XSeries-forum

Hey, so I purchased an X3, E83 M Sport. I knew what My X5 offered, so went with the same 3.0d. Wanted to Down size a little, so thought this would be perfect. However, the guy I bought it from replaced the head unit with a Sony deck, which plays radio fine, but although connected, no bluetooth sound, neither does it play my CDs.   It does have some "massive" sound coming from it when it does play, sure it's got a sub hidden somewhere:)
The Gear box seems to be unwilling to gear down when stopped at the lights, and only when I put my foot on the gas does it do so with a shudder and then engage one with a jerk.
Thanks to Richard, found out about PMW Chelmsford. I'll take it to them and have the Swirl flap confirmed, replaced with blanking plate, and EGR cleaned.
Oh, and the Run flat indicator keeps coming on, hold reset lasts may a week.
So any advice on the above? Also, what else should I consider doing, as I think I will keep this one for a while.
Thanks peops. I'll load some pics once I have got some time to detail her.

Do the swirl flaps yourself, it will cost you less than £30.

Gearbox could be you need an update as my mates old X3 needed one when his auto box had a mind of its own.

Do you have the 'Star' rated tyres?

Check/Change your fuel filter as my '56 and my mates '05 both have bmw service history but when changed mine had '06 and my mates had '05 stamped on them.

Change your oil separator for the vortex type.

Check your washer bottle as the pumps get gunged up and operate poorly.

Check your rear carpet behind drivers seat as the washer pipe comes apart and fills the car with water.

Been thinking about doing the SF myself, but would the car need to be programmed to let it know it's running without?

I would like to change the oil and get software updated for the Gearbox. I am in Essex, anyone with a recommended Gearbox Mech? Read some forums, lots are against messing with a gearbox.

Star tyres? Guessing you mean branded. Will they are all new, that's the good news. The bad news is they are Michellin in the rear, front right's Pirelli, and the left is a brand i have NEVER heard before  LOL )

The other stuff I'll get to, but the SF is priority.

Thanks Jagr!

If you leave the flap controller in place (as I did on the E46) then the car thinks the flaps are present so no coding needed.  I think they're only used at idle anyway.

Are your tyre pressures OK?  '*' marked tyres are the 'right' ones to fit as they are made to fit on any BMW.  Sometimes the 4WD system can get uppity about having either the 'wrong' tyres or if there is a lot of wear on a particular wheel.  Given you have three different types, that could be the issue.

It's only a technicality really, but there have been issues reported by some who have not used '*' marked tyres with either the pressure warning coming on, or even problems with the 4WD/diffs/transfer boxes.  It seems the BMW transmission can be sensitive to this.

The ABS checks the rotation rates so one rolling at a different rate (as it would if the pressure or rolling radius was different) will bring the light on.

Richard

Thanks guys, So I have booked the X3 into PMW for a full check over, EGR and Swirls. That gearbox shudders is beginning to worry, so willget them to run a  full diag. Hoping it all goes well, will let you know what they're like, and how I get on.

So PMW were good. The guys did a complete inspection of the X3. They were picky to the point of door rubbers needed replacement, rear washer not working but apparent leak into trim of veh (I've not used yet) and flat spot on nsr tyre.
Now I come to the gurus on here asking for recommended parts. I like Bosch, and they appear to be good quality. Can you help...
Glow plugs - Bosch £12 per. I think I will replace all at that price. But only GP 4 faulty.
Swirl flaps recommended.
Transmission oil and filter replacement, as well as Transfer box oil replacement.
Engine thermostat and EGR thermostat along with full anti-freeze.
These are the main changes required.

[quote="Gaff"]
rear washer not working but apparent leak into trim of vehicle (I've not used yet).
[/quote]

Common fault that is a pain to fix as you have to remove the drivers seat and lift the carpet. The rear washer pipe gets separated there and needs to be reconnected. The dealer I bought mine from used heat shrink as well for good measure.

[quote="Gaff"]
Glow plugs - Bosch £12 per. I think I will replace all at that price. But only GP 4 faulty.
[/quote]

If needed change when doing swirl flaps. Bosch are good quality.

[quote="Gaff"]
Swirl flaps recommended.
[/quote]

I used these on mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4X-22MM-BMW-D ... true&rt=nc

[quote="Gaff"]
Transmission oil and filter replacement, as well as Transfer box oil replacement.
[/quote]

Use recommended BMW oils as they are picky items on the X3

[quote="Gaff"]
Engine thermostat and EGR thermostat along with full anti-freeze.
[/quote]

Haven't done mine yet

Thanks Jagr. Eurocarparts got a 50% off at the minute, headed there Tues (Mon Bank hol:()

With regards to the Glow plugs, only one was faulty, do you recommend changing all 6?

[quote="Gaff"]
With regards to the Glow plugs, only one was faulty, do you recommend changing all 6?
[/quote]

If doing it yourself I would probably just change the one. If you are paying someone change them all.

Morning all, sorry about not replying sooner. Have been caning the overtime to pay for the jobs above. Anyways, as my DIY skills are limited, not to mention a plier and flat head screw driver can only go that far... i decided to go with PMW Chelmsford.
Review: Customer service top. The guy at the front desk great - Talk the talk. But I wasn't able to speak to the guy who actually worked on my X3. all the jobs were done, and I have to rely on their professionalism that it was all done to a high standard 
In total cost me £1066, but all above was done. The gearbox is fantastic now, really smooth. Don't notice any performance issue with the swirl flaps done, although i must admit economy for a diesel is something left to be desired.
I would say that the 3.0D in my E53 was by far a strong performer, in power and economy. DOn't know why, though a lighter X3 would be better, even if not by a little. Any ideas?
last job to do - front lights. They are yellow  halogen i think. I want to upgrade, not necessarily to Xenons, but HIDs. Any recommendations?
Thanks guys.

3.0d E83 I drove was pretty quick.  Not sure on the power, but it might be the same as our E46 Conv so is 204bhp rather than the 218 in the E53.  I de flapped the E46 in the summer and have not noticed any significant performance change.  Being a conv it weighs nearly 1800kgs and still goes like a rocket.

Xenons/HIDS is an interchangeable term.  You can get HID lookalikes in normal bulbs from people like Philips or Osram that are pretty good and at least the lighting pattern will be OK as the filaments are correctly positioned.

Something like 'Nightbreaker' or 'Xtreme Vision' would do the job.  I think there are HID lookalike versions.  Places like Powerbulbs are a good source.  they won't be a perfect match though.

Richard

OK, so I have been searching for the best Oil to use, I've come back with
Castrol Engine Oil (Edge 0W-30 With Titanium FST Fully Synthetic................ or
Castrol Engine Oil (Magnatec 5w30 - C3 Spec................??? Anyone with experience?

As for The lights, going to get the HID COnv kit from Hids Direct for the Dipped, Phillips Xtreme 130+ for Mains. And final for this car will be a Chip box - if money allows. I want a box, that I can remove when time to sell on. I, by recommendation, found http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/ to be helpful. SO, lets see what comes of it.

AS always, thanks!
Gaff

Someone put up a link up regardingfor nightbreakers ( on another forum ) being reduced to £18 at Euro car parts this week

them odd front tyres will do an x3 no favours, i had a major gearbox fault on my rrs which turned out to be odd make front tyres on front axle and rrs arnt known for it like the x3 is