[N55_X3]

Hi, new member here from Quebec, Canada, I just took delivery of a 2013 35i MSport in superb condition. First BMW ever.

It will mainly be my wife daily driver. We trade in a 2017 Ford Expedition Max LTD. We won't be moving our trailer this year so no need for a big vehicle.

The X3 exterior/interior condition is almost perfect. Don't shows his age. It's a 2 owners car with only 89000kms (55600 miles), almost new Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ and Nokian winter tires on OEM 18" wheel.

It has the MSport Package, Convenience Package, the Cold Weather Package, Premium Audio, PDC and OEM Hitch.

It is missing some mandatory things like the backup camera but next weekend, I'll be installing an Android 9.0, 10.25 screen head unit with the backup camera from 4x4shop.ca.

I will also be installing a new belt tensioner, idler pulley and belt since I find that the tensioner is jiggling a bit to much.

Here is 2 crappy pics I just took in the office parking.

[pdubq]

Congrats N55_X3! Hope you love owning “the ultimate driving machine”

Sounds super exciting! I hope you take some pics of the head-unit/display install, maybe even a DIY guide. There’s another thread on here where the OP has a few pics, but didn’t go into much detail on the install, instead linked a separate YouTube video for another model (I think).

I love your interior! (I think mine’s the same, red-brown leather).

Happy motoring and welcome to the forum!

[najnad]

Congrats. The belts on these things jiggle. I had the same concern about mine when I got it, even bought a new tensioner. But had two different BMW mechanics tell me that it was normal, so the part sits on my shelf waiting. So dont be surprised if you dont see a significant decrease in the jiggling.

[N55_X3]

Thanks for the replies!

For the Android/backup camera install, I try to install the handle camera last night but the provided handle won't fit my release switch. I have to revised version, so I guess the previous owner had it replace. Every videos/how-to I found online (bimmertech mostly) for the F25 used the old style switch. I haven't found one with the new style... I'm waiting for a reply from the seller.

Old style


Revised


For the tensioner pulley, mine is moving a lot and noisy. Will change it when I received the T60 Torx.

[gomichigan]

Welcome! You're going to love your N55 M Sport. Nice find under 100,000km. I'm your neighbour in Ontario! Bought my 2012 X3 35i M Sport back in January.

[TwinSnailz]

Belt tensioner jiggle cure: ista+ reset adaptation of valvetronic and relearn doing run-in procedure(takes 450 seconds).
The rough idle is causing the tensioner to wiggle because of the sudden pause of the engine.

[Marco_spoon24]

Congrats on the new ride! Looks great! Definitely show some pics of the head up display!

[najnad]

the idle isnt rough, very smooth, just the tensioner jiggles more than other engines

[383vett]

looks nice. Enjoy the ride.

[N55_X3]

Originally Posted by TwinSnailz

Belt tensioner jiggle cure: ista+ reset adaptation of valvetronic and relearn doing run-in procedure(takes 450 seconds).
The rough idle is causing the tensioner to wiggle because of the sudden pause of the engine.

Idle on the car is smooth. Since I'm new to BMW, thanks for the Ista+ tips, I will look into that.

[N55_X3]

Originally Posted by gomichigan

Welcome! You're going to love your N55 M Sport. Nice find under 100,000km. I'm your neighbour in Ontario! Bought my 2012 X3 35i M Sport back in January.

Already enjoying it. I never care before for paddle shifters but I love the one on the X3. Car is clean but I took an extended warranty just in case…

Originally Posted by Marco_spoon24

Congrats on the new ride! Looks great! Definitely show some pics of the head up display!

Head Unit installed. I will provide some pictures tomorrow.

Originally Posted by 383vett

looks nice. Enjoy the ride.

Thanks!

[N55_X3]

Some top/side pictures of the 10.25 Android head unit installed.

[najnad]

the new screen looks great. links to what you purchased?

[N55_X3]

I bought this one https://4x4shop.ca/product/2011-2016...ic-nbt-system/ from Canada.

In the end, they are all coming from the same place. I figured I paid 200-300CA$ more than one from Aliexpress. I choose to buy "locally". So far, the support has been good witch is an important factor with this kind of product.

[pdubq]

Nice job N55_X3! Looks great! Are you loving it?
If you get the LTE functionality, can you get service for it with your mobile provider as if it was a LTE enabled tablet then?

How long did the installation take?

Display looks considerably larger than oem one... really impressive!

[N55_X3]

Originally Posted by pdubq

Nice job N55_X3! Looks great! Are you loving it?
If you get the LTE functionality, can you get service for it with your mobile provider as if it was a LTE enabled tablet then?

How long did the installation take?

Display looks considerably larger than oem one... really impressive!

I bought the Android 9.0 version, no LTE/4G. I bought the unit for 2 reasons, to add a backup camera and Carplay/Android Auto. With the phone plugged in, no need for a standalone LTE.

The LTE version, Android 10, will act just like a LTE tablet.

I don't regret the LTE stuff but I should've gone for the 1980x720p screen to make Android Auto a bit more defined.

For the installation there are good Youtube videos by 4x4shop.

If your X3 have the OEM backup camera, then you can install this in less than 2 hours, taking your time. The backup camera installation/wiring was what took me more time.

I still need to tweak stuff here and there in the tablet but I definitively like the thing. Since my car as the Combox, Hifi audio, I need to use the armrest aux-in for the Android sound. I read that there's a way to activate the aux in the harness so I'm still working on that.

It's my wife daily and she appreciates the backup camera, Apple Carplay and more modern look.