[75bullish]

Hope some Canadian X3 owners can help me to figure it out.

I was reading the owner's manual and read that there is a tool kit located under the first aid kit behind the left folding cover in the cargo area.

I opened the left folding cover, and there is no first aid kit. There's a packet there with a bottle of motor oil and the lug bolt lock. Is that all in the tool kit? There is no warning triangle (not sure if the triangle is standard) and no jack (again, not sure).

[BMWZ4]

I believe those items are for European spec'd cars. Mine didn't come equipped with these either.

As for the jack, no need given the run-flats & access to BMW assist.

Dave

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by 75bullish

Hope some Canadian X3 owners can help me to figure it out.

I was reading the owner's manual and read that there is a tool kit located under the first aid kit behind the left folding cover in the cargo area.

I opened the left folding cover, and there is no first aid kit. There's a packet there with a bottle of motor oil and the lug bolt lock. Is that all in the tool kit? There is no warning triangle (not sure if the triangle is standard) and no jack (again, not sure).

That is way these cars are. No first aid kit, no triangle, no jack (naturally). Same as mine, oil and wheel bolt lock key only.

[Lotus7]

Interesting how this varies with country. On my US delivered 35i the car included a "tool kit" with a small, very cheap reversible screwdriver and the forged "Eyebolt" used for towing. No oil or any of the other mentioned safety accessories.

BMW does make a very high quality toolkit that perfectly fits in the covered storage space in the left rear fender area. It's not cheap but includes some very nice, professional level tools.

I got mine from ECS Tuning, but, I believe this kit is now on backorder:http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/8229...aign=eurotools

The "What do you carry in your glovebox" thread has some interesting commentary about what people equip their X3's with.
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...light=glovebox

[XRP]

i got the same as Lotus, where does the eye bolt go???

[XB101]

No jack eh? What is a good choice so we can swap tires etc?

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by XRP

i got the same as Lotus, where does the eye bolt go???

Just push in on any of the (4) little rectangular plastic panels in the bumpers, and they will pop out. Under the opening is a socket that the eye-bolt can be screwed into. Those are the only accessible points on the vehicle that it should be towed from.

BMW's have used this system for many years, but the X3 uses a different size (longer and a different thread size) than most other models. There are aftermarket "racing" type tow rings (I own one, but it won't fit the X3 ) that are available for the older BMW size socket, but so far, none for the X3, so don't loose the supplied eye-bolt.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by XB101

No jack eh? What is a good choice so we can swap tires etc?

Any decent quality 1.5 ton or higher rated floor jack will work since the X3 has plenty of ground clearance. However, the X3, like all BMW's made in the last ten years has special jack sockets. The best way to safely raise the vehicle for a tire change is to use a "jack tool" that properly fits the socket, or a metal, plastic or hardwood block that fits inside the jack pad.

This thread covers everything you should know before attempting to change wheels/tires on a X3:
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...Changing+Tires

[XB101]

Thank you Lotus. Previously I have always just used the manual jack and do each wheel one at a time. Haven't used wheel hanger before. They should help make it easier.
Now I need to go do some shopping before I need to swap my winter tires.

[XRP]

thanks

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by XB101

Thank you Lotus. Previously I have always just used the manual jack and do each wheel one at a time. Haven't used wheel hanger before. They should help make it easier.
Now I need to go do some shopping before I need to swap my winter tires.

Yes, the wheel hangers really help. For me they are a necessity. My 18-inch run-flat winter tires/wheels weigh about 70 lbs each. To get them properly seated on the X3 hub rings, they have to be aligned to 0.005 inches. Don't know about you, but if I'm holding 70 lbs., it's almost impossible for me to align something that precisely.

The jack tool or something similar is also almost essential. You may be able to get a bottle jack INTO the X3's jack points, but lifting with a conventional jack pad under the edges of the plastic jack points will certainly cause some damage.