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

[wdimagineer]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

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:

• 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)

Interior:

• OEM European Headlight Switch (rear fog button)
• M Performance Pedal Covers + Footrest
• M Performance Floor Mats
• M Performance Carbon Fiber Trim (with alcantara dash inserts)
• M Performance Carbon Fiber Center Console Trim
• M Performance Carbon Fiber Shifter
• M Performance Illuminated Door Sills
• OEM European Sun Visors (no warning labels)
• OEM Universal Lightning Snap-In Adapter

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.

Enjoy the photos!

X5 M with M Performance Parts and more

EDIT: Here is a video of the rear lights in action:

[fyim]

Congrats! Looks stunning!

Does IND sell the black kidney grills for night vision? I want them

[jpsjr70]

Looks sweet! Nice additions, very tastefully done. Enjoy, and I'm glad your enjoying the X5M.

Joe

[AwesomeM3]

Your car looks awesome! I told you the wait would be worth it and not to cancel your order, although I know you were frustrated at the lack on info on the production of your ///M.

The mods looks great, very tastefully done. Did you have to do any coding for the Euro rear tails?

[Mik3ymomo]

Congrats on the Purchase. Very nice color combo and tastefully modified.
I'm sure it was well worth the wait. Enjoy it in good health!

[carri0n m3]

it looks amazing; best one I've seen so far!!!!!!!

[Poleposition]

Looks fantastic. I have a few questions if you dont mind:
What do the Euro LED headlights do differently than the US LED's?
I understand the amber flash on the rear tails. Wont the euro headlight switch which incorporates the rear fog button work on our US versions? I did this on my current M5. Simply installed the euro headlight switch, (no coding) and I got rear fogs. I am looking to do this to my new X6M as well.

Thx in advance. Truck really looks great. Any thoughts of continuing the black treatment in the rear? Roundel, badge, exhaust tips? I just got the IND black roundel and badge.

All the best

[Nate@IND]

Looking good buddy!

Originally Posted by XX66MM

Congrats! Looks stunning!

Does IND sell the black kidney grills for night vision? I want them

We offer the NV X5M front grilles in Black chrome, Gloss black and Matte black. Feel free to shoot me a pm.

[Eyewire]

Where do you get black grill for the night vision? Can you tell me?

[PARTS@STBMW]

Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing and well done on the interior!

[m5 guy]

Very nice! Really liking your interior. Anymore interior pics by chance?

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

Looks fantastic. I have a few questions if you dont mind:
What do the Euro LED headlights do differently than the US LED's?
I understand the amber flash on the rear tails. Wont the euro headlight switch which incorporates the rear fog button work on our US versions? I did this on my current M5. Simply installed the euro headlight switch, (no coding) and I got rear fogs. I am looking to do this to my new X6M as well.

Thx in advance. Truck really looks great. Any thoughts of continuing the black treatment in the rear? Roundel, badge, exhaust tips? I just got the IND black roundel and badge.

All the best

At the most basic level, the European LED headlights have a different beam pattern and cut off. I prefer this to the US version. More light is cast to the side of the road, and the pattern is more asymmetrical than symmetrical.

The control modules are also different, and fully support the variable light decoding and anti-dazzle features. Yes, some people have reported "success" to a degree, but knowing what I know about the technology and having used it in Europe, the EU headlights are required for 100% full functionality. I'll try to capture a video at some point of just how they're supposed to work vs. how they work with the US ones.

As for the rear, no, the switch itself will not work to activate the rear fogs. I did the same in my F10 M5, where changing rear lighting was plug and play. The F15/F16/F85/F86 use newer generation lighting controls (several modules like FEM and REM rolled up into BDC_BODY) and the US lights are not wired for rear fog support. While you can code the switch to work, the wrong bulbs light up.

Full rear fogs and full retrofit of the European tails requires multiple pin reassignments on the BDC_BODY ECU and added wiring from the module to the rear. Having bricked one ECU previously and the risk of voiding your warranty, I do not recommend the retrofit.

Here is a video of the rear lights in action:

No desire for any more black, really. I thought about it but decided against it for now. I will be working with Dinan on some things, so black tips will likely come with one of their terrific exhausts.

[NickRac]

Same build I've got going in!

[Poleposition]

All great info. Thx very much. Truck looks great. I guess I'll be leaving the rear tails alone.

[JNoSol]

Awesome F85.
Can you please share where you get the rear fog switch from?

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Awesome F85.
Can you please share where you get the rear fog switch from?

I bought it in Germany.

As I said in my previous post, it won't work without coding. And even when you do code it, the wrong lights illuminate. The actual rear fog lamps are below the white light strip on the decklid. You can see them light up in my video. On US cars, the red LEDs in the white light strip illuminate. Since they are the same intensity as your brake lights, this could cause confusion to a following driver.

[Vassilis1971]

Nice job! and to think you were going to cancel and sell off your inventory of parts. I'm glad you waited it out, so so worth it.

[SlammedR8]

That looks perfect! Well done!

[SpdAddictRY]

Glad you waited for the X5 M. Looks great!

[BimmerSFo]

Great Pics love the car as mine is exact same!!

couple of questions.

where did you get the:

• M Performance Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers
• M Performance Black Side Air Breathers
• M Performance Black Roof Spoiler
  

Thanks a lot man!

[wdimagineer]

Originally Posted by BimmerSFo

Great Pics love the car as mine is exact same!!

couple of questions.

where did you get the:

• M Performance Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers
• M Performance Black Side Air Breathers
• M Performance Black Roof Spoiler
  

Thanks a lot man!

I buy all my parts from GetBMWParts.com. Jason and Evan are the best in the business.

[raysspl]