My wife's X3 E83 Sportpack Build.

[Peter@AEW]

Motorplan would replace the entire cassette but this car's motorplan expired a long time ago...:blueCry:

Warren you ARE the motorplan

Now fix it for the good lady so that she may get around[/hr]

 

[zaleonardz]

There is an E83 with panaramic at MD I am pretty sure..

Sorry Gizmo, this sucks

Can you not assemble the casette in the closed position and import a kit from burger or one of the other guys...

 

[Gizmo]

You warned me these roofs were problematic, just didn't expect it to fail on me so quick. Mike @ MD is mad with his prices, would rather buy new OEM parts than have the same issue in 6 months time...
There is also City Deep Auto Spares that have a fairly large variety of X3 and X5 models to choose from, unfortunately the owner smokes the same stuff as Mike...

I just need 2 pieces so I can keep it in the closed position but no scrapyard will allow me to strip one of theirs for those 2 parts. The glass will be unsecured without them and it could blow off while driving, I will rather not take the chance of that happening and have the car sit for some weeks or months while I raise the funds to fix it properly...

 

[frs1]

X3 & X5 same roofs no difference in maintenance on cars, the X5 just drives better !!! I had me X3 roof fixed in randburg for 3.5. Common problem for back one to stuck in the tilt position, just use a screwdriver to help the closing mechanism in the middle on the stuck side, just keep fingers away.

 

[Gizmo]

Yes the back glass got stuck in the tilt position and the front glass tried to close, thats when there was a loud *snap* and then both were stuck in the tilt position. All the plastic parts have stress fractures and cracks in them, its surprising it lasted this long...

 

[Low N Slow]

Looking great sir....also looking for something for the wife and the x3 ticks the boxes

 

[Gizmo]

Looking great sir....also looking for something for the wife and the x3 ticks the boxes

My advice to you would be that you go 3.0lt petrol or 3.0lt diesel as the 2.0d and 2.5i motors don't have enough power and torque for the 1.7ton car.

 

[Oooompie]

Looking great sir....also looking for something for the wife and the x3 ticks the boxes

My advice to you would be that you go 3.0lt petrol or 3.0lt diesel as the 2.0d and 2.5i motors don't have enough power and torque for the 1.7ton car.

This would of course depend on the model E83. A August 2010 20d develop more torque but less kw than a June 2004 30i. Acceleration and top is the same as well as towing capacity. Here is a comparison according to http://www.car-specs.za.net/bmw-x3-car-specs.aspx

Great job you are doing in fixing the X3. Expert Knowledge!

 

[Gizmo]

I changed out the licence plate lights for LED ones, it gives the car an updated feel plus it makes the car more visible at night. Now all 3 cars in the garage have LED licence plate lights.





My touring has Phillips blue tinted parking globes which makes the light look white instead of the std parking bulbs that look yellow in comparison. Will get some phillips bulbs for the X3 in due time.

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I must say that I have never driven a car that feels so sure footed in wet conditions as much this X3 feels, the permanent 4wd inspires so much confidence in the wet, I love it!

 

[Yuben]

Led bulbs are great. Have them in and out on the 330.

Why not install the LED angels which will replace the parks?

 

[Gizmo]

Because angel eyes don't last and because it only takes 10 seconds to replace the std park bulbs, OEM FTW!

 

[Yuben]

Mine is running for 2 years now with no issues. The rings never go, mostly the ccfl ballasts which is easy and quicker to change than the bulb IMO.

Plus the ccfl/Led colour gives it fresher look.

 

[Gizmo]

All the extra wires for the angel eyes make the engine bay untidy. Once again oem ftw.

 

[DieselFan]

All the extra wires for the angel eyes make the engine bay untidy. Once again oem ftw.

Only if it's wired badly. Can be made to look neat.

But its all preference, each to their own.

 

[Gizmo]

They don't add value or increase the light output, besides they not oem. If I want angel eyes I will buy an e39 facelift.

 

[DieselFan]

It's a cosmetic upgrade, it's not for everyone.

 

[Gizmo]

All the extra wires for the angel eyes make the engine bay untidy. Once again oem ftw.

Only if it's wired badly. Can be made to look neat.

But its all preference, each to their own.

I have yet to see a clean install. Everyone who fits them seem to do the bare minimum.

 

[Gizmo]

Just finished installing the 3.0lt MAF, airbox and intake pipe to the X3 and am very impressed with the results, car doesn't feel asthmatic any more as it is now breathing through the correct size MAF, the 2.5lt MAF was strangling the car's performance, glad its out.

The parts to be fitted, notice the 330i MAF is different to the X3 3.0lt MAF, I was able to get a Z4 3.0lt MAF which is the same as X3 3.0lt MAF.






Big difference.




Snorkel in place.

 

[Jiggy]

Awesome man...

 

[moranor@axis]

3.0l conversion complete

on another note I have had the same angles since I got the car they still 100% and bright...