Intro - Back into a BMW Daily

[X Mon™]

I didn't see an intro post thread, nor any notes in the forum rules post, so here goes...

Just took delivery on a 2015 35d, and so I'm getting back into the seat of a BMW as my daily, and trying to get caught up to all the new tech. I'll be looking to do some coding work in the near future to pull in a few features I'm currently lacking. It'll be a mixed fleet daily, as well as an eventual tow rig for a variety of stuff.

I've been away from the forums since the 2010 time frame, when I shifted focus into Subarus, and went to play stage rally for awhile. I currently support a few local teams with car prep and maintenance, as well as doing swap and build work on the side. For competition, I sit in the silly seat. I've now co-driven ~30 events to include a blast through Newfoundland in an E46.


But back to prior to 2010. I've driven E30s since 1997, with my first being an '84 325e. I've also had a smattering of other things along the way, however for the better part of 10 years I dailied 325iXes. I've spent tons of hours on RoadFly (yeah, I'm that retro) and BimmerForums over the years, helping to figure out the early E34 525iT swaps. I also spent the late 90s and early 2000s keeping a number of local iXes by providing maintenance and parts.

The current fleet is:
'15 X5 35d
'06 Subaru WRX Wagon
'01 Subaru Forester - WRX Swapped
'89 325iX
'93 525iTm
'72 2002

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone, and getting back into the fold...
-M
BMW CCA 290402

[burnurass]

Welcome! Must be an extreme change from the E30 to F15!

Congrats on the X5, it's a great vehicle. I've had my share of E36 M3's and E46 M3's and also an E90 M3. Will be getting back into an E46 M3 this weekend. The F15 is a really nice place to be. Enjoy in good health

[Frank_NJ]

Congrats and welcome back.

[P1]

But where are the pics of your X5?

[F15GorDe]

Welcome back. This is a good group, and with a bit of digging you’ll find answers here to just about everything.
I’ve rolled up 40k on my ‘15 35d so far and have been very pleased with it. Looking forward to your input.

[X Mon™]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. Will get some photos when it's nice enough to get things cleaned up, and stand outside with the DSLR.

Wants so far:
Hitch Install - leaning towards the Curt 2" US receiver and using OE wiring/module. I can't see the cost of other solutions when I need both a 2" and 2-5/16th ball solution, and ideally two heights for the 2".

Rear Camera (I never thought I'd say it, but yeah, would be nice)

Convenience entry - it's weird to need the key to lock/unlock, but not to start the car.

I'm sure I won't be able to keep my grubby paws off things as we move forward, but that'll be my starting point.

[X Mon™]

A lousy cell phone photo, but it would appear that Rudy has found a friend...buy one BMW, and more always seem to follow.




After spending some time coding the X5, I've now got ~3500 miles under my belt and am still smitten. The trip to collect Bliksem was 500+ miles of smooth cruising and I'm still getting ~35mpgs. Smitten is a good word for it.

Hitch installation ended up delayed due to other commitments, and then due to the adoption process. That should happen this coming weekend, and I hope to have enough help to document the process as we move forward. The plan is to doing the Curt, while maintaining functional tow hooks, so I already anticipate a bit of test/fit work. More to follow...