[Emilr]

Originally Posted by dat1guy

Not done "today" but I'm a recent owner of an X3 xDrive35i 2016, my first BMW, and here's what I've done since the acquisition a few weeks ago:

- Flash all ECUs using ESYS to the latest I-Step from Psdzdata 4.17.11
- Install UPD5081 update for NBT and update Gracenote database
- Code a few things (such as Sport Automatic Transmission) using Bimmercode
- Update to 2019-2 maps using a lifetime FSC code
- Replace the amp with Match Up 7BMW
- Install WeatherTech FloorLiners
- Nu Finish it
- Use Gumout Complete system cleaner

And last but not least, install some cheap M-Colored grill insert trims I bought on Amazon.

Sorry for the not so great picture:

Hello, can you send me a how to guide for updating the ECU's?

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

O'dose: thanks for posting. I'm now convinced I'll pay Mr Mechanic the big bucks for the tranny fluid drain/fill, ugh did not sound like very pleasant DIY.

see the videos for ZF, you'll see this is easy , but messy, particularly if you dont have a way to lift the car so it remains levelled.

Also, since its a easy job, Mr Mechanics shouldn't rip your pocket.
If you dont have a pump, you'll save that also.

[F30ed]

Did the oil change yesterday. All well described in other threads. A few notes:
- drain plug on new pan was under the spec, 3 clicks
- worst part was puting fill plug in - very easy to get burned on the exhaust pipe (I did). Practice before you start the car
- put oil in the fridge overnight, it helps. temp went up from 32 to 42 within minutes...

I happened to drain about 4.2L, but managed to put back 4.7L.

Old oil was not as new, but was not bad either. Quite some metal deposit on magnets, plus main filter is all black. Overall went well.

[x3sm]

Did my waterpump and thermostat today. This was not my first time doing a waterpump on a BMW. I did it on my N54 335 xDrive and I'll be honest, it was easier on the 335. I thought it would be easier on the X3 since its an SUV and thought it had more room. The biggest obstacle in the way was the swaybar, which on 335 you could move out of the way. Biggest tip for you guys is remove the fan and if possible remove the intercooler.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by x3sm

Did my waterpump and thermostat today. This was not my first time doing a waterpump on a BMW. I did it on my N54 335 xDrive and I'll be honest, it was easier on the 335. I thought it would be easier on the X3 since its an SUV and thought it had more room. The biggest obstacle in the way was the swaybar, which on 335 you could move out of the way. Biggest tip for you guys is remove the fan and if possible remove the intercooler.

I didn't touch the swaybar nor the intercooler.

I did the job from the top. I removed the rad fan and the little cooler there,

The only time I went under the car it was to unscrew 2 hose clamps.

It wasn't hard, the only thing was we can't see anything. And having 1'' space to wrench makes the job super long. torquing a screw can take like 50 less than a quarter ratchet rotation to get it done.

[Wgosma]

Overdose: what's the estimated time the pump R & R took, start to finish? Did you install new thermostat?
Thanks/Bill

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Overdose: what's the estimated time the pump R & R took, start to finish? Did you install new thermostat?
Thanks/Bill

I did it from the top. took me about 4.5h, with thermostat. If you can, do the diverter valve in the mean time.
It's not hard, there's no many steps , it's just fck long (no space ) !!!

No space, so you got like 1'' to move the ratchet to undo a bolt, etc.

So here's the steps very briefly.

1 - remove front strut bar (11 hex screw) - 5 min
2- remove radiator fan (1 hex screw). 5 min
3 unbolt the cooler attachec on the fan (2 hex + 1 clip). 5min
4 - remove the skid plate 5min
5- remove the easy accesible collant hose clips . 5-10 min
6- remove the 3 10mm bolt on the water pump. 10min
7- remove 2 10mm bolt on the thermostat . 5 minutes.
8- try to remove the remaining hoses on the t-stat and water pump (6mm hose clamps and clips). 1.5h
9- get the pump out from the top.
10- put back just like the uninstall. Note : put the hose clamp screw so they can be accessible from the top. way more easier for the next job. 1h
11 - 50/50 bmw blue collant with distilled water
12- bleedind procedure . Car ON (engine off), heater T° to the max, low fan speed, press the gas pedal for about 10-15 sec until the pump start running. it will run for a while, somthing like 5-10 minutes. (leave the key in the car for those with keyless module) 25min

About torque specs... well you can forget it around the pump and t-stat area. A 1/4'' ratchet was hard to get in, so a torque wrench would be almost impossible. unless you have specialze tools.

Cost me about 615$ cad, a bit of swearing and beers.
9000km since then, no issue.

not my vid , but the one I used to understand before doing the job :

[Wgosma]

Overdose: thanks for taking time to post the step-by-step; I've saved those details for the future, should I decide to DIY this; does not look like a lot of fun, 1 1/2 to remove the hoses, ugh....must be VERY slow wrench turning.
Thanks/Bill

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Overdose: thanks for taking time to post the step-by-step; I've saved those details for the future, should I decide to DIY this; does not look like a lot of fun, 1 1/2 to remove the hoses, ugh....must be VERY slow wrench turning.
Thanks/Bill

depends how you feel like about this.

-let say fitting a BMW V10 in a 1976 datsun is a 10/10 on the difficulty scale.
-Doing a audi quattro clutch is a 8/10.
-Doing bmw carbon clean up is a 3.5/10
-Doing spark plug is a 1/10.

this N55 water pump is a 4.5/10.

See the water pump thread, some people get quoted 1500-2000usd to do the job. Since dealer/shop will quote you a day or so + profit on parts.

I got mine from FCP euro on sale.

[Bufalo]

Replaced 5 out of 6 spark plugs on my Wife's 35i yesterday. Simply ran out of time given the amount of disassembly required to get to the last three plug wells. Pulling the wiring bridge off the top to get to the #6 coil and plug was going to take too long given the time left in my evening, so I just buttoned the rest of it back up and I'll go after that again in a week or so when I've got nothing else to do... (which is never...)

[bpwj76]

I have been looking for a cargo area divider for my wife's 2016 F25 that uses the tracks in the floor and I wasn't having any luck. Until I remembered that the Cadillac SRX has a similar track system in its cargo area. I have a friend who owns a 2013 SRX. I asked him if I could borrow his divider to see if it would by chance work in the X3. Well what do you know... it not only works, but it's as if it was made for it. It uses the same type of lock/sliding mechanism as the OEM BMW tie-downs. My friend just gave the divider to me, because he said he took it out of his Cadillac just after he bought it and never used it.

[hogwldfltr]

Several things; got back the FTP intake and charge pipe install...



Licsense plate frame...



Trunk divider...



and the all important hanger!!!!

[jlcrompton]

I had celtic tuning around today for a turn on my M40d, also wanted the gear box tune but it's not ready yet for the x3.
O boy it's so much better it even pins you to your seat going up hill, the touqe is unbelievable.

That you guys think of the numbers 440bhp and 720 nm.

[hogwldfltr]

Originally Posted by jlcrompton

I had celtic tuning around today for a turn on my M40d, also wanted the gear box tune but it's not ready yet for the x3.
O boy it's so much better it even pins you to your seat going up hill, the touqe is unbelievable.

That you guys think of the numbers 440bhp and 720 nm.

I didn't realize the M40d was an F25. Interesting.

[cwpearre]

Originally Posted by bpwj76

I have been looking for a cargo area divider for my wife's 2016 F25 that uses the tracks in the floor and I wasn't having any luck. Until I remembered that the Cadillac SRX has a similar track system in its cargo area. I have a friend who owns a 2013 SRX. I asked him if I could borrow his divider to see if it would by chance work in the X3. Well what do you know... it not only works, but it's as if it was made for it. It uses the same type of lock/sliding mechanism as the OEM BMW tie-downs. My friend just gave the divider to me, because he said he took it out of his Cadillac just after he bought it and never used it.

I love this! I found one on ebay for 89.00 - should receive it Monday.

[hogwldfltr]

Updated Nav and had some tires installed (Michelin - Primacy MXM4)...

Originally Posted by cwpearre

I love this! I found one on ebay for 89.00 - should receive it Monday.

That's a good price; I think mine was $110 for the standard BMW one off of eBay as well. It has the shopping bag straps as well.

[AntF32]

New rear tyres fitted (Michelin Primacy) and swapped the front kidney grills for black M-Sport ones.

[hogwldfltr]

Originally Posted by AntF32

New rear tyres fitted (Michelin Primacy) and swapped the front kidney grills for black M-Sport ones.

How about a photo of the grille???

[hogwldfltr]

Originally Posted by dat1guy

Not done "today" but I'm a recent owner of an X3 xDrive35i 2016, my first BMW, and here's what I've done since the acquisition a few weeks ago:

snipped all the significant stuff...

And last but not least, install some cheap M-Colored grill insert trims I bought on Amazon.

Sorry for the not so great picture:

I love the look with those colored inserts. I just ordered them as well. It might make me a poser but it looks really sharp!!!

[DRiveB]

Changed rims and tires , Hamann 19' 8.5/9.5 with 255/50/19.

[hogwldfltr]

Originally Posted by DRiveB

Changed rims and tires , Hamann 19' 8.5/9.5 with 255/50/19.

Looks great!

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by hogwldfltr

Looks great!

Yes, very good looking wheels 👍