Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

X5 newbie from Devon

Introduce yourself, (and post a photo if you have one).
roger chatfield
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:55 pm
Location: Devon

X5 newbie from Devon

Post by roger chatfield » Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:38 pm

Evening all, I'm Roger from sunny Devon.

Just bought myself a rather nice 52 plate E53 3.0i sport in silver.

Image

It's got a few small problems, the dash pixels have failed but I've just fixed that by replacing the ribbon cable and the tyre pressure control system is inactive.

I love it to bits although I was a little disappointed to discover it doesn't have a detachable towbar like my brother in laws as one of the reasons I bought it was to pull my caravan. I thought this was standard but has since discovered it was an optional extra... anyone got a spare towbar...??

Rog.

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18784
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by X5Sport » Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:42 pm

Hello and  :hi:

You can get a towbar from someone like PF Jones along with the dedicated electrics.  Westfalia are the OEM supplier and fitting the proper module means the car 'knows' when a trailer is fitted and will adjust the settings of various systems as a result.

It might cost a few hundred all in - less if you DIY - but that is way cheaper than going to a dealer.

Everything is an optional extra on a BMW...... :(

Towbar.

13-pin electrics kit.

Richard
Last edited by X5Sport on Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
huck
Member
Member
Posts: 474
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:12 pm
Location: Greater Manchester

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by huck » Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:43 pm

Hi Roger, welcome and congrats on the car!

X Box
Member
Member
Posts: 441
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2013 2:37 pm

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by X Box » Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:45 pm

Welcome.

What part of Devon are you from? When my mum was alive we used to take my kids and parents to Sidmouth every year.

You can always stick a wanted ad in the buy / sell section.
People buy horsepower but drive torque!

User avatar
Sanj
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5624
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:45 am
Location: Berkshire

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Sanj » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:15 pm

Welcome to the forum - arh the towbar.....

Waiting for Jeegnesh to want me to fit his soon, no doubt!  ::)
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds

User avatar
B5tew
Member
Member
Posts: 206
Joined: Tue May 03, 2011 12:47 am
Location: Bristol

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by B5tew » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:26 pm

Welcome to the forum Roger
It's nice to have another carravanner on board. You will not be disappointed with the X as a tow car
Have a look here for advice on fitting the tow bar and I would definitely advise a Westfalia  and get it from PF Jones
http://www.xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2357
All the best
Stewart


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
2015 Space grey 30d F15

Horizon
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 2599
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:34 pm
Location: Bury Lancashire

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Horizon » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:50 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum. Best colour you have too :) :)
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18784
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by X5Sport » Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:52 pm

[quote="Sanj"]
Welcome to the forum - arh the towbar.....

Waiting for Jeegnesh to want me to fit his soon, no doubt!  ::)
[/quote]

He's waiting for you to volunteer so that way he gets it done for free....or may be even less.. :P

Richard
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
Sanj
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5624
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:45 am
Location: Berkshire

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Sanj » Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:08 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
He's waiting for you to volunteer so that way he gets it done for free....or may be even less.. :P

Richard
[/quote]

We need to talk about your signature - IS IT BIG ENOUGH!!!!!!

Secondly that tight Indian Git will no doubt have it fitted free by me, because I'm like that. My buddies come first (after my family). :)

That includes you buddy (loosely)!  :))

Gotta ask now, how long left for little peanut? PM of course...  :)
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds

SoapSuds70
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:45 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by SoapSuds70 » Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:21 pm

[quote="roger chatfield"]
Evening all, I'm Roger from sunny Devon.

Just bought myself a rather nice 52 plate E53 3.0i sport in silver.

Image

It's got a few small problems, the dash pixels have failed but I've just fixed that by replacing the ribbon cable and the tyre pressure control system is inactive.

I love it to bits although I was a little disappointed to discover it doesn't have a detachable towbar like my brother in laws as one of the reasons I bought it was to pull my caravan. I thought this was standard but has since discovered it was an optional extra... anyone got a spare towbar...??

Rog.
[/quote]

Welcome aboard Roger. Fellow newbie having bought my first X5 2 weeks ago. Can't take the smile off my face  8)

Is replacing the ribbon cable an easy job?

J.

roger chatfield
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:55 pm
Location: Devon

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by roger chatfield » Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:50 pm

[quote="SoapSuds70"]
Is replacing the ribbon cable an easy job?
[/quote]

All depends what you skill level is.
I was in the Navy for 23 years as an electronics engineer so it wasn't to bad for me although my arse was doing the old 5 pence 10 pence trick when I had to drill 4 holes in the front of the instrument cluster.. :blink:

TBH if you are handy with your hands then it's possible, when I bought my ribbon from ebay I got a code so I could access the instructions, TBH they are very good, if you like I could email them to you and then you will have a better idea of what's involved.

Rog.

User avatar
Benstan
Member
Member
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:38 pm
Location: Essex

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Benstan » Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:10 pm

Welcome Roger - the X looks in fantastic condition

...am I the only one who read your intro line in a "Blind Date" style? 
Current: 2012 X5 MSport 3.0d - carbon black, 3rd row, panoramic, media, TV, top-view camera, power boot.
Former: 2006 520d SE (E60) - auto, black leather

Riggie
Member
Member
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 4:23 pm
Location: Devon

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Riggie » Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:34 pm

A fellow Devon member! Where are you Roger, I'm in Ivybridge.

Raj
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4512
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: Midlands

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Raj » Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:15 am

Welcome Roger and congrats on the purchase.

Does look very clean too.
Image

User avatar
Pope
Member
Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:21 am
Location: Bristol

Re: X5 newbie from Devon

Post by Pope » Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:40 am

:hi:

And hi from a fellow newbie here.

Your X does looks in very good nick.

Enjoy
:pope:
Garage:
BMW X6 40d Pink
Ducati Diavel 1198 Carbon
Image

Post Reply