Project BMW X5: Step 1 – The Purchase

So, I’m as broke as you are. Radio has taken a big sh*t in the revenue dept in the past year just like every other industry. So, that’s why I’m embarking on a new project vehicle… I’m calling it “BMW On The Cheap.”

Throughout my car-geek years, I’ve typically bought new cars and modded them out within days of leaving the dealer’s lot. I’ve generally ripped out the interior before the new car smell has even worn off. Well, this sucky economy has forced me, like you, to rethink everything.

What did I buy? How much did I pay? What am I going to do with it? Click more to find out.

After searching for the perfect car to get me and my little boys around town, I noticed that BMWs and Mercedes have suffered from really depressed resale values. So, I decided to take advantage of this. I noticed that early 2000-2003 X5s in great condition were hovering around $10k.  After about two months of searching, I found the perfect one down in San Clemente for $9,250.

Now, its time to customize it. You didn’t think I was going to leave it stock did you?

I’m going to bring you along throughout the build process… My goal is to show you how easy it is to enhance this car. I want to show you that even if all you can afford is an old POS, you can still make it your own.

Here’s what I have planned for this beast.

• Eibach Pro Kit with lowering springs, front and rear sway bars bushings and camber adjustment
• Wet Works Garage color-match door handles, mirrors and door ding strips
• Replace chrome front kidney grills with flat black grills
• Eurostop dual stainless exhaust on each side
• KMC 22″ wheels
• Toyo tires
• Stillen brake rotors with drilled/slotted rotors
• Replace or paint burlwood interior trim with carbon fiber or gloss black
• Lightly tinted tail lights
• Replace standard headlight assemblies with Xenon projector lamps and housings
• Alpine Audio/Video/Navigation
• Viper (Directed) Alarm

Check back every couple of days as I post photos and descriptions of the progress. I’ll give you the names and numbers of every part supplier. I’ll also keep a tally on every penny spent.

This is gonna be fun.

Check out Step 2 – Dissasembly and paint, click here.