My X5 M in Pictures - M Performance Parts and more...

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by sittingmongoose

@wdimagineer The difference in headlights, as far as being better at inti dazzling and such, does that apply to the f80 m3 as well? Cause I haven't seen anyone say anything about it.

I can't speak for the F80/F82, but it's possible. The light output/beam pattern of the US and ECE headlamps are very different. The anti-dazzle features are designed for the ECE pattern.

[Actualizer]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

Thanks as always to my friends at Performance Technic, iND, GetBMWParts.com, SS Customs, and to the talented Courtney Cutchen for helping me build and capture my X5 M.

As most know I was one of the first to order this car and after several delays I finally took delivery. While waiting for her to arrive I stockpiled all of the parts and mods I intended on doing. It wasn't long after she landed that the fun began.

Exterior:[LIST][*]M Performance Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers[*]M Performance Black Side Air Breathers[*]iND Custom Painted Grille (for Night Vision)[*]iND Custom Painted Sidemarkers[*]M Performance Black Roof Spoiler[*]OEM European LED Headlights[*]OEM European Rear Tail Lights (amber turn signals, rear fogs)[/LIST

I'm truly enamored with this vehicle. It was worth the wait. The truck is as I had hoped it would be. A definite departure from my outgoing F15 X5 while improving upon all of the things I loved about that vehicle.

Amazing car! One question ! When I ordered the M performance CF Spoiler ..was told that it is not possible as the antenna for the F85 is inbuilt in the factory roof spoiler. Did you have such an issue ? Is the Performance spoiler replacement possible ?
Cheers
Ash

[wdimagineer]

No issue at all. It's just a piece of plastic.

Also, it's not CF, just black shadowline like the rest of the window trim.

[Actualizer]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

No issue at all. It's just a piece of plastic.

Also, it's not CF, just black shadowline like the rest of the window trim.

Thanks mate
So what's the actual specific difference compared to the factory spoiler that comes with the F85.
My F 85 delivery is extended to 7th now.
I have ordered almost all M performance accessories. Though I'm a bit unsure why I did it as my X5M is coming from factory with CF trim. So I'm not sure what's the difference one gets with the M performance CF trims as opposed to the factory M trims? Is it aesthetics, looks, or quality ?Could you please clarify as you ve had some experience with it for sometime. Is it worth the $$$$ ?
Lastly , my car Is sapphire black. Do you reckon those CF side mirror covers will suit Black car as much as it suits your Donington ?
Cheers
Ash

[luigimaster24]

Please post a link of where to get the european tail lights.

Thanks in advance!!

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by Actualizer

Thanks mate
So what's the actual specific difference compared to the factory spoiler that comes with the F85.
My F 85 delivery is extended to 7th now.
I have ordered almost all M performance accessories. Though I'm a bit unsure why I did it as my X5M is coming from factory with CF trim. So I'm not sure what's the difference one gets with the M performance CF trims as opposed to the factory M trims? Is it aesthetics, looks, or quality ?Could you please clarify as you ve had some experience with it for sometime. Is it worth the $$$$ ?
Lastly , my car Is sapphire black. Do you reckon those CF side mirror covers will suit Black car as much as it suits your Donington ?
Cheers
Ash

There is no rear spoiler on the F85. And the M Performance spoiler from the F15 is only recommended in conjunction with the front aero kit. I did it anyways.

The M Performance interior trim has alcantara fabric at the bottom of the dash pieces vs the black plastic that is normally there. Improves the aesthetics to me, personally, which is why I did it. My car also came with the CF trim.

I think CF on darker cars is a bit lost in the darker color. But it's your vehicle. I think it will look good regardless.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by luigimaster24

Please post a link of where to get the european tail lights.

Thanks in advance!!

I bought them when I was in Europe. Retrofitting them is next to impossible and something I do not recommend.

[tastelid]

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

I bought them when I was in Europe. Retrofitting them is next to impossible and something I do not recommend.

Yet you have done it? Just want to be the only cool kid on the block or what? :]

[milleniumnick]

Do you think BMW Part 51192334549 for the F15 X5 M can fit the F85 X5M 2016? or what about part 51192211612 for the e70 X5M, can it fit the F85 X5m 2016? Similar to how you retrofitted the rear spoiler was thinking about doing the front instead. Do you think the dimensions of both cars these parts are for are the same with the F85 X5M? Would you recommend doing this on Saphire Black metallic, do you think it will look good with CF mirrors?

[milleniumnick]

Also, can the ceramic controls options of the F15 X5 2015 4.4 x50i( the idrive controller unit, the front panel, and rear panel) replace those relevant parts in F85 X5M 2016?

And what do you think about getting the Dinan performance tune? Is it worth it, good for the vehicle, would you recommend doing it? Or will there be problems?

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by tastelid

Yet you have done it? Just want to be the only cool kid on the block or what? :]

Given my history with coding and mods on BMW's, of course I did it. I didn't realize going into it how difficult it would be. My older vehicles were all plug and play. Since I couldn't return the parts, I made it happen. Twice now.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by milleniumnick

Do you think BMW Part 51192334549 for the F15 X5 M can fit the F85 X5M 2016? or what about part 51192211612 for the e70 X5M, can it fit the F85 X5m 2016? Similar to how you retrofitted the rear spoiler was thinking about doing the front instead. Do you think the dimensions of both cars these parts are for are the same with the F85 X5M? Would you recommend doing this on Saphire Black metallic, do you think it will look good with CF mirrors?

Nope. And nope.

I find CF gets lost on darker colors. I've never owned a dark car, but if I did, I probably wouldn't do it.

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by milleniumnick

Also, can the ceramic controls options of the F15 X5 2015 4.4 x50i( the idrive controller unit, the front panel, and rear panel) replace those relevant parts in F85 X5M 2016?

And what do you think about getting the Dinan performance tune? Is it worth it, good for the vehicle, would you recommend doing it? Or will there be problems?

Yes, in theory they could, but they are different part numbers and the vehicle might throw a fit. I retrofitted ceramic controls into my old 550i (forgot to order them). Was doable, but vehicle needed to be VO coded with the ceramic controls option code in order to get everything to work.

I'm the first X5 M in the world to have the Dinan tune. I am running Stage 2, not currently available, but have mapped my car to Stage 1 to give some local X5 M owners a taste. Very worthwhile. I've never had a problem with any Dinan component on any of my 14 BMWs to have their products. Makes it more enjoyable, sure... however the power is infectious, and you'll quickly see more and more of your income going to gas stations.

[milleniumnick]

haha. SO the Dinan Tune doesn't affect the car negatively in any way? Does it heat it up a lot or anything that could make the engine blow or anything as such that I should worry about if I get it? Or will everything be smooth and taken care of, there isn't much that will happen?

And about the ceramic controls, do you think it's going to be difficult if I order those parts from the F15 for my F85? How would I code it, I am not very Car Geeky and I live in a small island outside the U.S.A so I won't be able to find any trustable professional help for this. I mean there is a BMW dealership but I don't know if they will be able to code and decode and stuff. What do you think? Is this possible? Howcome you didn't decide to do this, isn't it way nicer than the regular interior?

[milleniumnick]

Does the idrive controller unit also have to be coded? Can't I just place it there and itll work, same for the panels? Or what about swapping the knobs for the ceramic ones? Can that work?

[milleniumnick]

hey, i got one more question if its ok. Does the ceramic controls finish package for the new 2016 x5 4.4 have the blacked out centre console base; gear, idrive controller, and front panel only finished in ceramic. Or is also the rear panel/heater unit knobbs finished in ceramic? Because I am only able to find the exact part numbers for the front panel and idrive controller in ceramic, I can't find the rear. If someone could help me with this I would be more than grateful.

[wdimagineer]

Coding will be required for the climate control modules, as they use different part numbers and are uninitialized until coded by BMW systems. There may be a retrofit path in ISTA for your dealer to use to code the vehicle.

The knobs can be swapped quite easily for the radio and climate controls. Remove them, take them apart (10+ screws), and swap the knobs. I had done this in my F10 550 initially. But after a detailer scratched the front panel of my original AC controls with the swapped knobs, I put the ceramic version back in and switched the knobs back. I coded it myself at that point.

The rear controls are also finished in ceramic. Part number 64119332031 should be what you're looking for.

The iDrive controller is virtually impossible to fully take apart without damaging it beyond use. You can swap in the ceramic version - and it will work - but the dealer's systems will complain when you take the car in for any service. You could replace the original one prior to doing it. However, if your dealer can code the car, you'll be fine.

[tastelid]

In the end, are EU headlights necessary to achieve full anti dazzle / reverse the factory de-coding? Or did the coding breakthroughs negate them?

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by tastelid

In the end, are EU headlights necessary to achieve full anti dazzle / reverse the factory de-coding? Or did the coding breakthroughs negate them?

This debate still rages on. In my opinion, yes, they are necessary. However, I did the retrofit not solely for this purpose. I also prefer the beam pattern given off by EU lamps.

And that is currently where I feel coding doesn't enable this functionality 100%. Having driven BMW cars in Europe with the tech, while there may not be a functional difference in control module hardware between US and EU headlights, there is a difference in the beam pattern. And the way the lamps cast their lighting is the ultimate key.

In short, I have reviewed coding and control module mappings for some 20+ vehicles now, with/without, different model years, etc. Removing the appropriate option codes, etc. should enable the functionality completely. The wrong beam pattern, however, affects the overall functionality as the system isn't designed for the NA throw.

I coded a friend's new F15 and had him drive behind me. It was distracting. We switched vehicles, and he drove mine behind me in his. Less distraction, and the lights were aimed where they were supposed to be aimed.

So yeah, without the EU lamps, you'll never have 100% coverage. And with the cost so high, I doubt few will ever do this. But for the time being, given the less than 100% functionality, I don't plan on coding this on anybody's car.

[tastelid]

What is the part number for the euro leds? Strange that it isnt a 100% coding fix.

[wdimagineer]

Coding can't fix physical differences in the lamps.

[Ehloo]

Love to experience the DINAN stage 1 in person. What part of the bay are you in

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

Yes, in theory they could, but they are different part numbers and the vehicle might throw a fit. I retrofitted ceramic controls into my old 550i (forgot to order them). Was doable, but vehicle needed to be VO coded with the ceramic controls option code in order to get everything to work.

I'm the first X5 M in the world to have the Dinan tune. I am running Stage 2, not currently available, but have mapped my car to Stage 1 to give some local X5 M owners a taste. Very worthwhile. I've never had a problem with any Dinan component on any of my 14 BMWs to have their products. Makes it more enjoyable, sure... however the power is infectious, and you'll quickly see more and more of your income going to gas stations.