Changing Gear stick/knob and Rear Tail Lights

[x5e53]

Hi All,

Has anyone changed the standard Auto gear stick (as found in a Face-lift E53 X5 4.8is) to something different?
e.g.
http://www.chromiumtech.co.uk/product.a ... 418&cID=48
If so, how hard/easy is it to do?
Would anyone recommend any other styles?

I am also looking to change the Rear Tail lights to the LED type.
The only links I can see are for ones which state years 2000 - 2003.
e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Back-Rear-Tai ... 1559706333?

Can someone share a link to the facelift versions? Is there even a difference?
Or can anyone recommend any other ones?

If you can share your examples or links that would be great.

Thanks in advance

[Horizon]

[quote="x5e53"]
Hi All,

Has anyone changed the standard Auto gear stick (as found in a Face-lift E53 X5 4.8is) to something different?
e.g.
http://www.chromiumtech.co.uk/product.a ... 418&cID=48
If so, how hard/easy is it to do?
Would anyone recommend any other styles?

I am also looking to change the Rear Tail lights to the LED type.
The only links I can see are for ones which state years 2000 - 2003.


e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Back-Rear-Tai ... 1559706333?

Can someone share a link to the facelift versions? Is there even a difference?
Or can anyone recommend any other ones?

If you can share your examples or links that would be great.

Thanks in advance
[/quote]

Thanks for the link to the gear selector , I prefer the look of the later gear selectors over mine on the E93 3 series.
I looked on their site and they do one for my car, also a bonus as the + and - M/S are in the correct orientation for my car. ( be careful when ordering as they do a LHD and RHD variant with safety release on opposite sides ) Just ordered mine

[x5e53]

Thanks.
I may take a punt with the gear stick.

Can anyone else confirm if there is a difference between the Prefacelift and Facelift rear light clusters?

[jagr]

On my X3 all you have to do to remove the gear knob is:

Put gearstick in Neutral
Hold lever button in and pull upwards firmly
(watch your face as it comes up)

Refit ne gear knob by holding release lever in and push down firmly

Start engine and check it selects without coming off in your hand.

[TheHerd]

Hi, glad you are looking to replace/upgrade your tail lights because so am I trying too. Really getting annoyed with all the failures!

So far I've come across these replacement tails that look the closet to OEM but you'll still need to install individual CANBUS error-free LED bulbs to replace the standard incandescent bulbs (said to be 1998-2006):

Red-Clear:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E53-19 ... 0776465243
Red-Smoked
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E53-19 ... 1366912359

I'd go with the Smoked if I had a Black or Steel Grey but think the stock clears would look best on mine.

What's your thoughts, would you prefer pre-fitted LEDs for the Tails/Brakes or this option?
 

[x5e53]

Just contacted that company to see if the LEDs supplied give any issues with Canbus.
Will let you know when/if they reply.

[TheHerd]

[quote="x5e53"]
Just contacted that company to see if the LEDs supplied give any issues with Canbus.
Will let you know when/if they reply.
[/quote]

I didn't realise that the guys I found on eBay (2xcite) supply E53 tails with LEDs?

[Sanj]

[quote="x5e53"]
Just contacted that company to see if the LEDs supplied give any issues with Canbus.
Will let you know when/if they reply.
[/quote]

Mine aren't from this supplier but from an old forum member on here. They throw up failed light errors and flicker.

Link hereif it helps.

[TheHerd]

[quote="Sanj"]
[quote="x5e53"]
Just contacted that company to see if the LEDs supplied give any issues with Canbus.
Will let you know when/if they reply.
[/quote]

Mine aren't from this supplier but from an old forum member on here. They throw up failed light errors and flicker.

Link hereif it helps.
[/quote]

Oh ok, got you. As the guys have said, I'm sure we can sort out the failure messages and flickering at start up with resistors and/or capacitors. I'm basically looking for the best quality aftermarket tails that look as close to OEM as possible. If I can get built in LEDs that don't look too cheesy then I'll definitely go with those.

Please let me know what feedback you received and how you get on. Thanks.

[TheHerd]

Or we could just code out the bulb tests via the OBD and no more pesky warnings on the dash...

[x5e53]

I've contacted several sellers on ebay, they have all said the lights are designed for the 200 - 2003 (Prefaclift) X5 E53.

Can someone confirm if there is a difference between the Prefacelit and Facelift tail lights?
They look the same shape (unlike the front Head lights).

Maybe the wiring/connectors are different?

[Sanj]

[quote="x5e53"]
I've contacted several sellers on ebay, they have all said the lights are designed for the 200 - 2003 (Prefaclift) X5 E53.

Can someone confirm if there is a difference between the Prefacelit and Facelift tail lights?
They look the same shape (unlike the front Head lights).

Maybe the wiring/connectors are different?
[/quote]

Could be the wiring harness or connector that's different but the outside appearance/shape is the same.

[TheHerd]

[quote="Sanj"]
[quote="x5e53"]
I've contacted several sellers on ebay, they have all said the lights are designed for the 200 - 2003 (Prefaclift) X5 E53.

Can someone confirm if there is a difference between the Prefacelit and Facelift tail lights?
They look the same shape (unlike the front Head lights).

Maybe the wiring/connectors are different?
[/quote]

Could be the wiring harness or connector that's different but the outside appearance/shape is the same.
[/quote]

Yes, could just be wiring harness or connectors but I have found a contradicting listing on the US eBay site that states BMW E53 X5 00-06:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E53-X5-00-06-LED-Tail-Lights-Lamp-Red-Smoke-Rear-Brake-Running-Pair-LH-RH-/181458331805?fits=Make%3ABMW&clk_rvr_id=1009857301591&rmvSB=true

Confusing???

[Horizon]

[quote="x5e53"]
Hi All,

Has anyone changed the standard Auto gear stick (as found in a Face-lift E53 X5 4.8is) to something different?
e.g.
http://www.chromiumtech.co.uk/product.a ... 418&cID=48
If so, how hard/easy is it to do?
Would anyone recommend any other styles?

I am also looking to change the Rear Tail lights to the LED type.
The only links I can see are for ones which state years 2000 - 2003.
e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Back-Rear-Tai ... 1559706333?

Can someone share a link to the facelift versions? Is there even a difference?
Or can anyone recommend any other ones?

If you can share your examples or links that would be great.

Thanks in advance
[/quote]



My gear selector arrived today, plastic chrome, but 10 minute job to fit. Time will tell how good it is. At least with an auto your not having to work it like a manual, got paddles too.

[x5e53]

Matches the original theme.

Did it come with the Gaiter? If not, I am assuming you used your original one - if so, does the gaiter fit the new gear stick properly?
Is it zip-tied on?