Newb just bought E70 4.8i - advice please!

[luckynumber37]

Hi all, new to the forum, just bought a 2007 X5 4.8i M-Sport and am seeking some advice on a few points...

Best place to buy European Nav disc?
Parking sensor fault showing (although they usually work well)
Knocking noise from front right suspension
Intermittent fault with xenon headlights, sometimes flickers then fails, shows fault
Would like a bit more of the lovely V8 sound without replacing exhaust or being too over the top
Is chipping worthwhile?

I'm based in Kent so I suppose I'd love someone to point me in the direction of someone who knows what they're doing!

Cheers all, I'll give it a clean and post some pics soon

[X5Sport]

to the Forum.

Nav discs from BMW.  Nothing else can be discussed on the Forum (Owners Rules).

Parking sensor could be one unit (check each one for clicking noise) due to water ingress

Knock could be any one of the bushes under there being worn out.

Xenon issue could be the bulb, starter ballast, or wiring fault.  Is it one or both?

[luckynumber37]

Ok thanks X5Sport - take your point re: not discussing Nav discs on forum! Perhaps you could pm or email me?

Re: parking sensors, I'll check each one, it shows as fault on the I-drive...

Thought the suspension noise would be bushes, will have it investigated.

Xenons - tends to be the drivers side but occasionally they both go and the fault comes on screen...any links to buy the bulbs from?

Thanks again!!

[X5Sport]

Bulbs are usually Osram 35W ~4,500°K typically but not sure whether D1S or D2S type.  Stick with a good make or you may have beam pattern/focus issues.  Have an on line search for the best prices currently around.  Philips are just as good.  Chinese copies should be avoided.

If it's both light units that is a little more worrying.  Any sign that the lamps have been swapped for an updated (55W sometimes used) set, or if the car was not OEM fitted with Xenons?  Retrofit kits can be troublesome.

It could be the wiring, auto lights, main light switch or the Lighting Control Module.  The latter runs almost all of the on board lighting and is expensive to replace but doesn't often go wrong.

[Horizon]

As X5Sport has mentioned, could be bulbs or ballasts, OEM or aftermarket. Was the 4.8's fitted with factory Xenons as standard ?
Has it got warning signs on the panels over the headlights when you open the bonnet ??? ( Warning High Voltage, danger of death, or so thing like that )
If it had aftermarket HIDS, good news as a replacement set of 55w HIDS complete is probably the same price or cheaper than a replacement OEM bulb.

[X5Sport]

......and don't buy bulbs from BMW.  They were charging over £300 each!  That was the price 15 years ago, not today, and they are still just Osram.

[luckynumber37]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I have ordered replacement sidelight bulbs from HID Direct, that should sort the angel eyes.

To clarify the headlight issue, they are factory fit xenons (adaptive, high beam assist etc), and the fault is just with the drivers side headlight, it works some of the time but then sometimes will flicker and go out - any ideas? Should I just find a good auto electrician to look at it?

[X5Sport]

Try swapping the bulb over.

HID (Xenon) lights are arc lights and it may be that either the lamp is faulty or the ballast unit - which generates a massive electric charge to start the arc (can the 25kV) - is shutting down to the running voltage (85V if I remember correctly) that sustains the arc too early.

Handle the bulb carefully as it is at high pressure.  A colleague had one burst on his Audi and the complete headlight unit had to be replaced due to damage!

Similarly, keep fingers away from the electrics when the lamp starts, the igniter voltage will give you more than a little tickle......

[luckynumber37]

Update on this guys and gals, I replaced the drivers side LED DRL with the unit from HID direct and have not had the main headlight fault since, hope it stays that way!!

Still want to free up the V8's vocals, if anyone knows about removing the rear mufflers/silencers I'd love to hear more.

Is it easily reversible?
Recommendations for someone in the south that knows what they're doing?

Cheers,
Luckynumber37

[lezmtaylor]

I got a 2nd hand Eienmann exhaust(from ebay) for my 4.4 v8, cost about £700 (new are around £2000-3000 new). expensive,but hand made to order.
Various types and sounds -Road, track etc. mine is a road exhaust, lovelly subdued sound, great with the windows open !!
Other v8 members have had them made for a lot less, they may have read your post and be along.

Lez