17 X5 Build Thread: The Dog Car

[sukhk527]

Are build threads even a thing nowadays? Anyways, to keep in true form, I'm going to document the steps along the way. My new-to-me 2017 X5 was purchased on December 16, 2020 from CarMax in Kansas City, MO. I call it the Dog Car because my fiancé and I adopted a Mini Goldendoodle puppy three days after buying this and I went from a stanced VW GLI to this partially because of the dog lol.

Car had 20,205 miles on it and was a one-owner car from New York. Funny enough, it was actually at CarMax in Dulles, VA over Thanksgiving and I just happened to go look at it while I was visiting my folks.

Anyways, mods started shortly thereafter. List of what's been completed to date is down below along with some photos

Vehicle:
2017 X5 XDrive35i
Build date - 8/17/17
Sophisto Grey
X-Line
HK Audio

Mods Completed to Date:

Engine:
- AFE Pro Dry S Drop-in Air Filter
- Dorch Engineering Stage 1 HPFP
- VRSF Downpipe
- VRSF FMIC
- FTP Turbo to IC Pipe
- Evolution Racewerks Charge Pipe
- Vibrant 10632 StreetPower Oval Muffer
- Zeitronix ECA CANBUS Ethanol Analyzer Kit w/ FlexFuel Sensor and Gauge
- MHD Custom Flexfuel Tune
- Turner Motorsports F10 N55 Carbon Intake Pipe
- FTP F10 N55 Turbo Inlet

Cosmetic:
- Red Start Button from Mod Bargains
- PedalHaus Pedals and Heel Plate
- Wide Fender Flares w/ H&R 15mm/20mm spacers
- RGSport Painted Front and Rear Reflectors
- OEM Roof Bars
- INNO Wedge 660 Roof Box (Not Pictured)
- OEM Style 451 Wheels and Tires (refinished)
- Chrome Delete with Gloss Black Vinyl
- M Performance Front Kidney Grilles
- Matte Black Vinyl Striping

Interior:
- CobyWheel Two-Tone Steering Whee
- SAT Shift Lever
- GoldenWrench Billet Aluminum Shift Paddles
- OEM F85 Carbon Fiber Dash Trim
- M-Performance Carbon Steering Wheel Trim
- AEM Digital Boost Gauge
- Uniden R7 + BlendMount

Tech:
- BimmerCode coding (mirrors, windows/sunroof, rear fog, ambient lighting, SAT, warnings, tailgate)
- CarPlay Activation via ConnectedDrive
- Full Screen CarPlay activation from Bimmer Remote

Car currently has 244xx miles on it and has undergone two oil changes, wipers, and cabin filters so far for maintenance under my ownership. More to come at 30k.

Current State:







Progress Photos:



[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5ce1d64b_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6864ab1b_b.jpg[/img]

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...58f3d76d_b.jpg[/img]

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a14b7f95_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7330f26b_b.jpg[/img]

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...abe6b1f4_b.jpg[/img]

[jiggz]

Looking good - we need more build threads!

The chrome delete makes a huge improvement IMO.

What's next? The options are endless

[scotty339]

Two build threads in one day? Best day ever. Haha.

Looking good. Great pictures. 2nd on the chrome delete.

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Looking good - we need more build threads!

The chrome delete makes a huge improvement IMO.

What's next? The options are endless

I actually just got an M Sport steering wheel delivered. On the hunt for an airbag now.

Also expecting a Racechip RS module in the next day or two. We tried to flash my car BM3 Stage 1 but it turns out it had a software update at some point and the DME needs a bench unlock. I just couldn't deal with being down a car for a few days at the moment so Racechip it is.

[crystalworks]

Our X's are twins. Sophisto Gray X lines. We both went 20's pretty quickly as well. I recommend the Ebay ABS fender flares. Cheap and fit 95% of factory. Very hard to tell unless you are an enthusiast up close they aren't OE. Yours is younger, cleaner, and lower mileage. Makes me a little envious. Ours gets better gas mileage though.

Funny I was just looking up upgraded steering wheels too. We had a loaner m sport 5 series while the dealer was doing our injectors and the wheel felt soooo good. I think I am going to invest in a nice leather wrap for ours. I'd like to switch to M sport, but with this diesel I'm trying to avoid m sport touches for fear of scope creep leading to full on conversion. Don't want to do that on this one. lol

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Our X's are twins. Sophisto Gray X lines. We both went 20's pretty quickly as well. I recommend the Ebay ABS fender flares. Cheap and fit 95% of factory. Very hard to tell unless you are an enthusiast up close they aren't OE. Yours is younger, cleaner, and lower mileage. Makes me a little envious. Ours gets better gas mileage though.

Funny I was just looking up upgraded steering wheels too. We had a loaner m sport 5 series while the dealer was doing our injectors and the wheel felt soooo good. I think I am going to invest in a nice leather wrap for ours. I'd like to switch to M sport, but with this diesel I'm trying to avoid m sport touches for fear of scope creep leading to full on conversion. Don't want to do that on this one. lol

The project manager in me loves your use of scope creep lol. Twinsies indeed! And good to know on the eBay flares, did you buy oem replacement rivets I assume?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by sukhk527

The project manager in me loves your use of scope creep lol. Twinsies indeed! And good to know on the eBay flares, did you buy oem replacement rivets I assume?

I did not. Because I have so many bimmers here that require those rivets (E53, E70, F15) I have different varieties of them. The ones they came with are sufficient, not great. OE is best obviously, but expensive by comparison. I bought a large pack of Chinese copies on Amazon that I use most often.

[beattiecj]

can you provide more detail on the chrome delete, did you wrap or buy new parts?

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by beattiecj

can you provide more detail on the chrome delete, did you wrap or buy new parts?

It's actually gloss black vinyl wrap on the window trim, front and rear bumper trim.

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I did not. Because I have so many bimmers here that require those rivets (E53, E70, F15) I have different varieties of them. The ones they came with are sufficient, not great. OE is best obviously, but expensive by comparison. I bought a large pack of Chinese copies on Amazon that I use most often.

Noted, thanks!

[sukhk527]

Well this just arrived. Going to try and install later tonight and will report back once I get some seat time.

[sukhk527]

Feedback on Racechip RS so far: currently been letting the car adapt on setting 4 out of 6. Can definitely tell it's there, but I only put about 20 miles on it so I imagine it needs to adapt some more.

Install was super easy, took longer to get the factory plugs out and find a mounting location for the box than to get everything hooked up.

Going to get some more seat time today and adjust to setting 5.

Overall VERY happy with the result. Shoutout to r33_RGSport for the fast shipping and help!

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by sukhk527

Feedback on Racechip RS so far: currently been letting the car adapt on setting 4 out of 6. Can definitely tell it's there, but I only put about 20 miles on it so I imagine it needs to adapt some more.

Install was super easy, took longer to get the factory plugs out and find a mounting location for the box than to get everything hooked up.

Going to get some more seat time today and adjust to setting 5.

Overall VERY happy with the result. Shoutout to r33_RGSport for the fast shipping and help!

Appreciate the kind words.

[BMWofVS]

Did you diy the charge pipe or is that someone at the shop installing?

Edit: curious on the diy level of effort replace or how much shop charges.

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by BMWofVS

Did you diy the charge pipe or is that someone at the shop installing?

Edit: curious on the diy level of effort replace or how much shop charges.

I had the shop do it while it was in there, but having seen it and with little mechanical know how, I'd be more than comfortable doing it. They only charged me an hour of labor.

[alik82]

Originally Posted by sukhk527

Are build threads even a thing nowadays? Anyways, to keep in true form, I'm going to document the steps along the way. My new-to-me 2017 X5 was purchased on December 16, 2020 from CarMax in Kansas City, MO. I call it the Dog Car because my fiancé and I adopted a Mini Goldendoodle puppy three days after buying this and I went from a stanced VW GLI to this partially because of the dog lol.

Car had 20,205 miles on it and was a one-owner car from New York. Funny enough, it was actually at CarMax in Dulles, VA over Thanksgiving and I just happened to go look at it while I was visiting my folks.

Anyways, mods started shortly thereafter. List of what's been completed to date is down below along with some photos

Vehicle:
2017 X5 XDrive35i
Build date - 8/17/17
Sophisto Grey
X-Line
HK Audio

Mods Completed to Date:
- BimmerCode coding (mirrors, windows/sunroof, rear fog, ambient lighting, SAT, warnings, tailgate)
- Red Start Button from Mod Bargains
- M Sport replica pedals from Amazon (don't judge me)
- CarPlay Activation via ConnectedDrive
- Full Screen CarPlay activation from Bimmer Remote
- AFE Stage 2 Intake System with Dry Filter
- Evolution Racewerks Charge Pipe
- Vibrant 10632 StreetPower Oval Muffer
- OEM Style 451 Wheels and Tires
- Chrome Delete with Gloss Black Vinyl
- M Performance Front Kidney Grilles

Car currently has 244xx miles on it and has undergone two oil changes, wipers, and cabin filters so far for maintenance under my ownership. More to come at 30k.

Current State:

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ef20437c_b.jpg[/img]

Progress Photos:

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...78833a3d_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5ce1d64b_b.jpg[/img]



[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6864ab1b_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7c36ef90_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...58f3d76d_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a14b7f95_b.jpg[/img]

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7330f26b_b.jpg[/img]


[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...abe6b1f4_b.jpg[/img]

Best thread ever and just in time as I just bought out my car from a 3 year lease (exactly the same as yours).
And now, since I officially own it, i can start the mod process.
QQ: When you installed the "Vibrant 10632 StreetPower Oval Muffer", did you get a better sound from the exhaust? Thats one thing im looking to do, but don't want to spent too much on full exhaust system.

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by alik82

Best thread ever and just in time as I just bought out my car from a 3 year lease (exactly the same as yours).
And now, since I officially own it, i can start the mod process.
QQ: When you installed the "Vibrant 10632 StreetPower Oval Muffer", did you get a better sound from the exhaust? Thats one thing im looking to do, but don't want to spent too much on full exhaust system.

I did get a better sound! It's not terribly loud but you can definitely tell somethings on there. I've got a cold start clip I'll add here.

[alik82]

Originally Posted by sukhk527

I did get a better sound! It's not terribly loud but you can definitely tell somethings on there. I've got a cold start clip I'll add here.

Thank you for the update.
Also, how is the Race Chip working out?

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by alik82

Thank you for the update.
Also, how is the Race Chip working out?

Good! I went for some more seat time with it today and it's definitely adapted some more. Hard to keep my foot out of it now lol. Butt dyno estimates it feels around a 40ft-lb of torque increase through the rev range. I'll be able to get it on a dyno towards the end of June so I'll report back with official numbers then.

also, exhaust video.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by sukhk527

Well this just arrived. Going to try and install later tonight and will report back once I get some seat time.

You should have bought my RC GTS Black w/ app control. I just listed it for sale today at a nice discount. I'm glad you started this build thread. Not a lot of us x-liners that heavy mod. That chrome delete does look good!

[napeHbNYC]

Looks great so far!! What did you do with the lower bumper trim that was silver?

[sukhk527]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

You should have bought my RC GTS Black w/ app control. I just listed it for sale today at a nice discount. I'm glad you started this build thread. Not a lot of us x-liners that heavy mod. That chrome delete does look good!

Man I wish I had known! I did make sure to get App Control with mine which is neat.

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

Looks great so far!! What did you do with the lower bumper trim that was silver?

Thanks! Lower bumper trim is also wrapped in gloss black vinyl.

[phipark]

any issues with the AFE intake throwing a CEL?