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  4. F15 35d // Build Thread

F15 35d // Build Thread

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Members BMWs
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  • pynaclP
    pynaclP
    pynacl
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    I decided I wanted a bigger daily driver to haul odds and ends + the dogs. The E90 is great but just doesn’t cut it size-wise.

    Originally set out to find an E70 X5 35d with the beautiful M57. I’d been searching for a while when suddenly saw an F15 35d pup up at a similar price point. It’s a bit high mileage at 145k, but overall pretty good shape. Came with plenty of maintenance records and some nice extras: Yakima roof rack with Thule wind deflector, thule ski box, remote start, OEM hidden hitch.

    Sadly not an M Sport, but I really think the Imperial Blue on Terra interior makes up for it. I’m equally pumped and nervous to dabble into the diesel engines!

    1D2E724E-BF4D-49AE-BD81-6BC83F5FA5EF.jpegF5A7FC9A-0AF7-415B-AA7B-50D971A73D34.jpeg4CB5F488-B4F6-41BB-B8E5-F58F8406E5AD.jpeg

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    3
    • P_RoloffP
      P_RoloffP
      P_Roloff
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Man, we’re going to have to rename this site WIDiesels at this rate! Congrats on the pickup, I love the color combo!

      Any plans for deleting or upgrading?

      1 Reply Last reply
      2
      • pynaclP
        pynaclP
        pynacl
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        P_Roloff said:

        Man, we’re going to have to rename this site WIDiesels at this rate! Congrats on the pickup, I love the color combo!

        Any plans for deleting or upgrading?

        Lol! Definitely was inspired a bit by the first thread I saw from @YoungCR and his E70!

        I’m planning on fully deleting the EGR + DPF and tuning sometime soon (I’ve heard that can put these N57s into the 600wtq range). I just know with this mileage the carbon build up is going to be insane from the emissions components. Say a prayer for me lol

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        1
        • YoungCRY
          YoungCRY
          YoungCR
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Congrats! We all have X5’s now, It’s like the newer twin to mine.

          Chris Young
          BMWCCA #458972
          1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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          • RekpointR
            RekpointR
            Rekpoint
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Fantastic FB find. Wish I could have joined for the pickup!

            Guess Ill have to buy one for a daily now aswell.

            1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • Bassboy3313B
              Bassboy3313B
              Bassboy3313
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Nice! I was actually looking at that one too, lol. Great buy!!

              CHECK OUT >>> RAGE DRIFT DESIGNS <<< FOR DECALS AND MORE!

              1 Reply Last reply
              2
              • G
                G
                gilber33
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Looks good!!! I turn around and do a double take with the X5 just as much as I do with the e30. It’s a fantastic car.

                1 Reply Last reply
                2
                • GunMetalGreyG
                  GunMetalGreyG
                  GunMetalGrey
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Now that's a color! I
                  Nice find, you'll enjoy the torque even at stock levels. 

                  The F15 and E70 seem oh so similar in many aspects, so for similar price you made a good move.

                  ...

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                  • SteelBlueS
                    SteelBlueS
                    SteelBlue
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Does anyone have some feedback on higher mile F15/E70's? I have been looking around but wondering if there are any larger issues that these cars face down the road?

                    I know some of the general stuff like 3rd row cars with airbags, general N55 stuff, etc.

                    I am kind of in your same boat with looking at an E70, but also seeing some higher mileage F15's for similar costs. I like the E70, but the F15 takes a huge jump in the looks.

                    The Imperial Blue and the brown is a great combo.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • G
                      G
                      gilber33
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      SteelBlue said:

                      Does anyone have some feedback on higher mile F15/E70's? I have been looking around but wondering if there are any larger issues that these cars face down the road?

                      I know some of the general stuff like 3rd row cars with airbags, general N55 stuff, etc.

                      I am kind of in your same boat with looking at an E70, but also seeing some higher mileage F15's for similar costs. I like the E70, but the F15 takes a huge jump in the looks.

                      The Imperial Blue and the brown is a great combo.

                      I tried looking into this a lot given that my price range would be a higher mileage one. And I couldn’t really find any complaints of major issues other than the things you listed: n55 oil leaks, bags, and drivetrain servicing. 
                       

                      Having air bags was a huge concern for me, but it seems like they’re pretty reliable and if a bag leaks, they’re not that expensive and replacing them is a very quick job. 
                       

                      I have some slight shuddering/jerking as I coast to a stop. But I have everything coming to service the transmission, transfer case, and front diff. I’ve read of significant improvements in drivetrain feel after servicing everything. Also a new OBD tool that can reset adaptations.

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                      • pynaclP
                        pynaclP
                        pynacl
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        SteelBlue said:

                        Does anyone have some feedback on higher mile F15/E70's? I have been looking around but wondering if there are any larger issues that these cars face down the road?

                        I believe the X5 35i uses the N55. From my research + owning an N55 335 recently I'd say they are pretty stout into the higher mileage. Most of the issues involve the common oil leaks - valve cover, oil filter housing (can drip onto belt and be sucked into the motor if it slips off, real bad stuff), and oil pan gasket. N55s also use an inferior oil pan design than the N54 or the V2 N55 used in the M2s (https://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1763724) where at high lateral Gs it can starve the motor of oil and run into rod bearing wear. Probably not super likely on a big X5 though...

                        Otherwise I've read the transfer cases and two diffs hold up pretty dang well! I'm planning on doing what I think is this X5s first fluid changes, so I can report back how that goes. Most of the F15 X5 issues seem to be with the 35d and it's silly emissions components.

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • KaiserRollsK
                          KaiserRollsK
                          KaiserRolls
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Did you sell the e90 to glen yet lol

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                          1
                          • pynaclP
                            pynaclP
                            pynacl
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            KaiserRolls said:

                            Did you sell the e90 to glen yet lol

                            Lol! @Rekpoint would probably offer $4k with a straight face. For now I'm planning on keeping the E90 too and storing it over winter again this year. It's a fun little summer daily and can't bring myself to part with it.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • RekpointR
                              RekpointR
                              Rekpoint
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              KaiserRolls said:

                              Did you sell the e90 to glen yet lol

                              He wouldn't let me take it for 4k cash. I just want to buy it so I can daily it in the winter like its meant to do.

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                              • pynaclP
                                pynaclP
                                pynacl
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Really prefer the look of the all aluminum silver key fob casing, so I swapped the circuit board into a new casing. It’s a bit tricky to get the physical key cut on these, so just reused the bottom section for now.

                                5D680D3F-B9F4-47C3-A3B0-DECF19CD65D6.jpeg

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                                • pynaclP
                                  pynaclP
                                  pynacl
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  X5 was on 145k with original drivetrain fluids, so with the help of @Rekpointwe changed oil, front diff, rear diff, and transfer case. Fluids actually looked surprisingly clean for the mileage, but nice little peace of mind.

                                  Still have trans to do, but saved that for another day because it looks like a damn pain.

                                  671E14D3-0F28-473A-879D-E70E01BEC155.jpeg7902434A-3C75-47CE-8825-C365926FB910.jpeg

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                                  • RekpointR
                                    RekpointR
                                    Rekpoint
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    That transfer case was horrible to do.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • G
                                      G
                                      gilber33
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Rekpoint said:

                                      That transfer case was horrible to do.

                                      I thought that one wasn’t bad. I bought a long piece of really flexible tubing for my fluid extractor so I could stuff it down the fill hole. Worked really well.

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                                      • pynaclP
                                        pynaclP
                                        pynacl
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        gilber33 said:

                                        I thought that one wasn’t bad. I bought a long piece of really flexible tubing for my fluid extractor so I could stuff it down the fill hole. Worked really well.

                                        I think the worst part for us was just getting a tool on that fill plug. We had quite the interesting contraption to get it lol

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                                        0
                                        • pynaclP
                                          pynaclP
                                          pynacl
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Took the X5 on a trip up north to Mille Lacs Lake for the weekend. Being able to toss all our crap in the ski box and have the whole back open for the dogs was awesome. Only put about 1k on it, but loving it so far.

                                          90493831-A16A-4D9C-AA0D-C3064A3B1723.jpeg8102DD52-503F-4D92-B3CC-13914BC208C0.jpeg458D7E14-1129-4C8F-B860-E0BBF3C8A286.jpeg

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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