt on) for Rear.

Attachment 2925288

Attachment 2925289

Attachment 2925291

Those look great! Sizes?

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Those look great! Sizes?

Thank you!

20x10.5 Front and 20x11 Rear

[argento]

Hey, well done! Great stance.

I think of wheels weekly, lol.

[XRatedM]

Originally Posted by argento

Hey, well done! Great stance.

I think of wheels weekly, lol.

Thanks! These have the perfect offset, removed the spacers and the drive without spacers is extremely smooth. Next up, I have to remove roof rails and probably paint the hood.

[XRatedM]

A friend gave me a front lip that has seen better days.

Clear coat was flaking and it was cracked at multiple places





I didn't realize how big of a pain sanding is.



Used Amazon carbon fabric



It took some skills to balance it





Lip had two broken brackets, so made two, each with 3 layers of carbon fiber.





Repaired cracks with resin





Reinforced the inside with additional layers



Attached the bracket with epoxy



One of the end with chopped carbon



Repaired crack on the front, visible but better than before



Final finish will look something like this



Waiting to apply 4 coats of clear and on it will go