Belated Hello

[dgm]

I've been prowling about the forum for a couple of months whilst looking for an X5 and picked up loads of knowledge which helped me a lot. Some cars described as being excellent condition, from private sellers and dealers alike, were absolute dogs. It's astonishing that people buy these cars then put almost no money into maintaining them.

Anyway I travelled to Chorley a few weeks ago and bought a November 2005 carbon black/ecru leather, Exclusive Edition 3.0d with 70k miles on it. The car is in very good condition although I'll need to sort out some swirling on the paintwork. It's got a pretty full options list on it and was owned by a guy who was a senior BMW tech and seems to have been well maintained with a full BMWSH. The panorama roof, which was a concern, has been previously replaced under warranty so should be OK.

So far I've replaced a cracked drivers door auto dim mirror and both front tyres. but other than that all seems good. I've already made improvements to the basic sound system and an Intravee and Alpine
TUA-100 DAB are next on the agenda.

Here's a couple of pics prior to a proper detail.

[X5Sport]

A very warm welcome to the Forum officially....

Nice tidy example of an X5 too...swirls on that dark colour are unfortunately a given when in the hands of amateur detailers (I picked the Sterling Grey to avoid it on my X5 as I'm in that same group). There's a few folks, especially Raj who can point you in the right direction.

At some point I need to change my Halfords 240V Polisher for a 'proper one' so will watch with interest to see what advice you get.... I definitely don't want to burn the paint on the project E46 - which is dark graphite grey - as HRH will slaughter me..

[Sanj]

Welcome dgm,

Nice car and glad the forum has helped.

[Raj]

Welcome aboard. Lovely looking example. Let me know if there is anything on the detailing or modding front I can help with.

[dgm]

Thanks folks, I won't be slow to ask. I've done a bit of detailing before so I know my way around a DAP but I don't know it all by any means. I've been around z4-forum for a few years and I obviously recognise pvr from there. Here's some gratuitous shots of the other beemer in the family.

[dgm]

Here's what the X5 replaced.

[wilkoturbo]

Love the wheel colour what is is called ?

[dgm]

[quote=""wilkoturbo""]Love the wheel colour what is is called ?[/quote]

I get them powdercoated locally, the firm that does them, ESP Powdercoating, calls it anthracite.

[Raj]

Love the Z4M coupe. Stunning motors. One on PH which I'd love to buy if I had the money. All the right mods done too.

Love the rims in anthracite. Suit the car. You do like extra work with black cars...lol

[Sanj]

[quote=""dgm""]Here's what the X5 replaced.[/quote]

F**k me, hell of a replacement!

Both cars are lovely - when clean.

[dgm]

[quote=""Raj""]Love the Z4M coupe. Stunning motors. One on PH which I'd love to buy if I had the money. All the right mods done too.

Love the rims in anthracite. Suit the car. You do like extra work with black cars...lol[/quote]

I've had the Z4MC for 5 years now, far and away the longest I've ever kept a car and I still love it. I honestly can't see anything I want to change into in the right price bracket. The CSL's and aero sideskirts were added as soon as I could after getting the car, for me the car doesn't look right without them. The X5 is a great contrast as it's such a different car.

You're right about the black cars, it's a labour of love.

[dgm]

[quote=""Sanj""][quote=""dgm""]Here's what the X5 replaced.[/quote]

F**k me, hell of a replacement!

Both cars are lovely - when clean. [/quote]

I know what I've taken on with the X5, I used to have an M3 in carbon black and it's a bugger of a colour to keep presentable.

The A3 was not a bad car but was quite bland to drive. Even though it was my wife's car I decided a change was in order. She loved that car as well.

[Sanj]

OK - see a 1 series in the frame too (if I'm right) - what's that all about? Only as the wife has one....

And no way am I buying another black car! He says........

PS - The X5 is twice as big as the M3 to keep clean! I hate cleaning the bugger!

[dgm]

[quote=""Sanj""]OK - see a 1 series in the frame too (if I'm right) - what's that all about? Only as the wife has one....

An no way am I buying another black car! He says........ [/quote]

Well spotted, you can only see part of the headlight as well. That's my daughters and, of course, it's black as well.

[X5Sport]

[quote=""Sanj""]F**k me, hell of a replacement!
Both cars are lovely - when clean. [/quote]

I take it you are of course referring to the non-'cock ring' equipped cars in the above........

I see the TT dropped a mere 28 places in this years Auto Express Driver Power Survey.....hairdressers have gone off them it seems... Now at 50.

X6 not listed as too few about, though the E70 is a new entrant at 36 which isn't bad and is the only 'X' in there..